Johanna arrives to find the once-sleepy town exploding with hostility. Most patriotic citizens want nothing to do with German soldiers laboring in their fields, and they're not afraid to criticize those who work at the camp as well. When Johanna describes the trouble to her friend Peter Ito, a language instructor at a school for military intelligence officers, he encourages her to give the town that rejected her a second chance.
As Johanna interacts with the men of the camp and censors their letters home, she begins to see the prisoners in a more sympathetic light. But advocating for better treatment makes her enemies in the community, especially when charismatic German spokesman Stefan Werner begins to show interest in Johanna and her work. The longer Johanna wages her home-front battle, the more the lines between compassion and treason become blurred--and it's no longer clear whom she can trust.
Amy Lynn Green is a lifelong lover of books, history, and library cards. She worked in publishing for six years before writing her first historical fiction novel, based on the WWII homefront of Minnesota, the state where she lives, works, and survives long winters. She has taught classes on marketing at writer’s conferences and regularly encourages established and aspiring authors in their publication journeys.
If she had lived in the 1940s, you would have found her writing long letters to friends and family, listening to jazz music, daydreaming about creating an original radio drama, and drinking copious amounts of non-rationed tea. (Actually, these things are fairly accurate for her modern life as well.)
You can connect with Amy at her website || Facebook || and Instagram.
My Thoughts -
A beautiful and engrossing debut novel. I've been anxiously waiting Amy Green's debut novel and I absolutely loved it.
Johanna Berglund is a favorite heroine. She is smart, witty, having heart and depth.
Using the technique of letters, telegrams, notes; known as epistolary storytelling, Amy Green tells a beautiful story of what happened in the German POW camps.
Ms. Green packs so much in this 416 page novel; race relations, faith, lost friendships, and regrets. To think this is her debut novel makes the read even more stunning as well as inspiring.
If you're still adding books to your Christmas wish-list; you need to add this one! I highly recommend it!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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