Along the Infinite Sea by Beatriz Williams is a riveting historical
novel. Within the background of early Nazi Germany the book
delves into how someone’s fame, fortune, and forbidden
passion can influence relationships. The story alternates
between the late 1930s and mid 1960s, with the flashback narration
revealing a mystery of regret and intrigue. The author manages
to keep readers guessing until the very end of the book as
to what actually happens.
Two women alternated narrating the story, Pepper in the 1960s
and Annabelle in the 1930s. The plot of this novel begins
as Pepper Schuyler is selling a restored Mercedes she found
in her sister Tiny’s in-laws Cape Cod shed. She decides
to sell this Roadster to fund her impending new life as a
single mother-to-be. The buyer turns out to be the car’s
original owner, Annabelle, who used it to escape Nazi Germany
with her lover, husband, and children. Because she sees a
lot of herself in Pepper, Annabelle takes her under her wing,
helping her survive. Both are strong beautiful women whose
lives are full of secrets.
Williams commented to blackfive.net she found the idea for
the car in “an article I came across a few years ago
about a vintage automobile, a rare 1936 Mercedes 540K Special
Roadster. It had been discovered in a shed at an inn. A German
baroness had driven this extraordinary car around Europe before
WWII began. She had various affairs including one with a Jewish
gentleman. She eventually fled to America with her Mercedes.
After being fully restored the car was sold at auction in
2012 for nearly $12 million. I decided to make up a story
about the car and the third Schuyler sister, Pepper. This
1936 German car was the perfect springboard into the world
of the early Nazis. Remember the female protagonist Annabelle
is the grand daughter of a Hardcastle so she spent a lot of
time at the Cape Cod summer cottage, where the car was hidden.
Since it was so distinctive the family wanted to make sure
the Nazi regime did not know General Von Kleist escaped, because
he knew a lot about the Third Reich plans.”
People will be swept away with the all too real events, issues,
and characters. Three of the main characters represented the
viewpoints of those living under the auspices of the Nazi
Party that culminated in Kristallnacht, an organized government
pogrom against the Jews. The Jewish protagonist Stefan Silverman
understood what was happening and was conflicted about putting
public duty ahead of his own desires. His soul mate, Annabelle
de’Creouville, recognized the bigotry of the Germans,
as evidenced when she moved back to Paris, but was naïve
regarding the brutality. A very powerful quote hammers the
point home as Stefan tells Annabelle; “You do not understand
a thing, Annabelle. The Germans want to destroy us. I mean
obliterate. I mean they want us blistered from the face of
the earth.”
Williams loved writing about Stefan because she considered
him a flawed hero whose family “represented the Jews
who influenced the German culture at the turn of the century.
All of this wonderful creative production was coming out of
the Jewish cultural legacy. The rest of the population in
the 1930s betrayed Stefan’s family. He understood this
and was very clear sighted about what was happening in Germany
to the Jews.”
But the most compelling and engaging storyline was the backstory
of Annabelle during the 1930s. Williams sets her in a world
that is rapidly falling apart. She is faced with threats,
struggles, and heartbreaks having to choose between the love
of her life Stefan and the man she eventually marries for
security, General Von Kleist. This book emphasizes how people
are presented with choices in their life. Stefan must chose
between public duty and his own inclinations towards Annabelle;
she must choose between loyalty to her husband/children and
her own innocence of wanting a perfect world where she and
Stefan could live happily ever after; the General must chose
between his loyalty to his country and his loyalty to his
wife and children; and Pepper must make the choice of keeping
the baby or giving it up for adoption.
Along the Infinite Sea is one of those special books
where readers will not want the story to end. Williams does
an amazing job of developing the characters and dual timelines
set in Paris, Germany, and America. The human relationships
are integrated into a riveting story that plays out in the
backdrop of historical drama.
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