Headstrong Johanna Berglund, a linguistics student at the University of Minnesota, has very definite plans for her future . . . plans that do not include returning to her hometown and the secrets and heartaches she left behind there. But the US Army wants her to work as a translator at a nearby camp for German POWs.
Johanna arrives to find the once-sleepy town exploding with hostility. Most … Most patriotic citizens want nothing to do with German soldiers laboring in their fields, and they’re not afraid to criticize those who work at the camp as well. When Johanna describes the trouble to her friend Peter Ito, a language instructor at a school for military intelligence officers, he encourages her to give the town that rejected her a second chance.
As Johanna interacts with the men of the camp and censors their letters home, she begins to see the prisoners in a more sympathetic light. But advocating for better treatment makes her enemies in the community, especially when charismatic German spokesman Stefan Werner begins to show interest in Johanna and her work. The longer Johanna wages her home-front battle, the more the lines between compassion and treason become blurred–and it’s no longer clear whom she can trust.
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I am really enjoying Things We didn’t Say by Amy Green! I’ve heard so much about the book, and now that it has won so many awards, I knew I needed to read it and see what I could learn from this new author. The book is entirely composed of letters, which is a unique style I wasn’t sure I would like, but I thought Amy did a great job creating the story. She is very clever to give us all the information we needed to enjoy the novel with only those letters! Well written and highly recommended!
Things We Didn’t Say by Amy Lynn Green takes us to the Minnesota home front during World War II. The story is written entirely in letters, notes, and newspaper clippings. I haven’t read a story exactly like this before and was amazed at how the author drew the reader into the story. I struggled to put down the book because I felt such a connection to the characters, even though we only knew them through their written words. Incredible!
While this is not the typically fast paced story I usually read, I let the story slow me down and so that I could sink into the wrestling the characters faced. I also loved the message in this story. It’s the kind that makes you think. I’m still digesting it. I highly recommend this book for this fact alone.
If you’re looking for a unique perspective on World War II, then grab a copy of Things We Didn’t Say!
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I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.
Spunky college student Johanna “Jo” Berlund is conscripted to serve her country during World War II by being a German translator at a POW camp in Minnesota. Her main solace in this role she constantly bucks against is her correspondence with her dear friend Peter Ito. He is later accused of espionage, and so is she. Written entirely in epistolary style, this book is fascinating in concept, brilliantly written, and meticulously researched.
What a wonderful novel written by Amy Lynn Green! This novel is written in the form of letters, an epistolary novel, and is a wonderful reminder to never leave important things unsaid. Set during WWII, Johanna returns home to hostilities like she never imagined in her small hometown. While trying to bridge the gap between citizens and prisoners, the lines between patriotism and treason become blurred for Johanna. It doesn’t help her case that one of her dearest friends is a Japanese American. Will Johanna be found guilty of treason, or will she be vindicated?
It is hard to believe this is Ms. Green’s first novel and I will definitely be on the lookout for future novels from her!
Wow! Amy Lynn Green’s Things We Didn’t Say rates right up there with another of my favorite epistolary novels: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Green’s debut is wise and witty and chocked-full of little known history about the US internment camps for German POWs during WWII. A delight!
Fabulous debut novel!
Dear Amy Lynn Green,
I just finished reading Things We Didn’t Say and several adjectives are floating through my mind. Spectacular! Fabulous! Marvelous!
Each of these descriptions might sound over the top, yet how else can I describe a story that touched my heart, mind, and soul as yours has?
I have read other epistolary stories in the past but was not very impressed. I don’t recall knowing before reading that you had chosen this style. When I first realized it, I panicked slightly! However, I quickly saw there was nothing to worry about as I was so quickly captivated by this lovely story.
In between laughing and tearing up, I was pondering the circumstances of your characters. A town asked to provide work for the enemy who killed many of her sons. And being expected to treat them humanely despite knowing the same courtesy wasn’t extended to prisoners of war their country had taken. The second-generation Japanese man asked to help teach the country that sent his family to an internment camp. When he wrote of his experience after the bombing of Pearl Harbor at the hands of fellow Americans, my heart broke!
