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The Thirteenth Child by Mark deMeza

Nov4

Just One More

The Thirteenth Child by Mark deMeza is a powerful historical novel that I read in just two sittings, pausing only to sleep. It is a fictional account, but very much grounded in fact, of the fate of the Jewish people in Holland during World War II. The main family is fictional but all the others were real people.

This is a heart-breaking account of a truly evil time. The reader witnesses the Nazis marching into Holland in 1940, and then the rapid erosion of the freedoms of the Jewish people.

It is a heart-wrenching read the thoughts of a seven year old Jewish boy, no longer able to play with his best friend who was Aryan. “He felt angry with the Nazis and their yellow star badge… An emptiness weighed him down and had started the moment his best friend had uttered the word goodbye.” Heart-breaking and senseless.

Mark deMeza has created a very powerful and comprehensive tale of when evil walked among the innocent. We see the ruthless but efficient Nazi war machine. The Jewish people complied silently, believing the lies they were told.

As we focus in on one family, they are a microcosm for the macrocosm of the Jewish people – 95% of the Jewish people (German and Dutch) living in Holland, perished under the evil Nazi war machine.

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Victory For The Sewing Factory Girls by Posy Lovell

Nov1

Camaraderie

Victory For The Sewing Factory Girls by Posy Lovell is a marvellous historical novel and one that I just could not put down. I absolutely loved it.

The novel is set at Clydebank, Scotland in 1916. It surrounds the munitions factory. We see how everyone does what they can for the war effort. It is a dangerous environment with the risk of explosions and the girls turning yellow and damaging their health. Health and safety is unheard of, but the factory owner listens to the concerns of the women.

With the menfolk away at war, the women step into their shoes. “The men have gone… and it’s up to the women to keep things going.” The women have a camaraderie as they help and support each other where they can. The gap between the classes is bridged as the factory owner’s daughter rubs shoulders with the women on the factory floor, helping where she can.

There is no welfare state. It is up to the women to organize relief for themselves.

Football is in its’ infancy. The women in the factory relax and enjoy kicking a ball around. Factories all over the country decide to organize themselves and play each other. This brings the communities together. The town offers support, uniting people.

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A Token Of Love by Carrie Turansky

Oct31

Holding On To Hope

A Token Of Love by Carrie Turansky is a delightful Christian dual timeline novel that drew me in from the start. I had a dilemma – read on and find out what happens or savor each page. I chose to savor each page. I never wanted this book to end.

The novel has the Foundling Hospital in London at its’ centre. It is set in 1885 and present day. It concerns the topic of human trafficking which is not a modern problem as it happened in Victorian times too. Action alternates between both time periods as one particular young girls’ story unites the periods.

Within the story, there are parallel themes as we witness the evil of men towards young girls. There is a love interest too. And over it all, is the love of God.

We witness the power of prayer. “In a time of crisis, people often reached out to those who believed in prayer.” Prayer taps into the love of God as He works in the situations where we feel most powerless. “We need to do our part and trust Him with the outcome.” God can be trusted with our lives. Sometimes all we can do is pray. At other times action is required. When we get to the end of ourselves, we find that God meets us there.

Everyone faces losses. Losses are dealt with differently by everyone. The Lord sustains us when we feel overwhelmed. “I don’t know how people can go through losses… without faith to sustain them.” Jesus lifts us up when we are in pain and hurting. He will always hear our prayers and heal our hearts.

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The Twins On The Train by Suzanne Goldring

Oct31

The Mark Of True Love

The Twins On The Train by Suzanne Goldring is a powerful historical novel that totally consumed me. I could not put it down.

The novel begins in 2023 before moving backwards to Berlin in 1933 and into World War II. The action alternates between a mother in Berlin and a British lady whose mission was to rescue as many Jewish children from Berlin, on the Kindertransport, as she could.

The reader witnesses the gradual erosion of the freedom of the Jewish people and the sheer terror of Kristallnacht in November 1938. We see the bravery of the parents who loved their children enough to let them go. “They have the courage to send away the things most precious of all to them, more than gems and gold can ever be.” As a mother, I do not think I would have had their courage.

Life is shown through the eyes of the children through their speech. “You’re the first Aryan who’s been nice to me in a long time. Will there be more people like you in England?” Heartbreaking. How awful that Jewish children, a precious gift, have been treated so abominably.

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