World War II. France. Two sisters.
Vianne is the older sister, a teacher who is married to Antoine. They enjoy a quiet life in the town of Carriveau.
Isabelle is the younger, wilder, sister who has been expelled from (or run away from) several schools, so is now staying with her father in Paris.
When France becomes involved in the war, Antoine is sent to fight, leaving Vianna and her daughter alone to fend for themselves.
Isabelle is sent away from Paris as it has become too dangerous, so she travels to Carriveau to stay with her sister. Along the journey, she meets and falls in love with a man named Gaetan who gets her involved in the revolution.
While living with Vianne, Isabelle is outspoken and a bit careless and Vianne fears her behavior will draw the attention of the Nazis while she is desperately trying to keep quiet and keep everyone safe.
Isabelle begins rescuing downed airmen and helps them to cross the mountains into the safety of Spain.
Vianne, after watching the brutality of the Nazis and witnessing the suffering and starving of her fellow townspeople, decides to join the resistance in her own way by helping Jewish children to escape to safety after their parents are taken away.
I'm not doing it justice at all so I'll just say it is absolutely one of the best books I've ever read.
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