Searching for Eternity

by Elizabeth Musser

A youth yanked out of the only life he's known to live on the other side of the Atlantic with a grandmother he's never seen before...

A mother who shrugs off her son's anguish with breezy assurances like, "You'll love America, Emile."...

A father's sudden disappearance from his son's life with no explanation or even a good-bye...

French-born Emile de Bonnery lands in the strange environment of 1960s Atlanta with decidedly mixed emotions. Some memories make Emile want to believe the best of his father. Others cause him to fear the worst. Does his mother know more than she's willing to tell?

Determined to learn the truth, Emile finds an ally and friend--who seems to be hiding secrets of her own. Together they search for answers...and what they find changes everything.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian, World War II, Book Club, Romance

428 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2007

About the author

ELIZABETH MUSSER writes ‘entertainment with a soul’ from her writing chalet—tool shed—outside Lyon, France. Elizabeth’s award winning, best-selling novel, The Swan House, was named one of Amazon’s Top Christian Books of the Year, one of Georgia’s Top Ten Novels of the Past 100 Years and was awarded the Gold Illumination Book Award 2021 for Enduring Light Fiction. All of Elizabeth’s novels have been translated into multiple languages and have been international bestsellers. Two Destinies, the final novel in The Secrets of the Cross trilogy, was a finalist for the 2013 Christy Award. The Long Highway Home was a finalist for the 2018 Carol Award. The Promised Land won second place in Literary Fiction at the 2021 Georgia Author of the Year Awards and won the 2021 Carol Award for Contemporary Fiction. Elizabeth’s most recent novel, By Way of the Moonlight, is a Publisher’s Weekly Top Ten Pick in Religion and Spirituality for Fall Releases in 2022 and Parable and ECPA bestseller and was a finalist for the 2023 Christy Award.

For over thirty-five years, Elizabeth and her husband, Paul, have been involved in missions’ work in Europe with One Collective, formerly International Teams. The Mussers have two sons, two daughters-in-law and five grandchildren.

Find more about Elizabeth’s novels on her website and on Facebook, Instagram, Bookbub, and Pinterest.

Sign up for her email list https://6231db35.sibforms.com/serve/M....

Reviews

[Alicia Ruggieri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Elizabeth Musser book I've read, and, overall, I really enjoyed it - I would definitely pick up a novel by her again. Set in the 1960s-1980s, Searching for Eternity explores how hurts done by us and to us (on purpose, by mistake, or because someone meant well, but did wrong) can affect us and others for generations, unless we bring those things to God, allowing Him to work in and through us, despite our brokenness. From a teenage boy (the main character) who suffers from a father's seeming abandonment to a black man suffering from cultural racism to a teen girl hurt by her horrendous childhood, we see how God suffers alongside us and will bring good from the evil, if we allow Him to do so.

In particular, I loved the very authentic French feeling of the story. The author did a marvelous job with depicting the challenges a French boy would face upon being dropped into the American South in the 1960s and how he would adapt. I also really - and this was probably my favorite part of the book - admired the way Emile's American grandmother was depicted - Her empathy, wisdom, discernment, and compassion made her into the kind of character that, as a reader, I would love to meet and know in "real life."

I recommend this to historical and contemporary fiction fans. The romance thread is not heavy at all, and the book will really appeal to folks who, like me, don't want that to be at the forefront throughout the book. I'd say it's probably appropriate for age 15+, due to mature themes such as rape, beatings, alcoholism, etc.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Searching for Eternity is a great read. It is the first book I have read by Elizabeth Musser and it will not be the last. A beautifully well written story of overcoming, forgiveness and faith. Highly recommended.
5 stars.
I received this book from bookfun.org in exchange for my honest opinion, which was given.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! The last part of the book brought everything together for me in such a way that I felt that it was exactly how it should have been. My favorite Elizabeth Musser book. I just finished reading this book again, and I still love it.

[Sandra de koning-vd pol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Een prachtig, indrukwekkend verhaal...

[Gina T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memorable and moving story but the author didn’t have a charitable attitude towards obese people.

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

(A 2024 update follows this review.) I first read this book in 2012, but wanted to read it again. I was not disappointed the second time around (2014) and I'm going to stick with my first review written here.

This is the best book I've read all year. It is well written, an incredibly interesting topic to me, and an in-depth story that makes you evaluate how you handle "les moments difficiles de la vie" (the difficult times of life). It reminded me of people I've known who have overcome unimaginably painful things and have done so with grace and trust in the Lord. Even though I have never had to face such horrors, it encouraged me to make sure I face whatever hard times I have with true faith, leaning on the Lord, giving love and forgiveness.

