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How Huge the Night
Fifteen-year-old Julien Losier just wants to fit in. But after his family moves to a small village in central France in hopes of outrunning the Nazis, he is suddenly faced with bigger challenges than the taunting of local teens. Nina Krenkel left her country to obey her father’s dying Take your brother and leave Austria. Burn your papers. Tell no one you are Jews. Alone and on the run, she arrives in Tanieux, France, dangerously ill and in despair. Thrown together by the chaos of war, Julien begins to feel the terrible weight of the looming conflict and Nina fights to survive. As France falls to the Nazis, Julien struggles with doing what is right, even if it is not enough―and wonders whether or not he really can save Nina from almost certain death. Based on the true story of the town of Le Chambon―the only French town honored by Israel for rescuing Jews from the Holocaust― How Huge the Night is a compelling, coming-of-age drama that will keep teens turning the pages as it teaches them about a fascinating period of history and inspires them to think more deeply about their everyday choices. "The Munns have written an engrossing historical novel that is faithful to the actual events of World War II in western Europe during the tumultuous year 1940. But How Huge the Night is more than good history; it is particularly refreshing because the reader sees the conflict through the lives of teenagers who are forced to grapple with their honest questions about the existence and goodness of God in the midst of community, family, and ethnic tensions in war-ravaged France."-- Lyle W. Dorsett , Billy Graham Professor of Evangelism, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University "Seldom have the horrors of war upon adolescents--or the heroism of which they are capable--been so clearly portrayed. I loved this coming-of-age story."-- Patricia Sprinkle , author of Hold Up the Sky "The book expertly weaves together the lives of its characters at a frightening moment in conflicted times. As we read of their moral dilemmas and of their choices, we too wonder, Would I do as these in the story have done?" -- Karen Mains , Director, Hungry Souls
304 pages, Paperback
First published March 9, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
May 26, 2011
More like 4.5 stars.
How Huge the Night is a different take on some aspects of WWII that aren't commonly written about in Christian fiction. There is a movie called Charlotte Gray (one of my favorites) that was based on a book about Vichy France and the resistance movement during the Nazi occupation. The fact that the French turned against their own people by aligning with Hitler is similar to when slaves were put in charge of other slaves and this was seen as a betrayal. What difficult times they were. The authors capture this theme very well.
One of the themes in this book that was uniquely different and inspiring compared to most WWII novels set in Europe was the fact that the story was told solely from the perspectives of the teenagers involved. The fight to survive and to escape persecution on the one hand and the desire to do the right thing and not cower to political pressure on the other. I found the story inspiring because of the way Julien realized that prayer would make a difference and that while his position was morally right, he was not doing the right thing by hating the person who was the "enemy" and antagonizing him. Instead he should be praying for his enemies while at the same time protecting the innocent and doing the right thing. This was very well done.
Another theme I appreciated was the message of hope and how Nina needed to know that someone else had understood her pain. She needed to know that there was hope. That people could be trusted. She had to learn how to fight to live and not just give up. She had to change the way she viewed her world. Very well done. Overall, I found this story to be very inspiring and compelling. I enjoyed it very much and would recommend it to anyone. The harsh realities of the time period were not smoothed over, and at the same time the twisted things that happened in those days wasn't elaborated on to the point of grossness. Again, well done. I am a big fan of WWII fiction set in Europe and have read several dozen novels (at least) during this time period. This novel was better than many I've read and is, in my opinion, of the same quality as novels written by the Thoenes.
How Huge the Night is a different take on some aspects of WWII that aren't commonly written about in Christian fiction. There is a movie called Charlotte Gray (one of my favorites) that was based on a book about Vichy France and the resistance movement during the Nazi occupation. The fact that the French turned against their own people by aligning with Hitler is similar to when slaves were put in charge of other slaves and this was seen as a betrayal. What difficult times they were. The authors capture this theme very well.
One of the themes in this book that was uniquely different and inspiring compared to most WWII novels set in Europe was the fact that the story was told solely from the perspectives of the teenagers involved. The fight to survive and to escape persecution on the one hand and the desire to do the right thing and not cower to political pressure on the other. I found the story inspiring because of the way Julien realized that prayer would make a difference and that while his position was morally right, he was not doing the right thing by hating the person who was the "enemy" and antagonizing him. Instead he should be praying for his enemies while at the same time protecting the innocent and doing the right thing. This was very well done.
Another theme I appreciated was the message of hope and how Nina needed to know that someone else had understood her pain. She needed to know that there was hope. That people could be trusted. She had to learn how to fight to live and not just give up. She had to change the way she viewed her world. Very well done. Overall, I found this story to be very inspiring and compelling. I enjoyed it very much and would recommend it to anyone. The harsh realities of the time period were not smoothed over, and at the same time the twisted things that happened in those days wasn't elaborated on to the point of grossness. Again, well done. I am a big fan of WWII fiction set in Europe and have read several dozen novels (at least) during this time period. This novel was better than many I've read and is, in my opinion, of the same quality as novels written by the Thoenes.
June 23, 2011
I'm finding lately that I really enjoy young adult fiction. I mean *really* enjoy it! When I was in my teen years, there was not much to choose from unless I wanted to read general market. Fifteen years later, there's tons of Christian YA fiction, and well...I gotta make up for lost time!
In addition to having not read a lot of YA books, I've also not read a whole lot from the WWII period. Frankly, it's just really difficult to read. I cannot imagine living in a world of persecution and hate, being separated from my family, or having to wonder where I will get my next meal. So, it was with a little bit of nervousness that I decided to read How Huge the Night by debut authors Heather and Lydia Munn.
First of all, I loved how this story was told through a teenager's eyes. Being an adult, I know the terror I would have felt if I were a wife and mother. How would I prepare to go into a war? How will I make sure my family doesn't starve? But reading this story from a younger generation's point of view made it that much more realistic. At first, Julian was the typical teenager--frustrated with a move to a new town and a new school, struggling to make new friends--but as he matured, his focus shifted to concerns for his family, their Jewish boarder, the new friends he had made, and eventually, how the war would change all of their lives forever.
Secondly, I loved that the story was told with a French setting. While I have a very basic knowledge of WWII, I have almost no knowledge of France or French history. There were snippets of history regarding the Huguenots and their struggles for religious freedom in the 1600's, as well as details about the armistice between France and Germany, and how Germany eventually violated their agreement. I was also surprised to read at the very end that France as a whole had very little knowledge about what was actually happening around them during the war (shared in the author's note). This made me curiously wonder whether they simply did not have access to tv's or newspapers, or if the news that was brought to them had been censored. Either way, how frightening it must have been to not know what's happening in the world around you.
Also shared in the author's note was that there is another book coming soon from this talented mother/daughter team. While I have no idea if it will just be a sequel or part of a series, I wish it was available to read right now! This book did not leave me hanging per se, but I'm just itching to know what happens to Julian, Benjamin, Nina, and Gustav as the worst of the war is yet to come. I happily give a rating of 4 Stars for this exceptional debut novel.
In addition to having not read a lot of YA books, I've also not read a whole lot from the WWII period. Frankly, it's just really difficult to read. I cannot imagine living in a world of persecution and hate, being separated from my family, or having to wonder where I will get my next meal. So, it was with a little bit of nervousness that I decided to read How Huge the Night by debut authors Heather and Lydia Munn.
First of all, I loved how this story was told through a teenager's eyes. Being an adult, I know the terror I would have felt if I were a wife and mother. How would I prepare to go into a war? How will I make sure my family doesn't starve? But reading this story from a younger generation's point of view made it that much more realistic. At first, Julian was the typical teenager--frustrated with a move to a new town and a new school, struggling to make new friends--but as he matured, his focus shifted to concerns for his family, their Jewish boarder, the new friends he had made, and eventually, how the war would change all of their lives forever.
Secondly, I loved that the story was told with a French setting. While I have a very basic knowledge of WWII, I have almost no knowledge of France or French history. There were snippets of history regarding the Huguenots and their struggles for religious freedom in the 1600's, as well as details about the armistice between France and Germany, and how Germany eventually violated their agreement. I was also surprised to read at the very end that France as a whole had very little knowledge about what was actually happening around them during the war (shared in the author's note). This made me curiously wonder whether they simply did not have access to tv's or newspapers, or if the news that was brought to them had been censored. Either way, how frightening it must have been to not know what's happening in the world around you.
Also shared in the author's note was that there is another book coming soon from this talented mother/daughter team. While I have no idea if it will just be a sequel or part of a series, I wish it was available to read right now! This book did not leave me hanging per se, but I'm just itching to know what happens to Julian, Benjamin, Nina, and Gustav as the worst of the war is yet to come. I happily give a rating of 4 Stars for this exceptional debut novel.
February 19, 2022
Teenaged Julien moves from Paris to a small town in southern France when the Nazis begin to take over Europe. The details are based on the real city La Chambon, honored by Israel for saving Jews. This is a hard, even dark coming of age story but oh, so beautiful! This is the 2nd time I've read it and I honestly want my kids to read it one day. Must read!
2022 update: This book is breathtaking. I think I cried through the last 1/2 of the book, not because of the actual (horrific) WWII-ness of it, but because of the beautiful God-ness of it. God is light. And in him there is no darkness at all. Beautiful.
2022 update: This book is breathtaking. I think I cried through the last 1/2 of the book, not because of the actual (horrific) WWII-ness of it, but because of the beautiful God-ness of it. God is light. And in him there is no darkness at all. Beautiful.
Read
December 9, 2018DNF'ed it.
December 19, 2015
I was completely captivated by this story of a French village and the changes during the rise of the Vichy government during World War 2.
Julien, his sister and parents have left Paris and are living near his grandfather in southern France when the war begins. At first Julien has many adjustments to make. Previously, Julien has only visited his grandfather in the summer time. Now he has a new school to attend and he finds to his dismay that there is already a hierarchy set in place, one that does not seem to welcome 'city kids'. It doesn't help that his family has taken in a Jewish boy of his own age.
"Papa thought he'd given Julien a great present. Taken all his happy boyhood memories and wrapped them in a brown paper package and tied it up with string. Papa, I know where I'm not wanted. While Mama and Magali unpacked the boxes, he'd gone down into town and seen the flat, cold eyes of the guys his age. The stares that told him not to come closer. Not to say hi."
Right from the start, the reader's sympathy is caught up in this young boy's struggle to adapt. Julien loves soccer but he is excluded from the after-school games, merely because he is a stranger. It is his own experiences, plus the stories that his grandfather tells of his Huguenot background with his own family having to flee persecution, that influence Julien in exercising compassion later on when Nina and her brother Gustav have fled to their village also, hoping to find refuge.
