Headstrong Johanna Berglund, a linguistics student at the University of Minnesota, has very definite plans for her future that do not include returning to her hometown. 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, 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.
I highly enjoyed the premise of the book (explained in the first chapter) that this is a compilation of letters and telegrams and other documents that Johanna has requisitioned and put together for her defense. It shows her extremely analytical and practical personality right from the outset, and her mildly abrasive (but not uncompassionate) approach to dealing with people. There are a few other documents included, such as documents for the prosecution, some of the censored mail going to and from Germany, and some articles and letters written later, but largely it's all documentation that Jo has compiled.
Given the epistolary nature of the book, the title is perfect; there are many things that Jo doesn't actively write, but much can be read between the lines. I'm not sure if I'm disappointed or really like that the motives of the villain aren't clear-cut and perfectly explained; I'm pretty sure I understand why the villain targets Jo, based on what was said/written and what wasn't, but it's definitely a case where the reader must draw their own conclusions. Much like life.
Besides some clever sarcastic wit and rich historical details, the story is also a thought-provoking one. Jo is trying to show her hometown that the enemy soldiers in their midst are people just like themselves, yet herself is learning to love and forgive her neighbors. Peter, victim of prejudice, is convicted by the prejudice he has meted out in return. I thought Pastor Sorenson was one of the most convicting characters in the book, as he acknowledges his struggle to love his enemy--the very men who may have killed his son--and though the feelings of love and forgiveness aren't there, he pushes forward in obedience to God's word anyway. And those are just a few of the lives changed in the book.
Definitely well worth the read! I look forward to whatever Amy Green has next!
Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book; I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.
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