Secrets, Sacrifice, and Survival: A WWII Saga That Spans Decades

by CLR Peterson | May 17, 2026 | Book review, Historical novels, Holocaust, Jewish History, Poland, World War II

Greetings, Reader Friend!

A dying, now-mute grandmother insists non-verbally that her granddaughter, Alice, fly to Poland and carry out a confusing and seemingly impossible final wish.

If Alice goes to Poland, what will happen to Eddie, her autistic son whom she cares for? This American mother’s life revolves around her heavy family responsibilities, so guilt overwhelms her at the thought of leaving her family, even briefly, to accomplish a mission she doesn’t understand.

And yet, loyalty to the grandmother (Babcia) who helped raise her compels her to book a flight to Poland, trusting her husband (who has little relationship with his son) to care for their son and daughter.

So begins The Things We Cannot Say, a tension-filled dual-time-period novel set in the life of a family in small-town Poland at the beginning of World War II, and in the contemporary U.S. in the life of a family stretched to its limits caring for their autistic, non-verbal son.

The Things We Cannot Say, by Kelly Rimmer, cover image

Characters:

• Alina Dziak – Polish protagonist who’s a naïve farm girl as the novel begins; with the onset of World War II and its challenges, she matures

• Alice Michaels – American protagonist; her life revolves around her autistic son and her dying grandmother; she, too, matures as the story progresses

• Tomasz Slaski – Alina’s lifelong soulmate and fiancé; he becomes a medical student and ultimately works to resist the Nazi occupation of Poland

• Saul Weiss – a kind Jewish surgeon who befriends Tomasz; he plays an important role in the novel’s denouement

• Eddie Michaels – Alice and Wade’s autistic and non-verbal son

• Wade Michaels – Alice’s husband; his strengths, weaknesses, and character development play a major role in Alice’s maturing

• Pascale “Callie” Michaels – Alice and Wade’s brilliant ten-year-old daughter; she, too, matures as the novel progresses

• Julita Slaski-Davis – Alice’s mother; she’s a hard-boiled lawyer and judge who’s emotionally distant from her daughter

• Emilia Slaski – Tomasz’s younger sister; a lifelong friend of Alina’s because of Alina’s kindness and care for her

Strengths:

• Suspenseful plot (including a love story) drives readers to keep reading

• This novel offers readers a deep immersion and detailed insights into two cultures (kudos to the author!)

• While showing respect to both cultures, the author portrays intense emotional dramas in each setting

Weakness:

In a few places, coincidences seem a bit opportune.

Content review:

This novel includes violence and physical intimacy characteristic of the traumatic era of World War II in Poland.

My Recommendation:

I enjoyed the plot, suspense, and character development of The Things We Cannot Say. Historical fiction readers who can tolerate realistic (but not graphic) descriptions of Nazi atrocities during World War II will find this novel a rewarding read.

Reader, can you recommend a historical novel set in Poland?

Courage in the Paris Underground

by CLR Peterson | Apr 18, 2026 | Book review, France, French Resistance, Historical novels, Holocaust, Jewish History, World War II

Greetings, Reading Friend!

Do you enjoy novels that stretch characters to their limits, or even beyond, to pursue their highest calling, come what may?

If so, you’ll love Skylark! Author Paula McLain places her characters in terrible danger in two interweaving stories, set in 1664 and between 1939 and 1942.

The Paris underground has always been a dark, foreboding place, so how could a novel set in that location brighten a reader’s day?

My answer is simple: Skylark reveals the heroism that transformed the underground into a refuge for the persecuted.

Plot Summary:

In 1664, Alouette Voland wishes to follow in her father’s footsteps to become a master dyer. She secretly experiments with dyes, seeking to create a lost shade of blue dye. When her father is arrested for treason by his employer, The Gobelin Tapestry Works, she testifies at his trial and is sent to the Salpêtrière asylum, a place where women are treated with extreme cruelty. Along with her allies Marguerite and Sylvine, she plots an escape through the city’s sewers and tunnels.

In 1939, Kristof Larsen arrives in Paris to work in a psychiatric ward. His neighbors, the Brodsky family, befriend him, particularly their young daughter Sasha. When the Nazis begin deporting Jewish residents in 1942, Kristof and Alesander attempt to utilize their knowledge of the labyrinthine Paris catacombs to guide Sasha and other refugees to safety.

Major Characters:

1664 Timeline

• Alouette Voland: The daughter of a master dyer at France’s Gobelin Tapestry Works, she secretly creates forbidden dyes, but her ambition leads to her imprisonment in the brutal Salpêtrière asylum

• Étienne Duchamp: A young quarrier who works in the dangerous limestone mines beneath Paris. He forms a deep romantic connection with Alouette.

