Bitmo Sunday book review

Sunday Book Review – The Girl From Huizen, by Paulette Mahurin #WWII #Historicalfiction

Published on by dgkaye

This week my Sunday Book Review is for a book by one of my favorite authors of historical fiction, Paulette Mahurin – The Girl From Huizen. Why I enjoy her stories so much is not only that book after book I read in this genre, it never ceases to astonish me at the cruelty of mankind, but this author seeks out the humanity in others, and in the chaos, at a time where there wasn’t much civility. This book is no exception. This is a tale about Dutch teen Roz Jansen who lives on a farm in Huizen, a village in the province of Northern Holland. A courageous story of true events.

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Blurb:

The German occupation of the Netherlands brings with it food shortages, harsh treatment for resistants and deportation of Jews. The changes dramatically affect Rosamond Jansen’s life on her family’s farm on the outskirts of Huizen. When she finds herself under constant surveillance and oppressive treatment in her government typist job and the Nazis deport her best friend, her resentment turns to fear and a deepening hatred. Verbal cruelty, belittlement and emotional turmoil take their toll on her until a man arrives at the farm who, along with her uncle from Amsterdam, enlist her father into resistance work. When her father does not return home, Rosamond, too, is drawn into resistance activity. As more people disappear from her life, her involvement goes deeper, bringing her to a villa in Huizen where a woman named Madelief has a secret. As Rosamond becomes close to Madelief and the secret is revealed, her life starts to unravel.

Based on actual events at the villa, The Girl from Huizen tells the story of how Rosamond, working with Madelief, dared to defy the SS and their collaborators. But this is no ordinary Resistance versus Nazi story, rather it is a story of a shocking and unexpected unfolding where flames of tension ignite the page, as loss and grief consume and drive the girl from Huizen. It is a powerful story about the trusting friendship between two women. Ultimately The Girl from Huizen is a homage to the brave resistance members who risked everything to fight against Nazi oppression. Their efforts saved thousands upon thousands of lives.

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My 5 Star Review:

This author never disappoints in taking us right into her stories. Her characters are richly portrayed, as she takes us into both, the scenes of the action, and inside her character’s heads, having us feeling all their emotions as this tale unfolds. A well researched and gripping story from beginning to end. This incredible story had me turning the pages and picking up the book every chance I had.

It was a peaceful village in Gooimeer until the SS, Gestapo, and Dutch snitches and traitors turned Gooi into a starving village as most crops grown were mandatory donations to feed the enemy. As the war progressed and Hitler demanded his wolves to frequently check households for hidden Jews on a regular basis because he wanted to eliminate all the ‘vermin’, no home was safe from an SS invasion at any given time for spot checks.

Roz had been through enough already, watching her best friend Emma taken by the SS, and her job turned into typing for the SS. The cruelty of what was happening in her once peaceful life, had taken its toll.

When her father doesn’t return from a resistance mission, Roz was determined to join the resistance to help save children from being captured by the dirty Nazis. Roz leaves her job to help out on the farm, and is eventually introduced to Madelief, who she learns plays a big role in saving and hiding Jewish children (true events). And Madelief holds a deep secret about the villa which she is currently dwelling in, and using as a temporary holding, safehouse, before the children’s final safe destination. Once all is revealed by Madelief, and the relentless oppression, Roz’s life feels like spinning out of control.

This story will grip you through every mission taken by the resistance – risking their own lives to save the lives of innocent neighbors and strangers. Selfless and often hungry themselves, but sharing with someone worse off. Reality checks when Roz takes in pause to remember what it felt like to walk in shoes with soles, when she could enjoy the outdoors and life without fears off being stopped or raided by the Nazis who seemed to be everywhere, or where a sliver of chocolate could linger on her tongue long enough to take her back to plentiful times. These things reminded her of the simple pleasures that were once part of her life. Despite the climate of war, survival, and trying to help others, risking her own life, her strength to go on, despite her losses – both in life, and of life, a very important friendship made with Madelief kept her determination fueled to save the children.

