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Reis door de nacht #1-4
Reis door de nacht
Dé oorlogsklassieker van Anne de Vries, nu in een nieuw jasje!
Zeventig jaar na het verschijnen van het eerste deel is de omnibus van de oorlogsklassieker ‘Reis door de nacht’, geschreven door Anne de Vries, toe aan zijn vijfendertigste druk.
‘Reis door de nacht’ vertelt het verhaal van een Nederlands gezin in de Tweede Wereldoorlog, dat vanaf het begin betrokken is bij het verzet. Hoofdpersoon is Jan de Boer, een jongen van 16 jaar. Hij merkt algauw dat zijn vader bezig is met verzetswerk en besluit langzaam maar zeker om daar zelf ook aan mee te doen, met gevaar voor eigen leven.
De prachtige klassieker van Anne de Vries verschijnt nu met een nieuw omslag en een voorwoord van Henk Pröpper, oud-directeur van het Nederlands letterenfonds.
Zeventig jaar na het verschijnen van het eerste deel is de omnibus van de oorlogsklassieker ‘Reis door de nacht’, geschreven door Anne de Vries, toe aan zijn vijfendertigste druk.
‘Reis door de nacht’ vertelt het verhaal van een Nederlands gezin in de Tweede Wereldoorlog, dat vanaf het begin betrokken is bij het verzet. Hoofdpersoon is Jan de Boer, een jongen van 16 jaar. Hij merkt algauw dat zijn vader bezig is met verzetswerk en besluit langzaam maar zeker om daar zelf ook aan mee te doen, met gevaar voor eigen leven.
De prachtige klassieker van Anne de Vries verschijnt nu met een nieuw omslag en een voorwoord van Henk Pröpper, oud-directeur van het Nederlands letterenfonds.
512 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1960
13 people are currently reading
293 people want to read
About the author
Anne de Vries
93 books11 followersDutch writer of children's books and regional novels,
De Vries is mostly known for his two books about Bartje Bartels a boy who lives in Drenthe, a rural province in the Northern part of the Netherlands.
After the second world war he wrote a youth novel about the Dutch resistance during the German occupation.
De Vries is mostly known for his two books about Bartje Bartels a boy who lives in Drenthe, a rural province in the Northern part of the Netherlands.
After the second world war he wrote a youth novel about the Dutch resistance during the German occupation.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
November 30, 2016
Ahem. The Dutch writer Anne de Vries is a male. (Rainer Maria Rilke comes to mind as another writer with a conventionally female name.)
Judging by the cover, this looks self-published; my expectations were minimal. I was pleasantly surprised by the writing, and found the story of Everett De Boer's family's work with the Dutch Resistance compelling. Journey Through the Night is four volumes (written in Dutch 1951-1958, translated in 1960) published as one.
The De Boer family is likeable. The architect father has pluck, the mother is kind-hearted, oldest son John is capable but inclined to hesitate, and impetuous Fritz can't keep out of trouble. There are other children, but these are the main characters. They are Christian — the winsome kind whose faith is more acted on than spoken of, not off-putting.
What impressed me most in a world of checkpoints, false IDs, and fascist occupation was the advantage of being relaxed and calm, casual and nonchalant. Terror is perilous.
The De Boers had recently read Isaiah 16:3 Hide the outcast, don't betray the fugitive, when a young man knocks on their door, seeking refuge. A procession of Jewish families and resistance fighters are hidden and helped. Such a small thing, and yet it changed the course of war: simple courageous people opening their homes and risking their lives for all kinds of strangers.
What I discovered:
DKW cars (Dampf-Kraft-Wagen = steam-driven car)
The Dutch National Anthem (worth a YouTube watch)
OSO (Orange Shall Overcome) the slogan of the Dutch Resistance
Favorite quotes:
No one could stop the course of the sun, and no one could stop the course of God's justice - not even Hitler.
Don't let impatience make life miserable for you.
I highly recommend this to readers who liked Corrie ten Boom's The Hiding Place and Anne Frank's Diary.
Judging by the cover, this looks self-published; my expectations were minimal. I was pleasantly surprised by the writing, and found the story of Everett De Boer's family's work with the Dutch Resistance compelling. Journey Through the Night is four volumes (written in Dutch 1951-1958, translated in 1960) published as one.