This story caught me up from the very start and didn't let go! "How Huge the Night" brings to life the events of World War 2; the dread that so many must have experienced as the news became darker and darker until finally the worst has happened and Paris is occupied... but it doesn't stop there and there is even worse to come.
"Papa turned on the radio. Julien shut his eyes.
Monsieur Hitler had accepted the surrender of France today, the voice said; the armistice had been signed. The full terms would be published soon. They included, among other provisions, German occupation and control of the north of the country and the western coast, but left the south as an unoccupied zone.
It took him several seconds, but finally he understood the voice had really said it.
Unoccupied zone.
Benjamin was on his feet, his mouth open blinking with tears in his eyes. Papa was gripping Mama's hand. Mama was crying. Julien was breathing hard, they're not coming, they're not coming! He stood, his eyes wide open, and suddenly he laughed."
There are many themes in this book, and the writing itself is engaging and illuminating. How far do we go to help someone in need? can we really love our enemy, and how does that look? How much are we willing to risk? Can we truly ever know what someone else feels?
"Maria," she whispered. "I was right. Wasn't I. About the evil men."
"Yes," said Maria quietly.
"But I think maybe. Maybe." She looked Maria in the eye, hard, searching. There was so much light. "Maria... is there a God?"
Maria looked at her, her dark eyes deep and steady. Then she smiled.... 'I didn't tell you the end of the story,' she said...
"Is it - true?" Nina whispered. The light said it might be. The light said this woman would not lie to her, ever, while the earth went round. "Am I ... safe... here?"
Maria bent over her. Here eyes were very dark. "Nina," she said, "I am not God. I cannot say, 'You are safe.' But I can tell you two things: There is a God who loves you. And if they take you, they must take me too."
The authors, a mother-daughter team, explain at the conclusion how the fictional village of Tanieux is based on the factual village of Le Chambon.
"Basically, Le Chambon, a village of 3,000 people in the plateau country of central France, far from everything that mattered, over the course of the war, saved the lives of more than 3,000 Jews."
What a fascinating story. It will stay with me for a long, long time.
.
Julien, his sister and parents have left Paris and are living near his grandfather in southern France when the war begins. At first Julien has many adjustments to make. Previously, Julien has only visited his grandfather in the summer time. Now he has a new school to attend and he finds to his dismay that there is already a hierarchy set in place, one that does not seem to welcome 'city kids'. It doesn't help that his family has taken in a Jewish boy of his own age.
"Papa thought he'd given Julien a great present. Taken all his happy boyhood memories and wrapped them in a brown paper package and tied it up with string. Papa, I know where I'm not wanted. While Mama and Magali unpacked the boxes, he'd gone down into town and seen the flat, cold eyes of the guys his age. The stares that told him not to come closer. Not to say hi."
Right from the start, the reader's sympathy is caught up in this young boy's struggle to adapt. Julien loves soccer but he is excluded from the after-school games, merely because he is a stranger. It is his own experiences, plus the stories that his grandfather tells of his Huguenot background with his own family having to flee persecution, that influence Julien in exercising compassion later on when Nina and her brother Gustav have fled to their village also, hoping to find refuge.
This story caught me up from the very start and didn't let go! "How Huge the Night" brings to life the events of World War 2; the dread that so many must have experienced as the news became darker and darker until finally the worst has happened and Paris is occupied... but it doesn't stop there and there is even worse to come.
"Papa turned on the radio. Julien shut his eyes.
Monsieur Hitler had accepted the surrender of France today, the voice said; the armistice had been signed. The full terms would be published soon. They included, among other provisions, German occupation and control of the north of the country and the western coast, but left the south as an unoccupied zone.
It took him several seconds, but finally he understood the voice had really said it.
Unoccupied zone.
Benjamin was on his feet, his mouth open blinking with tears in his eyes. Papa was gripping Mama's hand. Mama was crying. Julien was breathing hard, they're not coming, they're not coming! He stood, his eyes wide open, and suddenly he laughed."
There are many themes in this book, and the writing itself is engaging and illuminating. How far do we go to help someone in need? can we really love our enemy, and how does that look? How much are we willing to risk? Can we truly ever know what someone else feels?
"Maria," she whispered. "I was right. Wasn't I. About the evil men."
"Yes," said Maria quietly.
"But I think maybe. Maybe." She looked Maria in the eye, hard, searching. There was so much light. "Maria... is there a God?"
Maria looked at her, her dark eyes deep and steady. Then she smiled.... 'I didn't tell you the end of the story,' she said...
"Is it - true?" Nina whispered. The light said it might be. The light said this woman would not lie to her, ever, while the earth went round. "Am I ... safe... here?"
Maria bent over her. Here eyes were very dark. "Nina," she said, "I am not God. I cannot say, 'You are safe.' But I can tell you two things: There is a God who loves you. And if they take you, they must take me too."
The authors, a mother-daughter team, explain at the conclusion how the fictional village of Tanieux is based on the factual village of Le Chambon.
"Basically, Le Chambon, a village of 3,000 people in the plateau country of central France, far from everything that mattered, over the course of the war, saved the lives of more than 3,000 Jews."
What a fascinating story. It will stay with me for a long, long time.
.
June 30, 2011
I've always loved learning about WWII, and my favorite way to learn is through fictional books based off of true events: so when I saw and looked into How Huge The Night, I knew if it had great characters and was well written I would love it. Love it I did! From page one, I was drawn into this remarkable, unique, and informative story about the impact of the war on several different young-adult characters. The writing style was easy to read and flowed quite nicely.
One thing that I found interesting was that Nina and Julien are actually together for a very short amount of time. In fact, the don't even meet each other until the last 75 pages of the 300 page book. While it didn't really bug me, I did find it didn't sync with the back-cover description much, but it didn't affect how much I enjoyed this book. :)
Out of all of them, Julian was my favorite of the characters, which ia strange because he also was the main character and usually my favorite is a secondary character. I'm not sure exactly what made him my favorite, he just was. I looked forward more to reading Julian's scenes rather than Nina's. I felt I could connect more with Julian, as I could see more into his feelings, struggles, etc, while Nina was harder for me to get to know. In fact, I think Giovanni should have been the second main character, as I was able to connect more with him and, frankly, liked him more.
I almost had the feeling that Nina was kinda a baby. While I sympathize with her situation, it was part of what made it hard to connect with her. She seemed to be such a strong character at the beginning, but then totally changed and broke down. I totally believe this to simply be my preference, and in no way condemn their writing because of it - it was just something that I noticed.
Two other characters that I really enjoyed were Pierre and Benjamin. I think Pierre was my second favorite character - I absolutely loved him and looked forward to reading the next scene that included him. Benjamin was an awesome add - a Jew hiding with Julian's family. I loved getting glimpses of what it might have been like for the hideaway Jews.
As for content, there is little to tell except one part that, while historically realistic, prohibited me from handing it to my 13 year old brother. A stranger tells Nina and her brother he'll help her but Nina, who is crippled and is riding piggyback on the mans back, thinks the mans hands were not so supportive under her legs, but feeling. Barely escaping(but with no further description of what she thinks he will do to her), she and her brother continue their journey. Later, Nina mentions how they barely escaped a man who wanted to rape her.
I was actually disappointed by this add-in, and wished it had been left out. The history in this book was wonderful, but unfortunetly none of my brothers will be able to enjoy and learn from this book any time soon.
All in all, this was an excellent book that I absolutely loved. The only thing that kept it from receiving 10 stars was the lack of connection between the reader and Nina and also the added content that made it impossible for me to hand it down as a historical book to my brothers. Other than that, I absolutely LOVED this book! I wouldn't consider it a rereadable, but I definitely do not regret putting this book down and highly encourage it to all older teenagers who love to learn history and life lessons.
I received this free book in return for an honest review from KregelPublishers. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
One thing that I found interesting was that Nina and Julien are actually together for a very short amount of time. In fact, the don't even meet each other until the last 75 pages of the 300 page book. While it didn't really bug me, I did find it didn't sync with the back-cover description much, but it didn't affect how much I enjoyed this book. :)
Out of all of them, Julian was my favorite of the characters, which ia strange because he also was the main character and usually my favorite is a secondary character. I'm not sure exactly what made him my favorite, he just was. I looked forward more to reading Julian's scenes rather than Nina's. I felt I could connect more with Julian, as I could see more into his feelings, struggles, etc, while Nina was harder for me to get to know. In fact, I think Giovanni should have been the second main character, as I was able to connect more with him and, frankly, liked him more.
I almost had the feeling that Nina was kinda a baby. While I sympathize with her situation, it was part of what made it hard to connect with her. She seemed to be such a strong character at the beginning, but then totally changed and broke down. I totally believe this to simply be my preference, and in no way condemn their writing because of it - it was just something that I noticed.
Two other characters that I really enjoyed were Pierre and Benjamin. I think Pierre was my second favorite character - I absolutely loved him and looked forward to reading the next scene that included him. Benjamin was an awesome add - a Jew hiding with Julian's family. I loved getting glimpses of what it might have been like for the hideaway Jews.
As for content, there is little to tell except one part that, while historically realistic, prohibited me from handing it to my 13 year old brother. A stranger tells Nina and her brother he'll help her but Nina, who is crippled and is riding piggyback on the mans back, thinks the mans hands were not so supportive under her legs, but feeling. Barely escaping(but with no further description of what she thinks he will do to her), she and her brother continue their journey. Later, Nina mentions how they barely escaped a man who wanted to rape her.
I was actually disappointed by this add-in, and wished it had been left out. The history in this book was wonderful, but unfortunetly none of my brothers will be able to enjoy and learn from this book any time soon.
All in all, this was an excellent book that I absolutely loved. The only thing that kept it from receiving 10 stars was the lack of connection between the reader and Nina and also the added content that made it impossible for me to hand it down as a historical book to my brothers. Other than that, I absolutely LOVED this book! I wouldn't consider it a rereadable, but I definitely do not regret putting this book down and highly encourage it to all older teenagers who love to learn history and life lessons.
I received this free book in return for an honest review from KregelPublishers. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
October 27, 2012
Julien's story was decent, a story about a boy navigating school and how to deal with social pressure more than a story about a freedom fighter. It is also very much a story of a young boy becoming Christian. I felt it crossed the line from describing a person's religious beliefs to preaching a few times, but it was not the worst offender in that regard that I've come across. I could relate to a few of his dilemmas, such as his realization that the best way to convince someone to change is not to embarrass them in public.