As expected from this author, so much of the human condition in this story, and a wonderful telling of watching Roz turn from a mere girl to a young woman of maturity as the times had everyone growing up much too fast. This could be my favorite of many books I’ve read by this unsurprisingly, best selling author.

©DGKaye2023

61 thoughts on “Sunday Book Review – The Girl From Huizen, by Paulette Mahurin #WWII #Historicalfiction”

  1. This must be an emotional read, Debby! The author takes you into the scene and inside the character’s head! A wonderful way to engage the readers. It’s sad that “Roz turn from a mere girl to a young woman of maturity as the times had everyone growing up much too fast.” Excellent review, Debby!

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  6. I knew you would enjoy this one as well, Debby. I agree with all you say about Paulette. She writes beautifully and compellingly and reminds us of many events in recent history we should never forget. Excellent review.

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  7. It does sound like a gripping story with an important message for all of us, Debby. We need reminders like this to ensure it doesn’t happen again. Sadly, I think we’re fighting a losing battle.

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    1. You are so right Norah. Writers like Paulette keep us aware. We need more reminders around the world. Sadly, I sometimes feel too that the world is spinning out of control. ❤

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  8. Hi Debby – thanks for this recommendation … I find myself unable to read these … I know about them and appreciate the atrocities … that we continue to see meted out by cruel peoples. The book obviously gives more insight into those times … with thoughts – Hilary

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    1. Hi Hilary. I hear you, but one thing about Paulette’s books, she writes about people and settings, and situations in occupied countries, but one thing her books don’t focus on the physical torutures, but the human condition of those who survived the times and how they managed to do so. ❤

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      1. Thanks Debby – I realised that … but still can’t … I’ve read some over the years … but thanks for pointing out that aspect again … cheers H xo

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    1. Me either Nancy. And like I replied above to Hilary, Paulette’s stories focus on the sagas and the human condition, rather than the gritty tortures of the time. Someone just told me the book is still on sale for 99 cents. ❤

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      1. I agree. I recently read The Postcard by Anne Berest. It was a granddaughter’s search to find out who had a sent a postcard with the names of family members who had perished in the Holocaust. So it focused on present day and past and what lead up to their being taken by the Germans. I felt like to gave a very different perspective and really opened my eyes to being Jewish in Europe and not specifically Germany.

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    1. It was my pleasure as always, to read and review Paulette. You are the mistress of WWII stories of compassion. Even in the most deplorable conditions you find heart, love and kindness. Your story messages need to be shared far and wide. ❤

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  13. What a great review, Debby. There was so much cruelty and bravery at the same time then, and this sounds like it captured that so well. Xo

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  14. Pingback: A heartfelt thank you to Debby Gies for this thoughtful great review of my book. | The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap

  18. Wow, Debby! This sounds not just amazing, but a much needed story for our times.

    By that I mean – it seems so many don’t know about WWII and its evils. “We will never forget” seems sometimes lost in time and ignorance.
    Thank you for this review!
    😘🤗😘🤗

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    1. Thank you Marian. I’m always happy to share a good book. Believe me, there are quite a few books I’ve read and don’t review because I don’t like to critique other writers. But if I enjoyed it, you’ll find it here on any given Sunday. 🙂 xx

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  22. Most of us cannot imagine the bravery of being in any resistance, never knowing for sure who you can trust. If we or our forebears have never lived in a country under occupation we cannot know whether we would be brave and true or keep our heads down and protect our own family by betraying others.

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    1. You are right Janet. But one thing I know, if I had to live through those times, I am pretty sure that I would definitely have joined the resistance. 🙂

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  24. I just saw this book on Sally’s site too. It sounds intense. Thanks for the review, Debby. My mom was Dutch and the history backing up these stories is always riveting to me. The fact that it was well-researched makes it all the better. Thanks for sharing and congrats to Paulette!

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