The De Boer family is likeable. The architect father has pluck, the mother is kind-hearted, oldest son John is capable but inclined to hesitate, and impetuous Fritz can't keep out of trouble. There are other children, but these are the main characters. They are Christian — the winsome kind whose faith is more acted on than spoken of, not off-putting.
What impressed me most in a world of checkpoints, false IDs, and fascist occupation was the advantage of being relaxed and calm, casual and nonchalant. Terror is perilous.
The De Boers had recently read Isaiah 16:3 Hide the outcast, don't betray the fugitive, when a young man knocks on their door, seeking refuge. A procession of Jewish families and resistance fighters are hidden and helped. Such a small thing, and yet it changed the course of war: simple courageous people opening their homes and risking their lives for all kinds of strangers.
What I discovered:
DKW cars (Dampf-Kraft-Wagen = steam-driven car)
The Dutch National Anthem (worth a YouTube watch)
OSO (Orange Shall Overcome) the slogan of the Dutch Resistance
Favorite quotes:
No one could stop the course of the sun, and no one could stop the course of God's justice - not even Hitler.
Don't let impatience make life miserable for you.
I highly recommend this to readers who liked Corrie ten Boom's The Hiding Place and Anne Frank's Diary.
August 25, 2013
Journey Through the Night is about a Dutch family during WWII who tries to stay out of the war but starts doing resistance work and is split up towards the end of the war. The main character is a teenager named John who has three brothers, two sisters, and an uncle. One of the most exciting parts is when John's resistance group raids a distribution center. I liked this book because there was a lot of suspense and action.
-by Wesley, age 10
-by Wesley, age 10
January 8, 2024
Ongelooflijke aanrader voor jong en oud!
August 16, 2024
This is a really fun historical-fiction of the Nazi's invasion of Holland. Jan learns how evil man can be when left to his own ends. He helps resist the Nazis and free is country. Good for a teenage boy.
October 2, 2018
I found these books in our church library and had to add them to Goodreads in the English translation. It was actually four volumes and it was wonderful. I read all four in one week because it was so compelling. John De Boer is the main character and you follow him from age 16 to age 21 through the five awful years of German occupation in the Netherlands. This book was commissioned by Dutch authorities as a record for children. It would be too grim a tale for most children with terrible imprisonments and tales of survival in hiding. Tales of torture and death are not dwelt upon. It's knowing that these terrible events really happened and de Vries makes them very real.
I have heard tales of some of my Dutch relatives hiding folks in their homes--an act of great bravery.
I would like to read more about the Dutch resistance. I wish I could find out more about Anne de Vries.
I have heard tales of some of my Dutch relatives hiding folks in their homes--an act of great bravery.
I would like to read more about the Dutch resistance. I wish I could find out more about Anne de Vries.
February 11, 2017
Heb het boek voor het eerst gelezen toen ik een jaar of 12/13 was. Het was een boek van mijn vader. Was er destijds erg van onder de indruk ondanks het ouderwetse taalgebruik. Sindsdien heb ik het boek ingepikt en meegenomen toen ik uit huis ging. Nu jaren en jaren later is het nog steeds een goed boek om te lezen. Geeft direct inzicht in de manier van leven en taalgebruik in de jaren 1940/1950.
February 13, 2018
Summary:
The De Boer family has just moved to their country home when the news arrives that Germany has invaded the Netherlands. The nation is thrown into turmoil and the De Boers with it. The family must decide how deeply they should involve themselves in resistance work. It won't be long before their little country town is crawling with Nazis.
Pro's:
This was quite the fascinating book! Once I picked it up, it was hard to put down. The author put me into that time period and really made me think about the moral struggles those participating in the resistance had to work through.
Con's:
The book is rather light on Christianity. There are several references to Bible passages and there is one mention of the family going to church. But what really killed it for me was one scene where the oldest De Boer son kissed a fellow resistance worker whom he also happened to have a crush on. Granted, it was done to convince a German soldier they were on a date, but I still take issue with any physical contact outside of marriage.
There was also a lot of violence and deception. While I do understand the nature of war, only so many things can be excused in the name of defending the country.
While the book was interesting and well-written, I wouldn't recommend it due to the lack of Christian doctrine and abundance of violence and romance.
The De Boer family has just moved to their country home when the news arrives that Germany has invaded the Netherlands. The nation is thrown into turmoil and the De Boers with it. The family must decide how deeply they should involve themselves in resistance work. It won't be long before their little country town is crawling with Nazis.
