The Sound of Light By Sarah Sundin

Published by Revell, 384 Pages

NORA’S REVIEW: I’m blown away by this story and its amazing cast of brave characters. I didn’t think the author could top the characters and the situations from her last book titled, Until the Leaves Fall in Paris, but oh my she went above and beyond what I ever suspected could happen, in this novel.

Furthermore, I loved how this author shows ordinary, flawed people rising to the challenge to go and do extraordinary things. This is the first novel (by this author) that made my heart race at the nail-biting suspense in this story. I wasn’t sure how this was going to work out, and yes, I stayed up way too late seeing how things would go. I wasn’t sure this book would end on a happy or/or satisfying note.

Readers meet Else a well-educated woman, who dreams of being a physicist, she took great joy in solving puzzles. Then we are introduced to Henrik Olympic rower, well-educated Harvard man, running from his overbearing father. He gets into a situation with a close friend that has him changing his name and social status. It’s hard, but he would do anything to get back at his father.

When things begin to get crazy for the Jewish people, Else’s friend asks her to step in and help in resistance work. What could she say, her best friend was Jewish, she had to help, but to what extent?

Both Else and Hendrik are asked to do things that if captured would have them arrested and shot. (Or just shot, given the situation) They both live in the same boarding house and neither knows what the other is up to. Just doing their jobs, him at the factory and Else at the laboratory. They couldn’t deny their attraction for one another. I enjoyed watching Else and Hemings friendship bloom. It would be dangerous for them to take it any further than friends. They each had a secret they could not tell the other. It was too dangerous to share, which made things awkward.

I hadn’t heard of this part of history before. The author says, “The Danes outspokenly refused to allow the oppression of other human beings – and acted on that principle.” Hooray! It was amazing to see the Danes unite to help the Jewish people. There were some parts that choked me up and had me teary-eyed. This is a powerful, moving story you don’t want to miss. It would be a wonderful book club pick; the author includes discussion questions.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent

TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! 

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