I read this debut historical fiction novel by Jersey Island author Caroline Lea as part of my Read Around the World challenge. It is set during WW2. In 1940, after the withdrawal of British troops from the Channel Islands after their defeat in France, 12,000 German troops landed on Jersey. The story looks at the upheaval in the lives of the residents during this period.

Jersey, officially known as the Bailiwick of Jersey, is the largest of the Channel Islands off the coast of northwest France. Jersey was part of the Duchy of Normandy whose dukes invaded England and became kings there from 1066. Jersey is a self-governing democracy separate to the United Kingdom, but as a Crown Dependency the UK is responsible for its defense. The island has both British and Norman-French cultural influences with the Norman language Jèrriais still being used. Jersey is approximately 120km2 and has a population of around 105,000 people, around half of whom were born there.

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The story is partly told through the eyes of ten-year-old Claudine, whose life is forever changed when she witnesses the village butcher burnt on the beach by a German bomb. Claudine is desperately trying to help her depressed mother put food on the table while her father is at war. She befriends German soldier Gregor, and learns that some Germans are kind-hearted and humane. Gregor is a stark contrast to Hans, her mother’s new friend. The story also includes fisherman Maurice, whose wife Marthe is struggling with Huntington's Chorea, Edith Bisson the proudly Jèrriais herbalist and English doctor Tim Carter who does not leave the island when the English evacuate but stays to help. Lastly there is the brutal, powerful Commandant who forces Tim to become his personal physician, making Tim an outcast and figure of suspicion with the islanders.

I found this a gripping, well told story that gave a vivid insight into life on Jersey during the war. The ending was a little unexpected but realistic. 4.5 stars. ( )

All hope that Hitler will leave the Channel Islands alone is gone. It's June 1940 and bombs have started dropping on Jersey. Shortly afterwards 12,000 German troops take over the island. We read about four different people:

Claudine is a ten-year-old girl who befriends one of the soldiers, but this friendship will inadvertently let trouble into the home she shares with her younger brother and their mother.

Maurice is a local fisherman who will do whatever it takes to protect his sick wife who can no longer care for herself.

Edith is a natural healer, although most people on the island would call her a witch, who will try her best to help those in need.

Tim Carter is an English doctor who had the chance to evacuate the island before it was invaded but refused to do so. He has no choice now but to obey the Commandant and be labelled a traitor by the locals as he tries to protect them (although they do not know this)

It's well-written. The topic of the German Occupation of Jersey was interesting and, of course, heartbreaking. These four characters were great. So was the German soldier, Gregor. Just reading about this stirs up feelings of hopelessness and anger, I can't imagine actually living it. So sad. ( )

When the Sky Fell Apart by Caroline Lea was a fascinating look into a little known chapter of World War II history. The Channel Islands, owned by England but located very close to the French coast, were to be the launching pad for Hitler's invasion of England. Instead the Islands and their inhabitants endured years of occupation and deprivation.

Ms. Leas does such a wonderful job of creating not only the atmosphere of the time and place but the culture as well. For example, early in the book a resident of the Islands is explaining to an English immigrant the relationship between Island and Country. The character Edith explains, "It's like this you see: when William of Normandy took England for his own, we were part of Normandy. Part of the conquering army, if you like. Which means that we don't belong too England - England belongs to us. Our oldest possession, she is." Just that quote explains the complicated relationship between England and the Islands. England thinks they own the Islands and the Islands let them think that and continue to do whatever they want.

That independent spirit is a strong theme in the book.England abandoned the Islands supposedly to protect the civilian population. To the Islanders, England abandon them. They knew they would have to survive on their own without any help from anyone. The characters in the book all reflect that theme. The Islanders dig in their heels and work to survive. The German occupiers try to control a population defines passive-aggressive. The long Englishman in the book is precariously balanced between fear of the Germans sending him to a camp in Germany and trying to help the population who general distrust outsiders.

There are good Islanders as well as bad ones. Also good Germans as well as the brutal Nazis. And there are many in between. Part of the charm of this book is that it was not predictable, did not end as I thought and managed to break my heart several times.

If you have seen the BBC production of "Islands at War", be aware that is a very different picture than When the Sky Fell Apart. The book is probably a more accurate picture of how the civilians suffered during the occupation but did not break. I reccomend When the Sky Fell Apart with 4 out of 5 Stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy in exchange for a fair review. ( )

Set on Jersey Island during the German invasion. Tells the story of a few islanders and how they make do, battering on the black market for commodities. Interwoven is the story of the Dr who is "directed" to be the physician for, and severely tested by the Commandant. A few islanders plan an escape.I thought the ending was rather rushed and seemed condensed into the story which is why I lowered the score by at least 1/2 a star. A good read along the veins of Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. ( )