A Coat Dyed Black: A Novel of the Norwegian Resistance

by Don Pugnetti Jr.

Bjørn Erliksen lives a peaceful life on Norway’s west coast and has never considered himself anything but a farmer. But when Nazi Germany invades, and his country’s ill-equipped military collapses in less than two months, it falls on him and other ordinary Norwegians to fight back.
He escapes to England, trains with an elite Norwegian special forces army unit, and is smuggled back into his homeland as a commando. When Bjørn’s resistance work eventually reunites him with a lost love, they join forces to carry out dangerous sabotage missions, all the while working in the shadows to evade the Gestapo. He weighs love against duty, wrestling with his own conscience as he is forced to commit unspeakable acts and unexpected betrayals. Can Bjørn survive long enough to see Norway’s liberation and find his own peace?
Filled with thrilling historical details about a corner of Europe often forgotten in the story of WWII, A Coat Dyed Black illuminates the struggles and sacrifices of ordinary people compelled to do the extraordinary.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, World War II

310 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2022

About the author

I'm proud of my 42-year career in journalism and public affairs. I grew up in Pasco in the eastern part of Washington State. After graduating from Washington State University with a B.A. in Journalism, I joined The Tacoma, WA, News Tribune and spent 18 years there as a reporter and political writer and eventually became an editor. The latter 16 years of my career was as policy advisor, speechwriter and strategist for the elected Washington State Auditor. Using an M.A. obtained from the University of Washington, I seized the opportunity to serve as a visiting professor at the University of North Florida. I also was an adjunct instructor at Pacific Lutheran University. Now retired, I live in Gig Harbor, WA, with my wife, Wendy, and continue my passion for writing. I've been overjoyed and overwhelmed by the success of my historical novel, A Coat Dyed Black: A Novel of the Norwegian Resistance. And I'm well on my way toward completing my next novel, a commercial fishing-related story set in Alaska and in the area where I live.

Reviews

[Megan Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pugnetti’s debut novel gives a narrative to Norway’s struggle under Nazi fascism. A young, humble farmer, Bjørn Erliksen, quickly finds himself and his coastal community under threat and crushing tyranny. A Coat Dyed Black is an impressively researched book that accomplishes the all-important task of balancing information with engagement. A page-turner from beginning to end; this novel will enrage, endear, and echo itself within your thoughts for days after you finally put it down.

[Briahna Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Coat Dyed Black is a gripping historical fiction novel that takes the reader on a journey with the main character, Bjorn, as he evolves from a small village farmer to a resistance fighter for Norway during World War II. Each chapter leaves you wanting to start the next, compelling you from one adventure to the next. You can't help but cheer, hope, and pray for Bjorn and those close to him as they encounter one challenge after another. As someone who is not a history buff, I found the book easy to understand, compelling, and enhanced my overall knowledge of World War II events in a fun and entertaining way. The characters have emotion and depth that the reader can relate to, and the scenes are written with a fast-paced cadence that keeps you turning the pages.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I read A Coat Dyed Black, I knew very little about the Norwegian resistance during WWII. Pugnetti has written a fascinating, suspenseful, well-researched book that tells an amazing story of how a few brave folks - such as Bjorn Erliksen - defend their country and way of life against the evils of the Nazi regime. I couldn't help but become attached to humble, hard-working Bjorn. It's clear how deeply he cares about his family and his country. Yet we see how he struggles with his feelings and some of the more difficult decisions he is forced to make. He is a likeable, complicated, caring character, not an exaggerated super hero, but a person you could imagine meeting and chatting with. Without revealing anything, the ending was quite a surprise. I'll leave it at that. You'll have to read it to find out. This is a great read!

[Neil Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every now and then we’re lucky enough to stumble across a new writer who has written an extraordinary book that leaves us wowed. Discovering the debut novel of Don Pugnetti Jr. was such an experience for me. A Coat Dyed Black uses the backdrop of Nazi Germany’s World War Two invasion and occupation of Norway to spin a tale of everyday people rising up to do extraordinary things in the face of the human barbarism that is unleashed by war. The author portrays a compelling cast of characters with a warmth and compassion that obliges us to care deeply about their fate. Readers discover a relatively unexplored corner of the war that resonates in light of current events, and we’re entertained while we learn—no easy feat. A Coat Dyed Black will stay in your mind long after you close the final page.

