Girl in the Blue Coat

Spoiler Alert: Love, in itself, is the bravest act of resistance.

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A stunning and historically accurate portrait of World War II-era Amsterdam, Girl in the Blue Coat features the young Hanneke and her search for a missing girl. With the help of friends and eventually the resistance, she must undertake a journey with incredible courage and determination. From the beautiful, easy to read prose, to the meaningful and lasting message, this book was in a word remarkable. As Hanneke narrates her mission, she also flashes between the present and the past -- offering us insight into her life before the war -- her life before she suffered an unthinkable loss. Not only did this non-linear storytelling make for more anticipation in the main plot, but also offered a heartbreaking look into Hanneke's loss of innocence. Before the war, she was happy and fulfilled, and in retrospect perhaps took that for granted. Blissfully unaware of what was to come, the scenes from her past are likely to wrench the hearts of readers. Although this is a book about war and death, the author also somehow manages to make it optimistic -- highlighting the fact that love conquers all, and despite everything, can always be found. Through the many different relationships in the story, love takes on many forms. As Hanneke searches for the young missing woman called Mirjam, and slowly begins unravel the mystery, they are bound by a certain invisible but powerful bond. This is not the only instance of strong sisterhood throughout the story. Additionally complex characters such as Ollie, a brave leader with a secret; Leo, a kind and faithful friend; Mina, an artist with a purpose; and even Amalia, a flawed friend who would rather remain hidden, make the story even more believable and multi-faceted. As allies become friends, and soon family, they are united in their mission to make a difference, no matter how small nor how dangerous it may be. As they each grow and grapple with what they are willing to risk, many of them soon learn to put the lives of others above their own. Hanneke and her friends, based on the real-life Amsterdam Student Group, demonstrate the meaning of true valiance -- and show that there are some things worth dying for. Almost impossible to put down, and likely to draw you into an unimaginable, but not too distant world, Girl in the Blue Coat is a beautiful testament to love, loss, and the fight for freedom.

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Favorite Quotes: “My heart will still ache sometimes. Maybe more often than not. I think it's possible to be healed without feeling whole.” ~~ “Girls in love will do desperate and creative things.” ~~ “I found a girl who wasn't the girl I was looking for. I let go of a friend I'll still miss every day. I'll go back to work. I'll get better. I'll get better slowly. I'll find all the secret, hidden things.” ~~ “We were wrapped up in things that were so much bigger than ourselves. We didn’t know. We didn’t mean it. It wasn’t our fault.” ~~ “But I suppose love doesn't stop, even in wars." ~~ “...and then we walked to get ice cream, in a relationship at its beautiful beginning, in a world that was closer to the end than we ever knew.”