Jo was wonderful! I so enjoyed her quirky character and the way she came to life through her letters. It was evident that the people of her town had hurt her deeply and I was driven to read on to understand how. And why. Oh, and I simply had to find out why she was on trial for treason!
Despite her “prickly” nature, she truly was kind. Her fiery response to the townspeople when they were so reluctant to show anything other than hatred to the German prisoners revealed her tender heart. She truly turned her world upside down, didn’t she!
My heart was touched by Jo’s feelings of abandonment by God. What a tremendous friend and inspiration Peter was as he encouraged her in her faith. Or perhaps more accurately, her lack of faith. Her struggles throughout the story were so similar to those of people I know and it made me so glad for her to finally see that even when she wasn’t aware of it, God was right there all along!
Her parents, her friends (all two of them!), and the people whose lives intersected hers are so real to me now. It was very clever how you presented the collection of writings from so many sources. The way you made them reflect the personalities of their authors was amazing! I think I could have known who had written each one without their signatures after a while.
Things We Didn’t Say is one of the best stories I have read by a debut author, and one of the best stories I have read. Ever. I know it will remain in my mind and my heart for a good while to come.
I am eagerly awaiting another story from you!
Your newest fan,
Phyllis
Read my review of Things We Didn’t Say by Amy Lynn Green at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
While I can count on one hand the number of epistolary novels I’ve read, this debut novel from Amy Lynn Green stands head and shoulders above the rest. The level of intimacy that the reader gains by reading the personal thoughts of the characters kept me fully engaged and turning pages to see what response would follow and how the story would unfold.
I found it refreshing how without all the colorful descriptions you’d find in your average story, by reading a selection of letters, news stories, and telegrams my imagination was invited to fill in the gray areas. Like adding color to an intricate black and white drawing. Not once did I feel that anything was left out, and all the plot lines were nicely tied up by the end.
I look forward to reading many more exciting stories from Amy Lynn Green in the future!
(I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)
There aren’t enough adjectives in the English language to be able to put all my thoughts down on paper. Amy Lynn Green, who is on my list of top five authors, has proven once again why she remains firmly on that list. “Things We Didn’t Say” is laid out through letters and documents in defense of the heroine’s innocence after an indictment for treason. Who knew that novel way of writing a book could work so well! She is witty, inspirational, sympathetic, comforting, showing all sides of the issue (German POWs in a small town in Minnesota in 1944). Amy slowly shows how many of the townspeople are brought to the side of grace and forgiveness while relationships are being built with the POWs showing they are human, too. The prose, the insights into human nature, the ability to question and provoke thoughts, all combine to elicit empathy and understanding for the American people going through some of the terrible policies as well as prejudices at that time in our history.
I absolutely adored this captivating epistolary novel filled with words to and from home during WWII. Johanna Berglund is compelled to leave her university studies to act as a translator and mail censor at a POW camp being established in her hometown, and somehow ends up the subject of a treason inquiry. Wait, first—POW camps? In America? How did I not know this was a thing? And frankly I should have, because it’s mentioned repeatedly in The Magic of Ordinary Days (one of my favorites) but the concept apparently didn’t click. Beyond that, I very much enjoyed the story, the themes of forgiveness, racism, showing grace (and how difficult that can be), and achieving one’s dreams. The characters were kept at arms length a bit because of the epistolary style, but I truly connected with Jo, Peter, the POWs, and the other supporting characters such as Jo’s parents, Pastor Sorenson and his grown children Erik and Annika, the Major, Cornelia Knutson (and her hats!), and even the smarmy newspaper man Brady McHenry. There is so much to love about this book! I have to remember that it is a historical Fiction book with some themes of romance, or else I’d be a wee bit disappointed in the somewhat reticent love story. Overall though, it was filled with historical fact, beautiful, subtle Christian themes, and a memorable cast of characters. Definitely glad I grabbed this one, and it was beautifully done on audiobook.
