Affiliate links can be found within this post. If you need additional information, please see the disclaimer.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
MY REVIEW:
Genre | Tropes: Historical Fiction, World Wars, Dual Timelines
Rating: 5 out of 5 ⭐
An emotional tale of bravery in the face of occupation. This dual timeline historical novel explores the lives of the real Gabrielle Petit, a Belgian revolutionary during World War I, that fought her own battles against the occupation by German soldiers. Atwood eloquently portrays Gabrielle’s struggles and passion for life in this heroic tale of her endeavors to thwart the Germans and protect her home. As we read about her story, we also read the story of Julienne, a young woman trying to find herself during the occupation of World War II. She visits the statue of Gabrielle and desires to know more about this brave woman. As she finds inspiration of her own in Gabrielle’s story, she finds herself as well.
It truly was an emotional adventure following along with these two women. Each has their own form of strength and endurance in the face of such trying times. I loved how the author weaved both characters together with a commonality, but I won’t tell you because it’s a spoiler. My heart was aching for both of their tales of suffering and the dangerous situations they each found themselves in. Gabrielle was boisterous and unafraid of the Germans, while Julienne is the quiet pillar of strength for the movement. They both sacrifice so much in their lives for the pursuit of some sort of peace in their mother land.
While I’m very familiar with the histories of the world wars, I’ve not studied much related to the Belgian occupation of the experiences within that country. It was a learning experience for me as I watched these women assisting American soldiers as they helped the front lines and found themselves shot down and stranded in Belgium. This was the focus for the resistance, finding a way to assist these men with their injuries and then smuggle them back out of the country so they could continue to fight another day.
Both women are working as spies to help transmit information around to the resistance and find a way to get an upper hand for those fighting the Germans. The conclusion of both women’s stories was highly emotional, and I’ll admit openly that I cried quite a bit through the final chapters. I wasn’t sure how this story would end for me, but I can confidently say that I was moved by this book. I felt all the emotions and walked away satisfied with their ventures and their bravery. These are the kind of women that are a testament to how history is written, even for those women you might not have ever heard of.
GET IT HERE:
I have just been condemned to death. I will be shot tomorrow. Long live the King. Long live Belgium.
When the Germans overrun Brussels during the First World War, Gabrielle is infuriated to see her newfound happiness shattered. It isn’t long before she is faced with an impossible choice. Three decades later, shy and bookish Julienne moves to Brussels with her widowed father at the height of the Nazi occupation and is horrified to witness the city’s callous treatment of Jews.
In this dual timeline novel inspired by the life of Belgian spy Gabrielle Petit, two very different young women must discover their inner strength to become the heroes their city needs. And when loyalties are tested and decades-old secrets are revealed, their legacies will become entwined forever.
Written by historian and storyteller Kathryn J. Atwood, The Belgian Girls is a tale of hope, forgiveness, and the healing power of friendship.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kathryn J. Atwood
Kathryn has written multiple young adult collective biographies on women and war for Chicago Review Press. Her first book, Women Heroes of World War II, gets all the attention, but Booklist gave Kathryn’s book on the Pacific Theater of WWII a starred review and likened each chapter to “a cliff-hanger screenplay.” And Courageous Women of the Vietnam War was honored with one of those awards that to unfocused eyes sort of resembles the Newbery Medal.
Her first novel, The Belgian Girls, was born of Kathryn’s admiration for the European resisters of both world wars, especially Gabrielle Petit, a young Belgian woman who worked for British Intelligence during the First World War.
Kathryn has been seen on WGN TV, “America: Fact vs. Fiction,” and the Acorn TV series, “Deception: WWII”; heard on the BBC World Service’s “History Hour” program and BBC America; published in The Historian and War, Literature & the Arts; and featured as a guest speaker at the Harold Washington Library in Chicago, the First Division Museum at Cantigny Park, and the Atlanta History Center.
Looking for book recs…
Adventures in Literature 
Leave a comment