Pro's:
This was quite the fascinating book! Once I picked it up, it was hard to put down. The author put me into that time period and really made me think about the moral struggles those participating in the resistance had to work through.
Con's:
The book is rather light on Christianity. There are several references to Bible passages and there is one mention of the family going to church. But what really killed it for me was one scene where the oldest De Boer son kissed a fellow resistance worker whom he also happened to have a crush on. Granted, it was done to convince a German soldier they were on a date, but I still take issue with any physical contact outside of marriage.
There was also a lot of violence and deception. While I do understand the nature of war, only so many things can be excused in the name of defending the country.
While the book was interesting and well-written, I wouldn't recommend it due to the lack of Christian doctrine and abundance of violence and romance.
October 4, 2024
Beetje oudbollig
November 30, 2022
Als tiener met rode oren gelezen.
March 11, 2019
Recensie ‘Reis door de nacht’
Jan de Boer, een 16 jaar oude Nederlandse jongen die de gruwelen van de Tweede Wereldoorlog van meet af aan meemaakt.
Op de eerste dag van de invasie wordt Jan direct geconfronteerd met de oorlog, hij ziet zijn vader iets onwerkelijks doen. Nog geen dag later is hij live getuige van het vernietigende bombardement op Rotterdam.
Dan maakt het boek een tijdsprong van zo’n twee jaar. Jan en zijn familie krijgen te maken met het verzet, NSB’ers, de bezetter zelf en dit leidt uiteindelijk tot scheiding binnen de familie, ieder vlucht en gaat zijn eigen weg. Zal deze familie, gescheurd door die gruwelijke oorlog, ooit nog weer bij elkaar komen?
Anne de Vries heeft een ware klassieker geschreven, het boek is terug te vinden op menig leeslijst. Maar hoe zal dit komen? Waarom is het boek, zelfs 80 jaar na de oorlog, nog zo populair?
Het boek is een jeugdig en avontuurlijk oorlogsroman, Jan de Boer maakt dingen mee en doet dingen die jongens van zijn leeftijd normaliter natuurlijk nooit zouden meemaken, laat staan doen. Het is dus naar mijn idee een erg aantrekkelijk boek voor de puberale jongen die graag avontuur wil meemaken, graag wil autorijden en misschien wel een neiging heeft richting het extreme, het gevaar?
In het boek komen ook prachtige voorbeelden van goed en fout besef creëren voor, Anne de Vries is een schrijver van vlak na de oorlog en hij groeide zelf natuurlijk op met de gruwelijkheden die minderheden zijn aangedaan tijdens de Duitse bezetting.
Door middel van schrijven wilde men de naoorlogse generatie het besef en idee geven: dit nooit meer! Dat is zeer zeker gelukt. Soms iets te aftekenend en té avontuurlijk. Maar hiervoor blijft het natuurlijk een jeugd en avonturen boek.
Persoonlijk
Toen ik eind groep 8 zat las ik Reis door de Nacht voor het eerst, voorgeschoteld door mijn vader (het besef creëren is bij hem goed gelukt). Hierna las ik het in mijn 4e MAVO jaar nogmaals voor mijn boekenlijst. Elke keer blijf ik me verbazen over hoe ‘leuk’ en jeugdig het geschreven is maar met zo’n mooie boodschap op de achtergrond. Zoals ik eerder benoemde; sommige elementen zijn misschien té avontuurlijk, maar dit hoort naar mijn mening er ook een beetje bij. Jongens van 16 die zonder rijbewijs in een dure auto wegrijden voor de vijand, heerlijk toch om even bij weg te dromen?
Ik raad het zeker elke oorlog én avonturenboek liefhebber aan.
Jan de Boer, een 16 jaar oude Nederlandse jongen die de gruwelen van de Tweede Wereldoorlog van meet af aan meemaakt.
Op de eerste dag van de invasie wordt Jan direct geconfronteerd met de oorlog, hij ziet zijn vader iets onwerkelijks doen. Nog geen dag later is hij live getuige van het vernietigende bombardement op Rotterdam.
Dan maakt het boek een tijdsprong van zo’n twee jaar. Jan en zijn familie krijgen te maken met het verzet, NSB’ers, de bezetter zelf en dit leidt uiteindelijk tot scheiding binnen de familie, ieder vlucht en gaat zijn eigen weg. Zal deze familie, gescheurd door die gruwelijke oorlog, ooit nog weer bij elkaar komen?