[Wendy Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful story. A Coat Dyed Black is a tremendous tribute that doesn't just tug at the heart, it echoes through the soul. What a sensitive and harrowing view of human nature, fighting against the odds in a man made disaster. Bjorn Erliksen is a young man with a peaceful, idyllic life ahead of him, farming land he inherited from his father on Norway's west coast. He didn't know that another World War would erupt all over his beautiful country. As the Nazi's take over every aspect of life and demand support from civilians including taking their farm animals and harvests, fear and force pit neighbor against neighbor and trust puts all life at risk.
Norway fights back, and Bjorn joins up with the untrained, courageous young troops. They quickly lose. Having been part of the Resistance is not something to show, so Bjorn dies his army green military coat black, to hide it and to keep it, just as he hides his continuing resistance. Bjorn and many of those who fought are haunted by the question, why did we survive when others didn't?
His continuing, underground fight is inspired for his loved ones, and also for the many brave, nameless defenders who died fighting the invaders. Bjorn enters the dangerous life of a secret Norwegian commando. Their training is intense, and dangerous. Their assignments are critical, deadly and meant to find any and all ways to hinder or stop the Nazi efforts. Complacency, carelessness, bad decisions result in torture, possibly death for the secret combatant and all associated with them. Bjorn had no idea that would include his high school sweetheart, the love of his life, as the Resistance reunites them now several years later.
Author Don Pugnetti Jr. writes a story of war that brings the reader into the conflict. Not only into the battle, but into the soul's torment for what is lost, and debates over what they know they must do but never imagined they would. The triumphs, and the desperate struggles, these characters are so relatable. They are you, your brother, your sister, your friends, defending themselves against an ultimate force that's ready to destroy anything in their way on their thirst for power. You'll hope for these characters, cry for them, cheer for them.
The true history of these brave Norwegians is well researched. The facts and setting, events and people that inspired this incredible book are expertly and artfully woven throughout this fictional account. It reads as a page turner story, based on the most fascinating historic facts, people, and events. The Coat Dyed Black, carried by a character who sees the best in the human race, and the worst, and impacted by it all for a lifetime.
Don Pugnetti Jr. has had a decades long career in journalism, public relations, and public affairs, including eighteen years as a newspaper reporter and editor. He's served as policy advisor and speechwriter for a statewide elected official and has taught university level news writing and communications.

[Carolyn Scarcella · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I’m reading is called “A coat dyed black” by Don Pugnetti, JR. This is the first book I read about Norway during the World War Two. This book is well written, easy to read and very interesting. In the 1970s, he penned a genuine account about his father-in-law telling him about his participation in the Norwegian resistance organisation during World War II. Over 2,000 of them—men and women alike—perished in battle, in camps, or as a result of execution. Only 25 of the 772 Norwegian Jews who were transported to Auschwitz during the Norwegian occupation years managed to survive and return home, while the remaining 800 who had fled to Sweden were also returned.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great read! I could definitely tell how much work the author put into the accurate history portion of this historical fiction book. Definitely a tough read sometimes because war isn’t pretty, but I was rooting for the main character the whole way.

[Tina Donovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first chapter, A Coat Dyed Black is an intriguing page turner. The historical fiction of a young farmer from Norway and his resistance to the invasion of the Nazis in his homeland creates a fascinating study of a little known part of WWII history.

[David Workman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author / journalist Don Pugnetti Jr. has given the world a timely and engaging novel of a World War that seems (deceptively) distant. A COAT DYED BLACK is a saga of the Norwegian Resistance in WW2, and it is more. Based on decades of intensive research and his personal interviews with heroes who lived the events, Pugnetti has created a richly intimate narrative of unfathomable evil that consumed the world in the 1930s and 1940s; of “quislings” who enabled it; and of ordinary farmers and shopkeepers and fishermen who resisted—and ultimately prevailed with the help of America’s Greatest Generation. This story lands at a time when fascism has raised its head again, and when powerful well-armed national autocracies are threatening neighboring countries with military force. History, and all of us, are served well by the people and places and events that unfold in A COAT DYED BLACK.

[Erik O Southern · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read. The travels throughout the book made this story an adventure.

"A Coat Dyed Black" was a wonderful read. I enjoyed most of the "places" where Bjørn Erliksen found himself. I wish that the author had written a second book instead of ending with a short epilogue. There is so much experiencing that I wanted go through with the main character. I learned a great deal of what life in Norway was like during the Nazi occupation. In many history books the Norwegian occupation is usually covered in less than a paragraph. Many thanks to Mr. Don Pugnetti, Jr for sharing with us his story!

[Bruce Robinette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical fiction about Germany’s WWII invasion of Norway and a young Norwegian man’s journey from a farming life to being resistance fighter. A page turner I couldn’t put down.

[Emilie Bienhoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my typical WW2 style, but...

Following the journey of Bjorn as he fought for his mother country, this book is not the romantic WWII books I normally read, but this story kept my attention throughout it. I appreciate the thorough epilogue at the end.

[Cindy Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a captivating novel. A Norwegian farmer’s life changes forever when his beloved country and his home are occupied by Nazi’s. I was so moved that I felt I was right beside him at times hiding in the woods, almost drowning when swimming in the freezing fjord ( think I was holding my breath the whole chapter). Cried when they took his animals that he had nurtured and cared for. And I was utterly heartbroken when they broke him to near death. It is a wonderful story with exceptional writing and such description that you feel you are right there you can really picture it! Pour a glass of wine or make a cup of tea, grab a box of tissues, get comfy and start reading! Cindy

[Tom Thornton · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars, but that's not to take away that this is a "nice" and "inoffensive" book. It's just very flat unfortunately, in one monotonous pace from start to end. What I really like about it that it shines a light on a largely unmentioned territory with Norway, but perhaps the reason that part of the world's contribution to WW2 has been left quiet is because there isn't much of a story to tell? The start was very rushed, going from peace to war in just a few short pages with a lot left out in terms of build-up. The action sequences aren't really up to standards of other wartime novels. I was at no point convinced by the segment where the main character travels to England, moving from the Shetland Isles at the end of one paragraph and starting the next paragraph in London, emphasising how large portions are missed out. Even when in London, the descriptions don't match up to what allied soldiers were living like in London at that time. The segment near the end where the main character is in prison is far too long (about 30 pages) without any real progress. And as for the ending, I won't give any spoilers, but there really isn't much to spoil. The characters are plodding along doing nothing and then the war ends. I'm sure that was what life for most real people was like but it doesn't make compelling storytelling. It's just like going for a swim in a lake to discover that the water is only knee-deep. Great promise but really bland

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really didn’t know anything about the occupation of Norway by the Nazis during WWII until reading this book. I found the book well written and very interesting. I felt like I lived through some horrible times with the characters and learned a lot about the Norwegian resistance.

[Mrs P E Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

enthralling

What an amazing book l chose to read it with misgivings as it was out of my usual reading zone but l thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it

[Jim R · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mug shot from Gestapo files turns out to be a family member. The “war stories” collected from resistance heroes who would not call themselves heroes. These pieces and more led to the true-to-life historical fiction, A Coat Dyed Black. Anyone with an interest in history has heard pieces of the story of the Nazi German invasion and occupation of Norway during World War II. This novel tells the day-to-day story of the the people who lived under that grinding occupation and those who resisted and fought the Nazis.

Journalist and writer Don Pugnetti researched and interviewed Norwegian resistance fighters and others who resisted, but many did not want their names used. How to tell their story while honoring their confidentiality? The author solves this by putting their struggles into a fictional work. Now, the reader can experience firsthand the anger and frustration, as well as the doubt and anxiety of trying to discern friend from foe while attempting to fight back against the Nazis.

