Wednesday 2 February 2022

New Book Publication Spotlight & Review: The Helsingør Sewing Club by Ella Gyland.


The Helsingør Sewing Club by Ella Gyland

Inspired by the incredible true story of how the people of Denmark saved their Jewish neighbours during WW2

Helsingør, Denmark, 1943

In the midst of the German occupation during World War Two, Inger Bredahl joins the underground resistance and risks her life to save members of Denmark’s Jewish community and help them escape to Sweden.

Copenhagen, 2018

Inger’s granddaughter, Cecilie Lund, is mourning her death when a mysterious discovery while cleaning out Inger’s flat leads past and present to intersect. As long-held secrets finally see the light of day, Cecilie learns the story of her grandmother’s courage and bravery, and of the power of friendship, love, and standing for what’s right…even when you have everything to lose.

An inspiring tale of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of community.

In 1943, Inger Brehdal leaves Copenhagen to live with her aunt and uncle near Helsingør and takes a job as an assistant to a bookbinder. With tensions rising in German-occupied Denmark, it isn't long before she realises the people she knows are involved in resistance work to protect and assist the Jewish people trying to flee to Sweden.

In 2018, after Inger's death, her granddaughter, Cecilie Lund goes through some of her belongings and finds jewellery in an old cigar box belonging to someone called Mrs. Nathan. In addition, letters from David Nathan in Tel Aviv prompt her to contact him so she can return his mother's belongings. When the two meet up, wheelchair-bound David is accompanied by his great-grandson, Rafi, who is also his carer. After exchanging the cigar box, a hidden diary is found inside, and as they read each entry, surprising answers and closure to events in the past are found as well as a path to the future.

Most of the time when I read a dual timeline novel, it's the modern story that grabs my attention the most, so it surprised me, that with this novel, it's the historical events that kept me turning the pages. I'd have preferred the whole narrative to focus solely on the events of 1943 and the heroic work of the Danish resistance and what they achieved. While the narrative focuses on the parallels between Inger and Cecilie's lives as well as Inger's role in helping David; It's the subplots about Gudrun, Inger's cousin, and her friend, Bodil which piqued my interest the most. Their plights highlight the realities of normal people trying to live during difficult times and the challenges they faced and endured. Therefore, because my focus lay with the drama in 1943, I don't feel it's spoilt my enjoyment in any way. For me, the implied romantic thoughts, both historical and contemporary were a bonus.

The written words shock, triggering an emotional response from the reader, but only from the events as they happen and not from the characters themselves. Yet the author still manages to surprise, when she not only tells of reactions from the Danish, we also get to see a scenario from a German's perspective too. It's a pause for thought as you learn that enemies are vulnerable too as intense feelings and actions temporarily blur the lines of what they should or shouldn't do… often with dire consequences.

Overall, The Helsingør Sewing Club is a fascinating insight into the essential role played by the Danish people and how they bravely helped their most vulnerable citizens during WWII. The romance was secondary to me, but it still provided a satisfying and thought-provoking ending.

***arc generously received courtesy of One More Chapter via NetGalley***



amzn.to/3nv7jR6

Originally from Denmark, I have lived in London for many years, surrounded by my family, cats, books and the Scandinavian hygge I try to create everywhere I go. As a linguist I love playing with words and language, and I am addicted to story-telling. I also believe strongly in social responsibility and sustainable living.

Twitter: Ella/Henriette Gyland, @henrigyland

Website: https://henriettegyland.wordpress.com/