Copenhagen, 1940
When the Germans march into Denmark, Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt exchanges his
nobility for anonymity, assuming a new identity so he can secretly row messages
for the Danish Resistance across the waters to Sweden. American physicist Dr.
Else Jensen refuses to leave Copenhagen and abandon her research--her life's
dream--and makes the dangerous decision to print resistance newspapers.
As Else hears rumors of the movement's legendary Havmand--the
merman--she also becomes intrigued by the mysterious and silent shipyard worker
living in the same boardinghouse. Henrik makes every effort to conceal his
noble upbringing, but he is torn between the façade he must maintain and the
woman he is beginning to fall in love with.
When the Occupation cracks down on the Danes, these two passionate people will
discover if there is more power in speech . . . or in silence.
My Thoughts:
In The Sound of Light, author Sundin takes us to Denmark during World War 2 and the invasion of Germany, even though Denmark said they were neutral. This is a story of secrets and danger, and most of all about the times when we should stay silent and when we should speak up.
Henrik is a Baron, but he has left that all behind as he poses as an illiterate shipyard worker to pass secret missives and information to the British. He also is doing it in a way for vengeance against his father who owns the shipyard. But as Henrik goes about his clandestine work and gets to know others, he finds himself at a crossroads about his father. Maybe some of the memories and things he has been told are not all cut and dry, but maybe there is something more.
Elise is a woman physicist and also an American who decides to ride out the war and continue her research in Denmark. She was quite a remarkable woman, I liked her a lot, and when she learned to stand up for herself, she did so with kindness. She is also faced with some difficult decisions on when to stay silent and when to speak out.
These two meet one another while they are living in the same boarding house. Both Henrik and Elise are also working for the resistance, yet it is so secretive no one knows anyone. Both have their secrets they must bear. I really like the title and all the implications it has with the theme of this story that even has a little fairy tale theme woven in it.
I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
About the Author:
Sarah Sundin is the bestselling author of When Twilight Breaks, Until Leaves Fall in Paris, and the popular WWII series Sunrise at Normandy, among others. She is a Christy Award finalist and a Carol Award winner, and her novels have received starred reviews from Booklist, Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly, and have appeared on Booklist's "101 Best Romance Novels of the Last 10 Years." Sarah lives in California. Visit www.sarahsundin.com for more information.
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