A Coat Dyed Black tells the story of a young Norwegian farmer who volunteers in the first days of the invasion in a futile attempt to fight the Germans. What should he do after he returns to his farm? Should he learn to live under the Germans or take up arms - and how? It is a hard to put down novel and a treat for anyone who loves history. A meticulously researched historical fiction, history buffs can be certain they are learning about the period while being entertained.

It has been a while since I read the book and, upon reflection, it is a tale that really sticks with you. Because of that, A Coat Dyed Black, may belong amongst the panoply of great war books.

Can’t wait for the movie or miniseries!

[R.E. E. Derouin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Coat Dyed Black by Don Pugnetti, Jr. 6/3/2023 Paper

This book is one of many World War Two novels I have read. It was lent to me by a friend to whom it had been gifted, but not read. Because the setting interested me, I picked it up. While I enjoyed the setting and the general story, I had enough difficulties that I hate to recommend it to others.

Bjorn Erlikson, a Norwegian young farmer has no initial interest in the war until it comes to his country. After briefly engaged, he returns to a peaceful existence, until the Nazi takeover moves closer to home. He offers to be smuggled to England, trained for Special Forces, and returned to Norway. We are then introduced to the love of his life, an omission I had trouble handling. It seemed the author introduced her as an afterthought. It almost seemed to have been inserted in rewrite to lengthen the book. Surely, her later importance could have been sewn in earlier, making her more believable.

While incidents in the book were true and the political background very interesting, I didn’t feel the fiction enhanced or truly supported the overall tale.

The four countries in this region each reacted far differently to the curse of the war, and telling Norway’s side, especially from the viewpoint of a common citizen, was especially important. While there was much of this story I enjoyed, I felt it could have been better presented.

[Shannon Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of a group of brave Norwegians who fought against the Nazi occupation during WWII. They faced great hardships and cruel treatment, but they also showed incredible courage and determination. It is told through the eyes of one main character whose life was affected by the war. But it also tells the story of his friends, family, and cohorts.

Through their stories, we learn about the heroic acts of resistance fighters in Norway and how they risked their lives to protect their country.

The book features vivid landscapes, authentic Norwegian culture, and plenty of Norwegian words to help readers immerse themselves in this fascinating time period. Despite its gripping narrative and vivid descriptions, it remains light-hearted throughout - showing us that even in dark times, there can still be hope.

This book will inspire any reader who reads it with its positive message about resilience and faith during difficult times. It serves as a reminder that no matter what obstacles may lay ahead, we should never forget those heroes from WWII who did so much for our freedom today.

[Ann Clouthier · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a very young man, my father joined the Norwegian Navy by skiing from Oslo to Sweden in the early weeks of the occupation. The experiences he shared in a memoir and verbally over his long life were filled with intrigue, fear, fortitude, love and pure luck. I've always wanted to know more about those years but only recently have found literary references to help me learn about the challenges he and his once affluent family faced. He continued to protect their legacy until his death bed directive 70 years later to make a donation to the Jewish Community Center in memory of his mother.

For fear of reprisals for his family, he could not communicate his safe arrival in Sweden, Edinburgh and London. How many times is it realistically possible that one person could escape certain death? What horrors were endured by my grandparents and young aunts?

[LeAnne · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this book was educational for me, the writing style nearly put me to sleep. Pugnetti's background is in news reporting and public relations and you can tell by the way he writes. "The boat arrived at the shore. Bjorn hoisted his knapsack. He headed up toward the village." Most of it is very short and punchy sentences, which strung together for a novel is a very boring way to read a book. There was only a little conversation between characters, and I think Pugnetti could have made it come alive a little more with more dialogue.

So, I was going to give it one star, but I gave it two stars since it gave me a glimpse into the German invasion of Norway, which I did not know much about. My cousins' grandfather on their other side immigrated to the U.S. from Norway during the time of this novel, so I had a particular interest in the affairs of the time.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bjorn Eriksen is a young Norwegian farmer living a quiet live minding his own business, then the Germans invade the country and Norway is overtaken by the Nazis within two months. Bjorn and some of his friends decide to fight back and he leaves to go to England to learn how to fight. There he is accepted into an intensive grueling training that will prepare him to fight as a commando. He is smuggled back to Norway where he begins to do the work he has trained for.

I liked this book, I had never read anything before about how Norway was affected during WWII nor about the Norwegian Resistance fighters, so I found it quite interesting to learn more. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was not as good as I was hoping, but maybe it's because I watch too much TV. The author was a reporter rather than a novelist, and it shows. The story is not as fluid as it could be, and the protagonist didn't accomplish as many missions as I would have thought. On the other hand, the author's note states that he drew from talking to multiple Norwegian resistance fighters who insisted on remaining anonymous, which is why he decided to make the book a novel rather than nonfiction. The training our protagonist went through sounds authentic, and basic facts all check out. I learned something about the Nazi occupation of Norway, the citizens who fought back, and the full meaning of the term "quisling," all of which made the book a good read for me.

[Corinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was a lot to like about this book, and most especially its uniqueness among Norwegian resistance stories. The author is an American but conducted interviews with many Norwegian relatives and friends who fought in the resistance during World War II. Originally intending to write a nonfiction book, he ended up crafting these real-life accounts into this fictional story of Bjørn, a Norwegian farmer, who fights the Nazis when they first invade Norway, trains as a Kommando in Scotland, fights with the resistance back in Norway, suffers interrogation and captivity and--well, I don't want to give away the ending. The events and characters really ring true, probably because they're all based on real people and events.

[John Latona · Rating 4 out of 5]

And so continues my streak of thoroughly enjoying historical fiction set on one of the European fronts of WW2.

A story worth investing in based around an occupied Norway a country not often spoken about in regards to WW2.

The characterizations are simple in their design because they are truly all driven by their need to protect their country and family. There is a certainty to every decision made by the characters which is great.

Prisons and camp descriptions are always heart wrenching and it is important to continually remind ourselves the horrors of WW2 and war in general through these reads. There are still people going through atrocities like these.

[Janet Praxel · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, a granddaughter of Swedish and Norwegian immigrants, this story was fascinating. I knew that Norway was overtaken by the nazis in WWII. Relative have shown me bunkers on the coast from the period and a cousin of mine told me of watching a father of one of his friend be shot in the back by a Gestapo soldier. So coming upon this book was exciting to me. The writing is newspaper like which was the only thing that took me from 5 stars to 4. But the story itself was fascinating and the stories of the excellent work done by the Norwegian resistance and the terrible questioning done by the gestapo officers was chilling. The ptsd evident in survivors was brutally informative. Good read

[Todd Iverson · Rating 4 out of 5]

My local bookstore highlights local authors (I wish they all do this), so I purchased this one from a fellow, local author.
Fans of historical war novels will certainly enjoy this book. I was interested in it because of my Norwegian roots and have been in the areas where some of this took place. The pacing is a little slow in the first half of the novel, but when the main character begins his missions as a secret resistance fighter, the pacing and action pick up. Just when the plot feels formulaic, Pugnetti throws in some curve balls and the story pleasantly surprises with its realness, even if it is sad and hard to stomach.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time I’ve read anything relating Norway to World War II. I can’t remember even hearing anything in school. An historical novel with a good story and quite a bit of history. This book has brought the evils from Nazis more to life for me by not just talking about them, but living through Bjorn what actually went on between having them get you up at night to the end of the war in Norway. It grabbed me from the start.

[Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tribute to his wife's Norwegian family members who had various personal experiences during the five-years of Nazi occupation of Norway during WWII. Based partially on actual events, but mostly fictional this is the story of one brave resistance fighter, a peaceful farmer prior to the war, who joined the resistance, training first in England and then coming home to work on sabotaging many of the invaders work.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the main character is fictional, this book is based on resistance fighters in Norway during WWII. The author, in the notes at the end, explains the factual accounts he used as created the book. As with most WWII books, I grieve at the hate and violence of the Nazis and wonder what makes someone so cruel and vicious.

The description of the landscape as well as the story will keep the reader interested.