Anne de Vries heeft een ware klassieker geschreven, het boek is terug te vinden op menig leeslijst. Maar hoe zal dit komen? Waarom is het boek, zelfs 80 jaar na de oorlog, nog zo populair?
Het boek is een jeugdig en avontuurlijk oorlogsroman, Jan de Boer maakt dingen mee en doet dingen die jongens van zijn leeftijd normaliter natuurlijk nooit zouden meemaken, laat staan doen. Het is dus naar mijn idee een erg aantrekkelijk boek voor de puberale jongen die graag avontuur wil meemaken, graag wil autorijden en misschien wel een neiging heeft richting het extreme, het gevaar?
In het boek komen ook prachtige voorbeelden van goed en fout besef creëren voor, Anne de Vries is een schrijver van vlak na de oorlog en hij groeide zelf natuurlijk op met de gruwelijkheden die minderheden zijn aangedaan tijdens de Duitse bezetting.
Door middel van schrijven wilde men de naoorlogse generatie het besef en idee geven: dit nooit meer! Dat is zeer zeker gelukt. Soms iets te aftekenend en té avontuurlijk. Maar hiervoor blijft het natuurlijk een jeugd en avonturen boek.
Persoonlijk
Toen ik eind groep 8 zat las ik Reis door de Nacht voor het eerst, voorgeschoteld door mijn vader (het besef creëren is bij hem goed gelukt). Hierna las ik het in mijn 4e MAVO jaar nogmaals voor mijn boekenlijst. Elke keer blijf ik me verbazen over hoe ‘leuk’ en jeugdig het geschreven is maar met zo’n mooie boodschap op de achtergrond. Zoals ik eerder benoemde; sommige elementen zijn misschien té avontuurlijk, maar dit hoort naar mijn mening er ook een beetje bij. Jongens van 16 die zonder rijbewijs in een dure auto wegrijden voor de vijand, heerlijk toch om even bij weg te dromen?
Ik raad het zeker elke oorlog én avonturenboek liefhebber aan.
February 8, 2019
Wonderful story for late elementary to early middle school readers about the German invasion of The Netherlands during WW2. This is book one in a four part series. The story follows the point of view of 15 year old John de Boer whose family is caught separated in three different cities by the German invasion. The story has great examples of family love and consideration. How to deal with trails. What it means to trust God in times of persecution. The appendix gives a great short history and geography lesson along with a nice map. This would be a great read along with Anne Frank and before Corrie Ten Booms Books.
March 17, 2023
Number of pages: 373
Genre: Historical Fiction WW2
Series: Technically this is a four novels in one series, but considering it’s one continuous story (and the first three end on cliffhangers) I decided to treat it as a single book. The individual books are called: Into the Darkness, The Darkness Deepens, Dawn’s Early Light and A New Day
Age recommendation: 14/15+ (it’s a war story and therefore there are some awful/graphic scenes in the book)
Summary: John de Boer knows that Hitler is creating a lot of trouble in Europe, but it doesn’t concern him too much. After all, Holland is a neutral country and Hitler promised to respect that. But all too soon the Netherlands learn along with the rest of the world how much this Nazi Leader’s promises mean. Will John survive this journey through the dark night to see the light of a new day dawning?
My thoughts: I love this book. It is very well-written and captivated me the entire time. You never know what’s going to happen next. I do think that the way the main character always gets out of trouble may be a little bit far-fetched, although there were probably the few people here and there who had stories like his. Plus, you can’t just kill off the main character.
It was really interesting to read a story from the perspective of a Dutch teen during WW2. It really helped me to see the pressure from the different sides (ie resistance workers, nazis, family members worried for their safety) and I’m not sure if I would have been able to do what so many brave Dutch did during the war.
War content: there were a few murders/mentions of murders in the book, either by nazi soldiers or resistance workers trying to protect the innocent. There was also a lot of violence and lying for the sake of the resistance. I can’t say what is right or not, or what I would have done, but I can let you know what is in the book (and it’s an accurate representation of what happened during the war).
