Wartime Holland. Who can you trust? Deep in the Veluwe woods lies a secret that frustrates the Germans. Convinced that Jews are hiding close by they can find no proof.The secret is Berkenhout, a purpose-built village of huts sheltering dozens of persecuted people. Young tearaway Jan roams the woods looking for adventure and fallen pilots. His dream comes true when he stumbles across an American … stumbles across an American airman, Donald C. McDonald. But keeping him hidden sets off a disastrous chain of events.
Sofie, a Jewish Dutch girl, struggles to adapt to living in Berkenhout, away from her family and friends. As weeks turn to months, she’s worried they’ll abandon her altogether.
Henk Hauer, head woodman, is in charge of building the underground huts and ensuring the Berkenhout inhabitants stay safe.
But many grow suspicious of his liaisons with the Germans. Is he passing on secret information that could endanger lives?
All it takes is one small fatal slip to change the course of all their lives for ever.
Review, May 2018:
“It’s a cracking book, gripping, sensitive heartfelt and excruciating all at the same time. I’ve already recommended it to loads of people. It’s a wonderful story as well and the characters are so human. You do a wonderful job of not making them ‘war caricatures’ that so often happens in literature set in that time, but they all come across as believable humans, with flawed personalities caught in personal as well as political turmoil. Although it’s a book set in war-time, it’s more a book about people and their relationships struggling in a given situation; the war is the backdrop. Which is as it should be. Human stories first. I’ll be sad to finish it!” – Liam Gerrard, BAFTA-nominated actor.
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I liked that history was included in the story.
I am fascinated by individual stories during World War 11. These brave souls never cease to amaze me
I enjoyed this book. I thought the characters were well-developed and I learned some history about the impact of World War II in Holland.
This was a beautiful story of how people tried to save whole populations.
It was a different kind of book for me. Definitely kept my interest.
This is a great story based on an amazing village during the Nazi reign of terror. I am so glad I had the opportunity to read this.
Hiding Jews during WWII in Holland as told by the Dutch themselves. A different story based on an actual event.
Brought WWII to new light. We very rarely read about what the Germans and the Jewish families went through during this time.
A little insight into what being Jewish must have been like in WW2
I’ve read a lot on WW2 but this was the first on the Holocaust in Holland. It was inspiring to read how locals helped the Jewish people hide before they were deported and/or killed. It also showed how everyone was affected by the war from kids to adults to soldiers. The war affected everyone!
WWII information I never knew. Really enjoyed it.
It starts out slow building the basis for the rest of the story. Then picks up and things move along. I couldn’t out it down. An interesting historical fiction that gives us a glimpse of life in Holland during WWII. surprise ending
Based on a real event, this was a most intriguing story.
I loved this book, based on truth during the holocaust!!
I enjoyed the historical aspect of the book.
Nothing above could really describe this book. Based on historical events of WWII and tells a story of kindness, danger, fear, love and a realistic ending.
Fascinating book about WWII a perspective I had not read about before.
Thought provoking
Set in WWII, a town in the Netherlands builds a hidden village in the forrests to protect the Jews and other targets of the Nazis. Fictionalized story based on actual events. It was well written as a story with characters that you are led to care about as the story progresses. It helps to see how people in the Netherlands lived during their occupation in WWii.
Inspirational heroes during the darkest of times.