In her latest historical novel “Far From Home,” Danielle Steel weaves a compelling narrative of survival, love, and resilience against the backdrop of World War II. The story follows Arielle von Auspeck, a half-French, half-German aristocrat whose life is shattered when her husband is executed for participating in the failed plot to assassinate Hitler. What unfolds is an intimate portrait of a woman forced to forge a new identity while separated from her children and everything she once held dear.
Steel, known for her romantic narratives and exploration of human relationships, steps confidently into historical fiction territory with this work. While her signature emotional depth remains intact, “Far From Home” offers readers a more nuanced examination of the personal costs of war, the moral complexities faced by ordinary citizens, and the quiet heroism of those who risked everything to save others.
Compelling Historical Context with Personal Dimensions
Set primarily in occupied France between 1944 and 1945, the novel provides readers with a window into a tumultuous period when loyalties were tested and survival often depended on one’s ability to adapt. Steel skillfully recreates the atmosphere of uncertainty that permeated everyday life during this time:
The opulence of the Hotel Ritz in Paris, transformed into German headquarters yet still maintaining an air of glamour
The stark contrast between privileged German officers and the suffering French citizens
The clandestine operations of the Resistance, with ordinary people performing extraordinary acts of courage
The aftermath of liberation, where joy mingles with the grim reality of a devastated continent
What distinguishes this novel from other WWII fiction is Steel’s focus on the “gray areas” of war—those who were caught between nationalities, between loyalties, between the person they were and the person they needed to become to survive. Arielle’s journey from protected aristocrat to Resistance worker exemplifies this transformation, making her evolution both believable and moving.
Character Development: From Privilege to Purpose
The heart of “Far From Home” by Danielle Steel lies in its character development, particularly that of Arielle von Auspeck. When we first meet her, she is a woman of privilege—beautiful, elegant, and somewhat sheltered despite the war raging around her. Her aristocratic background has insulated her from many of war’s hardships.
The trajectory of Arielle’s character is perhaps the novel’s greatest strength. Following the execution of her husband Gregor, she is forced to:
Adopt a new identity using her mother’s maiden name
Learn to survive without servants or financial security
Find employment for the first time in her life
Forge connections with people outside her social circle
Actively contribute to the Resistance, risking her life for others
Through this transformation, Steel shows us that true strength often emerges only when everything familiar has been stripped away. Arielle’s evolution from a pampered aristocrat to a woman of substance and courage feels earned rather than contrived.
Secondary characters are similarly well-crafted. Sebastien Renaud, the lawyer-turned-forger who becomes Arielle’s closest friend, carries his own trauma after losing his Jewish wife to the concentration camps. His quiet resolve and determination to help others despite his personal loss make him a compelling character. Their relationship develops organically, moving from cautious friendship to deep connection in a way that honors their respective pasts.
Emotional Resonance Through Parallel Narratives
Steel employs a dual narrative structure that enhances the emotional impact of the story. While the primary focus remains on Arielle in France, we also follow her daughter Marianna’s struggles in Berlin. This technique serves several purposes:
It creates tension as mother and daughter search for each other across war-torn Europe
It offers contrasting perspectives on the German experience of the war’s end
It provides parallel love stories that demonstrate how connection can emerge from tragedy
It reinforces the novel’s theme that “home” is not a place but the people we love
This narrative choice feels particularly effective when both women finally reunite. Their joy at finding each other is tempered by shared grief over those they’ve lost, creating a bittersweet resolution that feels authentic to the time period.
Prose Style: Accessibility with Emotional Depth
Danielle Steel’s prose remains accessible and propulsive, driving the narrative forward with clean, straightforward language. While literary purists might wish for more stylistic innovation, the simplicity of her approach serves the story well, allowing readers to connect directly with the characters and their emotions.
Where Steel excels is in depicting moments of emotional significance. When Arielle learns of Gregor’s execution, when Marianna discovers her brother has been killed, when Sebastien is reunited with his daughter—these scenes are rendered with genuine feeling and restraint. Steel avoids melodrama by anchoring these moments in concrete details and physical sensations, making the characters’ emotions palpable without overstatement.
Strengths and Limitations
“Far From Home” showcases several of Danielle Steel’s strengths as a novelist:
Emotional Intelligence: She demonstrates a nuanced understanding of human relationships under extreme pressure.
Historical Integration: Historical events are woven naturally into the narrative without feeling like history lessons.
Pacing: The story moves at a compelling rate, balancing character development with plot progression.
Theme Development: The exploration of what constitutes “home” is thoughtfully developed throughout.
However, the novel is not without limitations:
Some plot developments rely too heavily on coincidence, particularly in how characters eventually reconnect.
The portrayal of the concentration camps, while respectful, sometimes lacks the devastating impact that such a subject demands.
Certain secondary characters would benefit from more development, particularly Josephine, whose experiences in the camps are referenced but not fully explored.
The final resolution wraps up somewhat too neatly given the historical context.
A Place in Steel’s Broader Work
For longtime fans of Danielle Steel, “Far From Home” represents a successful venture into historical fiction that still maintains the elements that have made her one of the world’s bestselling authors. The focus on family bonds, resilience in the face of adversity, and the healing power of love connects this novel to her broader body of work.
However, the historical setting and more complex moral landscape place this novel in conversation with her other historically-informed works like “Pegasus” and “The Duchess.” Steel demonstrates her versatility by integrating meticulously researched historical details with her trademark emotional storytelling.
Comparison to Contemporary WWII Fiction
When considered alongside other recent WWII novels, “Far From Home” by Danielle Steel distinguishes itself through its focus on the aftermath of the July 1944 plot to assassinate Hitler and its consequences for the families involved. While novels like Kristin Hannah’s “The Nightingale” or Martha Hall Kelly’s “Lilac Girls” explore similar themes of resistance and survival, Steel’s particular interest in the German aristocracy’s opposition to Hitler provides a fresh perspective.
The novel’s exploration of identity—specifically what happens when one’s nationality becomes a liability—resonates with contemporary discussions about nationalism and belonging. Arielle’s journey from German aristocrat to French Resistance worker raises questions about how we define ourselves when our national identity becomes tainted by association.
Conclusion: A Moving Addition to WWII Fiction
“Far From Home” by Danielle Steel succeeds as both a historical novel and a human drama. Despite some narrative conveniences, the emotional core of the story remains authentic and moving. Steel has created characters whose struggles and triumphs reflect the larger historical moment while remaining deeply personal.
For readers seeking a blend of historical detail and emotional storytelling, “Far From Home” offers a compelling journey through one of history’s darkest periods. It reminds us that even in times of unimaginable hardship, human connection remains our most powerful resource—and that sometimes, finding our way home means creating a new definition of what “home” means.
As Arielle discovers by the novel’s end, home isn’t the Berlin mansion or the family schloss, but rather the people we love and who love us in return. In a world shattered by war, this truth becomes not just a comfort but a survival strategy—a message that resonates beyond the historical setting and speaks to readers facing their own modern displacements and uncertainties.
In the vast landscape of Danielle Steel’s impressive bibliography, “Far From Home” stands as a thoughtful exploration of identity, courage, and the enduring human capacity for reinvention when everything familiar has been lost.