We’re delighted to be sharing Elena’s thoughts about The Helsingør Sewing Club by Ella Gyland.
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- ASIN : B09FYXNP4G
- Publisher : One More Chapter (31 Jan. 2022)
- Language : English
- File size : 2622 KB
Inspired by the incredible true story of how the people of Denmark saved their Jewish neighbours during WW2
Helsingør, Denmark, 1943
In the midst of the German occupation during World War Two, Inger Bredhal joins the underground resistance and risks her life to save members of Denmark’s Jewish community and help them escape to Sweden.
Copenhagen, 2018
Inger’s granddaughter, Cecilie Lund, is mourning her death when a mysterious discovery while cleaning out Inger’s flat leads past and present to intersect. As long-held secrets finally see the light of day, Cecilie learns the story of her grandmother’s courage and bravery, and of the power of friendship, love, and standing for what’s right…even when you have everything to lose.
An inspiring tale of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of community.
Book Review
This is a dual timeline story set in 1943 and in 2018.
The 1943 storyline tells of a young woman called Inger and the remarkable way that she tries her hardest to help Jews in Denmark by joining the resistance and preventing them from being arrested. The town of Helsingør is occupied by Nazis and it’s citizens rally round to help their friends and neighbours.
In 2018, Cecilie finds some of her late grandmother Inger’s belongings and uncovers her grandmother’s huge bravery during WW2. Reading some letters sent to Inger from Israel she reads about how important the work her grandmother undertook was.
What struck me most while reading The Helsingør Sewing Club is how much the Danes helped their Jewish friends and closed ranks to protect them.
I had no prior knowledge of Danish involvement in WW2 despite having read a lot of historical fiction based on fact around this period of history and I learned a lot through the eyes of Cecilie and the story of Inger.
The author describes the time brilliantly and the characters are multi dimensional and immensely likeable. I have visited Copenhagen and love it so I was interested in reading this.
Inger and many like her were formidable in how much they helped their fellow citizens and this story is both educational and entertaining as well as unbelievable at times.
A great read.
Originally from Denmark, I have lived in London for many years, surrounded by my family, cats, books and the Scandinavian hygge I try to create everywhere I go. As a linguist I love playing with words and language, and I am addicted to story-telling. I also believe strongly in social responsibility and sustainable living.
Twitter: Ella/Henriette Gyland, @henrigyland | Website: https://henriettegyland.wordpress.com/
