Customer Reviews

The Winter War: A Novel

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This one has everything. Intrigue. Adventure. Young people caught up in a treacherous war. But the author brings poignancy and empathy to his characters both young men and young women...and some in disguise so you can't tell which. What makes it great is that there is so much good history packed into this "young adults" novel that once kids read it, they'll know more about one of the most pivotal aspects of the twentieth century than do 99 percent of America adults. The stirring and patriotic story of a tiny country with very few people facing down the armed might and steel fist of one of the most vicious, totalitarian regimes in world history. (Hint: it wasn't Hitler.)

Especially good for places where young people and adults live with snow and things like cross-country skiing for a good part of the year.

Highly recommended...by me!

This book really captured my attention and interest. I've always wanted a novel that went into depth of the Winter War and to learn more about what Finnish families went through during that time as well as the soldiers. There are historial books on it, but not so many novels. This story is basically about a young man named Marko who loses his best friend Johan to a bombing from a Russian plane and he decides to fight in the war to save his country and avenge his friend's death despite his weakened leg. This novel really shows how Marko and the other soldiers had "Sisu" and fought for their freedom. Even though it is written for teens and young adults, it is very well written and I would recommend it for anyone with an interest in Finnish history or who just wants to read a good book.

An amazing book that covers the little-known invasion and war between the USSR and Finland.
There are a lot of lessons to be learned about fighting a war in a winter scenario in this book, it should be a "must read" for those that want to learn more about the ability of a small country to withstand the invasion of a much larger neighbor.

The Winter War is a fantastic window into the little-known war-within-a-war between Finland and the Soviet Union in 1940. Told from the perspective of Marko, the fourteen-year-old polio survivor, the story captures the heroic defense of Finland from the Soviet aggressor. Small yet defiant Finland held out against overwhelming odds long enough to secure their independence, if not all their territory. This story is the kind of book I would have loved as a young reader (I loved it as an older reader!). It's real, action-packed, and serious, all at the same time. The main character Marko is challenged, both inside and out, but shows courage that really makes a difference. The author captures the hardship, danger, unbelievable horror, and yes, boredom of war. All without sensationalizing or romanticizing. Recommended for all young readers, particularly boys who want more than the typical slow-paced historical fiction offerings.

I liked this book because it showed what it was like in Finland, Russia and Sweden during the late 1930's before WWII. The story also showed how the United States went with the Russians by selling them tanks and artillery while at the same time promising help to Finland. The story is told by Marko, a preteen boy who overcame polio and was a fast skier even with his leg brace. Because his best friend was killed during the first bomb raid by the Russians, he joined the military to work as a messenger on the front lines. He meets Karl, another messenger, who joined the army because his family was murdered by the the Russians. Karl was a girl disguised as a boy. The messengers not only skiied to headquarters but also worked numerous jobs in the war. There are lots of suspenseful scenes when Karl and Marko go on their trips and experience the war. I liked how the author described the conditions of the war, and how the soldiers handled the cold weather. The Finnish soldiers wore winter white suits so that they could blend in with the snow and hid in the trees to attack the Ruskies. There were 4 Russian soldiers with tanks and guns as compared to one Finnish soldier with no amunition or tanks. Marko told the Luitenant who used to be his teacher in school that the Russians were going the wrong way and that they would sink in the swamp. Because of this information, the Finnish soldiers were able to start a ceasefire. Minutes before the ceasefire started, Karl got shot in the leg and Marko saved him from bleeding to death. Karl met Marko's mother at the hospital and offered offered her house and farm to Marko's family because Marko lost his house and farm to the Russians. I felt the war was unfair because the Finnish beat the Russians, yet the Finnish had to give the Russians land which included Marko's family farm. The Finnish agreed to this because they thought the war should end and at least they got to keep their independence.

William Durbin's THE WINTER WAR tells of Marko, who volunteers as a messenger on Finland's front line when the Soviet Union invades its neighbor in 1939. His contributions will help change the face of conflict in a war where defeat seems initially inevitable.