Things We Didn't Say by Amy Lynn Green

Amy Lynn Green | Historical Fiction | 2020 | 416 pages | 12 1/2 hours listening time

This book is written by a Minnesota author and is also set in Minnesota.  It is a nominee for the 20201 Minnesota Book Award and the winner will be announced later this month.  It is published by Bethany House publishing company which is headquartered in Minnesota and they focus on Christian fiction. The author also works at this publishing company.  So, I was intrigued and wanted to read this book with so many connections. 

This story takes place during World War II in a small town north of Aitkin, Minnesota.  The town will be hosting a POW camp for German soldiers to help the farmers with farm work. The mayor thought it was a great idea but the residents of the town are not sure they want to associate with German prisoners in their town. 

Johanna Bergland, a linguistics student,  is recruited to come back home and help with translation services between the prisoners and the Americans.  She reluctantly accepts the position and moves back home.  Johanna begins to form relationships and sympathy with the residents of the camp but as a result, her forward ways make her a target for suspicion and gossip.   

This book is written in letters written by Johanna to her friends as well as some of the letters she translates from the prisoners. She also gets involved in having inmates write for the paper and so we see these articles as well. 

Historical fiction, mystery, romance, and Christian fiction all describe this novel. Johanna Bergland is a delightful and funny character and is really fun to follow her on her adventure back home again.  I look forward to reading more books by this author.