I found Nina's sections very boring and often confusing. There was something very choppy about them and many things were often unclear- for instance,
The other major problem I have with Nina is her characterization. In the beginning she is a strong character trying to become the parent to her little brother. Only about three chapters later and she seems to do nothing (literally--she leaves it to Gustav to go begging in the streets and work for food while she stays inside whatever shelter he's found doing absolutely nothing). The only thing she does do is constantly get sick and be in the process of dying. It's a trope that loses its emotional appeal after the second or third time. By the time Nina is depicted as losing her will to live, I honestly didn't really care that she get it back. She was pathetic.
The thing that bothered me most about the book, however, was the role of Jews in the story arc, where they seemed like they were just a means for Christians to look better/ grow. There are pretty much no depictions of their religious beliefs and their understanding of God during the trials of WWII. On their rare mention of religion, the author chose to have them use the term God and not a Hebriac/Judaic term. While this might have been chosen for reader comprehensibility, it made it seem like Jews are just Christians who occasionally throw out one or two Jewish phrases. No one in the books seems to think it might be a bit insensitive or rude to make Jews join their church or read their bibles (and there is no excuse used that these things need to be done to prevent their being caught). Minus one discussion about reading the Torah, Hanukkah, giving up the yarmulke (which is mentioned more to discuss how no matter what Jews do to please their enemies, it is never enough), no Jew ever seems to miss his traditions or be angry at the fact that they can't worship or follow their traditions openly--in fact, they don't seem to ever worship in private either! Basically, it seemed like the Jews were only in the story so that the Christians could help them and feel better about themselves and their religion.
Using the background setting of a people being persecuted, tortured, and killed for their religion to glorify another religion left a bad taste in my mouth. The Christian view and response to the Holocaust is a story not often explored and an interesting choice of topic by Munn, but to examine the Christian response while completely ignoring the fact that the Jews are not, in fact, Christians who just speak another language really detracted from anything Munn wanted to say.
I found Nina's sections very boring and often confusing. There was something very choppy about them and many things were often unclear- for instance,
The other major problem I have with Nina is her characterization. In the beginning she is a strong character trying to become the parent to her little brother. Only about three chapters later and she seems to do nothing (literally--she leaves it to Gustav to go begging in the streets and work for food while she stays inside whatever shelter he's found doing absolutely nothing). The only thing she does do is constantly get sick and be in the process of dying. It's a trope that loses its emotional appeal after the second or third time. By the time Nina is depicted as losing her will to live, I honestly didn't really care that she get it back. She was pathetic.
The thing that bothered me most about the book, however, was the role of Jews in the story arc, where they seemed like they were just a means for Christians to look better/ grow. There are pretty much no depictions of their religious beliefs and their understanding of God during the trials of WWII. On their rare mention of religion, the author chose to have them use the term God and not a Hebriac/Judaic term. While this might have been chosen for reader comprehensibility, it made it seem like Jews are just Christians who occasionally throw out one or two Jewish phrases. No one in the books seems to think it might be a bit insensitive or rude to make Jews join their church or read their bibles (and there is no excuse used that these things need to be done to prevent their being caught). Minus one discussion about reading the Torah, Hanukkah, giving up the yarmulke (which is mentioned more to discuss how no matter what Jews do to please their enemies, it is never enough), no Jew ever seems to miss his traditions or be angry at the fact that they can't worship or follow their traditions openly--in fact, they don't seem to ever worship in private either! Basically, it seemed like the Jews were only in the story so that the Christians could help them and feel better about themselves and their religion.
Using the background setting of a people being persecuted, tortured, and killed for their religion to glorify another religion left a bad taste in my mouth. The Christian view and response to the Holocaust is a story not often explored and an interesting choice of topic by Munn, but to examine the Christian response while completely ignoring the fact that the Jews are not, in fact, Christians who just speak another language really detracted from anything Munn wanted to say.
June 20, 2011
Sometimes we fail to see just how dark some parts of our life can be. Some times hate for one person's race can be just as dark, or how people can judge you based purely on the company you keep, while others will be blinded that all men are truly evil.
In the novel How Huge The Night by Heather and Lydia Munn we are called as witnesses into the lives of three very unique children thrown together by the circumstances of World War II. This novel is based on actual events and you, the reader will be held spell bound to see how each of them fare in the end.
First we meet, Julian Losier, whose family has just relocated to his father's hometown from Paris, France, fleeing Hitler's advancing army. Praying that his family will be safe, he begins attempting to live a normal life by attending school. However once people there learn that he is from Paris, he becomes treated as an outcast at school. Left all alone on the school ground, he only ally, is his roommate Benjamin, whose parents have left him in the care of the Losier family. He is a Jewish-German and his parents hope for a normal life and education for him.
However, Julian finds that he can quickly work his way into the social group of boys since they have treated him and Benjamin as outcasts. When he informs them of Benjamin's race and religion, it will cost Julian more than just being one of the in-crowd. Julian will have to chose which side he will stand with.
Meanwhile, Nina and Gustav have just lost their father as sickness claimed him in the middle of the night. Leaving them with instructions to burn their resident cards declaring themselves Jewish, he makes them promise to flee Austria and find a way to Italy where he hopes they can find safety. He makes Nina promise to cut her hair and assume the identity of Niko, a boy and warns her that men are evil.
Fleeing for their lives, they are befriended by a man who only asks to be called Herr. He agrees to show them the gaps in the fence lines between Austria and will get them to the border of Italy for 50,000 francs. When Niko fears that there is more to his intentions than helping them cross the border, the children make a run for it in the middle of the night, not realizing that Herr has their pack with all their money and food inside. How will they make it alone in the midst of the war to safety?
I received this book compliments of Kregel Publications for my honest review and couldn't put it down. I can't imagine being a young teen in any of the circumstances and try to find a way to make it through the impending war that is looming on the horizon, not sure how or if you or your family would make it out alive and who would you trust to help you along the way. This is an amazing story of survival in the most difficult circumstances and truly worth reading. For anyone who has a love for historical Christian fiction, than this one is a 5 out 5 star book.
In the novel How Huge The Night by Heather and Lydia Munn we are called as witnesses into the lives of three very unique children thrown together by the circumstances of World War II. This novel is based on actual events and you, the reader will be held spell bound to see how each of them fare in the end.
First we meet, Julian Losier, whose family has just relocated to his father's hometown from Paris, France, fleeing Hitler's advancing army. Praying that his family will be safe, he begins attempting to live a normal life by attending school. However once people there learn that he is from Paris, he becomes treated as an outcast at school. Left all alone on the school ground, he only ally, is his roommate Benjamin, whose parents have left him in the care of the Losier family. He is a Jewish-German and his parents hope for a normal life and education for him.
However, Julian finds that he can quickly work his way into the social group of boys since they have treated him and Benjamin as outcasts. When he informs them of Benjamin's race and religion, it will cost Julian more than just being one of the in-crowd. Julian will have to chose which side he will stand with.
Meanwhile, Nina and Gustav have just lost their father as sickness claimed him in the middle of the night. Leaving them with instructions to burn their resident cards declaring themselves Jewish, he makes them promise to flee Austria and find a way to Italy where he hopes they can find safety. He makes Nina promise to cut her hair and assume the identity of Niko, a boy and warns her that men are evil.
Fleeing for their lives, they are befriended by a man who only asks to be called Herr. He agrees to show them the gaps in the fence lines between Austria and will get them to the border of Italy for 50,000 francs. When Niko fears that there is more to his intentions than helping them cross the border, the children make a run for it in the middle of the night, not realizing that Herr has their pack with all their money and food inside. How will they make it alone in the midst of the war to safety?
I received this book compliments of Kregel Publications for my honest review and couldn't put it down. I can't imagine being a young teen in any of the circumstances and try to find a way to make it through the impending war that is looming on the horizon, not sure how or if you or your family would make it out alive and who would you trust to help you along the way. This is an amazing story of survival in the most difficult circumstances and truly worth reading. For anyone who has a love for historical Christian fiction, than this one is a 5 out 5 star book.
July 8, 2015
Most of the books I’ve read about the Nazi’s were from an adult point of view. I enjoyed the review copy of this book which had the reader experience the war through the eyes of adolescents.
Not all parents were as helpful or took the time to explain life and events to their children like Julian Lozier’s parents did. He was fifteen-year-old and his parents wanted him to understand and process certain events so he could realize how it would impact their world.
Julian and his family fled to Southern France in hopes of avoiding Hitler’s threatening clutches. Julian is angry and confused by all the changes so were many of the other kids at school. Then there were children like Nina and Gustav’s whose world came to a complete halt when their father died and left them all alone and on the run for their lives! Who could they trust? Where would they hide so they didn’t get taken to a concentration camp?
The author notes filled in some blanks from real historical events for me. I found it interesting as they discussed so many choices people had during this time period. Heather and Lydia say, “Some got rich off the black market…Some used the Nazi’s for revenge, feeding them true and false information against their enemies. Some followed the law unquestionably; some just survived, and others were “wait-its,” who chose not to get involved. Some vowed to fight the Germans to the bitter end and started the resistance, which in the early days seemed completely doomed. And a few chose to focus on those in the deepest need and danger, and protect them from harm!”
It was fascinating and frightful to read about how all these choices played out. I hadn’t thought about all the choices people made then in this way before. It was interesting to read about them through youthful eyes, minds and hearts.
I highly recommend this moving story that touch my heart and gave me a peek at how scary this event was for the children and how they looked at their future. Some parts were horrifying and unbelievable what these young ones went through to survive on their own. I’m so glad the authors showed how some people went above and beyond – even to the point of putting themselves in danger to help young people and their families thrive!
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from 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
The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
Not all parents were as helpful or took the time to explain life and events to their children like Julian Lozier’s parents did. He was fifteen-year-old and his parents wanted him to understand and process certain events so he could realize how it would impact their world.
Julian and his family fled to Southern France in hopes of avoiding Hitler’s threatening clutches. Julian is angry and confused by all the changes so were many of the other kids at school. Then there were children like Nina and Gustav’s whose world came to a complete halt when their father died and left them all alone and on the run for their lives! Who could they trust? Where would they hide so they didn’t get taken to a concentration camp?