I think that William is really funny. I can’t really tell you why I like him without spoiling the book, but he’s just a lot of fun. Uncle Garrett is another great character. He is very smart and kind; I think that a lot of the stuff that happens in the book could not have worked without his help behind the scenes. He’s also super humble and considerate of others, often putting himself in harm’s way to take care of someone else. (As did a lot of other resistance workers).
I think what I like most about this book is that it’s an amazing tale of how people fought against injustice, even when they didn’t have to. Most of them could have had a pretty good life during the occupation had they just sucked up to the German soldiers, but so many stood up against all the injustices to other people (namely the Jewish people) and it cost them, but they still did it willingly. That is inspiring.
My personal rating: 5/5 stars.
Link to blog: https://karinaschristianreads.wordpre...
Genre: Historical Fiction WW2
Series: Technically this is a four novels in one series, but considering it’s one continuous story (and the first three end on cliffhangers) I decided to treat it as a single book. The individual books are called: Into the Darkness, The Darkness Deepens, Dawn’s Early Light and A New Day
Age recommendation: 14/15+ (it’s a war story and therefore there are some awful/graphic scenes in the book)
Summary: John de Boer knows that Hitler is creating a lot of trouble in Europe, but it doesn’t concern him too much. After all, Holland is a neutral country and Hitler promised to respect that. But all too soon the Netherlands learn along with the rest of the world how much this Nazi Leader’s promises mean. Will John survive this journey through the dark night to see the light of a new day dawning?
My thoughts: I love this book. It is very well-written and captivated me the entire time. You never know what’s going to happen next. I do think that the way the main character always gets out of trouble may be a little bit far-fetched, although there were probably the few people here and there who had stories like his. Plus, you can’t just kill off the main character.
It was really interesting to read a story from the perspective of a Dutch teen during WW2. It really helped me to see the pressure from the different sides (ie resistance workers, nazis, family members worried for their safety) and I’m not sure if I would have been able to do what so many brave Dutch did during the war.
War content: there were a few murders/mentions of murders in the book, either by nazi soldiers or resistance workers trying to protect the innocent. There was also a lot of violence and lying for the sake of the resistance. I can’t say what is right or not, or what I would have done, but I can let you know what is in the book (and it’s an accurate representation of what happened during the war).
I think that William is really funny. I can’t really tell you why I like him without spoiling the book, but he’s just a lot of fun. Uncle Garrett is another great character. He is very smart and kind; I think that a lot of the stuff that happens in the book could not have worked without his help behind the scenes. He’s also super humble and considerate of others, often putting himself in harm’s way to take care of someone else. (As did a lot of other resistance workers).
I think what I like most about this book is that it’s an amazing tale of how people fought against injustice, even when they didn’t have to. Most of them could have had a pretty good life during the occupation had they just sucked up to the German soldiers, but so many stood up against all the injustices to other people (namely the Jewish people) and it cost them, but they still did it willingly. That is inspiring.
My personal rating: 5/5 stars.
Link to blog: https://karinaschristianreads.wordpre...
February 15, 2020
In truth, it's been quite a long time since I've read this book. I was pretty young when I read it and it's a pretty dense and expansive novel (it's actually four books in one). I don't remember all the details but I know that this book is full of true stories because the character of John is partly based on my great-grandfather. Although the stories in the book are true, the characters are fictional, in that not all of these events happened to this one family or the other characters in the book. For example, several of the stories about John, such as a section of the book where he gets shot while fleeing from the Germans and numerous other stories actually happened to my grandfather, but other things that happen to the John character are based on other people.
The book is quite engaging and very realistic. It really gives you a sense of what it was like to be in the occupied Netherlands. The writing can be a little dry, although I believe that is the result of it being a book written in Dutch and translated into English, and not the fault of the writer.
Like I said, it's been a long time since I read the book so I could be forgetting things, but the book is much more about personal stories than it is a comprehensive history of the Dutch resistance. That being said, reading the book will give you a pretty comprehensive overview of the events of the occupation from the perspective of average Dutch citizens, and you will come away from reading it with a deeper historical knowledge of the occupation and the war in general.
The book is quite engaging and very realistic. It really gives you a sense of what it was like to be in the occupied Netherlands. The writing can be a little dry, although I believe that is the result of it being a book written in Dutch and translated into English, and not the fault of the writer.
