During one of the darkest times in human history when millions of innocent Jews and others deemed “undesirables” were being sent to concentration camps to be brutality worked to death or slaughtered, a group of Dutch resistance workers rose up against the atrocities. Their resistance to the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands created a vast counterintelligence, domestic sabotage, and … communications network to help hide Jewish people from German authorities. The Old Gilt Clock is the story of how one Dutch resistance member, Willem Arondéus, risked his life to defy the Nazis’ plans to identify and deport hundreds of thousands of Dutch Jews. Arondéus’ courage is largely forgotten by history, but not by the Jewish and Dutch people. Written by the award-winning international Amazon bestselling author of The Seven Year Dress, comes a story of Arondéus’ courageous struggle to stand up to the unimaginable evil designs of Hitler. It is also a story about friendships formed in the Dutch resistance movement, their joys and sorrows, their wins and losses, their loves and betrayals, and ultimately their resilience to oppose tyranny and oppression when millions stood silent condoning heinous behavior. Thousands are alive today because of these brave, compassionate men and women.
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The Old Gilt Clock is some of Paulette Mahurin’s best work about the heroism and courage of Willem Arondéus during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. There are so many unsung heroes of this period and it was gratifying and also terrifying to read this account. Mahurin brings the character to life on the page, in depth and full of emotion, and sheds light on a little known group led by Arondéus who sacrificed his life on so many levels to save thousands of others.
There are times, particularly in the face of conflict or adversity, in which one might be tempted to ask, “What can one person do?”
The story of Willem Arondeus is testament to the fact that one person can do a very great deal to oppose hatred or wrongdoing, both through their own efforts but also by inspiring and encouraging others to also stand against evil.
Willem’s life story is well written and makes compelling reading. A man well acquainted with prejudice and hatred, Willem has been brought to life by the author in a manner that is both realistic about his flaws and empathetic about his suffering, credibly portraying him as a very normal person with a profound commitment to doing what was right.
This book adds a personal dimension to history and confronts the reader with the sense of helplessness experienced by the Dutch people of the time, and with the anger and resentment they harboured toward the Nazis and those who dumped with them. It made me reflect on what I know of my own grandfather, who was also a member of the Dutch resistance during the German occupation of the Netherlands in WWII, and to feel.somehow even more strongly connected to Willem and his friends as a result.
This is often an uncomfortable read, but it is an important one. Because stories like this are told, our generation is reminded to be vigilant against evil, to stand with the oppressed, and to ‘do some good ‘.
Willem Arondeus is a gentle soul. An artist with homosexual tendencies. When Hitler and his Nazi’s descend over Willem’s country, he’s placed into the same category as the Jews. Willem has a choice to make—rise up against the prejudice or let it destroy everything dear to him.
Willem was a very fascinating character. Built up with a sense of his normality that made him easy to relate to. The fact that he was an unusual hero also made the story interesting because it added to that sense of helplessness that people like him must’ve felt when the Nazis came to power.
To me, it was an interesting foil to the political influences that are rising in today’s society in America. A lot of people feel helpless to change the terrible things around them, but this story is good testament to exactly what one person can do when they set their mind to something. Invoking change isn’t just about what one person can do for society. It also takes into account what they can encourage others to do as well.
This is a solid story with good historical impact. Stories like this show that even the impossible isn’t truly impossible when someone puts their mind to achieving something they believe in. Above all, good will always triumph over evil.
Inspiration during dark times
This is a historic fiction story based on true events, and I’ve read other books by this author so I knew it would be well researched and well written, and I wasn’t disappointed. This one is centered on a member of the Dutch resistance during WWII, Willem Arondéus, his efforts to prevent Nazi deportation of Dutch Jews, and his difficult home life as a gay man in a society where homosexuality was viewed as subversive. A more unlikely hero would be hard to imagine. As the story unfolds, you gain an insight into his life, discover his tremendous courage to resist homophobia, and protect innocent families from deportation. Description of the era, locations and characters is excellent, and Willem’s story is compelling with emotional highs and lows along the way. The strength of his spirit is truly inspirational. Highly recommended.
I’ve grown to be a huge fan of Paulette Mahurin’s novels. The Old GIlt Clock is somewhat different than the others in that it has a biographical bent to it, a storyteller’s rendition of a man’s life from the moment of his birth to the time of his death. For this reason, it felt less a novel written in the deep point of view of the characters, and more of a revelation and a recapitulation of a life journey, told from an omniscient perspective. Willem himself was a very sympathetic character with many admirable traits in terms pf sensitivities and artistic talents. A childhood in which Willem was shown virtually no love, eventual friendships with two compassionate Jewish families, and his continuing search for love within the gay community all gave the book a unique backdrop. The same influences were very formative in respect to the man he became. I feel like An Old Gilt Clock shines a light on a very important story and illuminates a tragic part of WWII history.
