NetGalley read now
November 3, 2020
Bethany House
Fiction, Christian fiction, women’s fiction, historical fiction
416 pages
11/4-11/15/20
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
This historical fiction written in polylogic epistolary fashion perfectly describes the life experiences of people during 1944. It begins with prosecutors documents of evidence against
Johanna Berglund, a headstrong linguistics student at the University of Minnesota. With her father as Mayor of their small town of Ironside Lake, she was relieved to plan a future beyond the criticism and judgment of the town in which she grew.
Johanna is enraged when she is forced to leave school to help out the Army as they set up a German POW camp in Ironside Lake. Her talent in linguistics being able to speak several languages including German made her an asset to their efforts. With the help of the YMCA they planned to use the prisoners to assist the farmers much to the angst of the community.
Facing the inevitable she relies on her former roommate Olive to keep her abreast of the gossip at school. She also relies heavily on her friend Peter Ito who is a Japanese language instructor for military intelligence officers. He encourages her to use her unique language skills for the new experience as translator in the German prison camp in Ironside Lake.
Many become accustomed to Joanna’s cynical and abrupt manner and soon she begins to accept her present situation. The leader of the prison camp Captain Stefan Werner shows more attention to Johanna than she felt necessary. Over time she begins to learn about the prisoners and their families. As interpreter she needed to read and censor every correspondence entering and leaving the camp. She also rekindles a friendship with Annika with whom she had known since childhood. In time the place where she was raised becomes more comfortable than she remembered it being.
Controversy begins to stir after Johanna suggests submitting articles to the local newspaper written by a selected prisoner. Soon Johanna doesn’t know who she could trust any longer when rumors circulate that she is a German sympathizer. Then she learns her friend Peter is being charged with treason as well. How does all this turn out? Will the truth be revealed? Who are not who they say are?
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3622351661
https://www.edelweiss.plus/?sku=0764237160&g=4400
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