I loved reading all the sarcasm and unedited edited thoughts of Johanna. It was so refreshing to get a character with a strong personality shine on the page. I also appreciated how Johanna didn't mince words; she was very blunt and honest.
I have not read a book in letters before but I'm glad I gave this one the chance. One of my concerns with reading letters is that I would not get to know the characters as well. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I came to know the characters to the extent that I did. I was invested in Peter and Johanna. I was really rooting for both the characters as they experienced similarities and differences while across the country teaching English. I found it super interesting to see the relations between the POWs and the citizens of the town. There was so much that made and shaped them and it was neat to see how they overcame prejudices.
Also, it was really cool that Johanna included German idioms. Many of them were ones that I had not heard before in school. I found it very fun to see if I could guess the idiom based upon the German. (I got some of them!)

Rating: 4/5
Language: n/a
Romance: basically n/a
Spiritual: Johanna struggles with believing that God listens
Violence: n/a

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required. ( )

After seeing multiple reviews and recommendations for this book, I knew I needed to try it out. I’m so glad I did! I’ve read very few epistolary works, so that was a highlight. I’ve also read very few books set in the US during World War II, so that was also a highlight. Added to that, the mystery element was intriguing, to say the least!

I only allowed myself to listen to this book when I was doing specific jobs, and that stretched out my enjoyment of the story. The characters’ journeys, the way Peter tried to take care of Johanna, and the family and hometown dynamics…all made for a fascinating read. From a historical perspective, I loved how German POWs and the fate of Japanese families flowed naturally into the story. That, added to the common small-town prejudices, made for a gripping read.

This book was inspirational to me as a writer—it’s given me a new perspective on how stories can be told. It’s well-written, entertaining, and gripping. I can’t wait to read some of Green’s other books; this was a standout story for me! ( )

WOW! This is an amazing debut novel. I am looking forward to reading more by Amy Lynn Green!

This book was totally unique to me. I’d never heard of epistolary novels before and I honestly thought that this author had created the most unique way of writing a novel ever! But, it’s been done before, but it’s my first time reading a book that consists of correspondence back and forth between characters. I was drawn into this story from the beginning and held captive until the end. Even then I didn’t want it to stop. I want more!

This is a Christian historical novel set during World War II and tells of a POW camp for German prisoners here in the United States. This is a part of history that I knew nothing of and it was so interesting it had me flipping from the novel to the computer to research. The character development was amazing. Just from reading letters written back and forth between the two main characters, Johanna “Jo” Berglund and Peter Ito, you can get totally immersed in their lives. Add to that, letters between Jo and the University, her sponsor, her friends, the local newspaper, POW’s, etc., the story just unfolds effortlessly.

This story is rich with quotes like “Real life is dreadfully tedious, the way it interrupts reading.”, “If the only gift we receive this year is Jesus, it will be enough.” These pages are full of drama, trauma, humor, history, distrust, hatefulness, cowardliness, strength, honor, forgiveness, faith. It’s a book that I highly recommend and I will read again! ( )

NetGalley read now
November 3, 2020
Bethany House
Fiction, Christian fiction, women’s fiction, historical fiction
416 pages
11/4-11/15/20

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?

( )

There aren't enough adjectives in the English language to be able to put all my thoughts down on paper. Amy Lynn Green, who is on my list of top five authors, has proven once again why she remains firmly on that list. "Things We Didn't Say" is laid out through letters and documents in defense of the heroine's innocence after an indictment for treason. Who knew that novel way of writing a book could work so well! She is witty, inspirational, sympathetic, comforting, showing all sides of the issue (German POWs in a small town in Minnesota in 1944). Amy slowly shows how many of the townspeople are brought to the side of grace and forgiveness while relationships are being built with the POWs showing they are human, too. The prose, the insights into human nature, the ability to question and provoke thoughts, all combine to elicit empathy and understanding for the American people going through some of the terrible policies as well as prejudices at that time in our history. ( )