I hadn’t heard of Willem Arondéus before this. The story portrays a different perspective of those who attempted to save the Jews during WWII in that it’s told from the viewpoint of another persecuted people–the homosexual community. The tale of Willem’s life as depicted in this story is a grim one. Persecution can make people do terrible things to survive, or in Willem’s case, can cause them to fight back against the oppressors all the more. Each person whose story comes to life within the pages of novels, such as this one, brings even greater awareness of the horrors of war, and the necessity for us to embrace and understand those who are different from us.
The story is beautifully and tragically told. I would read Paulette’s books alone for the lovely descriptions. Here’s one from the opening paragraph that sets the calm mood… before the storm: “The yellowish-red colors infusing the horizon dripped down, like a watercolor painting, leaving a faint glow of shimmering purple, as day met night.”
A deeply touching and captivating read
On the background of the political situation in Europe at the beginning of the 20th century, in her lyrical language, the author introduces to us Willem Arondeus, born into a dysfunctional family. We are invited into the inner sanctum of a boy then a teenager and later the young man with all his insecurity and loneliness. A gifted artist, he is not a typical person but one of them whose sexual orientation although tolerated in Netherlands is still frowned upon. When Hitler and his cohort come to power in Germany and then in Europe, the situation changes drastically, placing him into the category of undesirables like Jewish people and gypsies. Masterfully painting an accurate picture of the time and people, the author tells the story of the person who evolves into a fighter against prejudice and bigotry, who sacrifices his life while helping to save lives of Jewish people, the victims of injustices and persecutions. In the words of one of the characters, “It is the duty of every man to help them up and let them feel there is some hope for them in life”’ is in the core of this enthralling, vividly depicted tale of a real person.
You can’t expect a happy ending from a book like this but the message that “kindness exists in places least expected” made the impact from the descriptions of the atrocities committed by the German occupying forces a tad more tolerable. The novel ends on the powerful accord of “they will be remembered.” Yes, that’s why I suppose the author wrote this incredible story of Willem, whose kindness, compassion, and the spirit of a fighter would remind the future generations of his and his comrades’ heroic deeds.
I’m not giving out more details—read this wonderful, deeply touching, and humanistic-oriented novel from an amazing author-Paulette Mahurin. Highly recommended.
This was a very different read for me. Though not a romance there are a few romantic elements. This is more a work of literary historical fiction.
The Old Guilt Clock is the story of a man from Birth on as he found himself, friends, and ways to help as many Jews and homosexuals as possible in the times of Hitler’s reign in War World II.
The story started a bit slow for me and skipped around with different views and I got lost some, but it was intriguing enough I kept on reading and was glad I did.
My heart went out to Wilhelm and his friends and I still can’t help but wonder whatever happened to that old clock.
The story is beautifully written, very descriptive, interesting and informative. If you like history, War stories, and a good ugly cry…this is for you.
I’ve been a fan of Paulette Mahurin for a few years now and always grab her newest releases as soon as they hit the shelves. What I appreciate the most about her writing is not only riveting plots but also the meticulously-researched history behind them. “The Old Gilt Clock” is a perfect example of this. Tons of books are dedicated to virile heroes who come and save the day, so it was such a breath of fresh air to have a protagonist who’s artistic and gentle and yet who isn’t afraid to sacrifice his very life in order to protect the ones in danger. Spinning a tale that encompasses a few decades is not an easy feat and Ms. Mahurin tackled the task admirably. I very much enjoyed the tidbits of history she interweaved into the narration and at the same time rooted for Willem when the German occupation descended upon his country like a dark cloud, threatening not only him but the Jewish population as well. I truly admire heroes who are regular humans and would be powerless in most circumstances and yet who are ready to do anything possible and impossible to save innocent lives. Willem was exactly such a hero, who proves, on his courageous example, that even a seemingly powerless person can become a hero if only he chooses to stand up for what is right. The last few chapters made my heart ache for him but at the same time, I couldn’t help but admire his spirit. His words at the very end were the words of a true martyr. What a fine tribute to a truly outstanding person! Thank you so much for writing it, Ms. Mahurin!