Richard and Judy pick novel set in Occupation
LOCALLY-RAISED author Jacquie Bloese’s novel set during the Occupation has been selected as one of the top reads for winter by one of the most popular book clubs in the UK.
Richard and Judy’s Book Club started life more than 10 years ago and the current format sees the two popular TV presenters promote half a dozen titles four times a year.
Ms Bloese’s book, The French House, is one of the six books in the club’s winter selection, which is now backed by WH Smith.
Growing up in Guernsey, she attended La Mare de Carteret and then the Grammar School.
Described as a ‘heartbreaking wartime love story’, The French House was inspired by Ms Bloese’s family history and her time working at Hauteville House, which is the house of the title.
She said she was delighted to hear that her book was one of those chosen.
‘I found out at the beginning of September but it was all very hush-hush.
‘I’m absolutely thrilled and delighted. It’s quite difficult to get selected. It’s just such a great way of getting your book out there.’
Books are chosen by publishers and Ms Bloese said she was not even aware that this had happened. She was grateful to Hodder for putting it forward in the first place.
The hardback had sold reasonably well, she said. ‘I described it as a “slow burn”. It came out in April. It’s a very crowded market and it didn’t have lots of publicity behind it.’
The book has already received a couple of accolades. It was commended in the 2020 Caledonian Novel Award as ‘a brilliantly moving historical novel’ and was a finalist in the 2019 Mslexia First Novel Award.
The Book Club selection coincides with the novel’s publication in paperback and in their brief comments on the book on the Richard and Judy website, they described it as ‘deeply involving, utterly absorbing, and sometimes heart-wrenching. We loved it.’
A podcast focusing on the books selected was launched in 2020 in which the couple interview the authors of their chosen books. Ms Bloese will be recording her episode in the coming week and it will be available from 29 December.
Ms Bloese now lives in Brighton and her next book will be set in the city and the world of photography, and following three women from different backgrounds all fighting for independence.
She has nearly finished it and it is due for publication in 2024.
