The Winter Orphans by Kristin Beck-Review

About The Book

A poignant and ultimately triumphant novel based on the incredible true story of children who braved the formidable danger of guarded, wintry mountain passes in France to escape the Nazis, from the acclaimed author of Courage, My Love.

In a remote corner of France, Jewish refugee Ella Rosenthal has finally reached safety. It has been three years since she and her little sister, Hanni, left their parents to flee Nazi Germany, and they have been pursued and adrift in the chaos of war ever since. Now they shelter among one hundred other young refugees in a derelict castle overseen by the Swiss Red Cross.

Swiss volunteers Rösli Näf and Anne-Marie Piguet uphold a common mission: to protect children in peril. Rösli, a stubborn and resourceful nurse, directs the colony of Château de la Hille, and has created a thriving community against all odds. Anne-Marie, raised by Swiss foresters, becomes both caretaker and friend to the children, and she vows to do whatever is necessary to keep them safe.

However, when Germany invades southern France, safeguarding Jewish refugees becomes impossible. Château de la Hille faces unrelenting danger, and Rösli and Anne-Marie realize that the only way to protect the eldest of their charges is to smuggle them out of France. Relying on Rösli’s fierce will and Anne-Marie’s knowledge of secret mountain paths, they plot escape routes through vast Nazi-occupied territory to the distant border. Amid staggering risk, Ella and Hanni embark on a journey that, if successful, could change the course of their lives and grant them a future.

416 pages, Paperback

First published September 13, 2022 by Berkley Books

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My Review

How far would you go to to ensure the children are safe? As far as you need to. This incredible work of fiction is based upon “the incredible true story of children who braved the formidable danger of guarded, wintry mountain passes in France to escape the Nazis, from the acclaimed author of Courage, My Love.”
A multi main character novel of women who’s stories blend together in harmonious good.
One is a Jewish refugee who along with her young sister are sheltering in a derelict castle overseen by the Swiss Red Cross. Living in fear, having not seen their parents in over three years the sisters do their best to assimilate with the other children refugees. Having been warned the Nazi’s are on the way for the of age children the older sister and her boyfriend want to take the youngest sister with them as they go on a perilous journey over a mountain right as the harsh winter is ready to start. You can feel the pain and tension these characters are going through as the Nazi’s are right on their tail with bullets flying. Running in the dark all night stumbling along, the descriptions are so vivid you can imagine yourself there with these characters.
The other women are just as important as they do whatever is necessary in the unrelenting face of danger to care for and shelter these children putting their own lives at risk. These courageous women take risks that though they jeopardize their own lives if they succeed it will mean a bright future for them.
Very highly recommended!

Pub Date 13 Sep 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

About The Author

Kristin Beck first learned about World War II from her grandmother, who served as a Canadian army nurse, fell in love with an American soldier in Belgium, and married him shortly after VE Day. Kristin thus grew up hearing stories about the war, and has been captivated by the often unsung roles of women in history ever since. A former teacher, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Washington and a Master’s in Teaching from Western Washington University. Kristin lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and children.

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