I
have mixed feelings about this book. It is very well written and very
well researched. The characters were developed well. Barratt really
gave a sense of the dilemma Christians felt when the leader of their
country went horribly wrong. Some felt it was their duty to serve
their country, such as in the military. Others felt they needed to
stop Hitler, as did Bonhoefffer. I also got a very good sense of the
pain and agony Christians experienced at the loss of their loved
ones.
Part
of the character development included dialogue and actions. Barratt
notes at the end of the book that almost all of the events she
portrayed actually happened. She said she did create a German
military officer who tried to force Maria into a relationship.
And
that bothers me a bit. Authors of historical fiction must imagine the
thoughts, words and actions of real people, such as Barratt did with
Bonhoeffer. As I read the book, I kept wondering if Bonhoeffer would
really think that or say that or do that. It was a distraction for
me.
Something
else I found distracting was the odd use of a few German words in
dialogue when nearly all of it was in English. I know they spoke
German and the book is in English. When I read something like,
“...vater and brother,” I wonder why Barratt would use the one
German word yet not the one for brother. (2430/6248)
I
do recommend this book as it portrays the dilemma Christians
experience when the leader of the country goes wrong. One could have
some good discussions around that issue. Just remember this is a
novel.
My
rating: 4/5 stars.
Amanda
Barratt is the ECPA best-selling author of several novels and
novellas. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a
two-time FHL Reader's Choice Award finalist. She and her family life
in northern Michigan. You can find out more at www.amandabarratt.net.
Kregel
Publications, 352 pages.
I
received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My
comments are an independent and honest review.
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