How Huge the Night: A Novel - Inspirational WWII Historical Fiction Book for Teens & Adults | Perfect for Book Clubs, Classroom Reading & Historical Enthusiasts
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Product Description
Fifteen-year-old Julien Losier just wants to fit in. But after his family moves to a small village in central France in hopes of outrunning the Nazis, he is suddenly faced with bigger challenges than the taunting of local teens. Nina Krenkel left her country to obey her father’s dying command: Take your brother and leave Austria. Burn your papers. Tell no one you are Jews. Alone and on the run, she arrives in Tanieux, France, dangerously ill and in despair. Thrown together by the chaos of war, Julien begins to feel the terrible weight of the looming conflict and Nina fights to survive. As France falls to the Nazis, Julien struggles with doing what is right, even if it is not enough―and wonders whether or not he really can save Nina from almost certain death. Based on the true story of the town of Le Chambon―the only French town honored by Israel for rescuing Jews from the Holocaust―How Huge the Night is a compelling, coming-of-age drama that will keep teens turning the pages as it teaches them about a fascinating period of history and inspires them to think more deeply about their everyday choices. "The Munns have written an engrossing historical novel that is faithful to the actual events of World War II in western Europe during the tumultuous year 1940. But How Huge the Night is more than good history; it is particularly refreshing because the reader sees the conflict through the lives of teenagers who are forced to grapple with their honest questions about the existence and goodness of God in the midst of community, family, and ethnic tensions in war-ravaged France."--Lyle W. Dorsett, Billy Graham Professor of Evangelism, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University "Seldom have the horrors of war upon adolescents--or the heroism of which they are capable--been so clearly portrayed. I loved this coming-of-age story."--Patricia Sprinkle, author of Hold Up the Sky "The book expertly weaves together the lives of its characters at a frightening moment in conflicted times. As we read of their moral dilemmas and of their choices, we too wonder, Would I do as these in the story have done?"--Karen Mains, Director, Hungry Souls
Customer Reviews
Heather and Lydia Munn's How Huge the Night really is an enjoyable read. It is truly a book for all ages, as it tells a story that is grounded in history but traces the journey of two very different people. Personally, I was more interested in Julien's journey rather than Nina's, but that may simply be because I am a guy.It was fascinating to read about the French point of view of the second World War, which I'd never done before. The parallels drawn between the sufferings of the Hugenots in the late 1500s and the persecution of the Jews as told in this book were fascinating as well, especially as to how it affects the inhabitants of Tanieux, who are the descendants of the Hugenots.On a spiritual side, the discussion of the "weapons of the Spirit" and how they are used for defense, not offense, has caused me to think about my own use of these weapons. 15-year-old Julien's learning to take up and use them is a challenge to one twice his age to consider his supposedly more mature use and understanding of the Word of God and it's applications.The only issue I have with the book -- and this may be because of my limited French -- is my constant confusion of who many of the side characters in Tanieux are. There are a few that stood out as the book continued, but not at first. The names became a bit of a soup in my head and a few of them pop up once or twice in a discussion and then vanish and I'm left wondering who or what they are. Maybe a second read will clarify things.Over all, I highly recommend this book. It can definitely be read out loud and will make for good historical and spiritual discussions with youngsters and adults alike. I can't wait for the sequel!
