4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A look at small-town America during WW2, July 22, 2009
During the early days of American's involvement in World War II, it was common knowledge of how Japanese Americans were rounded up and put in interment camps. But what about Americans who had immigrated to this country from Germany?
Dorothy Garlock's new book, The Moon Looks Down, takes a look at how one German family in a small Illinois town had to put with bigotry, oppression and intimidation as the country was turned upside down during war-time.
Sophie Heller's family has lived and farmed outside of Victory, Illinois for many years, escaping the growing furor in their native Germany. So when a group of masked men burns down their barn, assaults her father and insinuates that the family is really a group of Nazi spies, the family's peaceful existence soon is filled with fear. Her father vows to continue on with their lives as normal, but Sophie knows that danger lurks around every corner as long as the threat of violence is in the air. When she discovers an old boyfriend might have been involved with the incident, Sophie doesn't understand how hate could have turned someone close against her.
Cole Ambrose knows something about intolerance and discrimination, having dealt with being severely handicapped all his life. He is also dealing with the estrangement from his family over an accident that took his mother's life. But he has returned to Victory to try and reconcile with his father while taking a job as a math teacher at the high school. When he encounters Sophie at a local diner as she confronts a group of men who have insulted her, Cole steps in before more violence can erupt. As he gets to know the pretty young German, he soon finds out that there is more to Sophie's problems than ignorant slurs, and Cole vows to do what he can to help.
As the two struggle to overcome the conflict that threatens the town, their love for one another proves to be the steady constant that will see them through.
Dorothy Garlock is well recognized for her heartfelt Americana-laced novels and with this latest release, "The Moon Looked Down," she once again proves why she is a master storyteller. Taking a page from history, Garlock makes you feel like you are right there in that time and place as you are drawn into the story. With over 50 novels to her credit, Garlock once again delivers a spell-binding heartfelt tale that is sure to be another success.
(One note about the review above this one - I read this book carefully, and there is NO train derailment in the story...anywhere!)
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
warm WWII on the home-front romance, July 18, 2009
The Heller family fled Germany for America. They settled in Victory, Illinois where they were welcomed by their new American neighbors.
A decade later, the neighbors some of whom befriended the family a decade ago when they moved here and remained friends throughout suddenly think they are German sympathizers. Angry over the growing threat to her family, twenty years old Sophie Heller wants it to end, but cannot figure out how to do so as vigilantes harass her and her loved ones because of their German heritage. A train wreck occurs nearby leading to many neighbors suspecting the Heller brood as Nazi saboteurs. When Sophie meets schoolteacher Cole Ambrose they are attracted to one another. He understands hatred as he has received his share for not serving though his leg kept him out of the military. Now the locals have a new cause, keeping the couple apart.
This is a warm WWII on the home-front romance starring two likable lead characters. The support cast especially the anti-German antagonists are super with what today would be hate crimes; they make the tale fun to read. Although the psychological impact on the Heller family and the mob mentality of much of the townsfolk towards German immigrants they have known for years is shallowly explored leaving THE MOON LOOKED DOWN as a gripping historical worth reading that could have been a classic.
Harriet Klausner
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Moon Looked Down, March 12, 2010
THE MOON LOOKED DOWN by Dorothy Garlock historical romance set in Victory,Illinois during the early days of World War II after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
The story is well written and descriptive. It involves romance, forgiveness, redemption prejudice, courage, and hatred. The main characters a strong willed and have faith, they easy to follow and have you pulling for them as their relationship progresses. The secondary characters help carry the story, while some of the characters are full of hatred, others pull together to help the hated family. If you enjoy Dorothy Garlock's books you will enjoy this one also. This book was received for review.
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