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491_9781412022163
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Though born into a fiercely traditional wine-growingfamily in the Bordeaux region of France, the author learnedthe meaning of independence at a tender age. Her mother,rebelling against the rigors of provincial life, left for Paris insearch of a new career - and a divorce. Ilians grandparents,not knowing quite what to do, placed her in a nearby convent.The nuns were kind, but as there were no other children herage, Ilian, then 4, spent her days playing by herself in theconvent courtyard. Then life changed dramatically, whenher mother re-married. Ilians new step-father, a brilliantHungarian-born intellectual, was to have a profound effect onher life. Together with her siblings, she began to experiencethe life of affluent Parisian society. Her parents were verymuch a part of the intellectual life of Montparnasse, whilesimultaneously creating a publishing empire. Unusual forthose days, Ilian was sent for an interlude of schooling inEngland. Back in Paris, this protected teen-ager had only abrief time, however, before the war clouds began gatheringover Europe.When the German invasion of France finally came,Ilians step-father, Paul, having published derogatorymaterial about the Nazi leadership, was high on the Gestapolist. It became urgent for the family to escape. They joineda massive exodus, on congested roads, toward the southof France, being strafed by Italian warplanes on the way.They succeeded in escaping from France with the help ofa courageous American vice-consul in Marseille. In the U.S.Paul, with renewed energy, set up an office ce in New York andwrote a regular column for The Washington Post. Duringtheir flight from France, the family had become confirmedGaullists. This was reflected in Pauls writing - and in Iliansdecision three years later (after she had graduated fromBarnard College) to join the Free French Air Force. Shebecame a liaison officer between the French Air Force andthe U.S. First Tactical Air Force, hea
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