• Marguerite: A fellow prisoner at Salpêtrière who chronicles the institution’s horrific abuses against women in a secret ledger

• Sylvine: Another prisoner at Salpêtrière who lost her child to the system; she allies with Alouette and Marguerite in their quest for freedom

1939–1942 Timeline

• Kristof Larsen: A Dutch medical student who specializes in psychiatry because of personal tragedy. He lives in Paris as World War II begins, and eventually risks everything to help his Jewish neighbors escape the Nazi occupation.

• Sasha Brodsky: A precocious 13-year-old Jewish girl. She uses a “memory palace” to help her remember and tell stories, as well as to cope with her family’s persecution during the Nazi roundups.

• Alesander Extebarria: A charismatic Basque architecture student who befriends Kristof and uses his expertise to map the Paris tunnels for the Resistance

• Ursula: An Austrian nurse and Resistance member who works alongside Kristof to save children and patients from the Nazi threat

Strengths:

• Scenes with life-and-death choices and cliff-hanger endings
• Poignant, yet very human characters I cared about
• Well-researched historical background, with a new location and two new subcultures to inhabit and explore
• Insights into the lives of cloth-dyers and female mental patients in bygone times

Weakness:

Frequent shifts between timelines may occasionally disrupt the narrative flow.

Content review:

Both stories contain violence (including sexual) and the mistreatment of powerless individuals and groups by those with power.

My recommendation:

Readers whose sense of adventure motivates them to explore unfamiliar locations and times will find much to love in this suspenseful novel, as I did. It’s a rewarding read for those who can tolerate descriptions of the harsh realities of life and the darker side of social institutions in earlier eras.

Reader, can you recommend a time-slip historical novel you loved? Many thanks to the friend who recommended Skylark to me!

Arrivederci/Until next time,

Colleen
clrpeterson.com

From Secret Intelligence to Soufflés: How WWII Shaped a Culinary Icon

by CLR Peterson | Feb 17, 2026 | Book review, Historical novels, Women's Struggles, World War II

Greetings Reader Friend!

This month, we discuss a surprising novel based on a little-known part of a famous chef’s life. Readers of a certain age may recognize the name of Julia Child, while younger readers can check youtube for her PBS cooking shows.

The Secret War of Julia Child, by Diana S. Chambers, cover image

How did Julia McWilliams progress from her role as a clerk for the Office of Strategic Services (the CIA’s predecessor) to gathering intelligence in World War II to becoming a celebrity chef and cookbook author?

Did her wartime life in Asia prepare her to dive into French cooking and cookbook writing (as Julia Child, her married name)?

In The Secret War of Julia Child, author Diana R. Chambers addresses these questions, as well as creating an entertaining, fact-based historical novel about Julia’s life, from her early years in Pasadena, California, to her departure from Asia at the close of World War II.

Julia’s “hunger for experience” comes through strongly in the novel—helping to explain why Julia rejected her first serious suitor, why she lobbied her boss to send her to Asia during World War II, and why she sought the most remote, adventuresome assignments during the war.

Chambers sets Julia’s adventures against the backdrop of women’s status in the U.S. in the 1940s—with fewer career opportunities than their male counterparts, most women (including Julia) sought the security of marriage. Julia’s height made her anxious that she wouldn’t find that security. Although she also desired independence, her goal of finding a husband emerges as a clear theme throughout the novel.

Julia views Paul Child in a negative light from their first meeting, when his Jeep splashed her with mud, leaving much change to follow through the novel. Their love story, with all its ups and downs, provides a non-linear thread reminiscent of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.

Major Characters:

Julia McWilliams—protagonist; a tall, ambitious young woman who loves to take on challenges, but worries she’ll never find a husband

Paul Child—mapmaker whose brusqueness and apparent self-centeredness initially repel Julia

General “Wild Bill” Donovan: The real-life founder and head of the Office of Strategic Services; he hires Julia as a file clerk and later sends her into the field.

Lord Louis Mountbatten: The British chief of the South-East Asia Command; he’s friendly and polite to Julia, even when she secretly investigates his unit for potential moles

Jemadar Deepak Binoy: An Indian soldier; he’s a fictional character in the novel, highlighting the loyalty and bravery of the diverse personnel Julia encountered in the South Asia theater.

