Title: Things We Didn't Say
Author: Amy Lynn Green
Published: 2020
Call #: FIC/Green
While many WWII novels focus on the action in Europe, this novel explored what happened in the United States, using letters and newspaper articles to tell the story. The main character, Johanna, is recruited to work as a translator in a German POW camp located a small Minnesota town. There is a lot of animosity in town over the Germans who have been sent there to help with the town’s harvest as part of their sentence. As Johanna adapts to this new position that she is ultimately forced into, she corresponds with Peter, a Japanese American who serves as a teacher preparing students to head overseas and help with translations in Japan. Before long, Johanna and the town begin to see the Germans as people rather the enemy but soon questions of treason begin to circulate around Johanna.
This novel felt like a fresh take on WWII as I'd never known there were German POW camps in the United States. Although the story lagged a bit in the middle, it was overall a great story filled with captivating characters. While it is considered Christian fiction the message of forgiveness and treating others with kindness is handled naturally without being preachy. This is a wonderful addition to the WWII historical fiction genre.
This novel felt like a fresh take on WWII as I'd never known there were German POW camps in the United States. Although the story lagged a bit in the middle, it was overall a great story filled with captivating characters. While it is considered Christian fiction the message of forgiveness and treating others with kindness is handled naturally without being preachy. This is a wonderful addition to the WWII historical fiction genre.
Mary-Megan K,
Popular Materials Asst.