The Norway scene on the cover is stunning! It grabs your attention and pulls on your emotional core. And the story is equally so. The Girl from the Fjords by Eliza Graham is an incredibly powerful and moving WW2 novel of courage, sacrifice and enduring love. I appreciate the fact that this masterful fiction comes at the enemy occupation scenario from a different angle than most novels of its kind. What if the host falls in love with the German officer she has been forced to billet? What are the consequences? What challenges will this create? Will this woman be seen as a traitor to her own people?
One truth that stands out for me is the fact we cannot judge a whole race of people in one ruthless sweep. (Hitler did that!) But others did the same in their responses. The Nazis regime was horrible but there were Germans who did not approve of what their country was doing. Max was one of them. And when he comes to live with Asta and her father, she is angry at first that their occupier has forced them to take on one of their people. This young officer, Max Brandt, though is quite different from what she expected. After he is billeted to stay in their home, she gradually gets to know him and realises he is one of the good ones. They fall in love, she gets pregnant and then her world begins to change rapidly. The effects of their union puts them in a difficult position. When Max is sent on a work mission and must leave his young daughter and wife for a long period, terrible things happen. During their separation Asta is attacked. She must deal with a jealous family friend and the neighbourhood’s negative response to Asta and Max’s relationship and marriage. This leads her, through her father’s advice, to move far away, but without her daughter. A difficult decision of sacrifice that delivers unexpected consequences. I won’t give away what happens next but it is tragic. I could easily put myself in Asta’s shoes and feel her pain. For she must also experience betrayal of the worst kind: from those closest to her.
There are some interesting characters in this story. A close friend who waivers, a brother who makes some bad decisions and a father whose constant love gives Asta courage to move forward. There is so much to love about this novel and make you weep. Author Eliza taps into our hearts and makes us feel the pain and suffering of these characters. But sometimes their courage, resilience and desire to achieve is misguided or led astray by prejudice— an awful ruler that injures many in its path. Thankfully, forgiveness and love filters through and re-unites broken relationships.
The story moved along at an appropriate pace and the build-up to the ending was extremely tense. But the conclusion was jubilant and freeing. I highly recommend this WW2 novel that will take you to new places in your heart, lift you on a turbulent wave but make you clap for joy at its resolutions. It is beautifully delivered with a riveting plot and endearing characters. I was particularly moved by Max, Asta’s and Kari’s story. War can harden a heart as it did for Arne. Friendship can soften a hurt as it did for Asta. Yet best friends can reunite after bad decisions. And families can heal after betrayal. The Girl from the Fjords delivers all this and more. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for a review copy.