The author notes filled in some blanks from real historical events for me. I found it interesting as they discussed so many choices people had during this time period. Heather and Lydia say, “Some got rich off the black market…Some used the Nazi’s for revenge, feeding them true and false information against their enemies. Some followed the law unquestionably; some just survived, and others were “wait-its,” who chose not to get involved. Some vowed to fight the Germans to the bitter end and started the resistance, which in the early days seemed completely doomed. And a few chose to focus on those in the deepest need and danger, and protect them from harm!”
It was fascinating and frightful to read about how all these choices played out. I hadn’t thought about all the choices people made then in this way before. It was interesting to read about them through youthful eyes, minds and hearts.
I highly recommend this moving story that touch my heart and gave me a peek at how scary this event was for the children and how they looked at their future. Some parts were horrifying and unbelievable what these young ones went through to survive on their own. I’m so glad the authors showed how some people went above and beyond – even to the point of putting themselves in danger to help young people and their families thrive!
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from 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
The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
October 8, 2014
Excellent. Amazing for a first novel. Set mostly in soon-to-be-Vichy-France at the onset of World War Two, How Huge the Night follows several teens through the surprise, terror and personal challenge of that period. The Munns get the reader right inside the heads and hearts of their cast. That it is a redemptive process for many of them, as opposed to Rolfe's failure to reject the Nazis in "Sound of Music", may be attributed to the great persuasive force exerted on them than simple "You'll never be one of them."
Historical fiction depends, in part, on the recreation of a totally foreign culture in a understandable way. A "literal" translation might very well be opaque. The Munns bridged the gap between rural France of 1940 and twenty-first century American readers by telling their tale as authentically as possible (see their Historical Note) through the filter of modern America. Therefore, the reader is occasionally jolted out of the spell of the period by language ("cool" and "screwing up"), attitudes (in 1939 France, Bible citation would be expected in school work, not forbidden as implied; modern "tolerance" of racial and religious differences would have been unheard of--even if practiced; modern American evangelical beliefs seem quaintly out of place). The result is a bit like a Shakespeare play rendered in American costumes and sets; it works, with occasional bumps.
Overall an very good read. Not just for young readers.
Historical fiction depends, in part, on the recreation of a totally foreign culture in a understandable way. A "literal" translation might very well be opaque. The Munns bridged the gap between rural France of 1940 and twenty-first century American readers by telling their tale as authentically as possible (see their Historical Note) through the filter of modern America. Therefore, the reader is occasionally jolted out of the spell of the period by language ("cool" and "screwing up"), attitudes (in 1939 France, Bible citation would be expected in school work, not forbidden as implied; modern "tolerance" of racial and religious differences would have been unheard of--even if practiced; modern American evangelical beliefs seem quaintly out of place). The result is a bit like a Shakespeare play rendered in American costumes and sets; it works, with occasional bumps.
Overall an very good read. Not just for young readers.
June 14, 2017
This was a fascinatingly real story of the Holocaust. There were people that went against it all and helped Jewish refugees, at the risk of their own safety. This was their story and it was a beautiful one. The bravery and selflessness was mesmerizing and the war was eye-opening to the teens central in the story. Perspectives switched between a pair of Jewish siblings and a French boy and how they came to be together. I really enjoyed this educational story of such a horrible time in human history.
October 7, 2012
A very well done book of fiction based on the heroic activites of the people of Chambon-sur-lignon, France during WWII. The inner lives of the characters is so well done that the complexities and conflicting feelings that were surely a part of the Chambon experience, become unsettlingly real. I appreciate the authors' respect for the difficulties the French faced and their avoidance of a simple and unrealistic either-or approach to their story.
June 24, 2011
One of my topics of great interest is the treatment of the Jewish people during World War II. My interest was spurred by the assigned reading of ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ in sixth grade. So when I read the synopsis of ‘How Huge the Night’ by Heather Munn and Lydia Munn, my curiosity was piqued.
Here is the synopsis of this novel:
Based on Actual Events.
When Had God Ever Stopped A War Because A Teenager Asked Him To?
For fifteen-year-old Julien Losier, life will never be the same. His family has relocated to southern France to outrun Hitler’s menace. But Julien doesn’t want to run. He doesn’t want to huddle around the radio at night, waiting to hear news through buzzing static. Julien doesn’t want to wait.
Angry, frustrated, and itching to do something, Julien finds a battle everywhere he turns.
Soon after his family opens their home to a Jewish boy needing refuge, Julien meets Nina, a young Austrian who has fled her home by her father’s dying command. Nina’s situation is grave and Julien suddenly realizes the enormity of having someone’s life or death depend on…him.
Thrown together by a conflict that’s too big for them to understand, each one struggles to know what to do, even if it is not enough. Is there a greater purpose in the shadows of this terrible war? Or will their choices put them in greater danger?
Here are the biographies of this daughter/mother author duo:
Heather Munn was born in Northern Ireland of American parents and grew up in the south of France where her parents and grandparents worked as missionaries. She decided to be a writer at the age of five when her mother read Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books aloud, but worried that she couldn’t write about her childhood because she couldn’t remember it. When she was young, her favorite time of day was after supper when the family would gather and her father would read a chapter from a novel. Heather went to French school until her teens, and grew up hearing the story of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, only an hour’s drive away. She has a BA in literature from Wheaton College and lives in a Christian international community in rural Illinois with her husband, Paul, where they offer free spiritual retreats to people coming out of homelessness and addiction. She enjoys wandering in the woods, gardening, writing, and splitting wood.
Lydia Munn was homeschooled for five years because there was no school where her parents served as missionaries in the savannahs of northern Brazil. There was no public library either, but Lydia read every book she could get her hands on. This led naturally to her choice of an English major at Wheaton College, where she earned a BA in literature. Her original plan to teach high school in English gradually transitioned into a lifelong love of teaching the Bible to both adults and young people in southern France, where she has also been church planting, since 1983. Ten of those years were spent in St. Etienne, near the small town in the central mountains of France that provides the settings of How Huge the Night. She and her husband, Jim, have two children: their son, Robin, and their daughter, Heather.
Here is the trailer for this interesting book:
Several characters have a strong faith in God. Here is Julien, one of the main characters, early on in the story:
Julien looked up. The moon was gone, and so were the stars, and he was on his knees. “God,” he whispered. His voice was dry. “God. Please don’t let them get to Paris. Please keep…everybody…safe.” He sounded like a child – and God bless Mommy. When had God ever stopped a war because a teenager asked him to? The image came back, the tanks firing, the recoil, Vincent’s face grinning. He could never be a soldier. Never drive a tank.
It was unbearable.
I want to do something, God. Let me do something. Please. The word serve rose in his mind, the word protect, but he couldn’t even think them; it sounded stupid. What did he know how to do? Do the dishes, play soccer. Split wood. (pp. 16-17)
Another strong man of faith was Pastor Alex. He advocated action against evil:
Then Pastor Alex spoke of evil.
He spoke of the Nazis and the things they did. He spoke of Kristallnacht, and Julien clenched his teeth. He asked if we must sit passively by while evil overcomes good. Julien lifted his head.
Pastor Alex leaned forward. Jesus didn’t say, “Don’t kill your enemies.” Would Jesus simply command us not to act in the face of evil, he who won the greatest victory, who conquered sin and death? No, friends, no. What did Jesus tell us to do to our enemies?
Love them.
“Jesus,” said Pastor Alex, and his voice almost shook. “Jesus, the only begotten Son of the Father, offers us this chance to be his brothers and his sisters and to fight as he fought; he gives us his weapons, the Father’s weapons, the weapons of the Spirit.” He sounded reverent, almost in awe. “The weapons of love,” he said. “Fearless love.”
Julien sat straighter. Fearless love. Even if he was never a soldier. Was that what Pastor Alex was saying? He could still fight. (p. 101)
There were two different storylines alternating through the book – that of Julien and his family, and that of the brother and sister, Gustav and Nina. It was interesting how the two stories converged toward the end of the book.
In the Historical Note (by Heather) at the end of the book, she explains how much of the history is based on fact. She also explained why she (along with her mother) wrote a book set in this time period:
One of the reasons this period of history fascinates me is choices. In France under the Nazis, people made all kinds of choices. Some got rich off the black market; some through collaboration. Some used the Nazis for revenge, feeding them true or false information against their enemies. Some followed Petain unquestioningly; some just survived, as attentistes, “wait-ists,” who chose not to get involved. Some vowed to fight the Germans to the bitter end and started the Resistance, which in those early days seemed completely doomed. And a few, like the people of a village in central France called Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, chose to focus on those in the deepest need and danger, and protect them from harm. (p. 302)
Heather closes out her Historical Note this way:
At the end of the book, Julien expects his country to be under Nazi domination for the rest of his life. This also is accurate. There was no good reason, then, to think otherwise. It is with no hope in sight that the people of Le Chambon trusted God and did what they could for the people they saw being persecuted. Sixty-five years later what they did is still remembered. I hope it always will be. (p. 304)
I really liked this book. It was interesting to get inside the mind of young people who lived in France in 1940. It must have been a scary time, both in terms of what was happening with Hitler and Germany, as well as the normal hormonal trials of teenagers.
Although this book is categorized as Teen Fiction, I think it appeals to all age groups. It is a terrific book to encourage a young person to read; they may not have previously been aware of the events of World War II and Hitler’s persecution of God’s Chosen People. This book would be a great introduction. And it is written in an interesting and engaging style, which would appeal to all ages.
This book was published by Kregel Publications and provided by them for review purposes.
Reviewed by Andrea Schultz – Ponderings by Andrea blog – http://andrealschultz.blogspot.com
Here is the synopsis of this novel:
Based on Actual Events.
When Had God Ever Stopped A War Because A Teenager Asked Him To?
For fifteen-year-old Julien Losier, life will never be the same. His family has relocated to southern France to outrun Hitler’s menace. But Julien doesn’t want to run. He doesn’t want to huddle around the radio at night, waiting to hear news through buzzing static. Julien doesn’t want to wait.
Angry, frustrated, and itching to do something, Julien finds a battle everywhere he turns.
Soon after his family opens their home to a Jewish boy needing refuge, Julien meets Nina, a young Austrian who has fled her home by her father’s dying command. Nina’s situation is grave and Julien suddenly realizes the enormity of having someone’s life or death depend on…him.
Thrown together by a conflict that’s too big for them to understand, each one struggles to know what to do, even if it is not enough. Is there a greater purpose in the shadows of this terrible war? Or will their choices put them in greater danger?
