publication date June 6, 2024:



The Tailor of Granville - a wartime novel set in Normandy -

paperback and kindle ebook


Historical fiction - In 1937 Paris, Noah Vogelsang, a 17-year-old Polish-Jewish youth, arrives from Oswiecim, Poland, to apprentice at Adèle Katz’s clothing workshop in the 2nd arrondissement. Immersed in French culture, Noah falls for Odette Harcourt, one of Adèle’s clients. Despite his feelings, Noah knows their love is impossible as he plans to return to Poland after his training. However, Mr. Harcourt, Odette’s father, who runs a tailoring workshop in Granville on the Normandy coast, hires Noah as an assistant at the end of his internship on his daughter’s recommendation. Reunited with Odette, Noah’s feelings remain unchanged, but Odette is married…


“The Tailor of Granville” chronicles the Harcourt family’s journey from 1937 to 1947, depicting how the war and German occupation shape the lives of these small-town artisans.


Bohemian Tales - a novel - paperback and kindle ebook


 

Historical fiction - In the summer of 1967, in Prague, a young man named Karel Skodaček is still searching for answers about his missing father. He is offered a new job at the University of Prague just as Czechoslovakia is undergoing significant political changes that will lead to the Prague Spring. Karel’s life is irrevocably altered as he uncovers hidden secrets. This evocative first-person narrative about Czechoslovakia during the Cold War deals with themes such as identity and exile. Karel’s story is not just about a distant country; his emotions are universal. It explores the quest for truth, the pain of loss, and the hope for a better future



 Notice bibliographique Bohemian Tales | BnF Catalogue général - Bibliothèque nationale de France



info: Dominique@zebras54.fr

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zebras54
Dominique Hoffman author

established in  2002
.
Hello,
my name is Dominique Hoffman and I live in Normandy. I am a writer, photographer translator, and painter.
and webmaster for zebras54

I write in English and French





My name is Dominique Hoffman, and this website first went online during Easter 2002, when I was living in Austria. I updated it from the computer room at Vienna University and the Karlsplatz Cybercafé. It was originally hosted by Geocities.

I’m an indie self-published author, photographer, artist,, translator, and webmaster. I write in English and French, but I consider myself an English-speaking writer. I have a Master’s degree in Applied Foreign Languages (English–German) from the University of Montpellier. Over the years, I’ve lived in several countries—Northern Ireland for 23 years, Austria for two, and now I’m based in Normandy, France.

This site started as a blog for arts, music, and literature, and it still features my writings, photos, and drawings. My work often touches on European history and culture. In 2001, I received second prize for an essay on Europe from the SPÖ Europabüro in Vienna. In 2019, I won another second prize for a painting at the Peintres dans la Rue event in Coutances.

Living in Northern Ireland had a big impact on my music taste. I met people like Terri Hooley, whose legendary shop and stories opened up new ways of listening. In 2002, this site became a space to share favorite bands, concert snapshots, and musical discoveries. I found many artists through MySpace, and back then the page looked like a playlist—with clickable links to artist sites and profiles. Now, with Windows 10, Spotify, and Bluetooth streaming, the site is evolving. I want it to help support artists directly. My music taste is a mix of European indie, singer-songwriters, guitar bands, rock, soul, folk, trad, electropop, and alt-pop—all chosen by instinct and emotion. I only share music that moves me. No overthinking, no gatekeeping. Just genuine connection. A lot of my recommendations come from live shows, and I try to capture the atmosphere through photos. The new format makes it easier to click through and support artists, so the site is both a personal archive and a way to show solidarity with creatives.

As a novelist, I’ve published:

Bohemian Tales (2022) – a historical novel set in Prague and Vienna during the Cold War

The Tailor of Granville (2024) – about a family of artisans in Normandy during World War II

Between Heaven and the Sea (2025)– my latest novel, a road movie set in Ireland in 1998, about self-discovery and renewal, and a tribute to the island that helped shape who I am.





some of my art: