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River in the Sea
When a German soldier's dog bolts in front of Leen's truck, in a fraction of a second, she must make a brake hard, or hit the gas.
She floors it.
What happens next sets off a chain of events that pitches Leen, just 15, and her family against the German forces when they are most desperate - and fierce. Leen tries to hold her family together, but despite her efforts, bit by bit everything falls apart.
And just when Leen experiences a horrific loss, she must make a decision that could forever brand her a traitor, yet finally allow her to live as her heart desires.
A great choice for fans of S tones From the River, The Book Thief, Those Who Save Us , and Sarah's Key, River in the Sea is a tale of first love, tragedy, intrigue and betrayal.
Not just another war story, it is that rare book that makes your "emotions just pour from the pages as you read and continue to root for the characters" (Valerie Bowen, author of the For the Sake of Amelia series, 5/5 stars).
Inspired by the life of the author's mother, River in the Sea is a powerfully moving account of one girl reaching adulthood when everything she believes about family, friendship, and loyalty is questioned by war. Contains wartime violence, some swearing, and sexual situations. Appropriate for teen readers age 16 and up.
_________________________________________________________________________________
More praise for River in the Sea :
"I loved this book. The story is beautifully written and I didn't want it to end."
--S. Seifert, 5/5 stars
"This enovel is beautifully written, with descriptions and details that are exquisite and eloquent. Boscha is not only a competent writer, she excels at it." --eNovel Reviews
"Two words I could say to sum up this book are 'enchanting' and 'emotional' ... it blew me away." --RJ Moore
"Her book is engrossing and horrifying at the same time, a tale of what it's like to be hungry, sick and worried that life, family and freedom will never be the same again..." -- Register-Guard
"The story is bitter like cinnamon, and like that spice, has a scent which lures you back." --Cidney Swanson, author of the Rippler series
"Tina Boscha's prose is exemplary; her protagonist in River in the Sea is highly sympathetic; and her setting of Friesland, Netherlands, is alive with details. I fell in love with her tender gaze at the world she creates." --Samrat Upadhyay, author of The Guru of Love
She floors it.
What happens next sets off a chain of events that pitches Leen, just 15, and her family against the German forces when they are most desperate - and fierce. Leen tries to hold her family together, but despite her efforts, bit by bit everything falls apart.
And just when Leen experiences a horrific loss, she must make a decision that could forever brand her a traitor, yet finally allow her to live as her heart desires.
A great choice for fans of S tones From the River, The Book Thief, Those Who Save Us , and Sarah's Key, River in the Sea is a tale of first love, tragedy, intrigue and betrayal.
Not just another war story, it is that rare book that makes your "emotions just pour from the pages as you read and continue to root for the characters" (Valerie Bowen, author of the For the Sake of Amelia series, 5/5 stars).
Inspired by the life of the author's mother, River in the Sea is a powerfully moving account of one girl reaching adulthood when everything she believes about family, friendship, and loyalty is questioned by war. Contains wartime violence, some swearing, and sexual situations. Appropriate for teen readers age 16 and up.
_________________________________________________________________________________
More praise for River in the Sea :
"I loved this book. The story is beautifully written and I didn't want it to end."
--S. Seifert, 5/5 stars
"This enovel is beautifully written, with descriptions and details that are exquisite and eloquent. Boscha is not only a competent writer, she excels at it." --eNovel Reviews
"Two words I could say to sum up this book are 'enchanting' and 'emotional' ... it blew me away." --RJ Moore
"Her book is engrossing and horrifying at the same time, a tale of what it's like to be hungry, sick and worried that life, family and freedom will never be the same again..." -- Register-Guard
"The story is bitter like cinnamon, and like that spice, has a scent which lures you back." --Cidney Swanson, author of the Rippler series
"Tina Boscha's prose is exemplary; her protagonist in River in the Sea is highly sympathetic; and her setting of Friesland, Netherlands, is alive with details. I fell in love with her tender gaze at the world she creates." --Samrat Upadhyay, author of The Guru of Love
307 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
34 people are currently reading
779 people want to read
About the author
Tina Boscha
1 book37 followersTina Boscha lives in Oregon's Willamette Valley with her husband and stepdaughters along with two nutty boxers and one silly black cat. She has an MFA in fiction, is an Oregon Literary Arts Fellowship recipient, and her work has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. For her next novel, she is working on a good old-fashioned ghost story. She teaches writing and YA Literature and in her spare time (ha!) she knits and sews. To hear about new releases, please sign-up here: www.tinaboscha.com/signup
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
November 24, 2012
Just finished this really amazing book. I found myself getting caught up in the bleakness of not only the incredible sadness that this family had to endure, but also the hardship that everyone that was involved in the war was subjected to. What a gut wrenching story of family, loss and yet,strength that persisted throughout this time in northern Europe.
