Photos in the Attic is a compelling romance that follows the heart-wrenching story of a soldier caught between the love of two women.
The tale is brought to life with the discovery of the Thuillier photos that were taken in Vignacourt, France, during World War I. These images hold answers to some questions raised by a current-day character, VALERIE BERNARD, who is a village local.
In 1916, ROSIE MARCHAND leaves her hometown of Albert on the Somme. A survivor of the war, she finds shelter in the home of her cousin, photographer LOUIS THUILLIER, a shell-shocked veteran of Verdun, who with his wife ANTOINETTE takes pictures of soldiers behind the lines.
For Australian BILL FOSTER, the war is a faraway adventure where he is driven to go and join his brother. Bill is in love with ISABELLA DE LUCA, a passionate Queensland woman, and promises to return to her. However, MICK DE LUCA, Isabella’s father, vows to do all he can to ensure this doesn’t happen. JIMMY WALTON, Bill’s Indigenous mate, enlists in the army also and they both go off to war together.
In the Vignacourt hospital, an injured Bill meets Nurse Rosie. Bill can’t understand why Isabella hasn’t written him any letters. This, along with his brother being declared dead and Jimmy being killed in battle, brings Bill to the verge of a complete breakdown. Rosie is his strength during this time, and she nurses him back to health. Their feelings for each other deepen. As the war ends, Bill makes a difficult decision to return to Australia, to Isabelle. This devastates Rosie, and they part in anger.
Bill returns home and finds that Isabella was pregnant, but both mother and baby died during birth ….
Will Bill’s hatred for Mick De Luca rise to the surface?
What is his future?
Is it in Australia or France, and does it feature Rosie?
How do the photos that were found in the attic tie Bill and Valerie Bernard’s lives together?
Stephen Montgomery –
I really enjoyed immersing myself in this short love story set against the backdrop of France, World War 1. Having been to the French towns and villages along the Western Front, I could picture the scenes that were taking place in the book, such as the bloody battles at Polygon Wood and Fromelles.
The difficult and tragic personal love story of Bill that is woven throughout the book made me reflect on the realities that many men and women must have had to contend with at this time. Bill and Louis’ struggle with PTSD was also cause for appreciation of the personal toll that war can take on survivors and their loved ones.
What I found most interesting is the fact that the photographic plates taken of the soldiers by Louis and Antoinette Thuilliers were found largely in tact after so many years. Donna Fiechtner has cleverly used this key discovery to give us insight into what life might have been like for soldiers on R&R in Vignacourt and the locals who were involved in accommodating the soldiers.
Donna lightens the gravity of the war theme by interspersing some good old-fashioned Aussie humour throughout the story at just the right intervals.
Photos in the Attic is a short, light read that cleverly mixes history with fiction to deliver a truly remarkable read.
Mark Shaw –
Photos in the Attic’ is a wonderful read. Combining Australian history, the tragedy of war, the heartbreak of love gained and lost, and the author’s own journey, makes for great reading.
Donna’s weaving of fact and fiction immerses you into a bygone day of sacrifice across two continents and multiple cultures without losing the human touch.
I can’t wait for the movie!
Jo Stower –
Book recommendation. Photos in the Attic was written by my friend Donna Fiechtner. This is a love story that takes the reader on a journey from WW1 to the present day, from Childers to Vignacourt. This beautifully told story is, in Donna’s own words, a blend of truth and fiction. Donna has brought to life a story that may have remained untold forever. A great book to read.
Andy Maclean –
Thanks for the email Michael, it was lovely to meet you and Donna, hear the important back story and purchase the book. I finished ‘Photos in the Attic’ within 48- hours and found it compelling, interesting and entertaining. Please pass on my congratulations and thanks to Donna for her wonderful and sensitive portrayal of the Diggers, Louis, Antoinette and their families, friends and associates. I look forward to the movie.
Michel Trouley –
Great review from France!
Hello Donna and Michael
Done, I finished Donna’s book!
What a story!
I can’t hide the fact that I shed a tear!
A lot of emotion
I saw myself in the streets of Vignacourt
A lot of sad things from the war that allows us to say “never again!”
The warmth of Childers… beautiful, I feel like I’ve been there again!
Thanks Donna
We are waiting for the movie!
Bravo !
Michel
Caz Bondedan –
Hi. I met you & Donna at Vintners Secret Winery where I bought a book & had it signed. I’ve just finished reading it & what a lovely story. I wonder who will play the lead roles in the movie? It will have to be someone so special. Thank you for a wonderful read. Have a lovely day 🙂
Caz Bondesan –
Hi. I met you & Donna at Vintners Secret Winery where I bought a book & had it signed. I’ve just finished reading it & what a lovely story. I wonder who will play the lead roles in the movie? It will have to be someone so special. Thank you for a wonderful read. Have a lovely day 🙂
Michel Trouillet – President of Maison Des Australiens –
Done, I finished Donna’s book!
What a story!
I can’t hide the fact that I shed a tear!
A lot of emotion
I saw myself in the streets of Vignacourt
A lot of sad things from the war that allows us to say “never again!”
The warmth of Childers… beautiful, I feel like I’ve been there again!
Thanks Donna
We are waiting for the movie!
Bravo !
Michel”
Michael Fiechtner –
I acknowledge upfront that obviously I am biased as I have been closely involved in the Photos in the Attic story. Based on a rediscovered find in a French barn of over 4000 photographic plates created by talented French villagers Louis and Antoinette Thuillier. The story set across 2 countries Australia and France brings to life the reality of what happened behind the lines during the Great War. Childers and Vignacourt could be any number of villages across Australia and France in 1915 as the war calls young men from Australia. The reality of war and the unknown future quickly takes Bill to another place . He does not know what is happening at home but he does know the reality that he faces. What will be his choices?
The story is a beautiful tale , easily read and allows the reader to travel to another time and place and walk in the shoes of the charachters.
It is a classic romantic tale that is in development for a feature film and will hopefully allow readers to experience all the emotions that evolve. Have a read and be transported to France with Bill and Rosie. Discover a story that has not been told about the relationships forged in times of war. I promise you will experience something very special and an ending you may not expect!
Australian Director Franco di Chiera has high praise for Donna’s new book “Photos in the Attic”
“Donna Fiechtner’s Photos in the Attic is a really beautiful written story with the potential to be a true classic. In the 1st World War, many young Australians not only volunteered to defend their motherland, Britain, but to see the world and embark on a big adventure. Of course, it was, an adventure, but not what they imagined. A virtual hell on earth with horrific injuries and death, they suffered mental illness and grief. But also, wonderful mateship and extraordinary romance. The story captures all of these elements. There is also the exquisite beauty and life affirming nature of Louis and Antoinette Thuillier’s iconic photographs of Australian soldiers – the inspiration for the movie. Ultimately, Photos in the Attic is a love story with much complexity, exploring divided loyalties and the madness of war. It pulls at the heart strings and shows how youth sustains the weight of passion and unpreparedness, to face the most extreme challenges head on.”
Franco di Chiera- Director