By Kelli Stuart
Kregel, 2016
Summary
An epic novel exposing the ugliness of war and the beauty of hope.
The city of Kiev was bombed in Hitler's blitzkrieg across the Soviet Union, but the constant siege was only the beginning for her citizens. In this sweeping historical saga, Kelli Stuart takes the reader on a captivating journey into the little-known history of Ukraine's tragedies through the eyes of four compelling characters who experience the same story from different perspectives.
Maria Ivanovna is only fourteen when the bombing begins and not much older when she is forced into work at a German labor camp. She must fight to survive and to make her way back to her beloved Ukraine.
Ivan Kyrilovich is falsely mistaken for a Jew and lined up with 34,000 other men, women, and children who are to be shot at the edge of Babi Yar, the "killing ditch." He survives, but not without devastating consequences.
Luda is sixteen when German soldiers rape her. Now pregnant with the child of the enemy, she is abandoned by her father, alone, and in pain. She must learn to trust family and friends again and find her own strength in order to discover the redemption that awaits.
Frederick Hermann is sure in his knowledge that the Führer's plans for domination are right and just. He is driven to succeed by a desire to please a demanding father and by his own blind faith in the ideals of Nazism.
Based on true stories gathered from fifteen years of research and interviews with Ukrainian World War II survivors, Like a River from Its Course is a story of love, war, heartache, forgiveness, and redemption.
My thoughts
When it comes to Like a River from Its Course, there’s no way any words of mine can do it justice, so I’ll let Kelli Stuart and her characters do some of the talking. But if I had to express my thoughts in only one sentence, it would be this: If ever a book cried out to be read, it’s this one.
What’s most amazing is that through extensive research, debut author Kelli Stuart has drawn from personal stories of survival to write this moving work of fiction, based on historical events that weren’t that familiar to me – the Nazi occupation of the Ukraine. The story is told from the first-person perspective of four main characters – and rather than me trying to describe them, I encourage you to read about them in the book’s overview above if you haven’t already. Here are some expressions of their thoughts . . .
- Frederick: “Ending one life to preserve another is not killing. It is saving.”
- Ivan: “Sometimes horrors are too great to be put into words.”
- Luda: “When you grow up without love, accepting it becomes almost burdensome.”
- Masha: “I’m scarred and emotionally beaten. The girl who left was swept away in the flood of war, but I think that girl is still somewhere inside. If only I could get back to find her.”
Like a River from Its Course is riveting, dark, raw, yet hopeful and redeeming. It reflects the essence of humanity, from total depravity to selfless, tender kindness. It’s not a light read, nor is it an easy one – but it is compelling, relevant for today, and hard to put down. Truly unforgettable.
I’m amazed at the literary quality of Kelli’s writing, for it sparkles in its beauty. She has a gift for pulling you right into the story, compelling you to experience the people, setting, and all the horrors of war in a way that is palpable. I marked several quotes that really spoke to me; here are just a few . . .
“If love gives flight to the soul, hate kills it
completely.”
- Ivan
“You would be surprised, my friend, at the power in
believing
in something outside of yourself. When you acknowledge that
the pain
of this world is unbearable, you’re able to finally surrender
to the One who
alone is worthy of carrying the weight.”
- Father Konstantin
“To believe is to trust, and when you trust, your life
has meaning and purpose outside of the mere endurance of hardship.”
- Father Konstantin
And finally, one that is true yesterday, today, and
tomorrow . . .
“God cannot be suppressed under the evil of man.”
- Father Konstantin
On a personal note, because I have a hard time with
books set during the Holocaust, I initially passed on reviewing this book. But
thanks to Christen at Litfuse Publicity, I decided to risk it and am so glad I
did. For me, Like a River from Its Course
is a story not to be missed.Highly recommended.
Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/28YOXRu
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Thank you to Litfuse Publicity and Kregel for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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Great review, Carole. I really liked this book too. It was powerful.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Beckie! I didn't even want to read it at first, but I'm so glad I did.
DeleteGreat review of a powerful book. Hope that Kelli continues writing.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree, Sue. Kelli's writing style is outstanding and I'm eager for more fiction from her. Thank you for commenting, Sue.
Delete