I’ve read many WWII books, but The Refugee’s Daughter by Carolyn Newton stands out. Set against the stark realities of war-torn East Prussia and the horrors of Soviet gulags, it sheds light on the little-known Wolfskinder—children who faced unimaginable trauma to survive. Thirteen-year-old Giti and her brother, Otto, live with their mother and grandmother. Russian soldiers attacked, killing their grandmother and burning their farm, forcing the survivors onto a crowded train bound for the Soviet Union. Tragedy strikes again, separating Giti and Otto. Giti escapes into the forest, where she’s rescued by a man in hiding. The two form an unlikely bond, but Giti’s determination to find her brother never […]
Read more...Tag Archives: books set during WWII
A Life of Courage in the Shadow of Evil
Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy isn’t just a biography—it’s an incredible story of a man who stood for truth and justice in the darkest of times. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian, joined the Confessing Church and even took part in the Valkyrie plot to assassinate Hitler. His bravery cost him his life, but his legacy is unforgettable. Eric Metaxas does a great job showing both sides of Bonhoeffer’s life—the pastor and the spy. Using personal letters, journal entries, and other documents, the book brings Bonhoeffer’s choices and struggles to life. His decision to leave the safety of America to return to Nazi Germany especially struck me. What stuck with me […]
Read more...
Sisters in the Shadows: A Review of Daughters of War
Daughters of War was an emotional and gripping experience. Historical detail saturates the story, vividly portraying the dangers and harsh realities of wartime France. I asked, “Would I be as brave as these three sisters in the face of such adversity?” My honest answer? Probably not. Set in the small village of Dordogne in Nazi-occupied France during World War II, this novel introduces us to three sisters—Hélène, Élise, and Florence—who each grapple with the weight of war in unique ways. Hélène, the eldest, shoulders the heavy burden of keeping her family safe, often at great personal cost. Élise, headstrong and rebellious, risks everything by aiding the Resistance, while Florence, the […]
Read more...
The Resilience of Women and Books in The Underground Library
In The Underground Library, Jennifer Ryan masterfully captures the enduring strength of women and the profound power of books during one of history’s darkest times. Set against the backdrop of the Blitz, the story intertwines the lives of three resilient women: Sofie, a Jewish refugee seeking solace from her tragic escape; Juliet, a determined new deputy librarian fighting to transform the quiet Bethnal Green Library into a sanctuary; and Katie, a young woman grappling with personal loss and a life-altering secret. When bombs threaten to reduce their beloved library to rubble, Juliet bravely moves it to the Bethnal Green Underground Station. Here, amid air raids and uncertainty, books offer a […]
Read more...
A Family’s Past Unravels in the Heart of Italy
Dominic Smith’s Return to Valetto takes readers on an atmospheric journey through a nearly deserted Italian village, where ancient walls hold wartime secrets. Hugh Fisher, a grieving widower and historian, arrives in Valetto on sabbatical, intending to reconnect with his roots and study the fading town where he spent childhood summers. But his plans are upended when he discovers a “squatter” in his inherited cottage—Elisa Tomassi, a Milanese chef claiming Hugh’s grandfather, a resistance fighter in World War II, promised it to her family. Smith masterfully unfolds a multi-generational tale of love, betrayal, and resilience. As Hugh uncovers his family’s dark past and learns of Elisa’s own family’s sacrifices, he’s […]
Read more...
A Journey to Restore Identity
The Forgotten Names by Mario Escobar is a deeply moving historical novel based on true events. It follows Valérie Portheret, a law student in 1992 France, as she stumbles upon a list of 108 Jewish children who were hidden under false names to escape the Nazi regime during WWII. Valérie’s discovery propels her on a 25-year quest to uncover their real identities and reunite them with their lost heritage. Escobar weaves together two timelines, capturing the heartbreaking choices Jewish parents faced in 1942 and Valérie’s relentless pursuit to bring their stories to light. The novel dives into the acts of bravery and sacrifice made by ordinary people—clergy, civilians, and members […]
Read more...
A Heartfelt Tale of Truth and Forgiveness
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 The Little Liar is a heart-wrenching exploration of the destructive power of lies and the lasting scars they leave. Set in Salonika, Greece, during World War II, the story follows 11-year-old Nico Krispis, whose honesty becomes his downfall. Manipulated by a Nazi officer, Nico unknowingly convinces his Jewish neighbors, including his own family, to board trains bound for Auschwitz. The devastating realization of his role in their fate shatters Nico, leading him to vow never to tell the truth again. Albom masterfully intertwines the lives of Nico, his brother Sebastian, and their friend Fanni, all of whom survive the Holocaust but are forever changed. […]
Read more...
A Poignant Tale of Friendship and Survival in the Pacific Theater
The Long March Home is a moving World War II novel that follows the harrowing journey of three childhood friends—Jimmy, Hank, and Billy—who enlist in the U.S. Army just before the attack on Pearl Harbor. The story tracks their struggles in the Pacific Theater, where they endure the brutal realities of war, including the infamous Bataan Death March, testing the strength of their friendship and their will to survive. The narrative alternates between their carefree childhood in Mobile, Alabama, and their traumatic experiences as soldiers. As members of the Thirty-First Infantry in Manila, the friends are captured and forced into a grueling 60-mile march up the Bataan Peninsula, followed by […]
Read more...
A Unique Tale of Art, War, and Bravery in WWII Italy
3.5 stars rounded down to 3. In 1943, two women find themselves on a mission to save the art treasures of Florence from theft and destruction. Eva Brunner, a German photographer, is documenting art hidden in an Austrian salt mine. Across the ocean, American stenographer Josephine Evans joins the Women’s Army Corps and is assigned to work with the Monuments Men, a group tasked with protecting Europe’s cultural heritage. Initially, Eva believes the Nazi claims that they are safeguarding Florentine artworks from the approaching Allied forces and will return them to their original owners, but she soon realizes their true intentions. Disillusioned with her work, Eva defects and helps Lucia, […]
Read more...
A Love Story Dimmed by Nazi Brutality
Sarah Freethy’s debut novel intertwines the haunting past of Nazi Germany with a daughter’s quest for truth. 1920s: Bettina, a free-spirited German avant-garde artist, meets and falls in love with Max Ehrlich, a Jewish Austrian student. The rise of the Nazis shatters their dream of escaping Germany. Max is deported to Dachau, where his skill in creating exquisite figures at the Allach porcelain factory helps him survive. Desperate to protect their unborn child, Bettina marries a rising Nazi SS officer. 1993: Clara, who grew up not knowing her father, sets out to discover his identity after her mother’s death. Bettina left behind a single clue—a rare porcelain Viking figurine. Clara’s journey uncovers […]
Read more...