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turquoiseavenue's review against another edition
3.0
What a unique debut novel from author, Amy Lynn Green. I thoroughly enjoyed the setting of this story, diving into life in a POW camp, That aspect alone was what drew me into this novel as I was intrigued to learn about a subject not often discussed in historical fiction novels. The discussion of propaganda, racism and underlying struggles are still relevant in today's world and Green delivers them tactfully and truthfully, which was quite refreshing. This novel is an epistolary novel, meaning it is written in the form in letters, and I believe Green executed this well. For me, however, I struggled to connect with the characters and their wit/sarcasm. My preference would have been to have some narrative between the letters because with so many different notes and missives, my mind had to work really hard to connect the characters and their letters. As a result, I read 2/3 of the book and finished up at the ending, missing the final 1/3 of the book due to lack of interest. Overall, I believe this story is a solid three stars! It is unique, historically accurate and most likely enjoyable for the right kind of reader!
testar's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
ejhollister's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jojo01's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
farmfreshlisa's review against another edition
4.0
This book is very different in that it's 100% written through letters and telegrams of the different characters. If that will be a brain buster for you, be forewarned before you start.
The book gives a look into an internment camp/training facility for the Americans of Japanese decent post Pearl Harbor AND the POW camps of the captured german soldiers. How it affected the towns and the people.
I enjoyed it, but admit the letters being the only source of text were a distraction for me. But it was very good and I enjoyed the book.
The book gives a look into an internment camp/training facility for the Americans of Japanese decent post Pearl Harbor AND the POW camps of the captured german soldiers. How it affected the towns and the people.
I enjoyed it, but admit the letters being the only source of text were a distraction for me. But it was very good and I enjoyed the book.
jennbehindthebooks's review against another edition
5.0
What an AMAZING debut novel by Any Lynn Green! Honestly, I was a little skeptical, but this quickly became one of my favorite books of 2020!
I have never read a book quite like this - It is written entirely in letters, telegrams, etc amongst the characters. It takes a couple of chapters to get used to this type of writing, but just keep reading - It is so unique and wonderful!
In this novel, you will get set down into the little town of Ironside Lake, Wisconsin during WWII. You will experience what it was like to live in a small, close-knit town hosting a POW camp. Wow! That was not something I had thought about!
The characters are so fun and I absolutely fell in love with them! Johanna (age 22) is one of my all-time favorite characters of 2020! She is spunky, candid, and mostly unconcerned with the cares of society. Such a refreshing character who is somewhat reminiscent of Anne Shirley.
Overall, this was a lighthearted, easy to read & follow, well-written novel full of surprises and laughs! I definitely can't wait to see what else Amy Lynn Green has in store! :)
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I have never read a book quite like this - It is written entirely in letters, telegrams, etc amongst the characters. It takes a couple of chapters to get used to this type of writing, but just keep reading - It is so unique and wonderful!
In this novel, you will get set down into the little town of Ironside Lake, Wisconsin during WWII. You will experience what it was like to live in a small, close-knit town hosting a POW camp. Wow! That was not something I had thought about!
The characters are so fun and I absolutely fell in love with them! Johanna (age 22) is one of my all-time favorite characters of 2020! She is spunky, candid, and mostly unconcerned with the cares of society. Such a refreshing character who is somewhat reminiscent of Anne Shirley.
Overall, this was a lighthearted, easy to read & follow, well-written novel full of surprises and laughs! I definitely can't wait to see what else Amy Lynn Green has in store! :)
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
heidisreads's review against another edition
4.0
WW2 historical fiction set in the US. A young woman returns to her hometown in northern Minnesota to be a translator for a German POW camp. This whole novel is told through letters. That format really helped shape the characters and their connections.
marilynw's review against another edition
4.0
Things We Didn't Say by Amy Lynn Green
Outspoken, goes her own way, headstrong, Johanna Berglund, is a linguistics student at the University of Minnesota, in I944, when she is asked to come back to her hometown to act as a translator at a camp for German POWs. When Johanna declines the offer several times, her scholarship is revoked, forcing her to go home and take the job. Johanna had left her home, with plans to rarely return, due to sad memories and a falling out with her best friends, several years earlier. Now Johanna is a pharah in her hometown, since most citizens are angry to have German POWs there, despite the fact that the POWs are going to help them to plant, raise, and harvest their crops.
It doesn't help things when it becomes known that Johanna corresponds regularly with Japanese American, Peter Ito, a language instructor at a school for military intelligence officers. Johanna's attempt to make life better for the German POWs and her friendship with Peter convinces the most critical townsfolk to turn on Johanna and believe the worst of her. And Johanna often makes things worse with her abrasive but honest letters to the editor of the newspaper and other residents of the town.
The entire story is told through letters, notes, and documents and we know from the beginning that Johanna has been accused of treason. I enjoyed how the story was told and especially enjoyed the letters between Johanna and Peter. Peter, whose family is in an American concentration camp because of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. They have done nothing wrong except to be Japanese, yet Peter has such a forgiving, compassionate, and positive outlook on life and he is the best thing that could ever happen to Johanna. She cherishes his friendship, knows he is her best friend, but it isn't until something happens to Peter that she realizes just how much she has always held back her most real, deepest feelings, thinking she would lose something of herself if she gave any more of herself to anyone.
This is such a touching story and the tension builds as we read the letters, notes, and documents. Johanna is both naive and cynical, not realizing how she is being used, not suspecting what is going on right in front of her. The story shows us the heartache of those who have lost family to the war, have loved ones as POWs, and live separated from their homes and their families, with no end in sight.
Published November 3rd 2020
Thank you to Bethany House/Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for this ARC.
Outspoken, goes her own way, headstrong, Johanna Berglund, is a linguistics student at the University of Minnesota, in I944, when she is asked to come back to her hometown to act as a translator at a camp for German POWs. When Johanna declines the offer several times, her scholarship is revoked, forcing her to go home and take the job. Johanna had left her home, with plans to rarely return, due to sad memories and a falling out with her best friends, several years earlier. Now Johanna is a pharah in her hometown, since most citizens are angry to have German POWs there, despite the fact that the POWs are going to help them to plant, raise, and harvest their crops.
It doesn't help things when it becomes known that Johanna corresponds regularly with Japanese American, Peter Ito, a language instructor at a school for military intelligence officers. Johanna's attempt to make life better for the German POWs and her friendship with Peter convinces the most critical townsfolk to turn on Johanna and believe the worst of her. And Johanna often makes things worse with her abrasive but honest letters to the editor of the newspaper and other residents of the town.
The entire story is told through letters, notes, and documents and we know from the beginning that Johanna has been accused of treason. I enjoyed how the story was told and especially enjoyed the letters between Johanna and Peter. Peter, whose family is in an American concentration camp because of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. They have done nothing wrong except to be Japanese, yet Peter has such a forgiving, compassionate, and positive outlook on life and he is the best thing that could ever happen to Johanna. She cherishes his friendship, knows he is her best friend, but it isn't until something happens to Peter that she realizes just how much she has always held back her most real, deepest feelings, thinking she would lose something of herself if she gave any more of herself to anyone.
This is such a touching story and the tension builds as we read the letters, notes, and documents. Johanna is both naive and cynical, not realizing how she is being used, not suspecting what is going on right in front of her. The story shows us the heartache of those who have lost family to the war, have loved ones as POWs, and live separated from their homes and their families, with no end in sight.
Published November 3rd 2020
Thank you to Bethany House/Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for this ARC.
reneesmith's review against another edition
4.0
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!