About:
Wildflowers of Terezin by Robert Elmer is a historical fiction book taking place in Denmark during World War II. The book is well researched and an enthralling read.
My rating for Wildflowers of Terezin — 5
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Thoughts:
Wildflowers of Terezin by Robert Elmer (website) was an interesting read. I originally got this book due to my great interest in World War II and was delighted to find out that it takes place in Denmark because I have yet to read any WWII stories from that region.
The book held my interest throughout, part history, part fiction and part religious it manages to show the best and worst of men and women when life deals them a losing hand. I have heard many books, both fiction and non-fiction about the Jews of World War II, and in comparison their treatment wasn’t as bad as the rest of Europe – but that is of course speaking as someone living in a free country 50 years later who never had to drop everything and flee for his life.
Upon finishing the novel I went ahead and read up some more on Danish Jews, to my delight I discovered that Mr. Elmer did a great job fictionalizing history. The novel gave me a new appreciation for the Danish people who viewed their neighbors as Danes and fellow human beings, not as Jews, and did their best (as a country) to help them escape the Nazi monster.
The characters in the novel are well defined, there aren’t too many and the author throws in a few real figures for good measure. The story has two protagonists, Hanne, a Jewish nurse, and Steffen, a priest. I did enjoy reading about the predicaments of a man-of-cloth during those trying times. Several of the interesting aspects of the book were Steffen’s predicaments as a man, a priest and a Dane.
This novel is interesting and inspiring while going at a good pace. The eBook has been recently discounted and / or free for a short period of time, don’t let the price deter you, this is a book of quality.
Synopsis:
Steffen is a Lutheran pastor in 1943, Copenhagen. Steffen’s routine is broken one day when he had a bicycle accident that sends him to the hospital where he finds a friend in the form of a Jewish nurse named Hanne.
Steffen’s brother, Henning, is in the Danish underground fighting the Nazis and helping Jews escape the country before being rounded up. Contrary to his brother’s advice, Steffen steps up to the challenge and helps the underground (with Hanne always on his mind) to get Jews out of Denmark.
Buy this book in paper or in electronic format*
More Recommended World War II books on Man of la BookStore
Zohar — Man of la Book
Disclaimer: I bought this book.
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I loved that book too, gave it a 5 too/
This sounds like a good book. I want to get it