Like I said, it's been a long time since I read the book so I could be forgetting things, but the book is much more about personal stories than it is a comprehensive history of the Dutch resistance. That being said, reading the book will give you a pretty comprehensive overview of the events of the occupation from the perspective of average Dutch citizens, and you will come away from reading it with a deeper historical knowledge of the occupation and the war in general.
December 2, 2019
Growing up in the Dutch Reformed circles in Canada and identifying as Dutch because of my parents lineage, I really appreciated this series about the underground movement in German-occupied Holland during World War II. This is good for youth and I was happy that it didn’t include all of the gory details many times shown in current movies. If you’re looking for a story about the resistance movements during WWII, this is a family friendly option.
June 12, 2024
58 jaar na de eerste keer heb ik dit boek weer gelezen. Natuurlijk een beetje gedateerd, maar ook nu nog een prachtig beeld van Nederland in de oorlog. Als 12 jarige jongen kreeg ik dit boek van een tante en heb het verslonden. Indrukwekkend. Toen al en nu nog.
April 16, 2019
I need to reread this one.
February 13, 2023
One of those books I read as a kid. I remember loving this one.
December 22, 2023
Brilliant historical fiction set in WWII Netherlands! This story of sacrifice and survival will educate you about realities of life in that time and place.
December 1, 2024
Classic
October 3, 2021
Dit boek is een spannend jeugdboek over een jongen in de leeftijd van 15-21 jaar. Het bestaat uit vier delen. Het eerste deel : "De storm steekt op" gaat over het begin van de oorlog, de invasie en capitulatie. De familie De boer is net verhuisd naar Drenthe: vader, moeder, Jan(hoofdpersoon) en Guusje (kleine zusje). Als de oorlog uitbreekt gaat de familie de twee kinderen ophalen die uit logeren waren ivm de verhuizing. Frits die bij oom Herman in Den Haag is en Hanneke die in Rotterdam is. Ze verblijven bij Oom Herman als Rotterdam wordt gebombardeerd. Vader en Jan gaan Hanneke ophalen en vinden haar, brengen haar naar Den Haag als de auto wordt gevorderd en Jan gewonden in Rotterdam gaat vervoeren. Daar ontmoet hij de verpleegster Trijntje die hij wel leuk vind.
Het tweede deel speelt zich af in Drenthe waar Jan en vader verzetswerk gaan doen. Eerst lichte acties maar steeds gevaarlijker met de bevrijding van Esther een joodsvriendinnetje van Trijntje uit kamp Westerbork en het vermoorden van een NSB-er. Het gezin valt uit elkaar als het huis in brand wordt gestoken bij een inval van de Duitsers.
In het tweede deel De storm steekt op verblijft Jan bij Oom Herman in Den Haag waar hij weer in het verzet rolt. Later gaat hij ook naar Amsterdam en komt bij een vergadering zijn vader tegen die ook weer in het verzet zit. Ze weten beiden te ontsnappen bij een inval.
Jan is wel geschrokken maar gaat door met zijn verzetswerk, hij raakt gewond en tijdens zijn herstel hoort hij dat de groep door een insider, Sylvia, is verraden. Samen met een andere verzetsstrijder vermoord hij Sylvia en wordt gearresteerd.
Hij zal worden gefusilleerd maar weet op het laatste moment te ontsnappen en krijgt een nieuwe identiteit. Vader is gearresteerd.
Het derde deel Ochtendgloren is Jan terug in Drenthe en gaat weer in het verzet bij de groep van oom Gerrit (de vroegere knecht). Samen met vader en Frits (zijn broer) is hij weer actief met droppings van wapens. D-day, hongerwinter spelen op de achtergrond mee.
Het laatste deel Een nieuwe morgen, gaat over de aanval op de gevangenis van de verzetsgroep Noord- Drenthe, de bevrijding, en het terugvinden van vader uit het concentratiekamp.
Een spannend boek om te lezen en herkenbaar omdat ik veel plaatsen ken die in het boek beschreven worden. Geschikt voor de goede lezers einde basisschool, maar meer voor de eerste jaren voortgezet onderwijs.
Ook omdat het boek wat gedateerd is in schrijfstijl en benamingen niet voor iedere lezer even geschikt. Ook de dikte van het boek speelt een rol.
Het tweede deel speelt zich af in Drenthe waar Jan en vader verzetswerk gaan doen. Eerst lichte acties maar steeds gevaarlijker met de bevrijding van Esther een joodsvriendinnetje van Trijntje uit kamp Westerbork en het vermoorden van een NSB-er. Het gezin valt uit elkaar als het huis in brand wordt gestoken bij een inval van de Duitsers.
