Archives

Safiyyah’s War by Hiba Noor Khan

Oct23

Powerful & Inspiring

Safiyyah’s War by Hiba Noor Khan is a powerful, historical children’s novel for ages ten years and older. Whatever your age this book will inspire you as you marvel at the bravery of good hearts, and especially at the courage of the very young.

Safiyyah’s War has its’ roots in fact. It is set in Paris during the Nazi occupation of World War II. The Grand Mosque takes centre stage as a setting. This book tells the little-known story of how the Muslims of the mosque helped to rescue and evacuate many Jewish people during the war. It is an inspiring tale of bravery and resistance. Much courage was needed. “For whoever saves a single life, it is as if they have saved all of humanity.”

The central character is Safiyyah who is very young and very brave. She has a desire to help the persecuted. She wanted to show her resistance. “Everyone has a unique part to play.” In some ways, the very young were the invisible helpers of the resistance. Their youth enabled them to blend in more. Everyone did what they could. Safiyyah always “chose courage and wisdom.”

As her best friend leaves Paris, we see hearts torn apart. “This isn’t goodbye… It’s see you later.” Anything more would feel too final. They had to believe that they would see each other again.

Continue reading →

The Telegram by Debbie Rix

Oct17

Beautiful & Heart-wrenching

The Telegram by Debbie Rix is a beautiful historical story set over three main time periods – World War I, World War II and 1959. It is a novel that will haunt the reader long after the last page is read.

The novel is about the life of Charles Carmichael, his family, friends and those that he interacts with. All the action is seen through the alternating voices of the lead character, his wife and daughter. We see how one man interacts with those he meets and how these interactions influence events.

Sometimes in life there is a defining moment on which everything else that happens, hangs on. Subsequent actions ride on a moment in time. Charles Carmichael has experienced such an event. The reader is aware that something momentous has happened but we do not know what – although I had my suspicions which proved to be correct. When we do find out what has happened, suddenly the life of Charles Carmichael makes sense. We understand why he acted the way that he did, and why he chose to lead his life as he did.

Charles Carmichael is a complex character but one that I instinctively liked. He is a gentle soul who wants to do no harm. He is a man who loves deeply but cannot always show it. I think his true nature really shines through in the scene on Christmas Eve 1943 with his daughter. He is tender hearted, fiercely protective and moved to act.

Continue reading →

Where Treasure Hides by Johnnie Alexander

Oct6

A Fabulous Debut

Where Treasure Hides by Johnnie Alexander is a powerful Christian historical novel that I just could not put down. It is the author’s debut novel, and the good news is … she has written many more.

The action is set during World War II in Britain and Holland. We witness both countries preparing for war. As the novel opens, the leading characters are witnessing a Kindertransport arriving in London. This prepares both their hearts to rescue and hide children throughout the war. God knows that the innocents will be safe in their care.

We witness the greed of the Nazis as they plunder Europe of their paintings and artefacts. “It’s greed that destroys us.” The worth of a painting is not just in monetary terms but in what it means to hearts. Characters bond over paintings – whether it is the drawing of a child or a masterpiece.

Feared reigned in hearts during the war but God asks us to trust Hm despite our circumstances. “You mustn’t let fear rule your life.” A heart is willing to trust God. “She wanted to trust God.” When we stumble in the darkness – literally or figuratively – we must look to the guiding light of God.

Continue reading →

The Secret Diary by Anna Stuart

Oct3

Tell It To The Worms

The Secret Diary by Anna Stuart is a powerful dual timeline novel that I loved.

The book is set in present day and 1945 after the war has ended. The time periods are linked by a family and an old diary.

We see the devastation that loss causes. World War II ripped families apart but in present day, a dreadful accident sees a young widow and her young sons try to make sense of a senseless loss. Everyone processes loss differently. We ‘hear’ the raw pain as a young widow exclaims “Why did you leave me? … I can’t forgive you this because you aren’t … here to forgive.” She feels alone but she has family who walk beside her. “You don’t have to do this alone. I’m here for you.” The reader ‘feels’ the warmth and love of the extended family.

During World War II a friendship and camaraderie were formed amongst four young women who operated the ack ack guns. Their friendship would last a lifetime. They were bound together by love, and a secret that they would keep forever.

War changed the roles of women. “For her ‘freedom’ had been the war years.” As the men were away women stepped into their shoes. This created problems in the post war period as returning men and the older generation wanted to put the women back in their traditional boxes. “You can’t just pack the past away with your gas mask and your ration book and ‘go back to normal’ because normal is different too.” It is perfectly stated by a character, “Society wanted to slot us … back into our kitchen-shaped holes, but we’d grown and we weren’t going to shrink ourselves to fit back inside.” Society expected women to return to their old roles. “I’m not ‘a girl like me’ anymore – I’m a totally different girl. And I really like her!” The war changed lives in all sorts of ways.

Continue reading →