The German Sisters by Marty Wingate

Jul6

Watching & Waiting

The German Sisters by Marty Wingate is a powerful and heartfelt novel that consumed me from the start.

The action starts in 1939 as we follow two German sisters who are sent by their parents from Hamburg to Britain for safety. Though the eldest sister is only ten-years-old and she is tasked with looking after her five-year-old sister. The girls begin a new life in Pickering before a near tragedy sees them relocate to Suffolk.

The elder sister has the weight of the world on her shoulders as she refuses to give up the hope that Mutti and Vati will join them. “Her momentary happiness melted away as she thought of Mutti and Vati in Germany waiting.” She feels it is her job to guide them to Britain, writing to them every week. Hen the postal services close their borders to Germany, she continues to write but hides the letters in her wardrobe, for when they will meet again.

We witness both the kindness and cruelty of children towards those who are different.

This extends to adults who pass judgment. A young girl is sent away to ‘help’ an aunt after being found in the family way. Young men and women have to hide their true selves for fear of imprisonment or worse. Recently divorced, a character is unable to remarry in church. The modern reader is so glad that attitudes have moved on.

We see the empathy of animals to those who are hurting. “Mrs Moffat [a cat] goes to the person who needs her the most.”

We learn of the antidote to evil. “God’s love extends to all… We defy evil by doing good.” Characters practice love and hospitality to all.

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The Pear Affair by Judith Eagle

Jul5

Entertaining & Exciting

The Pear Affair by Judith Eagle is a delightful children’s adventure and perfect for ages eight years and over. Whatever your age, this book will entertain you.

There are elements that make up an exciting children’s book – a disappearance, a mystery, ‘good’ characters and ‘baddies’. It is the children who band together who become the heroes of the day.

The action is set in Paris, both above and below the city.

We witness the determination of a young girl to survive despite her dreadful parents. She doesn’t just survive but she thrives, rising above her circumstances.

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A Song In The Dark by Kimberley Woodhouse

Jul2

For Such A Time As This

A Song In The Dark by Kimberley Woodhouse is a powerful historical Christian novel that I could not put down. I read it in just two sittings, pausing only to sleep.

The action is set in Europe during 1938 as the world watches on as Hitler’s Nazi Germany consolidates its’ evil regime. This evil radiates outwards from his seat of power in Berlin.

The leading lady is a blind pianist who uses her God-given talent to bring joy to others. As the months count down, she realises that she, too, is one of Hitler’s ‘undesirables.’ “Because I’m blind… I could be seen as less than worthy. Unfit to live.” This opens the eyes of her soul as she does everything in her power to rescue and help those who are viewed as ‘less than’, especially the children. “I can’t sit by and do nothing.”

She is not alone in her endeavours, as her grandmother also has a heart for the persecuted and hurting. “She was willing to use the wealth and resources God had given her to help.” Her age does not stop her from acting.

We witness a life that realises their need for Jesus. “The Lord felt so distant. But she’d been the one to stop communicating.” Now is the time to return to Him. When we know Jesus, we can have peace despite our circumstances. “I’m in the Lord’s hands, and that’s the best place to be.” No Jesus, no peace. Know Jesus, know peace.

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The Glass House by Eve Chase

Jul2

It’s A Small World

The Glass House by Eve Chase is a powerful dual timeline novel that I adored and read it in just one sitting. It is set in present day and alternates with 1971 as we witness the action from various points of view.

We follow a family with a nanny. It is a dysfunctional family on so many levels but the nanny is a stabilising influence.

Nature is important. Being located in a wood is far better than busy London streets.

We see the strain that the loss of a baby has on a mother. She is hospitalised for a month in an institution in 1971. There are women who have been interred for decades without visitors. It was barbaric.

People tiptoe around the grieving mother. Only one character mentions the baby. “Thank you… for acknowledging my baby existed. Not many people do.” In order to heal, we need to grieve.

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