The Champagne War

This is a book that held me enthralled from start to finish, beautifully written, this one takes us to France at the start of World War 1 and lets us get to know Vigneron Jerome Mea and champenoise Sophie Delancre as we journey with them during the hard days of the war, it is a moving and emotional journey.

It is summer in the south of France and Sophie has just met the love of her life, yes it was love at first sight and what a match a Vigneron and her being a champenoise this is sure to be a long and loving life together growing grapes and making champagne,. But sadly war breaks out within days of their marriage and Jerome goes off to war to keep Sophie and France safe, when Jerome goes missing presumed dead Sophie is devastated but remains strong and works so hard to ensure that the champagne will continue to be made, life is very hard but Sophie shows her strength and caring character and does all she can as the bombs and guns are going off not far from them.

Charles Nash is a chemist working in England he decides to join up when the Germans starting sending poisonous gases killing many soldiers rather than be part of the team that will retaliate, he is an excellent shot and is made captain he is in the trenches fighting with his men, it is hard to not want to die yourself as you see so many others dying and after a battle that just about takes him out he ends up in an underground hospital in France, here he meets the beautiful Sophie he is soon moved to her mansion in Epernay where she also helps with the wounded and with her help he soon becomes strong again and also loses his heart to her.

Sophie is struggling with feelings for Charlie she has never given up on Jerome coming home and with her brother in law pushing in a nasty way, Sophie needs someone to lean on and Charlie is there for her, she must make up her mind, it is hard loving two men and when Jeromes blood stained jacket is found she finally reconciles that she will never see Jerome again, Charlie has never loved anyone before and Sophie means everything to him he is understanding about her husband and dives in and helps with the champagne making and life appears to be moving forward and the end of the war is very close.

This story has a lot of ups and downs and I felt their struggles as the war goes on around the beautiful people of Epernay and Fiona McIntosh has made these characters real, alive, filled with emotions as I turned the pages. A wonderfully written historical story that showed what people went through, their strengths, their feelings, I loved it there were many tears during this one and heartbreak as well as joy and happiness and all of these come together in a story that I would highly recommend.

Thank you Penguin Random House for my copy to read.

When fifth generation champenoise, Sophie Delancr fell in love with vigneron Jerome Mea, Jeromes brother Louis had his nose out of joint. For Louis had wanted Sophie for himself. Their wedding was delightful, but within a month of their union, Jerome headed to war. 1914 and the Germans were doing untold damage to the country and its people. In Ypres, Jerome felt the first of the Germans use of poison gas, while back home in pernay, Sophie despaired of hearing anything other than missing, presumed dead.

Charlie Nash, a British chemist, was now Captain Charlie Nash, controlling his men with kindness and compassion. His marksmanship was legendary, and he did much to keep his men alive. But the German offensive in France saw him badly injured and when he was brought to Reims to the hospital Sophie had set up in the champagne cellars, then on to Sophies mansion in pernay, where the wounded recovered in the fresh air and peace of the countryside, his desperate wish to die was gradually changed to a will to live.

As Sophie and Charlie formed a friendship, Sophie despaired of ever finding Jerome alive. It had been over three years and everyone except Sophie was sure he was dead. In fact, Louis continued to tell her she needed to let his brother go Sophie shuddered at what Louis implied. What would be the outcome for Sophie? For the British soldier, Charlie? And could Sophie produce the 1918 vintage in this terrible time of war?

The Champagne War is another exceptional historical novel from the pen of Aussie author Fiona McIntosh which I thoroughly enjoyed. Set in France during the first world war, among the trials and tribulations of those left behind the women, children and elderly who kept the country running as best they could. They grieved, as their loved ones were pronounced dead as the mayor accompanied the telegram boy with his grim message. But they kept going and Sophies strength of character, her fortitude, shone through. A superb read which I highly recommend, from an author who never disappoints.

Fiona McIntosh is a master of historical fiction and ‘The Champagne War’ was definitely no exception. Her characters are strong and I was quickly drawn into to the story. I learnt a lot about the making of champagne and WW1 in the Marne. Interestingly, I had just seen the movie ‘Radioactive’ about Marie Curie a couple of days before I read about her in this story, which was a real coincidence.

I have read all Fiona Macintosh’s books and enjoyed them all. In, The Champagne War, there was a lot of information about the 1st World War in France and the growing of grapes for Champagne. Very well written, I enjoyed the way the story wove around love as well, and with 5 stars, I would recommend that you read it.

It was with a degree of sadness that I turned the last page on this wonderful novel and returned to 2021. I do so however, with a renewed knowledge of WWI, the senseless devastation of war and the extraordinary champagne industry that provided hope and stability to a country ravaged by war.

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