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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The title of this book is so fitting. Told completely through correspondence sent and unsent, as well as newspaper articles and editorials, the story unfolds just as much from what is written as what is left unsaid between the lines.
Joanna Berglund reluctantly returns to her hometown leaving behind her language studies at the University of Minnesota to fulfill the requirements of her scholarship with patriotic service working as a translator for a German POW camp in her hometown. Joanna has a gift for language, and a passion to take her education as far as she can, she can be stubborn and blunt, which often puts her at odds with the townspeople of which her father is mayor. She writes many letters over the course of the book, but the ones that form the framework of the story are the ones between her and her dear friend Peter Ito, a second generation Japanese American, who is serving his country as a language teacher for military intelligence.
Peter is easily my favorite character in this book, he takes things as they come, he loves his country, but struggles with how America has treated him and his family. He is the perfect temper to Joanna’s flame, I loved how they both encourage each other and bring out the best in each other. I admired his hope, honesty, and strong faith in God.
Compelling and well executed, I was skeptical when I first learned that the story would be told completely through letters, but it works well in this instance, and I liked that it left parts to be filled in by my imagination. I loved how Joanna is most honest in her letters to Peter, and that this book addresses the tough questions that Joanna struggles with, like prejudice, justice, and loving our enemies. In short I liked that she had questions, and challenges the pat answers. Everything comes together with a stunning ending that had me glued to the page.
Overall, a worthy read that stuck with me long after I’d turned the last page, with a hero and heroine that I could cheer for throughout. I will definitely be reading more books from this author in the future!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Discerning Readers Need a Great Read Like This One
There’s nothing more wonderful than a new release that keeps you riveted to the page–or the audiobook app–from the first word to the last.
Unless it happens to be by a debut author.
That’s right, Amy Lynn Green has written a phenomenal, gripping, insightful novel that every lover of good fiction should read.
In fact, I’m calling this book “The American Guernsey Book” because it’s got a similar feel.
So what is so great about Amy Lynn Green’s, Things We Didn’t Say?
So many things.
A linguist, Johanna Berglund is called home to translate for German prisoners of war, censor their letters, all the stuffness.
This epistolary novel opens with a treason trial and someone has collated all of Johanna’s correspondence. Letters to the editor, notes at work, writing to friends–everything. So, between learning to see the Germans as people and trying to treat them as such, and having a Japanese-American friend, she’s looking guilty when things go south.
There are so many perspectives shown through all of these notes and letters.
Furthermore, the way the character arc transforms Johanna’s character is brilliant. You see Amy Lynn Green pulling Johanna out of her shell and into her own person throughout the story.
The book is well written and full of great characters whose personalities shine on the page. Additionally, there are strong spiritual elements that show faith in action, faith growing. If that weren’t enough, Amy Lynn Green addresses and explores difficult political and ideological issues of the day–both from objective and subjective viewpoints. This adds depth and richness to her story.
Did I love it? Oh, yeah. Am I disappointed that I don’t see more available by her? Definitely. Do I stalk Amy Lyn Green’s Amazon page for preorder links to another book? Yep. Sure do.
A five-star read all the way. Things We Didn’t Say better win awards. I’m just sayin’
I was charmed from the first page! This epistolary novel, told through letters, flowed seamlessly for me, with plenty of wit to keep me laughing and also a poignancy that at times took my breath away. Author Amy Lynn Green’s delightful characters will resonate with readers in this tale set in rural Minnesota during WWII. Quirky linguistics student Johanna Berglund is certainly a gem, and her life is never the same once she’s coerced into coming home to act as translator to the town’s new camp for German POWs. There were some lovely twists that kept me up late turning the pages, and I found Ironside Lake a world both memorable and entertaining. Things We Didn’t Say is a wonderful story and a must-read for fans of historical fiction!
Things We Didn’t Say is an unusual novel with an unusual heroine. Johanna Berglund, the main character, speaks seven languages (and is trying to learn Japanese) when she is “persuaded” to return to her hometown of Ironside Lake to serve as a translator for the Germans in the new prisoner of war camp.
Johanna finds herself accused of treason, and the novel is the collection of documents she prepares for her lawyer to prove her innocence—letters to, from, and about her, and a collection of newspaper articles, editorials, and letters to the editor. The letters show Johanna’s virtues and faults in her own eyes, and through the eyes of friends, family, and foe.
The best historical fiction uses historical events and characters to highlight issues in the present.
Things We Didn’t Say does a masterful job of examining racism and our often irrational feelings towards those who are different to us—whether they look like us or not. It’s also telling that Green has chosen to set her story in a small town that’s home to Americans of Scandinavian descent—people who sometimes look more Aryan than their German enemies, yet people who also discriminate against Japanese Americans and African Americans.
What often has the most impact isn’t the obvious themes of the story, but the offhand comments—like the US Constitution’s definition of treason, or the kitchen hand who owns a copy of “The Negro Motorist Green Book, with safe hotels, filing stations, and eateries marked.” I’ve read my share of travel guides, but they have all aimed to sort the good from the less-good, not the safe from the unsafe.
The unusual structure gives the novel a more slow-paced feel than a “normal” novel might have. It’s also easier to stop reading than in a novel written in more traditional chapters with the cliffhanger or hook at the end of each chapter. Letters have a different structure, and mean it is a little easier to put the novel down. But it’s also easy to pick up again, and to only read one or two letters at a time. If anything, reading slowly is more representative of the timescale covered in the novel.
The title is also apt, in that a lot of the story is hidden in the things the characters don’t say in writing—another reason to read it slowly. The Things We Didn’t Say is an excellent if unusual novel.
Recommended for historical fiction fans or those interested in a Christian novel written in a non-traditional style.
Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
There is no shortage of World War II novels out there for readers and sometimes, it’s hard to find a fresh perspective on this well-documented war. A few authors have succeeded, and now you can add Amy Lynn Green to that list. I have not before read a story that takes place during this time period with this setting and told in this way.
Yes, this takes place during WWII, but most of the story is set at a German POW camp in Minnesota. Green takes readers on one woman’s journey through the letters she writes and those she receives (yep, it’s epistolary). Even Johanna Berglund stands out as a unique heroine.
She may be intelligent and abrupt, often rubbing people the wrong way, but she’s got a good heart, shown in the way she treats the prisoners she now censors letters for. Despite her headstrong tendencies, I adored Jo throughout this book, especially as she and Peter begin to share some of the more personal areas of their lives in their letters.
Whether you’re a fan of WWII fiction or even if you’ve been burned out it, Things We Didn’t Say introduces a fresh and engaging piece of US history.
In her debut novel, Amy Lynn Green writes from an interesting perspective in historical fiction. It’s very apparent she’s done extensive research into WWII and POW camps as the settings and characters are very realistic.
Her character’s emotions and personalities sprang from the pages, making this a fascinating read.
The small-town community where most of it occurred provided an interesting foil to the situation as a whole. Ms. Green dealt kindly with a sensitive topic from that era and I look forward to reading more novels created by this talented author.
A beautiful and engrossing debut novel. I’ve been anxiously waiting Amy Green’s debut novel and I absolutely loved it.
Johanna Berglund is a favorite heroine. She is smart, witty, having heart and depth.
Using the technique of letters, telegrams, notes; known as epistolary storytelling, Amy Green tells a beautiful story of what happened in the German POW camps.
Ms. Green packs so much in this 416 page novel; race relations, faith, lost friendships, and regrets. To think this is her debut novel makes the read even more stunning as well as inspiring.
If you’re still adding books to your Christmas wish-list; you need to add this one! I highly recommend it!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Linguist Johanna Berglund dreams of studying in Oxford one day, though her plans are on hold as WWII rages. When her small Minnesota hometown opens a German POW camp, Johanna seems like the perfect liaison between the prisoners and the staff. Spirited Jo refuses at first, but circumstances force her hand.
As Jo works with the prisoners and censors their letters, she begins to see the men as more than captured Nazis. They have loved ones left at home, pride in their families, and talents and interests in need of outlets. The town of Ironside Lake has mixed feelings about the POW camp, and most are dead set against it. Is there anything Jo can do to humanize the prisoners in the eyes of the town?
This epistolary novel is told through a variety of letters and newspaper articles. Most of the letters are between Johanna and her Japanese friend Peter Ito, who works with the Army giving a crash course on the Japanese language to American soldiers before they ship out. Jo relies on Peter to tell her the truth when her own opinions may get in the way of things.
Jo, Peter, the POWs, and the citizens of Ironside Lake are vividly and skillfully brought to life in a non-traditional but gripping format. I loved how the issues of the day were explored, especially the attitudes toward stateside POW camps and Japanese Americans. Johanna’s personality in particular shines bright. I’d recommend this book for anyone who loves history and stories that are just a little bit different.
I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Set in Minnesota in 1944-45 and told entirely through letters, documents, and telegrams, Amy Lynn Green’s debut novel is a fascinating look at a slice of history that I knew little about. When a German POW camp is set up near her hometown, Johanna Berglund is recruited from her university studies in linguistics to work as a translator there, although that doesn’t fit in with her life plans. She is a determined, capable, and outspoken young woman who makes the best of it and tries to help the prisoners. Her friend, Peter Ito, is a military language instructor who encourages and supports her. Their letters are amusing and add a touch of fun and amusement to the story. I loved Johanna’s wit and dry sense of humor. The author is a master at creating colorful, realistic characters whose personalities are displayed through the letters of the story.
Although it took me a few pages to get accustomed to the epistolary style of the book, I soon got used to it and enjoyed the novelty of it. It’s a beautifully done and very memorable book. I’m looking forward to more from this talented author. 4.5 stars
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Amy Lynn Green’s debut epistolary novel, Things We Didn’t Say, is a well researched story, with an impressive attention to detail. It was easy to get lost in time while reading the letters, notes and news articles shared.
While Johanna struggles with her faith and fitting in, she hopes for social acceptance of those she’s come to know at the POW camp. Her words are sometimes over-the-top, and it’s her friend Peter’s voice of reason that calms the storm. The contrast of their personalities really balanced the storytelling nicely.
Things We Didn’t Say takes a unique approach to fiction and I’m excited to see what Amy Green writes next! This book is available now at http://www.christianbook.com or http://www.bakerbookhouse.com .
While I did receive a complimentary electronic copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley, I purchased my own paperback, which is the version that was read for this review. Had I finished the NetGalley copy, a positive review would not have been required. All opinions expressed are completely my own.
“Don’t hold on so tightly to one idea of what you want that you don’t let God push you in another direction.”
Linguistics student Johanna Berglund is brilliant, determined, a bit cynical and overly headstrong; in other words, she clutches her dreams for the future very tightly, dreams which include post graduate work at Oxford University in England, among other things. So when she is forced (according to her) to choose between changing directions (serving her country) or losing her coveted college scholarship money (the worst possible thing that could happen to her), Johanna reluctantly returns to her small hometown of Ironside Lake, Minnesota to serve as an Army translator in a German prisoner of war camp, censoring their letters home and providing a means of communication between the guards and inmates. Leaving behind a best friend, a Japanese American language teacher at a school for military intelligence officers, the two comrades resort to letters filled with spirited conversations and timely advice (mostly Peter to Johanna).
Things get a little dicey when Johanna’s kindnesses towards the occupants of the German camp land her in a bit of trouble (a lot of trouble, actually) and Peter’s war time assignment takes a turn into a dangerous direction(his life just might be at stake). Caught between two conflicts, while painfully watching her future disappear before her very eyes, Johanna learns the value of silence; “it’s where God is most likely to be heard”, a valuable lesson for one’s head and heart.
Granted, it may take awhile to rest comfortably within the pages of this epistolary novel, nonetheless, the author skillfully moves the story line along with her brightly contrasting characters and their conversant natures, some of whom hide their charlatan motives quite well. When the last page turns, you will realize exactly what you have just read, for even Jo herself states, “I’ve found that every letter has two messages; the one written on the lines and the ones written between them”.
Quite an impressive debut novel!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I also purchased a copy. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
I cannot believe that Things We Didn’t Say is Amy Green’s debut novel! I was sucked in from the very first letter! Normally dialogue is my favorite part of a story, but somehow I didn’t miss it at all! Through many letters, this wonderful story came to life as did our characters personalities and their stories. I normally steer clear of WWII stories because they can be too heavy and depressing, but somehow Ms. Green managed to keep this story light even with such heavy subject matter.
I loved everything about Peter and his letters to Jo. Jo, while sometimes prickly, which is one of my pet peeves, was really a kind hearted person and I actually loved her spunk and how she stood up for herself and others. I also enjoyed the pops of humor in their letters to each other as well as Jo’s letters to various people that were never sent. While the romance was subtle, it was done so well, that I ended up really enjoying it.
I am a fan of Amy Green and can’t wait for her next story!
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
This historical fiction written in polylogic epistolary fashion perfectly describes the life experiences of people during 1944. It begins with prosecutors documents of evidence against
Johanna Berglund, a headstrong linguistics student at the University of Minnesota. With her father as Mayor of their small town of Ironside Lake, she was relieved to plan a future beyond the criticism and judgment of the town in which she grew.
Johanna is enraged when she is forced to leave school to help out the Army as they set up a German POW camp in Ironside Lake. Her talent in linguistics being able to speak several languages including German made her an asset to their efforts. With the help of the YMCA they planned to use the prisoners to assist the farmers much to the angst of the community.
Facing the inevitable she relies on her former roommate Olive to keep her abreast of the gossip at school. She also relies heavily on her friend Peter Ito who is a Japanese language instructor for military intelligence officers. He encourages her to use her unique language skills for the new experience as translator in the German prison camp in Ironside Lake.
Many become accustomed to Joanna’s cynical and abrupt manner and soon she begins to accept her present situation. The leader of the prison camp Captain Stefan Werner shows more attention to Johanna than she felt necessary. Over time she begins to learn about the prisoners and their families. As interpreter she needed to read and censor every correspondence entering and leaving the camp. She also rekindles a friendship with Annika with whom she had known since childhood. In time the place where she was raised becomes more comfortable than she remembered it being.
Controversy begins to stir after Johanna suggests submitting articles to the local newspaper written by a selected prisoner. Soon Johanna doesn’t know who she could trust any longer when rumors circulate that she is a German sympathizer. Then she learns her friend Peter is being charged with treason as well. How does all this turn out? Will the truth be revealed? Who are not who they say are?
“We can easily hurt others, and once we do, there’s no escaping each other. Forgiveness is all that keeps us together, and withholding it keeps us apart.”
What a unique and powerful debut novel from Amy Green! Told entirely through letters sent from one person to another toward the end of WWII, the novel speaks about grace, forgiveness, human condition, and the power of love through candid, raw, and often heart-breaking words. There are quite a few letter writers represented in the story but the main voice of Jo is fresh, inquisitive, intelligent, and quite funny while Peter is loyal, kind, true and wise. Jo is somewhat self-centered in the beginning as the introverted prodigy linguist but she weathers the hardships to emerge stronger and more sure. I really enjoyed getting to know Peter and felt a kinship with him as a fellow Asian-American and immigrant. Jo and Peter’s friendship is delightful and learning about German POW camps in the US was quite fascinating. This book is soul-stirring, thought-provoking, and truly well-written. It asks us how we, as “just fallible people trying desperately to make sense of an incomprehensibly complex world,” can help each other despite our differences in race, color, culture, and religion.
I received a copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers via Interviews & Reviews and NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
This WWII novel was different than a lot of them lately. It was written about a German POW camp in Minnesota, and through letters of various characters. The main storyline is told through Johanna Berglund, who was hired to be a translator at the camp. This job, was more so forced upon her, in that she vowed she would never return to her home town. If she did not take this position, then the anonymous donor who was funding her school would pull out the funds.
Off Johanna went, back home to where her father was mayor and everyone knows everyone’s business. This time however, everyone is up in Johanna’s business and it has been made know that the town is not happy to be hosting a camp of German’s. Trouble is going to come about from this, and a female working in a prison- how dare they even think this was a good idea?
With this position, Johanna has more than her hands full and often is being pulled in more directions than what she had anticipated. But she keeps vigilant, often fights for things for the prisoners and even agrees to in a way, partner up with the local newspaper man to give voice to these men. To show the town that they are humans also. Not so different than anyone else, in that they were led astray by an evil man is all and most were under orders for fear of their life.
I really enjoyed reading this storyline unfold through letters across various people. It was an interesting way to write this story and I think it made it that much more real. Thank you to Bethany House and Baker Publishing Group for the free book.
This is a fascinating well researched, epistolary novel that reads like a documentary. This author masterfully tells this story through letters, handwritten notes, newspaper articles, telegrams, documents and testimony from events that happened in the German POW camps. The author states this novel is based heavily on real experiences of POW camps in the Midwest during WWII. She says, . …”Occasionally, I had to substitute a “this could have happened” detail, such as having Jo censor letters at the camp itself rather than through the official censor stations in Chicago, and later New York, or making overseas letters arrive without many delays.”
This is a book that would work well for your next book club pick. There is so much to talk about. This is an author to watch.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. 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 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog http://www.bookfun.org
My first epistolary novel and I LOVED it!! Can’t wait to read more books by Amy Lynn Green!
One of the best books this years! Very hard to put down!
Friends, I read 75% of this book TODAY because I literally couldn’t put it down. The characters are so real and the information is just so good. I typically don’t read historical fiction set during this time period, but I’m going to have to change that because I find it fascinating. It was very clear that the author knew what she was writing about and I loved that.
This book is so *smart*, but is also so full of heart. I appreciated Jo’s ability to be blunt with her faith issues. She’s very real about where she is with God and I was grateful to see that. It made her more human. Peter is everything and I love him dearly, but the rest of the cast of characters are fantastic as well. This book is just very well done. And a debut! Color me impressed. I look forward to more from this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. All expressed opinions belong to me.
Things We Didn’t Say is Amy Lynn Green’s debut novel and I expect it to be the first of many. I was intrigued by this story line because it seemed to be a well kept secret that there were as many German P.O.W. camps in our country during World War II. At least, it was certainly never mentioned in any history books I had, and that was one subject I didn’t slack off on my homework. The first time I heard of these camps, I was an adult and heard someone tell of a relative whose father had spent time in a camp within my own state. So, years later, I found myself intrigued by Amy’s book I found myself not only enjoying the story but doing a little research, only to find there were many camps within our country.
Amy did a wonderful job on her research and her characters are well developed. Johanna, and Peter’s correspondence make up a lot of the story and it was intriguing to see the story from each viewpoint. Johanna, a linguist specialist, strives to do the best she can at a job she clearly didn’t want in the beginning of the book. As time goes, she gets more and more involved in the lives of the prisoners as she translates their own correspondence from their families and does her best to improve their lot within the confines of the camp. Stefan Werner, who seems to represent his fellow prisoners, seems to have a pulse on everything that goes on inside. Johanna, for her part, seems to become more distant to her community, the more involved she becomes in her work.
Peter, Johanna’s close friend, is my favorite character. He is a young, Japanese American, whose family was cruelly placed in an internment camp at the start of the war. His desire to fight for his country is hampered by his being recruited to a Japanese language school. His letters have a calming effect on Johanna and the true meaning of his friendship is mired in her desires to go study in Oxford, long her goal but now sidelined by this war and her job. She is brilliant, but, as with many who are brilliant, there are some things she just didn’t see. This book is compelling, and gives you a ringside seat into a very real piece of our country’s history.