Caro McWilliams—Julia’s mother; she encourages Julia to be a free spirit, but also influences her to find a husband and settle down, fueling Julia’s internal conflict

Jane—a colleague and friend of Julia’s who served with her in Asia; Julia is frequently jealous of Jane’s attractiveness to men

Lieutenant James Mack—Mountbatten’s handsome assistant; he’s Julia’s romantic interest in Ceylon before Paul Child

Strengths:

Chambers immerses readers in the exotic locations of Julia’s experiences in a vivid, breath-taking way, including suspenseful descriptions of the dangers she encountered, both natural and human-caused.

Weakness:

Emphasis on romance seems a bit exaggerated, but this could be an accurate reflection of women’s perspectives in that era

Content Review:

This novel doesn’t shy away from the violence of war (as observed by Julia), or physical intimacy, but neither are portrayed graphically.

My Recommendation:

This novel offers an intriguing window into the years before Julia McWilliams became the Julia Child known to the world, as well as insights into the basic operations of the OSS in World War II. I enjoyed The Secret War of Julia Child, and I would recommend it to both foodies and history buffs.

Reader, can you recommend a novel set in the Asian theater during World War II?

Can a Saint Plot a Killing? Bonhoeffer’s Moral Dilemma

by CLR Peterson | Oct 23, 2025 | Book review, Germany, Historical novels, Holocaust, World War II

Should a man who participated in plots to kill Adolf Hitler be considered a saint?

Many people who have heard of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian and preacher, regard him as a saint for his courage in speaking out against Hitler and the Nazis.

But did he deserve such accolades?

At the heart of the debate: was Bonhoeffer’s involvement in plots to kill Hitler a sin against God (a violation of one of the 10 Commandments) or a virtuous act to prevent the deaths of millions of innocent people (including many Jews)?

Denise Giardina’s historical novel, Saints and Villains, gives readers an informed opportunity to make their own judgment about Bonhoeffer’s character.

Saints and Villains, by Denise Giardina, cover image

This book is labeled as historical fiction because the author filters a huge collection of facts through her novelist’s mind to create what she calls “a work of the imagination.”

Characters:

Dietrich Bonhoeffer—protagonist; prepared through his childhood (up to age 14) to be a concert pianist, then decided to study theology

Dietrich’s family members:

Karl Bonhoeffer—Germany’s leading psychiatrist; opponent of Freud and psychoanalysis, not religious

Paula—Karl’s wife, daughter of Prussian aristocracy; religiously observant

Christel—his older sister, who marries Hans von Dohnanyi

Sabine—Dietrich’s twin sister

Suse (Baby)—younger sister who Dietrich taught and defended

Karl-Friedrich—oldest brother, not sympathetic to Dietrich

Walter—second-oldest brother (both were conscripted in Great War; Walter dies of wounds)

George Bell, Bishop of Chichester-British pastor and bishop; became Dietrich’s mentor and close friend

Elizabeth—Dietrich’s long-term love interest; her Jewish heritage plays a central role in the novel

Maria von Wedemeyer—Dietrich’s second and much-younger girlfriend and fiancée in his later days

Alois Bauer—abused boy who becomes prominent Nazi and antagonist of Dietrich

Fred Bishop—friend of Dietrich’s at Union Seminary in New York; introduces him to American Black culture

Lasserre—French friend of Dietrich’s at Union Seminary; pastor of a working-class mission in northeastern France

Uncle Rudi (General Rudiger Graf von der Goltz) Paula’s brother-in-law)—looks down on Jews, supports Hitler

Strengths:

Saints and Villains reveals the complexities, strengths and weaknesses of its major characters, while weaving them into a compelling, tension-filled plot.

Weakness:

This novel is rewarding, but not a quick read. Some readers may not have the patience to follow Dietrich through the many situations he encounters.

Content review:

Saints and Villains is a book for mature readers who can handle reading about some of the disturbing things done by the Nazis to silence their enemies and eliminate anyone they disapproved of.

My Recommendation:

Saints and Villains was a satisfying read for me, as it gave me a better understanding of Bonhoeffer, his enemies, and his culture—all while telling a fascinating, haunting story of the consequences of making choices that go against powerful, unrestrained rulers. I recommend it to readers who wish to learn about Bonhoeffer and his cultural context.

Reader, can you recommend a novel or non-fiction book about Bonhoeffer that gives a balanced assessment of his life and legacy?

Not Quite as Sung: The Story Behind the Sound of Music

by CLR Peterson | Apr 23, 2025 | Book review, Historical novels, World War II

Greetings, Reader Friend!

If you’re of a certain age and grew up in the U.S., you doubtless remember the movie, The Sound of Music.