Here are the biographies of this daughter/mother author duo:
Heather Munn was born in Northern Ireland of American parents and grew up in the south of France where her parents and grandparents worked as missionaries. She decided to be a writer at the age of five when her mother read Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books aloud, but worried that she couldn’t write about her childhood because she couldn’t remember it. When she was young, her favorite time of day was after supper when the family would gather and her father would read a chapter from a novel. Heather went to French school until her teens, and grew up hearing the story of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, only an hour’s drive away. She has a BA in literature from Wheaton College and lives in a Christian international community in rural Illinois with her husband, Paul, where they offer free spiritual retreats to people coming out of homelessness and addiction. She enjoys wandering in the woods, gardening, writing, and splitting wood.
Lydia Munn was homeschooled for five years because there was no school where her parents served as missionaries in the savannahs of northern Brazil. There was no public library either, but Lydia read every book she could get her hands on. This led naturally to her choice of an English major at Wheaton College, where she earned a BA in literature. Her original plan to teach high school in English gradually transitioned into a lifelong love of teaching the Bible to both adults and young people in southern France, where she has also been church planting, since 1983. Ten of those years were spent in St. Etienne, near the small town in the central mountains of France that provides the settings of How Huge the Night. She and her husband, Jim, have two children: their son, Robin, and their daughter, Heather.
Here is the trailer for this interesting book:
Several characters have a strong faith in God. Here is Julien, one of the main characters, early on in the story:
Julien looked up. The moon was gone, and so were the stars, and he was on his knees. “God,” he whispered. His voice was dry. “God. Please don’t let them get to Paris. Please keep…everybody…safe.” He sounded like a child – and God bless Mommy. When had God ever stopped a war because a teenager asked him to? The image came back, the tanks firing, the recoil, Vincent’s face grinning. He could never be a soldier. Never drive a tank.
It was unbearable.
I want to do something, God. Let me do something. Please. The word serve rose in his mind, the word protect, but he couldn’t even think them; it sounded stupid. What did he know how to do? Do the dishes, play soccer. Split wood. (pp. 16-17)
Another strong man of faith was Pastor Alex. He advocated action against evil:
Then Pastor Alex spoke of evil.
He spoke of the Nazis and the things they did. He spoke of Kristallnacht, and Julien clenched his teeth. He asked if we must sit passively by while evil overcomes good. Julien lifted his head.
Pastor Alex leaned forward. Jesus didn’t say, “Don’t kill your enemies.” Would Jesus simply command us not to act in the face of evil, he who won the greatest victory, who conquered sin and death? No, friends, no. What did Jesus tell us to do to our enemies?
Love them.
“Jesus,” said Pastor Alex, and his voice almost shook. “Jesus, the only begotten Son of the Father, offers us this chance to be his brothers and his sisters and to fight as he fought; he gives us his weapons, the Father’s weapons, the weapons of the Spirit.” He sounded reverent, almost in awe. “The weapons of love,” he said. “Fearless love.”
Julien sat straighter. Fearless love. Even if he was never a soldier. Was that what Pastor Alex was saying? He could still fight. (p. 101)
There were two different storylines alternating through the book – that of Julien and his family, and that of the brother and sister, Gustav and Nina. It was interesting how the two stories converged toward the end of the book.
In the Historical Note (by Heather) at the end of the book, she explains how much of the history is based on fact. She also explained why she (along with her mother) wrote a book set in this time period:
One of the reasons this period of history fascinates me is choices. In France under the Nazis, people made all kinds of choices. Some got rich off the black market; some through collaboration. Some used the Nazis for revenge, feeding them true or false information against their enemies. Some followed Petain unquestioningly; some just survived, as attentistes, “wait-ists,” who chose not to get involved. Some vowed to fight the Germans to the bitter end and started the Resistance, which in those early days seemed completely doomed. And a few, like the people of a village in central France called Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, chose to focus on those in the deepest need and danger, and protect them from harm. (p. 302)
Heather closes out her Historical Note this way:
At the end of the book, Julien expects his country to be under Nazi domination for the rest of his life. This also is accurate. There was no good reason, then, to think otherwise. It is with no hope in sight that the people of Le Chambon trusted God and did what they could for the people they saw being persecuted. Sixty-five years later what they did is still remembered. I hope it always will be. (p. 304)
I really liked this book. It was interesting to get inside the mind of young people who lived in France in 1940. It must have been a scary time, both in terms of what was happening with Hitler and Germany, as well as the normal hormonal trials of teenagers.
Although this book is categorized as Teen Fiction, I think it appeals to all age groups. It is a terrific book to encourage a young person to read; they may not have previously been aware of the events of World War II and Hitler’s persecution of God’s Chosen People. This book would be a great introduction. And it is written in an interesting and engaging style, which would appeal to all ages.
This book was published by Kregel Publications and provided by them for review purposes.
Reviewed by Andrea Schultz – Ponderings by Andrea blog – http://andrealschultz.blogspot.com
July 28, 2019
This is classified as teen fiction, but it is great reading for us adults. Well written. Portrays so well how God is walking with us and listening when it doesn't seem like it and there appears to be no change. Gripping in its real life authenticity.
I collect books re 2nd WW, this is my first read of one written from the French landscape.
I collect books re 2nd WW, this is my first read of one written from the French landscape.
April 27, 2019
A little bit slow to get to the action but if you love beautiful and eloquent writing, this book is for you, not to mention the gorgeous French scenery and culture described. Wonderful, especially for a winter read.
June 10, 2024
Promising debut novel from a mother-daughter pair. This historical fiction novel takes place in Vichy France and Austria at the outset of Works War 2. I like how she ties the Huguenot history of the area with the story.
October 16, 2024
For me it read a little boring. I had a hard time really getting into it. Maybe it was writing style?
It still had a good story though and I was able to fallow along it was just a slow process for me.
It still had a good story though and I was able to fallow along it was just a slow process for me.
October 18, 2023
I was shocked at the unexpected incident of the main girl character being molested by the man helping them escape across the border. I think parents need to be aware of this
June 24, 2011
How Huge the Night is very thought-provoking, serious, yet loving and caring all in one package. It's a story of God's grace and how people can use it to grace others around them who are in need. It's a story of choices. It's a story of growing up and making decisions that can affect the rest of your life. All of that said, it really isn't that heavy of a story where you don't enjoy it and get lost in the lessons. Contrary to that in fact, the lessons are subtle, but the story is first and foremost and entertaining and educational.
I love the character of Julien in this book. I purposely seek out books where the protagonist is a boy because I have two boys of my own to raise and look forward to recommending great books to them one day soon. Julien is your average teenager even though the time is during the late 1930s and the place is France, the teenager is universal. He is brooding and sulky at the beginning because his family has been uprooted to move to a small town from the wonderful city of Paris. They are now living on a farm with his Grandfather with another teenager he doesn't know as a border with them. On top of it all, he has to find his place in a new school where his Dad is one of the teachers. To be honest there is not much to like about Julien in the beginning. Then you find out he likes soccer, but it's hard to get into the after-school games because they are ruled by the cool boys in the school and ultimately a boy named Henri. Eventually he does get to play but then problems start. And this is where Julien starts to grow on the reader and he himself begins to grow.
Julien continually questions God through the book and this is one of the things that helps him grow, here is one example:
In the evening, it was still the same: the radio, the cluster of faces around it. In the daytime, there was peace somehow--in the green of the land, in the strength of his legs, in the mass of solidity of the hills they climbed. But in bed at night, Julien tried fumblinglyy to pray and found no words. What did god have to do with German tanks overrunning the earth, with bombers pounding Rotterdam to blood and fire? What did God have to do with the blitzkrieg?
He didn't know.
As Julien tries to figure out right from wrong and goes from one day having a whole group of friends to the next having only Benjamin who lives with him but barely talks to him as a friend. Through this the reader gets to see Julien begin his transformation. I liked how the people around him helped to form him and guide him. His grandfather, his mother, Pastor Alexandre, the Rostins and others from the village for example.
And not only is there Julien and his village's story going on, but there is also the story of two teenagers, Nina and Gustav whose father dies as their part of the book opens. His dying words are for them to get out of Austria because he senses the evil coming. So Nina becomes Niko, cuts her hair and binds herself so she looks like a boy and they head out to cross borders they should not be crossing and have adventures that leave them starving and broken only to eventually cross paths with the villagers in Julien's village of Tanieux.
I love how the Munn's weaved the two story lines together. They worked great separately and I knew from the beginning they would come together but I didn't know how and this was just wonderful.
There is just so much to say about this book, the characters were great - all the main characters showed such growth that I was inspired. To me one of the themes was one of compassion and it shines through throughout the book and the characters. Another thing I think that was well done was the building of the suspense of the village waiting for occupation of the Germans. I felt the tension and felt I was right there in the village waiting day after day for the soldiers to come.
This book is Christian, and there are references to God and Jesus and I thought the Pastor's sermons were wonderful, they were thoughtful, timely and on the level for a teenager and especially Julien (and ultimately the reader) to understand. And even though those parts are there, I still feel the focus of the novel is showing God through good works and helping others. I think that ties right into the compassion theme of the novel and was what the Munn's were going for in How Huge the Night.
How Huge the Night is magnificent, it is amazing, it will leave you thinking long after you have finished it and I look forward to their next book which according to the author's notes at the end may have more focus on the interment camps in France during World War II. I think both of the authors have a firm grip on this time period and on the area and know how to weave an engaging story that you don't want to end.
I love the character of Julien in this book. I purposely seek out books where the protagonist is a boy because I have two boys of my own to raise and look forward to recommending great books to them one day soon. Julien is your average teenager even though the time is during the late 1930s and the place is France, the teenager is universal. He is brooding and sulky at the beginning because his family has been uprooted to move to a small town from the wonderful city of Paris. They are now living on a farm with his Grandfather with another teenager he doesn't know as a border with them. On top of it all, he has to find his place in a new school where his Dad is one of the teachers. To be honest there is not much to like about Julien in the beginning. Then you find out he likes soccer, but it's hard to get into the after-school games because they are ruled by the cool boys in the school and ultimately a boy named Henri. Eventually he does get to play but then problems start. And this is where Julien starts to grow on the reader and he himself begins to grow.
Julien continually questions God through the book and this is one of the things that helps him grow, here is one example:
In the evening, it was still the same: the radio, the cluster of faces around it. In the daytime, there was peace somehow--in the green of the land, in the strength of his legs, in the mass of solidity of the hills they climbed. But in bed at night, Julien tried fumblinglyy to pray and found no words. What did god have to do with German tanks overrunning the earth, with bombers pounding Rotterdam to blood and fire? What did God have to do with the blitzkrieg?
He didn't know.
