The Outrage

"The Outrage" by Annie Vivanti is a story set in the early 1900s, focusing on a youthful girl named Chérie, her sister, Mireille, and their governess, Frieda, who are initially enjoying a carefree summer vacation near the seaside, but their joy is soon overshadowed by the threat of war. The book explores the themes of youth, the sorrow of innocence lost, and how war affects people's lives. From the very beginng, Chérie is getting ready for a day at the beach and the story shows her childlike joy. The early parts introduce the relationship between the girls and Frieda, featuring their games showing their different points of view as the vacation progresses. The tone of the story quickly changes when they hear about a war possibly starting, bringing a serious change to their lives. The tension goes up as they get ready to leave their fun vacation home, showing that the children don't understand the seriousness of war. The building relationships and their happy lives increase the sadness when war starts to move into their lives, getting everyone ready for a dramatic story of survival.