Since I've been to some of the French towns mentioned in the book and to Dachau, the story came alive even more and it even led me to do a little further research & reading on my own about the French Resistance, Lyon, and Klaus Barbie.

The only problem with this book was--life got in the way. Once I started reading I did not want to put it down, yet this was probably one of the busiest weeks with a new semester starting. It was frustrating not be able to read it in one sitting--which I could have easily done if I'd started it in the summer. I want to read more books by Elizabeth Musser. I've read The Swan House which is another excellent story so I need to see what else she has written.

I don't write glowing reviews often--but this book deserves it. You can find the story line elsewhere and on other reviews. I just wanted to let you know what I thought about the book. There are plenty of "sweet, cute, romantic" Christian stories out there--this isn't one of those-- but if you want a riveting story that challenges your thinking, read Searching for Eternity.


2024–this is the third time I’ve read this book. It’s been ten years since I picked it up. Since the last time through, I have been to Lyon, to Auschwitz and Ravensbrück, and been to France four more times. This still is my favorite book. Usually authors grow and their older books fall off. This book is as amazing of story and writing as Elizabeth Musser is creating today—and that, my friends is a high compliment.

[Michelle Gillespie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Musser is one of my go-to authors now when I need a good story that will challenge, encourage, and teach me. I enjoy Musser, because the characters are well-developed and if there is romance it is clean and realistic.

[Kathy Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read many books by this author, but this is one of my very favorites. It is a coming of age story concerning Emile, a French boy who is forced to leave his beloved Lyon and move to the United States due to (unbeknownst to him) dangerous threats made on his life as well as his mother's life. Emile's parents and grandparents are both part of the underground French resistance during WWII. He settles in Atlanta and immediately feels out of place and is even bullied at times. His encounter with another oddball girl named Eternity is one that will be a continuing thread throughout the novel. There are some descriptions of torture and atrocities of war, but this is above all a novel of redemption and hope. I highly recommend it!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Musser takes us from the time 13-year-old Emile has moved suddenly from France with his mother the day after his father left suddenly. The years that follow, Emile tries to figure out the mystery of his father's disappearance. Now living with his American grandmother, he finally acclimates to living in America. Years later, the mystery unravels when a friend who has become a journalist and knew him since he moved to America stays in communication with him.

Well written story of hope and love.

[Priscilla J. Ehrhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story

I had a hard time getting excited about this book in chapters one and two, but once Eternity came into the picture, I couldn’t put it down. The children in this story go through some hard times that no child should have to endure but due to God’s sovereignty they become some great adults. It is a great read.

[Shariek Gohar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved this one!

Another winner by Elizabeth Musser. Love stories told from a childs/adolescents view. Covered so many good/heavy issues in such a beautiful way. Loved following Emile's journey with friendships, heartaches and questions. The third book by this author that I thoroughly enjoyed. Was a refreshing read and I highly recommend this book.

[Elly Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story of a young man’s life as he is uprooted from his French home to an Atlanta home with his mother and grandmother. The mystery here is the whereabouts of his father who abruptly disappeared. The story follows Emile’s life as well as the life of his best friend, Eternity, over 25 years.

[Jaqueline Kachidza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book, highly recommend it! Loved how she lets feel how the Emile felt from childhood to manhood clearly bringing out God's sovereignty in all circumstances. The romance is super clean and relatable which is such a healthy aspect of this book!

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romantisk bok, dyktig skrevet som i bunnen handler om ettervirkninger av Klaus Barbies grusomhetene han utførte under 2. verdenskrig, og om rasediskriminering og alkoholisme og vold, men også om tilgivelse og kjærlighet og liv som går videre i kjølvannet av det.

[Jessie Mattis · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUCH a good book. I loved that it dug into a branch of WW2 that I wasn't familiar with, and it didn't feel formulaic. The storyline was way more relational than history-heavy, which I prefer, but the history bits were great and led me to doing my own research afterward. Definitely recommend!

[Edie Asbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel was a good read on so many levels--the experiences of resisters in France during World War II, contrasting cultures of France with the U.S., racism in Atlanta, abandonment of fathers, poverty, gardening, alcoholism, bullying, faith, forgiveness, love.

[Ann Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Musser is a fave author and she doesn't disappoint here.

[Macey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like it started slow but I was a beautiful story.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first two more. This one took a while to get into, but the ending chapter was worth it. A lot of hard history to swollow.

[Marcy Kludt Belles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put the book down! It tied so much history that I wasn't even aware of into the story.

[Rhea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story! Kept me up late finishing it!

[Marjolein Beek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotionele dingen, goed beschrijvend en leuke humor

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely not an easy story to read, but such memorable characters

[Deana Dick · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this emotional book I very quietly sat and closed my eyes. I wanted to savor every word I had read, feel every emotion that the characters felt and think about the rich history that was scattered throughout the book. I loved the characters and their passion for what was right and wrong. It is not easy being "different" but the author wrote such a stirring and lovely story I cried at times.

