Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction
Book Summary: Steffen Petersen, a young Lutheran pastor, was perfectly content to stay out of politics and preach positive sermons from his pulpit. But his accidental friendship with a Jewish nurse, and hearing that the Nazis are rounding up the Jews in his homeland of Denmark, throws him into a crisis of faith. He his forced to decide whether he will practice what he preaches, and what exactly that cost might be to himself and those he loves the most.
Indulgent Book Talk: Ah, another one of my World War II/Holocaust indulgences. I'm not really sure why this period of history fascinates me so much, considering how morbid it is. Then again, I've taken to looking up diseases I find mentioned in books and looking up their symptoms to find out exactly how nasty they really are, so maybe I am morbid. I'm not sure. I think I like this period of history so much because it brought out the worst, and therefore, the best, in humanity. It was a time when what was good and what was evil seemed very clear. The author does of good job of not only shaking his characters from their comfort zones, but challenging his readers to do the same, especially when it comes to, in the words of the great Albus Dumbledore, "deciding between what is easy and what is right."
Glorifying Elements: This book is mainly about a pastor who is thrust into the heat of the Holocaust drama, and who finds himself having to prove whether his faith in God is real or not; whether it's something that's just for when life is comfortable and safe, or whether it is faith for when times are evil and days are dark. I think as believers, we are all forced to make that decision at some point in our lives, and this fictional account is encouraging. (SPOILER ALERT!) Likewise, Steffen's love for a Jewish woman and his peace with God in the midst of frightening events draws her to the Savior, and that too is beautiful.
Worldly Elements: Holocaust stories are always a little disturbing; they should be. Elmer keeps it fairly tame though, focusing on his characters more than on carnage. But you can expect some violence, blood, and disturbing depictions, but nothing gratuitous. I'd give this novel a PG rating.
General Recommendation: I love stories about people doing the right thing in the midst of great danger. If that kind of thing tugs at your heartstrings like it does mine, then you will likewise find this book a worthy read.
Great review, I'm glad you liked the book. It's on my list of "read again in the next 10 years" books....
ReplyDeletei love that era too - probably for the same reasons
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