As Julien tries to figure out right from wrong and goes from one day having a whole group of friends to the next having only Benjamin who lives with him but barely talks to him as a friend. Through this the reader gets to see Julien begin his transformation. I liked how the people around him helped to form him and guide him. His grandfather, his mother, Pastor Alexandre, the Rostins and others from the village for example.
And not only is there Julien and his village's story going on, but there is also the story of two teenagers, Nina and Gustav whose father dies as their part of the book opens. His dying words are for them to get out of Austria because he senses the evil coming. So Nina becomes Niko, cuts her hair and binds herself so she looks like a boy and they head out to cross borders they should not be crossing and have adventures that leave them starving and broken only to eventually cross paths with the villagers in Julien's village of Tanieux.
I love how the Munn's weaved the two story lines together. They worked great separately and I knew from the beginning they would come together but I didn't know how and this was just wonderful.
There is just so much to say about this book, the characters were great - all the main characters showed such growth that I was inspired. To me one of the themes was one of compassion and it shines through throughout the book and the characters. Another thing I think that was well done was the building of the suspense of the village waiting for occupation of the Germans. I felt the tension and felt I was right there in the village waiting day after day for the soldiers to come.
This book is Christian, and there are references to God and Jesus and I thought the Pastor's sermons were wonderful, they were thoughtful, timely and on the level for a teenager and especially Julien (and ultimately the reader) to understand. And even though those parts are there, I still feel the focus of the novel is showing God through good works and helping others. I think that ties right into the compassion theme of the novel and was what the Munn's were going for in How Huge the Night.
How Huge the Night is magnificent, it is amazing, it will leave you thinking long after you have finished it and I look forward to their next book which according to the author's notes at the end may have more focus on the interment camps in France during World War II. I think both of the authors have a firm grip on this time period and on the area and know how to weave an engaging story that you don't want to end.
March 3, 2020
Really good reading.
This is the story of teenagers thrown into the horrors of war and maturing in that environment. Well written. It keeps you engaged and wanting to know more.
This is the story of teenagers thrown into the horrors of war and maturing in that environment. Well written. It keeps you engaged and wanting to know more.
June 12, 2011
Julien Losier is a typical fifteen year old boy. He just wants to fit in. When Hitler invades Poland during World War II, his family moves from Paris to his father’s childhood home in Tanieux, in southern France, where they will be safer. The village boys call him names and won’t give him the time of day. Things get worse when Julien’s family takes in a German Jewish boy named Benjamin, who is Julien’s age. Any thoughts of Julien fitting in now are rapidly diminishing.
Concurrently, in Austria, Nina and Gustav are tending to their father on his death bed. In his final instructions, he tells them to burn their papers and leave Austria. If at all possible they should try to get to France. Their story is one of heartache and perseverance. The daily struggle just to survive is enormous. They face a battle at every turn, not knowing who can be trusted and uncertain of what their future will hold.
It’s no secret that I love historical fiction centered around World War II. This is the first novel that I’ve read that takes place in France during that time period. This is also only the second book I’ve read from the viewpoint of a teenager during this war. The other one being The Book Thief, a classic and in a category all its own.
This book was a bit slow to start for me. It wasn’t until 100 pages in that I really started getting into the story and once I hit page 130, I couldn’t put the book down. I think the back cover blurb/Amazon synopsis is a bit misleading. I kept waiting for Julien and Nina to meet. And it takes almost the entire book for this encounter to happen. I found Julien’s relationship with Benjamin to be more of a driving force in the story rather than the Julien/Nina storyline.
Don’t get me wrong. Both Julien’s and Nina’s stories are powerful and will give you a lot to think about. I was just expecting the two of them to meet much sooner than they did and for that relationship to be the driving force for the entire story. And that wasn’t how the story played out. So I was left feeling a little short-changed based on my assumption from the back cover of the book.
With that said, this book is well-written and will keep you on the edge of your seat. The characters are wonderfully drawn and you’ll find yourself really feeling for them as they struggle through this impossibly difficult time in their young lives. I especially loved Julien’s progression throughout the story, from a young boy who is mad at his parents for having to move at the beginning of the book, to a young man fighting for what he believes in by the end. Nina’s character arc is especially saddening, yet hopeful. A young girl, forced to leave her home, traveling on foot in unknown countries. It’s not something I can even imagine. I could feel her desperation, her helplessness, her hopelessness at times. She is a courageous, brave girl.
A strong component of this novel is each character’s faith journey, which I was not expecting, but added such depth to the story. The characters are searching, wondering if there really is a God amidst this horrific war. The faith components fit naturally within the context of the story and did not seem out of place to me. They added so much more to each character.
This is a fabulous novel that I recommend for people of all ages. There is something to be learned for everyone here. The most amazing thing about this book is that it is based on actual events. Tanieux is a fictional town, but it is based on the real village of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon. During the war, this small village of 3,000 people in central France saved the lives of more than 3,000 Jewish people. Amazing.
Concurrently, in Austria, Nina and Gustav are tending to their father on his death bed. In his final instructions, he tells them to burn their papers and leave Austria. If at all possible they should try to get to France. Their story is one of heartache and perseverance. The daily struggle just to survive is enormous. They face a battle at every turn, not knowing who can be trusted and uncertain of what their future will hold.
It’s no secret that I love historical fiction centered around World War II. This is the first novel that I’ve read that takes place in France during that time period. This is also only the second book I’ve read from the viewpoint of a teenager during this war. The other one being The Book Thief, a classic and in a category all its own.
This book was a bit slow to start for me. It wasn’t until 100 pages in that I really started getting into the story and once I hit page 130, I couldn’t put the book down. I think the back cover blurb/Amazon synopsis is a bit misleading. I kept waiting for Julien and Nina to meet. And it takes almost the entire book for this encounter to happen. I found Julien’s relationship with Benjamin to be more of a driving force in the story rather than the Julien/Nina storyline.
Don’t get me wrong. Both Julien’s and Nina’s stories are powerful and will give you a lot to think about. I was just expecting the two of them to meet much sooner than they did and for that relationship to be the driving force for the entire story. And that wasn’t how the story played out. So I was left feeling a little short-changed based on my assumption from the back cover of the book.
With that said, this book is well-written and will keep you on the edge of your seat. The characters are wonderfully drawn and you’ll find yourself really feeling for them as they struggle through this impossibly difficult time in their young lives. I especially loved Julien’s progression throughout the story, from a young boy who is mad at his parents for having to move at the beginning of the book, to a young man fighting for what he believes in by the end. Nina’s character arc is especially saddening, yet hopeful. A young girl, forced to leave her home, traveling on foot in unknown countries. It’s not something I can even imagine. I could feel her desperation, her helplessness, her hopelessness at times. She is a courageous, brave girl.
A strong component of this novel is each character’s faith journey, which I was not expecting, but added such depth to the story. The characters are searching, wondering if there really is a God amidst this horrific war. The faith components fit naturally within the context of the story and did not seem out of place to me. They added so much more to each character.
This is a fabulous novel that I recommend for people of all ages. There is something to be learned for everyone here. The most amazing thing about this book is that it is based on actual events. Tanieux is a fictional town, but it is based on the real village of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon. During the war, this small village of 3,000 people in central France saved the lives of more than 3,000 Jewish people. Amazing.
September 16, 2011
I haven’t been much into reading Young Adult fiction, but after reading a few amazing, awesome, and wonderful books in the YA genre(such as The Healer’s Apprentice and Waterfall, to name a few), I find myself exploring more and more into this genre. So when I got the invite to join the tour for this YA book, I decided to try it. And I am glad I did!
The cast of characters in How Huge the Night were all very fleshed-out and believable. Julien’s character was neat to get to know. He had his faults and his problems, but the reader saw him grow through the course of this book. Nina was a little harder to understand at times, but as I found out more and more about her past, I was able to sympathize with her fears. Her younger brother, Gustav, was undoubtedly my favorite character. The way he took care of Nina was SO touching. While he was younger and she thought he couldn’t do much to help her in their traveling’s, he ending up being the one who kept them alive and together. He was the brave supporter, protector, and encourager. I was cheering for him through the whole book—Yay, for protective brothers! lol! Another favorite character was Pierre. While he wasn’t exactly a loveable person for the entire book, I really liked him towards the ending, as he changed.
The plot was well thought out and developed. While there never was a big climax, when the story ends we see a key character’s sudden change of heart as he begins to understand that just because people are of a different race does not make them inferior to others. To me, I would categorize this book as mainly one you learn a lesson from rather than an adventurous book. While I enjoy more action and suspense, reading this book was worth it as I watched Julien mature in wisdom and Nina slowly gets over her fear of the world.
The writing was very vivid and the voice that these authors used brought Julien, Nina, and Gustav to life. There were a few times during Nina’s scenes that I was really confused as to what was happening—the writing, while gripping, seemed to suggest too much at what was going on instead of showing the reader plainly what was going on. I do like this sometimes, as it lets the reader get into the story more as they are put in the characters point of view, but this time it was too vague for me. I did appreciate it once, when Nina—disguised as a boy—realizes that one man who offered his help has entirely different ideas in mind for her when he finds out she’s a girl. As far as content, after they get away from the man Nina mentions to her brother that the man had wanted to rape her. That was the only thing that could be questionable for younger readers.
The backdrop of World War II was very sobering. When Julien and his family were waiting for the Nazi’s to reach their village, I was almost as depressed and melancholy as the characters—the writing just pulled me into the book. I love a book where the writing is so vivid you mirror the characters emotions—and How Huge the Night does exactly that!
The cast of characters in How Huge the Night were all very fleshed-out and believable. Julien’s character was neat to get to know. He had his faults and his problems, but the reader saw him grow through the course of this book. Nina was a little harder to understand at times, but as I found out more and more about her past, I was able to sympathize with her fears. Her younger brother, Gustav, was undoubtedly my favorite character. The way he took care of Nina was SO touching. While he was younger and she thought he couldn’t do much to help her in their traveling’s, he ending up being the one who kept them alive and together. He was the brave supporter, protector, and encourager. I was cheering for him through the whole book—Yay, for protective brothers! lol! Another favorite character was Pierre. While he wasn’t exactly a loveable person for the entire book, I really liked him towards the ending, as he changed.
The plot was well thought out and developed. While there never was a big climax, when the story ends we see a key character’s sudden change of heart as he begins to understand that just because people are of a different race does not make them inferior to others. To me, I would categorize this book as mainly one you learn a lesson from rather than an adventurous book. While I enjoy more action and suspense, reading this book was worth it as I watched Julien mature in wisdom and Nina slowly gets over her fear of the world.