In het tweede deel De storm steekt op verblijft Jan bij Oom Herman in Den Haag waar hij weer in het verzet rolt. Later gaat hij ook naar Amsterdam en komt bij een vergadering zijn vader tegen die ook weer in het verzet zit. Ze weten beiden te ontsnappen bij een inval.
Jan is wel geschrokken maar gaat door met zijn verzetswerk, hij raakt gewond en tijdens zijn herstel hoort hij dat de groep door een insider, Sylvia, is verraden. Samen met een andere verzetsstrijder vermoord hij Sylvia en wordt gearresteerd.
Hij zal worden gefusilleerd maar weet op het laatste moment te ontsnappen en krijgt een nieuwe identiteit. Vader is gearresteerd.
Het derde deel Ochtendgloren is Jan terug in Drenthe en gaat weer in het verzet bij de groep van oom Gerrit (de vroegere knecht). Samen met vader en Frits (zijn broer) is hij weer actief met droppings van wapens. D-day, hongerwinter spelen op de achtergrond mee.
Het laatste deel Een nieuwe morgen, gaat over de aanval op de gevangenis van de verzetsgroep Noord- Drenthe, de bevrijding, en het terugvinden van vader uit het concentratiekamp.
Een spannend boek om te lezen en herkenbaar omdat ik veel plaatsen ken die in het boek beschreven worden. Geschikt voor de goede lezers einde basisschool, maar meer voor de eerste jaren voortgezet onderwijs.
Ook omdat het boek wat gedateerd is in schrijfstijl en benamingen niet voor iedere lezer even geschikt. Ook de dikte van het boek speelt een rol.
November 28, 2015
When I started to read Journey Through the Night to my teen daughters, they expected to be bored. However, by the third paragraph one of them jumped up. “What! John does judo?” The other one was interested by the next page. As the story moved on, they begged for chapter after chapter. Once, when I could not read aloud any longer, I stayed behind in the lawn chair and, forgetting all my duties, finished the entire book even though I had read it many times before! When I talk to others who have read this book, they invariably tell me how wonderful it was.
So, what is this amazing book? Journey Through the Night follows John and his family through the five years of Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Written by one of the country’s most popular novelists, this commissioned book became one of the country’s favorite war stories.
John and his family, shocked by the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands, drive across the country to pick up his little sister. They encounter their first German soldier, have their first crisis of conscience, and inevitably become deeply involved in the resistance as the war drags on.
You can read my complete review here: http://www.thecurriculumchoice.com/20...
So, what is this amazing book? Journey Through the Night follows John and his family through the five years of Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Written by one of the country’s most popular novelists, this commissioned book became one of the country’s favorite war stories.
John and his family, shocked by the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands, drive across the country to pick up his little sister. They encounter their first German soldier, have their first crisis of conscience, and inevitably become deeply involved in the resistance as the war drags on.
You can read my complete review here: http://www.thecurriculumchoice.com/20...
July 17, 2019
Wow. I read these books because they were recommended to me by my grandmother, and there has always been something striking about WWII fiction.
The first book was rather slow, and some of the dialogue and character action didn't feel believable (and Fritz is one of the most annoying characters ever). But I got hooked on the second book and raced to finish the rest. An absolutely fascinating glimpse into WWII Netherlands--I just want to learn more. Most of the WWII fiction I've read has been about the Jews, so it was good to read about another part of the war. I was particularly interested to read so much about the Dutch resistance, which I had heard lots about but don't know much about.
Makes me want to visit the Netherlands to see all the places this story played out over. I love how much travelling all the characters did, and how much of the country we got to see.
Favourite characters: Everett De Boer, John De Boer, Uncle Gerritt, Josh Vander May, Tricia De Boer
The first book was rather slow, and some of the dialogue and character action didn't feel believable (and Fritz is one of the most annoying characters ever). But I got hooked on the second book and raced to finish the rest. An absolutely fascinating glimpse into WWII Netherlands--I just want to learn more. Most of the WWII fiction I've read has been about the Jews, so it was good to read about another part of the war. I was particularly interested to read so much about the Dutch resistance, which I had heard lots about but don't know much about.