Emile de Bonnery has just discovered that he is leaving France with his mother and traveling to America. There is a big secret about his father. What is his mother hiding about his father? Emile does not want to leave France, but he has no choice. I loved his French grandmother and you could feel her heart breaking as Emile and his mother leave.

The author does an amazing job of taking the characters on a journey through history starting in the 1960s. Emile is really in for a shock when he arrives in Atlanta. They arrive at his grandmother's house unannounced. I can't imagine what his American grandmother must of thought when she opened the door. She had not spoken to her daughter in a very long time. I loved the scenes where Emile gets to know his grandmother. I kinda laughed when he tried his first peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It is like an everyday staple for Americans, but Emile had never had it.

As Emile tries to fit in at school, he finds out what it is like to be bullied. The kids make fun of his clothes and accent. He tries so hard to be liked but it is difficult. When he befriends Eternity Jones he finally has someone to talk to. I think Eternity was my favorite character. She was a young girl who was living a hard life. She is ferociously protective of her siblings and the author handles the abuse in a very delicate way that lets readers know Eternity is strong. I think about the time she was growing up and how much responsibility she had. It was such a hardship but I think going over to Emile's house was a godsend for her. She spent a lot of time with his grandmother.

The story deals with hard subjects like abuse, racism and learning about the civil rights movement. I really enjoyed how the author handles each subject with knowledge and wisdom. It is hard to believe that these young children were faced with so much hurt, secrets and a longing to be accepted. Even long after Workd War II was over, there were still some facts that were painful to recall. This is a very intense emotional read that touches on faithfulness and God's grace and mercy. Will Emile ever find out about his father? Can Eternity overcome her home life and stand up for what she believes in? One person can make a difference. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

I received this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.

[Barbara Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine being 14 years old and without warning and no explanation you move from France to the Atlanta, Georgia. Talk about culture shock! That is exactly what happened to young Emile when he finds himself going to school in Atlanta Georgia. He doesn’t fit in at the new school and gets picked on by bullies.

All that Emile knows for sure is that he used to live in Lyon, France, and his father has abandoned his family and for no reason given to him, he and his mother move to Atlanta. When he asks his mother why they had to move, she does not give him a straight answer, she just says "You'll love America, Emile." The memories of his dad that Emile carries with him while he grows up help him through the years, and Emile is convinced his dad is alive.

Emile makes friends with a classmate named Eternity who has problems of her own, she has a drunk and abusive mother, she has younger siblings that she takes care of, and does not even know who her father is. And in spite of not being able to relate to Emile’s problem of a missing father she vows to help him find his father.

As the plot progresses we see Emile’s American grandmother’s influence in everything she does and says. The things the grandmother talks to Eternity about helps her deal with her problems. One lesson that Emile and Eternity learned is that forgiveness is important if you want to get on with your life. You can be mad at someone and let hurt and anger run your life, or you can forgive and get on with your life.

At first I thought that the mother was too willing to move in with her mother since they had a lot of bad history, and too willing to get on with her life. She never gave Emile the answers he needed, even when he was a grown man. But by the end of the book I understood why she did not tell him.

I love historical novels because of the way the story makes the history real and you can picture what is going on. I did not know about the resistance in France and found this interesting. I had a slight knowledge of Klaus Barbie and I cried during the trial when Emile’s grandmother took the stand.

I gave this book 5 stars because: (1) it was historically accurate and I learned something, (2) the characters were easy to identify with, (3) the plot was necessary so that you understand the ending, and (4) because I am now an Elizabeth Musser fan and hope the public library has more of her books.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a Christian historical fiction novel that begins with things that happened during WW II, reveals more of those events gradually as they are needed for background, and then follows those characters through the early 1990's. I loved this book, but I did feel it seemed a little bit "unevenly" written. Some parts had lots of detail but not as much happening, and then the climax of the book seemed to go very quickly and lots of loose ends were tied up at once. Most of the main characters in this book endure much hardship over the years. One boy is taken away from everything he knows and loves and must suddenly adjust to a new country and a new school. When he tries to find out why, he can't be told much at all because it would endanger his life. Another character is extremely intelligent, but is dealing with a terrible life at home and has had to mature too quickly. The way these two characters influence each other is marvelous. Some of the information about the trial of Klaus Barbie and the atrocities he committed are hard to read, but written in a clean manner. Individuals secretly resisting the Nazi's and then paying a dear price afterward, murder, alcoholism, abuse, foster care, faith, salvation, forgiveness, secrets, dreams, goals, and both good and bad family relationships are part of this story. This book will encourage readers that whatever you might be going through in life there is great joy in finally trusting the Lord to help strengthen your ability to forgive and try to move forward with your life, but it is also realistic in showing some horrific events leave scars in your life that will always impact you.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story begins with Emile de Bonnery and his mother on a flight to America and he is furious. He does not want to leave his beloved father or grandmother to begin a new life in Atlanta, Georgia, especially since he has never met the grandmother he will be living with. He has been told that his father has abandoned him and his mother for another woman. Since Emile absolutely adored his father, this added to his fury.