The writing was very vivid and the voice that these authors used brought Julien, Nina, and Gustav to life. There were a few times during Nina’s scenes that I was really confused as to what was happening—the writing, while gripping, seemed to suggest too much at what was going on instead of showing the reader plainly what was going on. I do like this sometimes, as it lets the reader get into the story more as they are put in the characters point of view, but this time it was too vague for me. I did appreciate it once, when Nina—disguised as a boy—realizes that one man who offered his help has entirely different ideas in mind for her when he finds out she’s a girl. As far as content, after they get away from the man Nina mentions to her brother that the man had wanted to rape her. That was the only thing that could be questionable for younger readers.
The backdrop of World War II was very sobering. When Julien and his family were waiting for the Nazi’s to reach their village, I was almost as depressed and melancholy as the characters—the writing just pulled me into the book. I love a book where the writing is so vivid you mirror the characters emotions—and How Huge the Night does exactly that!
May 24, 2011
If there’s a young adult in your life, you can’t miss by introducing them to the talented mother/daughter writing team of Lydia and Heather Munn. Their debut novel How Huge the Night is a beautiful story of love and sacrifice among the teens in a small French village during World War II.
The main players in the story are Julien, Benjamin, Gustav, and Nina. Julien starts out with the typical goals, dreams, and fears of any fifteen-year-old boy. He resents being torn from his happy life in Paris to relocate to his father’s hometown. Even when his father explains his hope that the area is too rural and out of the way to interest the encroaching Nazis, Julien remains sullen and angry. However, God works in Julien’s heart through his grandfather’s godly wisdom, the circumstances of war, and the friendship he forges with the Jewish teen who boards with his family.
For the Jewish teens Benjamin, Gustav, and Nina, the war is a much different experience. While Julien wrestles with questions of conscience, these three struggle to survive. As the adults around them align themselves with either the freedom fighters or the Nazis, their lives depend on discerning who they can trust.
Here, the rich history of Julien’s town comes into play. The village had been founded by the Huguenots, who were seeking a haven from persecution, and soon the townspeople realize that they must be true to God and their heritage by welcoming any who flee to them for refuge–including Benjamin, Gustav, and Nina.
This book had all the elements I love in a story
Depiction of setting and atmosphere that made me feel like I was there myself
Events and struggles that drew me in
Characters–not just the teens, but also key adults–who touched my heart
Some of the teen novels I’ve truly enjoyed (To Kill a Mockingbird, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Giver, etc.) were great stories and contained moral characters who made hard choices. But few of those heroes were born-again Christians who acted out of biblical principles.
Too often, classic novels portray all believers as weak or hypocritical or too heavenly-minded to do anyone much good. So I especially appreciated the strong spiritual themes in this book as the folks explored their Huguenot background and heeded what Scripture had to say. And—how refreshing—the pastor of the town was one of its heroes!
This book was based on the true story of the town of Le Chambon, the only French town honored by Israel for rescuing Jews from the Holocaust.
The main players in the story are Julien, Benjamin, Gustav, and Nina. Julien starts out with the typical goals, dreams, and fears of any fifteen-year-old boy. He resents being torn from his happy life in Paris to relocate to his father’s hometown. Even when his father explains his hope that the area is too rural and out of the way to interest the encroaching Nazis, Julien remains sullen and angry. However, God works in Julien’s heart through his grandfather’s godly wisdom, the circumstances of war, and the friendship he forges with the Jewish teen who boards with his family.
For the Jewish teens Benjamin, Gustav, and Nina, the war is a much different experience. While Julien wrestles with questions of conscience, these three struggle to survive. As the adults around them align themselves with either the freedom fighters or the Nazis, their lives depend on discerning who they can trust.
Here, the rich history of Julien’s town comes into play. The village had been founded by the Huguenots, who were seeking a haven from persecution, and soon the townspeople realize that they must be true to God and their heritage by welcoming any who flee to them for refuge–including Benjamin, Gustav, and Nina.
This book had all the elements I love in a story
Depiction of setting and atmosphere that made me feel like I was there myself
Events and struggles that drew me in
Characters–not just the teens, but also key adults–who touched my heart
Some of the teen novels I’ve truly enjoyed (To Kill a Mockingbird, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Giver, etc.) were great stories and contained moral characters who made hard choices. But few of those heroes were born-again Christians who acted out of biblical principles.
Too often, classic novels portray all believers as weak or hypocritical or too heavenly-minded to do anyone much good. So I especially appreciated the strong spiritual themes in this book as the folks explored their Huguenot background and heeded what Scripture had to say. And—how refreshing—the pastor of the town was one of its heroes!
This book was based on the true story of the town of Le Chambon, the only French town honored by Israel for rescuing Jews from the Holocaust.
May 16, 2011
Title: HOW HUGE THE NIGHT
Authors: Heather Munn and Lydia Munn
Publisher: Kregel Publications
April 2011
ISBN: 978-0-8254-3310-8
Genre: Inspirational/young adult
Julien Losier is fifteen years old. Hitler’s troops have just started their invasion, and his family feels they’ll be safer in the south of France than in Paris. But Julien doesn’t want to run. The boys in the town don’t accept him and won’t let him play soccer; he is made fun of in school. But things get worse when his family take in a fifteen year old Jewish boy named Benjamin. News is grim when the family huddles around the radio at night. Julien becomes angry and frustrated, but is unable to do anything.
Nina and her brother Gustov are Jewish orphans. Right before their father died, he gave them detailed plans to get them to safety. Unfortunately, none of his plans worked and soon Nina and Gustov find themselves without a plan, reacting to circumstances. After they are robbed of everything they own, they do manage to make it out of Austria, but instead of safety, they find themselves not even one step ahead of the German army. And not every place was accepting of two Jewish orphans.
As the Germans invade France, Julien and the Jewish refugees are thrown together in a conflict too big for them to understand. But is it possible that there is a greater purpose in the shadows of this terrible war? Will their choices put them in greater danger?
HOW HUGE THE NIGHT is based on actual events. As I started to the book, I tried to remember whether Germany invaded France I tried to remember the details. Did they go to the south of France? Would Julien and his family be safe there? I seemed to remember that the Germans did stop near or at Paris, but I wasn’t sure. I found the parts written in Nina’s and Gustov’s points of views the most compelling. Their chapters were very short, but they were in grave danger the entire time and I had to keep reading… But Julien was a confused, hurting, angry fifteen year boy. He was struggling to fit in, struggling to understand the war, and there were more struggles added.
HOW HUGE THE NIGHT is a wonderful coming of age story set during a horrible period of time. The historical events are faithful to the actual events of World War II, and young adult readers will learn a lot about this particular historical time during the pages of this book. Excellent for homeschoolers, for church libraries, for school libraries, and for young adults. Highly recommended. $14.99. 304 pages.
May 15, 2011
Heather Munn and Lydia Munn in their new book, "How Huge The Night" published by Kregel Publications takes us to Tanieux, a little town in southern France during World War II.
Fifteen year old Julien Losier has recently moved with his parents and younger sister from Paris to the town of Tanieux, a little town in southeastern France, where his father was born and his paternal grandfather still lives. He is very unhappy about this move as he would prefer to be back in Paris and does not see how he will ever be able to adapt and fit into life in this strange new place.
What would you do if your whole world was taken away from you to try to escape Hitler's invasion of your country only to find that there is no escape? Hitler had a personal animosity for France as they had held back the German invasion in WWI. Hitler made sure that France was unable to do that when his forces quickly marched through and took France. Now families and towns must make a decision as to what actions they will take for the rest of the war. The Losiers take in a young Jewish boy and hide him in order to prevent the Nazis from sending him to a Concentration Camp.
"How Huge The Night" is based on actual events and the Munns show us what God can do with people who will stand up and fight against the darkness that comes to overwhelm them. "How Huge The Night" is an absorbing book that will keep you up late at night as you quickly read to see what is going to happen next. This book is for Young Adults to read to know just what happened in history and, perhaps, to see what decision they would make in their mind if such events were to happen again. This book is also for us not so Young Adults who might remember those events or who heard them from our parents. I recommend this book highly and look forward to their next book.
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Kregel Publications. 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.”
Fifteen year old Julien Losier has recently moved with his parents and younger sister from Paris to the town of Tanieux, a little town in southeastern France, where his father was born and his paternal grandfather still lives. He is very unhappy about this move as he would prefer to be back in Paris and does not see how he will ever be able to adapt and fit into life in this strange new place.
What would you do if your whole world was taken away from you to try to escape Hitler's invasion of your country only to find that there is no escape? Hitler had a personal animosity for France as they had held back the German invasion in WWI. Hitler made sure that France was unable to do that when his forces quickly marched through and took France. Now families and towns must make a decision as to what actions they will take for the rest of the war. The Losiers take in a young Jewish boy and hide him in order to prevent the Nazis from sending him to a Concentration Camp.
"How Huge The Night" is based on actual events and the Munns show us what God can do with people who will stand up and fight against the darkness that comes to overwhelm them. "How Huge The Night" is an absorbing book that will keep you up late at night as you quickly read to see what is going to happen next. This book is for Young Adults to read to know just what happened in history and, perhaps, to see what decision they would make in their mind if such events were to happen again. This book is also for us not so Young Adults who might remember those events or who heard them from our parents. I recommend this book highly and look forward to their next book.
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Kregel Publications. 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.”
May 16, 2011
How Huge the Night by Heather & Lydia Munn is a compelling story of the German occupation of France during World War II through the eyes of two teenagers. Julien is angry when his family moves from Paris into the countryside of Tanieux to escape from Hitler's growing power. He resents the loss of his friends and what is familiar for hard farm work and a new school where the boys are led by arrogant Henri. He is even more upset when his parents take in a Jewish boy named Benjamin who will also attend the school and never seems to look up from his books, except to insult Julien or give an answer in class to show up the rest of the boys. Meanwhile in Austria, Nina's father's dying wish is for her to take her younger brother Gustav, pretend to be a boy, and get out of the country before they are captured and sent to a camp for being Jewish. The plan seems doomed from the start when the rabbi who was to help the siblings to safety has been arrested, and the man they turn to for aid instead attempts to rape Nina, sending them on a wild race for their lives into the night. The story alternates between Julien's growing maturity as he struggles to understand how to fight someone with weapons of love as his pastor suggests and Nina's battle to keep her brother alive that soon becomes a giving up on life for herself. The stories come together when the siblings arrive in Tanieux and Julien helps them find safe refuge but even that is questioned when Henri threatens to turn them over to his father who will send them to a refugee camp, where Nina will most certainly die. The daughter/mother author team, Heather and Lydia Munn have really brought these based on real events to life, by sharing them through the eyes of Julien and Nina. Julien seems like a very average teenage boy, obsessed with soccer and fitting in with the other boys, angry at his parents uprooting him from all he knows, torn at his grandfather's stories of their Huguenot heritage. He matures as the story unfolds, learning to think about someone other than himself, deeply regretting words spoken in the heat of the moment, and finally coming to understand that you can't win someone's heart by fighting them. Nina's story is haunting and chilling as she experiences so much evil, more than any young girl should see, so much that she decides to give up on life. This is a quiet, yet powerful story of personal strength, faith, and sacrifice.