Makes me want to visit the Netherlands to see all the places this story played out over. I love how much travelling all the characters did, and how much of the country we got to see.
Favourite characters: Everett De Boer, John De Boer, Uncle Gerritt, Josh Vander May, Tricia De Boer
June 15, 2012
I read this book when I was in junior high in the 1980's. Actually, it was four different books that have been compiled into one. I read it in English at the school with mostly Dutch immigrants where I attended from K-12. I loved it then for the insights it gave into the Dutch resistance during WWII and the Dutch experience of living through WWII. My father's family had lived through it and immigrated to the US shortly after the war ended. I also love the metaphor of life being a journey, and this book might have been my first exposure to this idea. I'd be curious to revisit it now that I'm in my 40's and see if it still resonates. I loaned my copy to my grandmother, and she's passed it around to other family members, and I no longer know where it is. Time to buy a new one?
June 30, 2013
This is THE most boring book I have read in 2013. I am surprised to see so many good ratings.
I like reading books that concern world war II and this is why I chose to read this one. Unfortunately, it was quite disappointing.
The characters were non-realistic and too good to be true. They almost annoyed me at some parts of the story. They also had too much luck. I understand that this is a young adult book but still I expected to read something close to reality. Moreover the writing style was too abrupt.
Anyone could have written this book. The only thing that he had to do was to read some historical facts.
The only thing that I liked about this book was the title. That's all.
I like reading books that concern world war II and this is why I chose to read this one. Unfortunately, it was quite disappointing.
The characters were non-realistic and too good to be true. They almost annoyed me at some parts of the story. They also had too much luck. I understand that this is a young adult book but still I expected to read something close to reality. Moreover the writing style was too abrupt.
Anyone could have written this book. The only thing that he had to do was to read some historical facts.
The only thing that I liked about this book was the title. That's all.
September 4, 2014
I am so glad I chose this book to read during my recent days of illness. It was amazing, and from the first few chapters I knew it would become one of my very favourite historical fiction books. It captures the danger, excitement and struggles of the Dutch people during World War 2. One of those books which the reader finds hard to put down. I do believe that if my family had chosen to watch a movie during the days that I was reading it, I would have been loathe to leave this exciting story. I definitely recommend!
November 11, 2013
When the World War II begins, Jan de Boer, his parents and sister tries to get the other children out of burning Rotterdam. With luck they succeed. In their new home in Drente most members of Jan's family, inclusive Jan himself, become members of the resistance against the Nazi's. The risks they take will put the whole family in danger but that's price they want to pay for a free Holland. A very good book. One of my favourites.
July 27, 2015
Bevat: De duisternis in - De storm steekt op - Ochtendgloren - De nieuwe dag
Vier boeken in een band die je gelezen moet hebben. Het is het verhaal van de familie De Boer die heel kort voor het uitbreken van de Tweede Wereldoorlog verhuist van de provincie Utrecht naar Drenthe. Dan breekt de oorlog uit en komen alle familieleden in mindere of meerdere mate in aanraking met het verzet. Overleven ze de oorlog?
Vier boeken in een band die je gelezen moet hebben. Het is het verhaal van de familie De Boer die heel kort voor het uitbreken van de Tweede Wereldoorlog verhuist van de provincie Utrecht naar Drenthe. Dan breekt de oorlog uit en komen alle familieleden in mindere of meerdere mate in aanraking met het verzet. Overleven ze de oorlog?
March 1, 2016
I read this book back in the early 80's when I was about 11 or 12. I am now 41 and reunited with some friends I knew back then. Separately we have both been looking for the series again remembering how much we loved it! Time for at LEAST a digital edition if not a reprint! It would be a great book for Beautiful Feet Books www.bfbbooks.com to pick up!
July 18, 2014
This is an amazing story about the Netherlands' fight for freedom during WWII. It makes you proud to be an American and casts the spotlight on the heroic Dutch resistance fighters. The description on Goodreads is in Dutch, but the book has been translated into English. You may have to buy it or get it through inter-library loan, but it's worth it. You will love it!
March 9, 2015
Journey Through the Night by Anne De Vries is a great book and taught me tons about a horrible time for all of the Netherlands and the world. The book follows the De Boers from just before the war to the end. With a daring father, the family is up to their necks with the Underground. They help the Jews and others persecuted by the Nazis, until they find themselves in the same situation.
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