Between Silk and Wool: A Novel of Holland and the Second World War

by Lena Scholman

"For fans of Pam Jenoff, Ruta Sepetys and Jennifer Robson comes a richly told WWII story of unlikely allies struggling together against Nazi occupation in the Netherlands."

The seamstress
As the Dutch flag is torn down and replaced with Nazi swastikas, young Hilde Zontag is compelled to resist the Germans only to discover her beloved father’s collaboration. This shocking betrayal threatens to erode the trust between Hilde and the boy she loves. So when her father warns there’s no resistance without blood, Hilde wonders if her choices will start—or stop—the bleeding.

The chatelaine
When the ancestral home she has sacrificed everything for is seized by the Nazis, Lady Astrid ignores her unwanted guests until she’s forced to dress up and cooperate to save her estate from ruin. She's making the best of things, but her children’s mysterious tutor—a refugee she’s inexplicably drawn towards—knows all too well that it takes more than new clothes to survive a war.

As deception becomes reflex, Hilde and Astrid must choose between following the patterns of the past or stitching together a future of their own making. Once a thread is pulled, everything unravels...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

428 pages, Paperback

Published April 14, 2022

About the author

Born in Grey County, Lena Scholman now lives in Hamilton, Ontario. Her first novel, Between Silk and Wool, was released in 2022. Her writing has appeared in the New Quarterly, the Hamilton Spectator, the Toronto Star, the Christian Courier and the Globe and Mail. Follow her next project, a Coming-of-Age saga set in 1960’s Mexico at www.lenascholman.com

Reviews

[kim thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely & moving book following a 15 year old girl living in Holland during WWII. I really enjoyed the various POV and how they all came together. Lots of references to Dutch food (dropje, boeterkook) and historic places/events.

[Marian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book by the author in advance and was immediately drawn to Astrid who lives in a castle abruptly occupied by German soldiers. I appreciated this character's fierce independence with a wayward husband in another land as she navigated protecting her home and children. There are other important characters like Hilde whose father does what he must do to protect his two daughters among the invaders of the town. We see Hilde feeling confused and angry by some of her father's decisions and the author does a great job of weaving in the complexities of war, family, and what people did or didn't do to survive. I also loved all of the Dutch references and learned things I didn't know before. Finally, I appreciated that this book did not get graphic which some war stories tend to do and it wasn't needed in this account. One of several lines I liked from Astrid, "I am not a complicated woman. Men create chaos and women clean up the mess."

[Jo Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I completely enjoyed reading this book on World War 2, the sisters and a town in the Netherlands during the occupation.
This book was well written, well researched and is exceptional from a first time author. In fact it was much better than many novels that I have read on this subject.
It was a book I could not put down, had complex characters and moral social problems that not easy to deal with in a country that was occupied.
I look forward to reading more from Lena Scholman

[Alyssa Skov · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Opa shares his story of living in The Hague during the war and I appreciate these stories. Thank you for sharing this story.

[Sally Basmajian · Rating 5 out of 5]

When World War II disrupts the lives of Dutch citizens—both humble and aristocratic—sides must be chosen. Some opt for accommodating the invading Nazis, in order to put food on the table and keep family members safe. Others square their shoulders, accept extreme risk, and join the resistance movement.
In Between Silk and Wool, Lena Scholman's multifaceted characters are faced with this dilemma. The heroes among them choose resistance, and we follow their progress with both dread and admiration. Others—even people within the same family groups—side with the enemy. For the time being, this protects their loved ones, but in the longer term, will they ultimately benefit—or perish?
As a friend of Lena's and an admirer of her work, I opened this novel with great anticipation, and was quickly immersed in the action. Reading it kept me up past bedtime for a few evenings, and got me to thinking: how much would any of us sacrifice in order to do the right thing? Given similar circumstances, who among us would resist, and who would take the easier—albeit immoral—way out? It’s definitely a theme worth exploring, and Lena Scholman does it very well indeed, with research-based story-telling and a vivid, memorable cast.

[Cat Skinner · Rating 4 out of 5]

The real pleasure of good historical fiction is the ability to experience time and culture in a way that is vivid and immersive. Keep your dates and facts.; give me rich characters with compelling personal dramas. Let me imagine how it might have felt to exist in another time.
Scholman delivers all that I crave in an historical fiction with this richly woven experience of WWII through the lens of three distinct and vibrant Dutch characters who add humanity and vulnerability to this pivotal moment in history.
The pace is strong, I had a hard time stepping away. I found the relationships complex and fragile, and I appreciated experiencing this monumental war from three unique perspectives.
If you need a book to cozy up with, you won’t be disappointed.

[Catherine Meijer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first WWII novel I've read in years, and the first that I can remember reading that was set in the Netherlands during the occupation. I really enjoyed how the author, Lena, explored what led her characters to the paths they chose - compliance, adaptation, resistance - and what they did to survive.

I'm the kind of person who cries reading the acknowledgments sections of a book, and this one was not an exception. I appreciated how Between Silk and Wool is a novel that ties in to Lena's own Dutch heritage, and I'm thankful for the generosity of her grandparents to share their own stories with her.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loaned from a good friend, whom enjoyed the novel, I wasn’t sure what to expect as this wasn’t on my to read list. This historical fiction novel based in Holland took place during the second world war. It was a good story that gives a glimpse of wartime living and difficult choices faced while trying to survive. A shout out to being written by a Canadian local author! Having read a few wartime novels, this novel continues to shed light on an extremely difficult era. A worthwhile read! Also beautiful cover, well done!

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel was one of those hard-to-put-down stories with a perfect mix of suspense, betrayal, heartbreak and romance. The characters start to feel like friends and that's what draws the reader right in. Five stars.

[Ingrid · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a YA book about the war years in The Netherlands. Except for some sloppiness with the spelling of Dutch words and mixing up Sinterklaas and Christmas this is an interesting story for readers who want to learn a little more about WWII in our country.

[Joelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even with several story lines and characters, this book never seemed rushed. I learned a few things about the war in Netherlands, and especially about the paths one will take in order to survive, or care for loved ones. Excellent, excellent book. Exceeded my expectation.