Wildflowers of Terezin [Paperback]

Robert Elmer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2010

When nurse Hanne Abrahamsen impulsively shields Steffen Petersen from a nosy Gestapo agent, she’s convinced the Lutheran pastor is involved in the Danish Underground. Nothing could be further from the truth. But truth is hard to come by in the fall of 1943, when Copenhagen is placed under Martial Law and Denmark’s Jews—including Hanne—suddenly face deportation to the Nazi prison camp at Terezin, Czechoslovakia. Days darken and danger mounts. Steffen’s faith deepens as he takes greater risks to protect Hanne. But are either of them willing to pay the ultimate price for their love?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With combined sales exceeding a half a million books, inspirational author Elmer has transitioned nicely from his previous vocations as a pastor, reporter, and an ad copywriter. Elmer's (The Duet) newest subject focuses on the Danish perspective of the Nazi takeover and extradition of the Jews. Written in quick-step style, Elmer does a fine job mixing a bit of joviality to help balance out the weighty and disturbing subject matter of this particular period of Danish history. The text centers on a burgeoning romantic relationship between Jewish nurse Hanne Abrahamsen and Danish Lutheran pastor Steffen Peterson. With a casual, impersonal faith, Pastor Steffen is challenged by his younger brother Henning's commitment to the Resistance. Similarly, Steffen finds himself drawn to nurse Hanne and her courageous zeal to help the afflicted. Circumstances throw the two together and each begins a deeper, more introspective search for truth amidst life, death, and rampant suffering. Elmer's work is so unaffected and genuinely heartfelt that readers find they are willingly reawakened to the horrors of genocide. (Apr.)
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About the Author

Robert Elmer is a former pastor, reporter and ad copywriter who now writes from the home he shares with his wife Ronda in northern Idaho. He is the author of over fifty books, including eight contemporary novels for the adult Christian audience and several series for younger readers. Combined, his books have sold more than half a million copies worldwide. Like his popular “Young Underground” youth series, Wildflowers of Terezin was inspired by stories Robert heard from his Denmark-born parents and family. When he’s not sailing or enjoying the outdoors, Robert often travels the country speaking to school and writers groups. Website: www.robertelmerbooks.com.  Hometown: Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho

 

Product Details

• Paperback: 335 pages
• Publisher: Abingdon Press (April 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1426701926
• ISBN-13: 978-1426701924
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #122,216 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Historically beautiful and painful at the same time, April 18, 2010

By 

Sheila A. Dechantal (Brainerd, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wildflowers of Terezin (Paperback)

This book is based around the days of 1943, WWII, a Lutheran Pastor named Steffen, and a Jewish Nurse named Hanne. Set in a time I have never known, other than through books, I found that this particular story at times took my breath away as I put myself in the characters world. Steffen steps outside his comfort zone of "behind the pulpit" and the pages begin to turn...

Is it possible to love and hate a book?

Never a fan of war related stories, this one, held on to me. I had no problem at all staying entirely engrossed in this fictional, historical, Christian read, that brought this horrible war and this incredible love to my home.

There are so many things in this world that I have not lived or experienced, and author Robert Elmer, through a fictitious read about a true war, brought a piece of history to me that I had not really known. I now feel in my heart - that I have a little of that fear, that "hold on to your faith" through everything knowledge, because of this book.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Page Turner That Does More Than Entertains, May 12, 2010

By 

Julia M. Reffner "avonleajules" (Rochester, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wildflowers of Terezin (Paperback)

Ever since reading Diary of Anne Frank in sixth grade I have been captivated by World War II and Holocaust literature. A good book is like a double espresso shot, it keeps you up turning page after page. A great book keeps you awake long after, placing yourself in the minds of the characters. Yet a great Christian book is a double espresso shot to your faith: it encourages, convicts, and challenges..giving a fresh jolt of energy. Wildflowers of Terezin takes a blue ribbon in all three categories.

Elmer excels in historical accuracy, creating a book that engages the senses. The reader can nearly smell the stench of the deportation trains, hear the Danes singing the national anthem, feel Bela's forehead as her temperature breaks.

Each character is richly drawn. All too often villians become cardboard caracatures, especially when World War II era Europe is the subject. I love the pointed contrast between brothers Henning and Steffen. Henning repeatedly tells Steffen 'return to your kirke (church)." Henning's character is found in all those who rightly criticize the church as hypocrites when we lack the action to match our talk.

Love demands action. Due to his love for Hanne, Steffen is willing to go to the ultimate lengths even risking his own life for her sake.

What lengths will we go to in order to demonstrate our love for Christ and for those He created? I enjoyed watching Steffen's character evolve from a pastor who preaches through the same notes annually to a man on fire for the Lord.

We live in a time when the Gospel message is becoming watered down by many churches, particularly in this country where we have been blessed with so much abundance. Will each of us stand up and tell the Truth, even if it is offensive to the government? What risks are we willing to take for our faith? Mr. Elmer relentlessly asks us these questions, using the character of Steffen.

Wildflowers of Terezin is a beautiful and lyrical novel that kept me self-reflecting long after I finished the last page. Robert Elmer's book is a must-read and I look forward to his next project.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars History or Fiction, A Great Story, August 9, 2010

By 

Chandra Lynn "Chandra Lynn" (PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wildflowers of Terezin (Paperback)

Robert Elmer did it again. When I began reading this book I found myself in a story world so real I had to continually remind myself it was fiction. Some would say that is because the story is based on true historical events. And, while there is truth in the statement, only Robert Elmer could make the line between history and fiction eschew this way.

Hanne Abrahamsen is a nurse in Denmark during the fall of 1943. When the Gestapo begins deporting Jews to concentration camps, her chance meeting with Lutheran pastor Steffen Petersen opens a doorway to freedom. Steffen is drawn into the resistance and as he risks his own life to help Hanne and her family, his faith is challenged and strengthened. Can love bloom in the darkness as wildflowers grow in concentration camps?

Readers will be drawn into the story, the history, and wish with all their hearts they could change the way things happened. I highly recommend this book!