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But Not Forsaken
The Penner family, Mennonite refugees from the Russian Ukraine, forge westward in their search for freedom. This fascinating story lets the reader share in the trials of the family, and their trust in the Lord. They were persecuted---but not forsaken.
253 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1954
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 10, 2018
Can I just say how beautiful this story was? Although not my favorite genre, it had me hooked to the last word to see what would happen!
June 27, 2021
Very well written, held interest. Good for grades 5 and up.
March 22, 2018
One of my favorites before I found not Regina.
March 18, 2018
Not as good as I remembered, but still a solid book.
July 21, 2012
Maria Penner is a young Russian Mennonite wife and mother. She, her husband Hans, their ten-year-old son Hansie, eight-year-old daughter Rosie, and two-and-a-half-year-old baby Lenie, live as refugees at Krauter, a city in the Soviet-controlled sector of eastern Germany following World War II. Their ancestors had left Holland and Germany in the eighteenth century at the invitation of Russian Empress Catherine the Great to settle in the Ukraine. However, after the Communists came to power, the Mennonites, who had maintained their German language and way of life, became the objects of persecution. When the Germans invaded during World War II, they forced many of the Mennonites to go with them on their retreat back into Poland and Germany. Then after the war, the Russians began deporting the Mennonites back to exile in the Soviet Union.
The Penners’ only hope is to escape into free western Germany. Unfortunately baby Lenie becomes seriously ill, so Hans has to take her to the nearest hospital at Kornrade, 35 kilometers away. While he is gone, Russian soldiers come and take their neighbor and fellow Mennonite Tante Anni Friesen, so Maria and the two children have to flee in the middle of the night. They walk to Kornade but are told that Hans has returned to Krauter. Meanwhile, Hans is told by another neighbor, Frau Schmidt, that Tante Anni, Marie, and the children are gone. All she knows is that the Communists came and took Anni, so Hans assumes that his family was also verschleppt (literally, “dragged away,” as forced labor into the northern lands of Siberia). Without knowing what has happened to the other, Hans, whose belief in God has been all but destroyed by the horrors of war, and Maria, who still clings to the faith of their fathers, both decide to head west to freedom. What happens to baby Lenie? Will Maria and the children make it safely across the border? What will happen to Hans? Will he ever recover his faith and find his family?
This is truly a gripping and moving story. Author Helen Good Brenneman served with the Mennonite Central Committee refugee camp at Gronau, Germany, in 1947 and 1948, so she had opportunity to hear first-hand about the experiences of many refugees. She says that the narrative of But Not Forsaken is “fiction—yet not fiction, for it is based upon many real-life tales related to us by refugee friends. Maria Penner’s border crossing, for instance, is almost exactly as a refugee woman recalled her experience, except that her account was even more amazing.” One doesn’t have to be a Mennonite or to accept everything the Mennonites believe in order to appreciate their willingness to stand up for their convictions and their trust in God to provide for their needs. The homeschool world is familiar with two “CLP” organizations—Christian Liberty Press and Christian Light Publications. Though we have used the curriculum of neither, I have purchased sundry supplies from both. However, I picked this book up from a bookstore when we were visiting in Pennsylvania last year. I’m glad that I did.
The Penners’ only hope is to escape into free western Germany. Unfortunately baby Lenie becomes seriously ill, so Hans has to take her to the nearest hospital at Kornrade, 35 kilometers away. While he is gone, Russian soldiers come and take their neighbor and fellow Mennonite Tante Anni Friesen, so Maria and the two children have to flee in the middle of the night. They walk to Kornade but are told that Hans has returned to Krauter. Meanwhile, Hans is told by another neighbor, Frau Schmidt, that Tante Anni, Marie, and the children are gone. All she knows is that the Communists came and took Anni, so Hans assumes that his family was also verschleppt (literally, “dragged away,” as forced labor into the northern lands of Siberia). Without knowing what has happened to the other, Hans, whose belief in God has been all but destroyed by the horrors of war, and Maria, who still clings to the faith of their fathers, both decide to head west to freedom. What happens to baby Lenie? Will Maria and the children make it safely across the border? What will happen to Hans? Will he ever recover his faith and find his family?