It’s an old story, so why did Maria: A Historical Novel of Maria von Trapp, about the movie’s main character, become a bestseller when it came out in 2024?

Maria: A Novel of Maria von Trapp, by Michelle Moran, cover image

Although it isn’t an exposé, Maria offers readers a more complex, fact-based view of the von Trapp family members than the movie portrayed.

Author Michelle Moran reveals each character’s motivations, while avoiding one-dimensional portrayals as heroes or villains.

For instance, Maria wanted the best for her family, and she possessed great talent and motivation, but these traits sometimes negatively impacted her family.

Major Characters:

Maria—protagonist who tells her life story over the course of the novel

Fran Connelly—Oscar Hammerstein’s secretary; he sends her to learn Maria’s life story and persuade her not to protest the musical’s divergences from the events of her life

Peter—friend and co-worker of Fran

Oscar Hammerstein—lyricist who picks up Maria’s story and (with Richard Rodgers) recreates it as a Broadway musical

Captain Georg von Trapp—widowed father of seven children when Maria meets him

Lorli (Eleonore)—Maria and Georg’s youngest daughter, she’s Maria’s companion in her declining years

Father Franz Wasner—chaplain and researcher of Gregorian chants, conducts the family choir

Lotte Lehmann—famous operatic soprano who stays with the von Trapps and encourages them to tour

Baroness Matilda—housedame; supervisor of the von Trapp house

Princess Yvonne—engaged to the captain before he met Maria

Strengths:

The author cleverly wove Maria’s story with the production of Rogers and Hammerstein’s Sound of Music, and the lives of those associated with the story.

This novel reveals complexities unknown to the public:
Hammerstein sacrifices a faithful portrayal of Maria’s life story to create a musical that would succeed in the post-World War II era
In addition, Hammerstein fictionalizes his depictions of other members of the von Trapp family to tell a more winsome story

Weakness:

The points of views alternate between Maria and Fran, and at times, readers may find this disorienting.

Content review:

The threat of Nazi violence hangs over the story, but nothing occurs on stage.

My recommendation:

Readers like me will enjoy this fascinating novel. Maria expands on the story of The Sound of Music and improves it by setting the record straight in an entertaining way.

Reader, can you recommend a novel or work of non-fiction about the von Trapp family?

The Sunflower House: Uncovering the Legacy of Lebensborn

by CLR Peterson | Jan 24, 2025 | Book review, Germany, Holocaust, Jewish History, World War II

World War II novels are a dime a dozen; why read another?

I ask myself this question whenever I see a new one set in this era.

So why did I choose The Sunflower House to read and review?

The Sunflower House, by Adriana Allegri, cover image

Simply put, this novel focuses on an aspect of this era that I knew little about—the Nazis’ Lebensborn program, which aimed to breed perfect Aryan children to fulfill Hitler’s dream.

As much as I learned about this program from The Sunflower House, the plot twists kept me interested and worried, and its characters were equally compelling, revealing:

Their moral conflicts and relationships with their neighbors of different ethnicities and faiths
How patriotic Germans responded to the inhumane orders their government and its representatives commanded
How few people rose up to oppose the Nazi terrors

Main Characters:

Allina – the protagonist in the World War II era; she’s a young German Jewish/Christian woman whose life suddenly changed with the Hitler’s rise to power, and his plans for Germany and the Jews

Dieter – Allina’s heroic uncle who raised her; he explains her family’s background before he dies

Karl – German Army officer who befriends Allina after seeing her weep and sing a Christmas carol to a baby at Hochland Home, a Lebensborn home

Katrine – Allina’s daughter; she’s the modern-day protagonist

Gruppenführer Gud – German Army officer who places Allina in Hochland Home

Schwester Marguerite Ziegler – head nurse at Hochland Home; a complex character

Rilla – Allina’s close friend at Hochland Home; enemy of Berta

Berta – a young mother at Hochland Home whose jealousy of Allina endangers Allina

Strengths:

Exciting, tension-filled story with multi-faceted characters

Weakness:

Readers who wish to know precisely what happened in the Lebensborn program may be disappointed, as the author had to use literary license to fill in gaps in the historical record.

Content review:

Given the focus of this novel and its setting in the heart of Nazi Germany, it’s not surprising that sexual violence and immorality appear in its pages.

My Recommendation:

I found The Sunflower House thought-provoking and entertaining. It will appeal to readers who enjoy the challenge of a novel set in a time where even heroic characters must make heart-wrenching choices.

Reader, can you recommend a novel or non-fiction book about Lebensborn?

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