When I saw that this book won the 2021 Carol Award (historical fiction), it moved right up to the top of my mental To Be Read list. I devoured it in about two days, it’s that good.
First of all, I did not know that German POWs were sent to camps in the Midwest during the war. Can you imagine your grandparents’ reaction to such a camp, complete with barbed wire, a stone’s throw from your community? My (midwestern) grandpa lost a younger brother in Normandy, and I wonder if he would have simply gritted his teeth and said nothing at the news that the prisoners had just had meatloaf for supper (meat was rationed)!
That’s the setting, and the author does a great job of bringing it to life in vibrant color. Her heroine is suspected of treason, and her close friend is suspected as well (because he’s Japanese-American). Poignant, well-written, with an ending that will satisfy. The way it’s written is unique, using letters, and it gives the story a layered complexity as we view the events through the perspectives of several different writers. Who’s the real bad guy?
The struggle for faith in the context of war and grief forms the underlying theme. I love how the truths of Scripture are brought out here and there with an almost C.S. Lewis poignancy. At the same time, the heroine’s wry sense of humor made me laugh out loud at points. Very good job! Highly recommended. Clean and appropriate for teens.
This was an impressive debut novel. I really enjoyed the story style which was written entirely in personal letters and newspaper articles. The history of utilizing German POWs for American farm labor was something that I was not familiar with. It made for interesting conflict.
At first I found the heroine, Johanna, a bit off-putting, but slowly she & this story reeled me in. I appreciate how this epistolary novel focused on the humanity of all the players involved & emphasized that bridge-building–though a frustrating, messy & misunderstood process–is worth the sacrifice. And one inspirational message that met me exactly where I was as I listened to this novel was how Johanna’s eyes were opened to the everyday, overlooked signs of God’s presence through the daily kindnesses of her community. Overall, a satisfying, heart-warming story!
I enjoyed getting a glimpse into the struggles and joy’s, Johanna faced during the war. She was an interesting character and would have made a good friend. It was fun to watch her intereact with others and gave me a different perspective on the war. I like how Amy Lynn Green weaved the Lord’s truth throughout this book. The reader can learn along with the characters these truth.
I listened to part this book as an audiobook. I thought the narraror did a good job. It was easy for me to understand and follow.
I recommend this book to my family and friends.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Things We Didn’t Say by Amy Lynn Green is a mesmerizing novel, told entirely with letters. It is a fascinating look at World War II in a place not often examined: in the United States POW camps. This work is brilliant on many levels. The storytelling through letters is successful, which is a feat on it own. But the topic of POWs and the issues around treating people a certain way only because of their race– this is an important topic and a time in history we cannot afford to forget. This novel is amazing and will be devoured by readers of historical fiction. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.
What I Loved:
Things We Didn’t Say is of my favorites of the year and already on my reread list. I thought telling it as an epistolary was absolutely brilliant!
Being an epistolary means it’s not a classic narration, but that the entire story is told through letters. I personally love epistolaries, but it’s not always easy for everyone to read. I’ll confess that I did struggle to find my footing in the first few letters. There are just so many characters you’re introduced to so quickly. But once I felt grounded in the story, I didn’t have any more problems. So if you’re new to epistolaries and you find yourself lost at first, just keep reading. Things will level out soon, and you wouldn’t want to miss this wonderful novel.
I was smitten with the characters right away and was in no hurry for this story to end. And I was blown away by some of the twists that Green managed to tuck away in this plot that seemed rather straightforward at first. I was certainly on the edge of my seat toward the end.
I can’t praise this one enough, and I’m looking forward to whatever Green has for us next!
Rating and Recommendations: I’m giving Things We Didn’t Say 5 stars. I highly recommend it to those looking for Christian historical, WWII fiction, or Christian epistolary.
~ I received a copy from NetGalley. All thoughts are my own. I was not compensated for this review or required to give a favorable one.
WOW! This is an amazing debut novel. I am looking forward to reading more by Amy Lynn Green!
This book was totally unique to me. I’d never heard of epistolary novels before and I honestly thought that this author had created the most unique way of writing a novel ever! But, it’s been done before, but it’s my first time reading a book that consists of correspondence back and forth between characters. I was drawn into this story from the beginning and held captive until the end. Even then I didn’t want it to stop. I want more!
This is a Christian historical novel set during World War II and tells of a POW camp for German prisoners here in the United States. This is a part of history that I knew nothing of and it was so interesting it had me flipping from the novel to the computer to research. The character development was amazing. Just from reading letters written back and forth between the two main characters, Johanna “Jo” Berglund and Peter Ito, you can get totally immersed in their lives. Add to that, letters between Jo and the University, her sponsor, her friends, the local newspaper, POW’s, etc., the story just unfolds effortlessly.
This story is rich with quotes like “Real life is dreadfully tedious, the way it interrupts reading.”, “If the only gift we receive this year is Jesus, it will be enough.” These pages are full of drama, trauma, humor, history, distrust, hatefulness, cowardliness, strength, honor, forgiveness, faith. It’s a book that I highly recommend and I will read again.
Author Amy Green writes a story that is solely letters written from Johanna to others, and back again. Such a unique way of writing a story, we learn about the places and the people completely from their letters. No traditional descriptions are necessary.
Green takes on real issues including war and racism, yet does it with such grace that you are willing to face the truth. Sprinkle in humor, faith, and hope and you have a great read. If you enjoy historical fiction I recommend Things We Didn’t Say.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
I read every detail of this book, including the author’s note at the end. I learned that this is the author’s debut novel, which I never would have imagined!! This story is incredibly well-written in an epistolary manner (which might be a turn off to some, but I really enjoyed).
This book caught my attention from the very beginning, where it talks about a “civilian charged with involvement in prisoner-of-war-related crimes is a complicated affair.” I was like, what? What happened? You might be asking yourself that very question right now…and it you are dying of curiosity like I was, I can guarantee you will not be disappointed…a truly great story on so many different levels.
There are not a lot of physical details given about the characters, but you get to know them through the letters. I am actually glad that we are not given a lot of details, or that might have spoiled the image that we get of them.
I am not a huge fan of historical fiction, but the style of writing really intrigued me and I had a hard time putting the book down to get anything else done. Johanna is the main character and I loved her sharp wit and humor. Yes, humor. I never expected to laugh out loud or be snickering through a “historical” read, but that is exactly what I did. Especially in the letters that never got sent. It was really refreshing to see a book that could have really been heavy, given the nature of the story (war), written in such an effortless way, that really kept my attention. (So, during this pandemic season, do not let what could be the “serious” nature of this book be a turn off to you.
This book had many layers, including elements of suspense and mystery, it really made you wonder who the enemy was. If you are like me, you won’t wonder for long, you will simply read until you learn the truth. I highly recommend this novel for anyone who likes historical fiction, books written in letter form, captivating novels or just a well-written book. I hope that this author will write more books, I would love to read more from her.
Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
An excellent debut for Amy Lynn Green. The book is original and well thought out. A fresh take on a less well known part of World War 2. Excited to see what she writes next.
In a stunning debut novel, Johanna Bergland is torn from her university studies to become the translator and letter censor at Camp Ironside POW camp in Minnesota during WW II. It is told in an epistolary style through letters, newspaper articles, and other documents.
I appreciated Johanna’s heart, as she took kindness a step forward in dealing with the prisoners, which at times was to her detriment. Johanna was a high profile citizen, being the daughter of the mayor, which definitely put her family in a difficult situation more than once. There are some delightful character throughout the book, and her Japanese American pen pal, Peter Ito, is one of my favorites, but is also one who could potentially get her in deep trouble. Although a novel written in letter/document format is not my favorite, it did allow me to read the book in very small increments, which was somewhat helpful with a bit of a hefty tome. I am anxious to see what the author has for us next and will definitely read her next novel.
I borrowed a copy of this book from my local public library and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.