This is truly a gripping and moving story. Author Helen Good Brenneman served with the Mennonite Central Committee refugee camp at Gronau, Germany, in 1947 and 1948, so she had opportunity to hear first-hand about the experiences of many refugees. She says that the narrative of But Not Forsaken is “fiction—yet not fiction, for it is based upon many real-life tales related to us by refugee friends. Maria Penner’s border crossing, for instance, is almost exactly as a refugee woman recalled her experience, except that her account was even more amazing.” One doesn’t have to be a Mennonite or to accept everything the Mennonites believe in order to appreciate their willingness to stand up for their convictions and their trust in God to provide for their needs. The homeschool world is familiar with two “CLP” organizations—Christian Liberty Press and Christian Light Publications. Though we have used the curriculum of neither, I have purchased sundry supplies from both. However, I picked this book up from a bookstore when we were visiting in Pennsylvania last year. I’m glad that I did.
March 24, 2013
Actually 3 1/2 stars. I love historical novels especially when I learn about an era or culture or events that happened which I didn't know about...in this book, the persecution of the Mennonites in post WWII Europe. This book was actually fiction based on a combination of true events. It was a sad but sweet story written with a gentle spirit...refreshing.
July 19, 2019
What an inspiring story! I love learning about different experiences of peoples survival experiences and how the encounter God in the midst of life’s difficulties. This story of Mennonite refugees during and after WWII is amazing. God weaves lives and stories together to create a masterpiece.
May 2, 2025
There are a few parts of the book that we felt were confusing and the writing is not up to “classic” quality, but still this is a good look at what life was like for Mennonite refugees in Russia and Germany shortly after WW2. It kept the attention of my kids as a read aloud but wasn’t a top favorite.
April 15, 2019
Sweet little book. It’s ok. Not the best but it was a nice story. Slightly unrealistic.
January 26, 2021
Powerful true story of the Lord's hand upon this family as they survived WW2...
January 18, 2023
A story of a refugee family who separated in the aftereffects of WW2. This story kept me going and was encouraging, helping me to be thankful for the things I have currently in my life.
April 14, 2023
Had to read it for school , bit it was quite good.
July 30, 2024
This book was absolutelt superb! Stunning! I was profoundly impressed by the experiences the characters went through, and by their unfaltering faith that helped them throught their hardships and suffering.
The author's writing style was extremely captivating and not at all boring! I mean, I did read it in only six days... and I only switch on this reading speed when a book totally hooks me! And this one really did it for me!
As a Christian this book taught me countless things about faith, perseverence, courage, and that Jesus is always with you even when you think He's not, and that everything He does is for a purpose, and that He will never forsake you...
𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘏𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦.
This is one of the most valuale things this book had taught me.
I was SO sad when I finished reading it! Really, I was! I wanted it to go on, and on and on... it was THAT well-written; the charactes where THAT believeable and relateable, I could feel whatever they were feeling; I felt their joy, relief, hope, and even their anger while reading it!
I absolutely adored every single part of this book. To me, it's... one of those books that never grow old, the ones that are timeless, unforgettable... even legendary.
The author's writing style was extremely captivating and not at all boring! I mean, I did read it in only six days... and I only switch on this reading speed when a book totally hooks me! And this one really did it for me!
As a Christian this book taught me countless things about faith, perseverence, courage, and that Jesus is always with you even when you think He's not, and that everything He does is for a purpose, and that He will never forsake you...
𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘏𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦.
This is one of the most valuale things this book had taught me.
I was SO sad when I finished reading it! Really, I was! I wanted it to go on, and on and on... it was THAT well-written; the charactes where THAT believeable and relateable, I could feel whatever they were feeling; I felt their joy, relief, hope, and even their anger while reading it!
I absolutely adored every single part of this book. To me, it's... one of those books that never grow old, the ones that are timeless, unforgettable... even legendary.
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March 13, 2020I read this book in 7th grade and loved it!
October 12, 2022
Beautiful story, highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews