Light from the Dark Side of the Moon: A Novel

92-year-old Henry Budge escapes a rehab hospital to attend the 70th D-Day observance in France, hoping to rekindle memories of his love for French Resistance fighter Élodie Bedier. He relives 1944 events, risking desertion and condemnation, and makes shocking discoveries about their love.

Format: Hardback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 21 May 2019
Publisher: Blank Slate Press

In the midst of a war-torn world, a poignant tale of love and remembrance unfolds. Henry Budge, a 92-year-old man, defies the expectations of his family by escaping from a rehab hospital to embark on a journey to France. His mission? To attend the 70th observance of D-Day, a momentous occasion that holds deep significance for him.

Before his time comes, Henry desires to confront a grief that has lingered for decades, stemming from the loss of Élodie Bedier, a French Resistance fighter whom he fell deeply in love with 70 years ago. He sees this as an opportunity to rekindle memories of their love and find solace in confronting his pain.

As Henry embarks on his return journey, he relives the events of 1944. He recalls the harrowing experience of parachuting into Normandy, where he was wounded. It was during his recovery that he met Élodie, a compassionate nurse who tended to his injuries and helped him regain his strength. Their love blossomed amidst the chaos of war, as they fought alongside her resistance companions against the German forces.

However, their journey took a dramatic turn when Henry made the courageous decision to abandon the war and rescue a group of children from the Holocaust. This act, though selfless, put him at risk of being executed by a firing squad for desertion. Élodie, too, faced the threat of condemnation from her compatriots for associating with a deserter.

Upon his return to France, Henry is met with a series of shocking discoveries that challenge the memories he has held dear of Élodie for so many years. These revelations shake the foundations of their love story and leave him pondering the intricacies of true memory versus the countless imagined conversations that have shaped his understanding of their relationship.

In the midst of this introspection, Henry is left with a profound sense of wonder. He questions the depth of his love for Élodie and wonders if it was based solely on the memories he has cherished or if it was influenced by the countless conversations he has had with himself over the decades. The journey has been a testament to the power of love and the complexities of memory, reminding him that the truth may lie somewhere in between.

As Henry reflects on his life and the love he shared with Élodie, he realizes that their story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of love. Despite the challenges they faced, their love remained strong, and their memory will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew them.

In conclusion, Henry Budge's journey to France for the 70th observance of D-Day is a poignant reminder of the complexities of love and memory. Through his experiences, he explores the depths of his grief and the resilience of the human spirit. His story serves as a testament to the enduring power of love and the importance of confronting our past to find healing and closure.

Weight: 552g
Dimension: 226 x 167 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781943075614