June 7, 2011
How Huge the Night is easily one of my favorite books this year. The historical aspect of the story is amazing and the book was very engrossing from the very first page on. The book itself was written for 14-17 year olds but definitely goes beyond that age group.
Julien is a 15 year old boy, uprooted from his home and forced to share his family with an "outsider". Benjamin is Jewish, stand-offish, smart, rich and not friendly. The boys of the village Julien's family has moved to are unfriendly, consider HIM an outsider (even though his family had lived in that region for generations) and not only that Julien's father is a teacher at his new school and planning on opening a new Christian school the following year which Julien blames for the move. You see the anger filling Julien and he has a choice - is it going to consume him or is he going to sweep it away?
The main story is about how Julien learns about prejudice and how he can support and encourage those being treated wrongly and stand up to the community for what is right. It begins with Julien learning how his own family escaped from persecution and helps to build this town they are know living in and continues with a challenge: his Grandfather challenges him to pray that God would show him what He wants Julien to do. In return his Grandfather would pray that the boys at school would "see the light".
Julien accepts this challenge and you begin to see Julien slowly change, his eyes are opened to what Benjamin must be feeling ~ his loneliness and anger to what is happening to his people. He sees France fall to Hitler and you see Julien's prayer change "that God would show him the road he wants him to go on". And then Julien begins to pray that God will help him learn to "love and forgive" his enemies. He learns to pray and speak with out pride and hate.
Parent's I strongly encourage you to read this book with your teens. Extremely well written, engrossing and challenging ~ This book will open the gates to conversation about prejudice and persecution giving you the opportunity to teach your children to stand up for what's right:
"...resist with the weapons of the Spirit; without fear, without pride, and without hate."
Julien is a 15 year old boy, uprooted from his home and forced to share his family with an "outsider". Benjamin is Jewish, stand-offish, smart, rich and not friendly. The boys of the village Julien's family has moved to are unfriendly, consider HIM an outsider (even though his family had lived in that region for generations) and not only that Julien's father is a teacher at his new school and planning on opening a new Christian school the following year which Julien blames for the move. You see the anger filling Julien and he has a choice - is it going to consume him or is he going to sweep it away?
The main story is about how Julien learns about prejudice and how he can support and encourage those being treated wrongly and stand up to the community for what is right. It begins with Julien learning how his own family escaped from persecution and helps to build this town they are know living in and continues with a challenge: his Grandfather challenges him to pray that God would show him what He wants Julien to do. In return his Grandfather would pray that the boys at school would "see the light".
Julien accepts this challenge and you begin to see Julien slowly change, his eyes are opened to what Benjamin must be feeling ~ his loneliness and anger to what is happening to his people. He sees France fall to Hitler and you see Julien's prayer change "that God would show him the road he wants him to go on". And then Julien begins to pray that God will help him learn to "love and forgive" his enemies. He learns to pray and speak with out pride and hate.
Parent's I strongly encourage you to read this book with your teens. Extremely well written, engrossing and challenging ~ This book will open the gates to conversation about prejudice and persecution giving you the opportunity to teach your children to stand up for what's right:
"...resist with the weapons of the Spirit; without fear, without pride, and without hate."
January 1, 2016
While I didn’t find myself hooked and unable to put the book down, I did enjoy How Huge the Night. It’s compelling, and it shares a story that (I’m guessing here) most people don’t know much about. According to the authors’ note at the end, there is a real town in central France that (at the time of the war) had 3,000 people. This town saved the lives of more than 3,000 Jews! What an amazing thing! I had no idea …
Anyway, not only was this a slightly educational story, but it was engaging, too. As Julien’s story and Nina’s story both are played out separately, I found myself wondering when/how these two pieces come together. I wondered when/how they were going to meet, and what came next. What will happen to Nina and her brother? What about Benjamin?
This story shows that when there is such heavy darkness, there still are spots of light here and there. There are people who won’t let the darkness consume them, and will do what they can to help others into the light, too. Most of the players in this book question God – not just talking to Him, but even His existence. And I think it’s safe to say that just about everyone of faith has done that at one time or another. When things get tough, it’s only natural to question how God could be involved. This book tackles the why. Yes, we know that God sometimes allows bad to happen, using it to lead to something good. It’s a Biblical truth, and it’s explored a bit in this book. We also explore the idea of loving one’s enemies, and using the weapons of love, rather than lashing out.
I loved how God’s mysterious ways of doing things is show in this book. My favorite example of this is when Julien injures his ankle in a huge snowstorm. How God chose to rescue him just totally made me smile and nod.
And I love Julian’s thoughts about it:
God was stranger than he had ever known; strange and terrible and kind. ~ page 119
What an excellent way to say it. Anyone who has seen God work can likely relate to this or agree with this on one level or another.
How Huge the Night is a compelling story about a very dark time in the history of humanity. It sheds some light, and it makes the reader think. Think about faith, think about love, think about how God works.
Anyway, not only was this a slightly educational story, but it was engaging, too. As Julien’s story and Nina’s story both are played out separately, I found myself wondering when/how these two pieces come together. I wondered when/how they were going to meet, and what came next. What will happen to Nina and her brother? What about Benjamin?
This story shows that when there is such heavy darkness, there still are spots of light here and there. There are people who won’t let the darkness consume them, and will do what they can to help others into the light, too. Most of the players in this book question God – not just talking to Him, but even His existence. And I think it’s safe to say that just about everyone of faith has done that at one time or another. When things get tough, it’s only natural to question how God could be involved. This book tackles the why. Yes, we know that God sometimes allows bad to happen, using it to lead to something good. It’s a Biblical truth, and it’s explored a bit in this book. We also explore the idea of loving one’s enemies, and using the weapons of love, rather than lashing out.
I loved how God’s mysterious ways of doing things is show in this book. My favorite example of this is when Julien injures his ankle in a huge snowstorm. How God chose to rescue him just totally made me smile and nod.
And I love Julian’s thoughts about it:
God was stranger than he had ever known; strange and terrible and kind. ~ page 119
What an excellent way to say it. Anyone who has seen God work can likely relate to this or agree with this on one level or another.
How Huge the Night is a compelling story about a very dark time in the history of humanity. It sheds some light, and it makes the reader think. Think about faith, think about love, think about how God works.
June 20, 2011
I enjoy books that deal with WWII and especially books that tell a story of Jews who escaped Hitler and his death trap.
Not only was I enticed by the cover of this book but the title "grabbed" me. How Huge the Night seems to aptly describe how most people must have felt during this terrible time in history ~ like the night would never end!
Julien was quite "real" to me....maybe because I remember being 15 and all the changes that came into my life at that age. But mostly, I think, because he is "real." His sentiments, his feelings about the war and his "misunderstandings" about his family are heart tuggers.
Of course, Julien isn't the only "likable or livable" character in this read ..... there's Nina (oh, Nina's story is quite stirring!) and then there's Benjamin! And Gustav! Oh, and I truly loved Julien's grandpa. A sweet, kindhearted, true blue gentlemen. Well, I could go on and on....but I don't want to give away spoilers!
Julien's parents feel that they MUST move their family to the small village of Tanieux, France. Julien's frustrations with attending a new, small school where he is the new kid and feels most unwelcome until one of his classmates strikes up a conversations and learns that Julien isn't truly a "foreigner." When his classmate, Roland, finds out that Julien's grandfather is a local and that Julien lives with him. He gives Julien some great advice on how to fit in as a local and with his classmates. After Julien learns "the ropes" his life begins to change.
Then one Sunday as Julien is sitting in church listening to the pastor's sermon the pastor booms, "Love your enemies!" Julien finds himself listening and thinking....the pastor continues his thought provoking sermon on loving your enemies. At the end the pastor states, "The weapons of love, Fearless love." Julien feels that he wants to do something/will do something as a solider would with fearless love.
This is 5 star GREAT-Tastic story! I simply loved this read even though it is classified as teen fiction I feel that adults will love this read too!
**Don't forget to read the very end of the book, Historical Note, by Heather Munn .
*This book was provided for review by Kregel Publications*
Not only was I enticed by the cover of this book but the title "grabbed" me. How Huge the Night seems to aptly describe how most people must have felt during this terrible time in history ~ like the night would never end!
Julien was quite "real" to me....maybe because I remember being 15 and all the changes that came into my life at that age. But mostly, I think, because he is "real." His sentiments, his feelings about the war and his "misunderstandings" about his family are heart tuggers.
Of course, Julien isn't the only "likable or livable" character in this read ..... there's Nina (oh, Nina's story is quite stirring!) and then there's Benjamin! And Gustav! Oh, and I truly loved Julien's grandpa. A sweet, kindhearted, true blue gentlemen. Well, I could go on and on....but I don't want to give away spoilers!
Julien's parents feel that they MUST move their family to the small village of Tanieux, France. Julien's frustrations with attending a new, small school where he is the new kid and feels most unwelcome until one of his classmates strikes up a conversations and learns that Julien isn't truly a "foreigner." When his classmate, Roland, finds out that Julien's grandfather is a local and that Julien lives with him. He gives Julien some great advice on how to fit in as a local and with his classmates. After Julien learns "the ropes" his life begins to change.
Then one Sunday as Julien is sitting in church listening to the pastor's sermon the pastor booms, "Love your enemies!" Julien finds himself listening and thinking....the pastor continues his thought provoking sermon on loving your enemies. At the end the pastor states, "The weapons of love, Fearless love." Julien feels that he wants to do something/will do something as a solider would with fearless love.
This is 5 star GREAT-Tastic story! I simply loved this read even though it is classified as teen fiction I feel that adults will love this read too!
**Don't forget to read the very end of the book, Historical Note, by Heather Munn .
*This book was provided for review by Kregel Publications*
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