If you are interested in fiction about the Holocaust, this
historical fiction novel set in Norway during World War II might interest
you. It surely interested me as I had no
knowledge about the Nazi occupation of Norway in 1940. At one point 400,000 Nazi soldiers occupied
Norway! In fact, the Norwegian people
were very worried that even after the war was over in 1945, these forces would
still control Norway.
The story revolves around a fourteen year old character
named Espen. He has friends and plays on
a competitive soccer team.
When the Nazis invade on April 9, 1940, the Norwegian army
is only able to hold them until June 9, when Norway capitulates. Despite this, nearly all Norwegian citizens
conspired against the Nazis and committed resistance against their enemy by
spying, by meeting secretly, by hoarding food, and other acts. Espen decides he will aid the effort by
carrying secret messages which will help the allies locate where the Nazis are
located. The work is extremely dangerous
yet Espen perseveres for the resistance effort.
It is interesting to see which of Espen’s soccer buddies
decide to actually join the enemy. They
are the very students who would bully others at school or on the team.
Norway’s bitter winters and mountainous terrain are a great
setting for the adventures that Espen is involved in.
When you realize that the character of Espen (Erling
Storrusten) is based on an actual boy from this period of tumult, you
appreciate the book all the more.
Read Shadow on the
Mountain to find out more about this period in history.
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