Irène Némirovsky was an author who, at the age of 26, sent her manuscript anonymously to a Paris publisher. He was floored at the quality of writing, and asked that the writer make himself known. He was floored a second time when he saw a young woman walk in. She was from a well to do Russian family, but neglected by her parents, so at the age of 13, immersed herself in books & writing.
When France was occupied by the Germans in 1940, Némirosvky & her husband were forbidden to pursue their careers because they were Jews. They sent their two daughters away for safety, and joined them later in 1941. During this time, she began another novel, "Suite Française", describing everyday life in France under the occupation. She finished part of 1000 pages, and in June, 1942, she was arrested and deported to Auschwitz, where she died a few weeks later. Her daughters kept the writings and years later - in 2004 - "Suite Française" was published in France with enormous success.
Stories like these make me smile and cry at the same time...
