Venus is a pregnant cow living on the fictional island of Armorel in the summer of 1940. The father of her calf was a famous pedigree bull called Mars, who was blown to bits after stepping on a landmine. The unborn calf is therefore very precious, as it is the last genetic link to a perfect bloodline. However the Germans have just invaded the Channel Islands.
The British secret services hatch a plan to rescue Venus. They hope that the Germans won't know how important Venus and her calf are. However Commander Hans Weiss the German officer sent to take charge of Armorel used to be a farmer and he realises her importance and arranges to send her off to Germany. The British enlist the help of Nicola Fallaize, the sister of the Suzerain (ruler) of Armorel, who left Armorel before the German invasion, and she and 2 men - Valentine Morland and Sergeant Forbes - are tasked with retrieving Venus. They are landed on Armorel by an alcoholic sailor who knows the waters around the island like the back of his hand.
With the help of Nicola's cousin Lionel and a small boy called Georges against all odds they succeed in their mission but it doesn't end happily for everyone.
Armorel is a fictitious island but it closely resembles Sark. The story seems far fetched but having watched many documentaries about the activities of SOE in Europe during the Second World War, I realise that several equally crazy missions were carried out successfully during World War 2.
A film was made of the book in 1951. I haven't seen the film. 7/10
La Grande Greve, Sark with Brecqhou in the distance
La Prevote, Guernsey
Little Sark
No comments:
Post a Comment