Emile has a rough time settling into his new life, but one thing that soothes him are the cherished gifts from his father that he smuggled in his suitcase to America. Each of these gifts is introduced through a flashback and you read about his relationship with his father and how he won’t accept that it was another woman that took his father. Rather, he thinks his father is a spy.

Eternity comes into his life and becomes a true friend to him. Through this friendship they each are able to maneuver through their teen years and all of the bullying, teasing and outright racism. Emile’s American grandmother, over the years, shares her faith with Emile and Eternity, who both eventually come to realize God’s faithfulness to them.

This novel is one that includes some tough topics such as racism and the Civil Rights Movement, World War II and its genocide, death and alcoholism. Emile gradually sees that there are those who will standup for what is right, even if they are the only one doing so. His grandmother was a great example of this.

This is a story that lingers with the reader long after they finish the book. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to read a book with depth, great characters, and a bit of mystery.

[Anne Rightler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Searching for Eternity by Elizabeth Musser is one of those books that makes a reader just say, "Wow! Just Wow!" The story, definitely not a light and fluffy tale, follows Emile as he is wrenched from his contented, reasonably serene life in France with his parents to the unknown world of Atlanta, Georgia. New schools with bullies and kids who tease the new kid on the block. Nothing is familiar, and he's homesick. He finally meets a friend--one who's "hoping for a fairy-tale ending for her thus-far tragic life." One who's childhood has been stolen and has need of a safe room. Where will their friendship take them? Can they navigate their world that is one of bullies and racism, abandonment, alcoholism, abuse, secrets, and lies? Where is God in all of this? Has He abandoned them as well? As these two friends move into adulthood there are many lessons to learn. Lessons like caring for others and also understanding it's a lot harder to hate a whole group of people when you get to know individuals, and knowing there is more to life than just looking for answers. How does one learn to forgive? Can they learn to trust that God knows and cares and will let them in on all the secrets in His time? Musser has given readers an amazing story of friendship, family, and faith blended with the horrors of WWII and the Resistance and the hunt for war criminals. Searching for Eternity is a raw, emotionally gripping novel--one that will leave a lasting impression on its readers.
I received a copy of this book through The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review.

[Kim Buchanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Story....Fourteen year old Emile de Bonnery comes to the US from his native France with his mother in 1964. His dad’s a spy. Difficult fitting in to school. Befriends a girl named Eternity who has two younger siblings, Jake and Blithe. Their mother is abusive when she drinks…and she drinks all the time. Eternity creates a “safe room” in the house that she keeps locked, so that mom can’t get in.

Emile tries to find his way…very angry at his mother, his father. He and his mom live with her mother in Atlanta. He attends Northside high school. There are a couple of trips to the Varsity.

Eternity has been so abused, she can’t return Emile’s care for her…except to use her journalistic gifts to help find Emile’s father. She eventually does that when Klaus Barbie, the “butcher of Lyon” is found and brought to trial. (Emile’s father and grandparents were part of the French resistance during WWII.)

I really enjoy Musser’s writing. (She also wrote "The Swan House," an excellent book about the Orly plane crash back in the 60s.) It's especially fun to hear about lots of familiar Atlanta locales. Musser's faith is a lot more evangelical than mine. Even so, I enjoy her books.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really did enjoy this book, but it took some time before the book grabbed me. Parts of the book seemed to really drag so I would easily set it aside to do something else. That's rare for me. However, occasionally I set it down because of the heaviness of the read. This isn't an easy enjoyable beach read.

Real life occurs in these pages..difficulties, struggles, and challenges. The author deals with them well, and I loved the faith theme throughout the book.

I loved how it ended because it didn't end as a fairy tale....not everything was as the hero wanted. Life is like that. The ending, however, does feel a bit rushed.

This book takes real life situations and applies faith and forgiveness. I love the characters in this book as well. It being written from the point of view of a young male was brilliant.

I did enjoy this read and would recommend it. Some of it may be difficult for some readers especially the torture used in WWII. Don't let that deter you from reading a book that is much more true to life than most books portray.

I received this book through Bookfun for my honest opinion which I have given.