Archive | September 2024

Sisters Of The Resistance by Jina Bacarr

Sep30

Daisy Chain

Sisters Of The Resistance by Jina Bacarr is a powerful and heartbreaking historical novel. It is the sequel to Sisters At War which I recommend reading first for maximum enjoyment.

The novel opens in 1942. The action is mainly set in Paris with alternating chapters between the two sisters, Eve and Justine. They both ‘fought’ very different wars. “Not everyone fights the Boches with guns and ammo.” Both were in opposition to the Nazis – one in the resistance, the other from within the Nazis as a spy but posing as a mistress, after events took a dreadful turn in the opening of book one. For safety’s sake, secrets and silences were kept, even when it meant others thought badly of them.

The battle for France was played out not just on the battlefields but in homes and streets, the people fought back however they could, holding on to the hope that one day France would be free again.

Family is important. Family ties and their safety saw one sister denying herself in order to preserve her family. “Winning the war is what counts, not me.”

There were some truly awful atrocities committed by the Nazis against women. Jina Bacar has realistically and sensitively portrayed some very hard to read scenes of the violence and attacks against the women of Paris.

Round-ups and the treatment of the Jewish people was horrific. A sister declared “I need to know. Then someday I can tell the world what I saw.” Survival was essential to tell the world what really happened.

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The Last Bookshop In Prague by Helen Parusel

Sep30

Hold On To Hope

The Last Bookshop In Prague by Helen Parusel is a powerful, heartbreaking historical novel that I read in just one sitting. The story is fictional but grounded in fact as it surrounds the Nazi occupation of Prague from 1942 to the end of the war. The historians will recognize this as the place of Reinhard Heydrich, the butcher of Prague, and of his fate and the fate of the people of Prague. Fast forward to the end of the war, and once more, the people of Prague will go down in history.

The Nazi occupation was horrendous. Fear and cruelty abounded. Everything was designed to wear down the citizens of Prague – but they were made of stern stuff, and far from being worn down, many brave souls rose up.

The Last Bookshop In Prague is an inspiring read as we hear of the extraordinary bravery of the ordinary people who refused to be silenced.

At the heart of the community is the last bookshop in Prague. Here, although outwardly adhering to the Nazi orders to only stock German books and approved authors, inwardly it was the hub of the resistance.

We see the bravery of the young proprietress as she refuses to stand by and do nothing when Jewish children are in need. She and her family, do what they can, when they can, in order to save lives.

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The Further Adventures Of Isabella M Smugge

Sep29

As Delightful & Perceptive As Always

The Further Adventures Of Isabella M Smugge by Ruth Leigh is the most wonderful contemporary Christian offering. It is the fourth book in the Isabella M Smugge series. It can be read as a stand-alone but I recommend reading the previous books in order, for maximum enjoyment and for character development.

I am a massive Isabella Smugge fan and get so excited when a new book comes out. I alternate between wanting to read and see what happens and wanting to savor the book. I chose to savor book four. It was a totally wonderful, absorbing read.

Isabella Smugge is a huge hearted character who tries to see the best in people and to help where she can. She is a ‘new’ Christian who is trying to find her way. “Religious people who are doing it properly read their Bibles every day and engage in something called devotionals too.” She is trying to be the best version of herself. “As I try to be a better parent, friend and daughter, and continue to dip into church life, I’m changing.”

Isabella Smugge is also hilarious. Her observations are priceless and spot on. “Trying to juggle work and children is no joke. I don’t know how people without staff … do it.” And her observations on home groups – “Homegroups were set up for those who think that going to church on Sunday just isn’t enough!”

The world of Isabella Smugge has been very Instagram based. She has presented a perfect picture to the world but now she is learning to be real. There is a highly amusing scene with a potty training toddler and a puking cat, just as she is about to host home group. It doesn’t get more real than that!

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The Boy In The Attic by Imogen Matthews

Sep29

Unsung Heroes

The Boy In The Attic by Imogen Matthews is a powerful dual timeline novel that I read in just one sitting. It is a fictional tale but has its roots in fact.

The action is set in present day in both Britain and Holland, alternating with war-torn Holland in 1945. We hear voices in the past and present that are linked by genes.

Holland in 1945 was a precarious place to be. It was still occupied by the Nazis who were determined to continue their reign of terror even though they were clearly losing the war at this point.

We hear of the brave members of the resistance who hide and move those as needed.

Resistance members needed to blend in and also disrupt the Nazi war machine. A brave female resistance fighter finds herself socializing with the Nazis. It is a dangerous position to be in as she listens for secrets. She could also be accused of fraternizing with the enemy.

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