The occupation of a small Dutch village by the Germans has a pervasive effect on everyone. Even one small mistake can mean the difference between a grim life and a horrendous journey hiding one night here one night there, never knowing if you will survive the next 5 minutes, or if and when you will return to your family, or if any of them will be alive,
Should you miraculously survive that hell!
It is a tribute to the human spirit,and I just kept reading hoping that something would turn the tide for Leen and her fractured family. I had to gasp for breath as I read. I don't think I could have survived in these circumstances, even at the age I am now, certainly not at 11! She is my heroine!!!!
The occupation of a small Dutch village by the Germans has a pervasive effect on everyone. Even one small mistake can mean the difference between a grim life and a horrendous journey hiding one night here one night there, never knowing if you will survive the next 5 minutes, or if and when you will return to your family, or if any of them will be alive,
Should you miraculously survive that hell!
It is a tribute to the human spirit,and I just kept reading hoping that something would turn the tide for Leen and her fractured family. I had to gasp for breath as I read. I don't think I could have survived in these circumstances, even at the age I am now, certainly not at 11! She is my heroine!!!!
February 24, 2012
Although classified as historical fiction, this book is about the experiences of the author's mother. It is set during the last months of WW2 in Friesland, a northern province of Holland. The Germans were retreating. However the book is primarily a coming of age story. Don't be fooled by the beginning, which is action filled and dramatic. Rather than being a plot driven book, it is focused upon Leen, the central character's development into adulthood. It is about the war's impact on one family. It is about how each family member reacted differently. I will say this, some of the family members were irreparably destroyed. What philosophical/psychological beliefs save us and enable us to surmount past horrors? So the book tries to guide a young reader into making appropriate choices.
I like books that focus upon characterization rather than those that are plot oriented. I did learn about how the war played out in Friesland. This book is not in any way similar to The Diary of a Young Girl. Although Jewish persecution is an element in this story, it is not primary. In my view this is primarily a Bildungsroman. It is a coming of age story. It is a story about becoming independent and making your own choices. It is very much about guilt. Every member of this family feels guilty in one way or another. For me this was just too much. I felt like shaking them and saying - heavens, there is a war going on! Stop blaming yourself for for that which happens. This bothered me to no end! At the same time I know that others may say I am too "logical". People DO feel guilty even when they shouldn't.
I also felt that the presence of untranslated Dutch made portions unclear.
And this book almost reads like an ad promoting cigarettes. Everybody smokes. Boy does smoking wondrously calm you.... That is the message given. I found this just ridiculous. Again, am I too logical and hard-nosed?!
The latter third of the book is gripping, but the finale was such a finger pointer. The lesson given on how to become an adult lacked subtlety. I am going to give it only two stars. If you are looking for a Bildungsroman, you might enjoy it more than I did. Remember I choose to be very restrictive with my stars and only judge a book from my own personal likes and dislikes.
I like books that focus upon characterization rather than those that are plot oriented. I did learn about how the war played out in Friesland. This book is not in any way similar to The Diary of a Young Girl. Although Jewish persecution is an element in this story, it is not primary. In my view this is primarily a Bildungsroman. It is a coming of age story. It is a story about becoming independent and making your own choices. It is very much about guilt. Every member of this family feels guilty in one way or another. For me this was just too much. I felt like shaking them and saying - heavens, there is a war going on! Stop blaming yourself for for that which happens. This bothered me to no end! At the same time I know that others may say I am too "logical". People DO feel guilty even when they shouldn't.
I also felt that the presence of untranslated Dutch made portions unclear.
And this book almost reads like an ad promoting cigarettes. Everybody smokes. Boy does smoking wondrously calm you.... That is the message given. I found this just ridiculous. Again, am I too logical and hard-nosed?!
The latter third of the book is gripping, but the finale was such a finger pointer. The lesson given on how to become an adult lacked subtlety. I am going to give it only two stars. If you are looking for a Bildungsroman, you might enjoy it more than I did. Remember I choose to be very restrictive with my stars and only judge a book from my own personal likes and dislikes.
December 13, 2011
You would think that the simple act of hitting a dog and killing it would be nothing more than a sad story, a tragedy. You wouldn't think that this simple act would lead to a whole chain of events that would shatter one family, threaten their lives and well-being, and almost break them up for good. But this was World War II. This was the Netherlands. The dog was a German Shepherd, one that belonged to a German soldier. And Leendje was just a young girl driving the family truck, a truck that the Germans wanted.
Tina Boscha has written a riveting story about life in the Netherlands during World War II. Her prose is outstanding, her description drags the reader right into the story. This is a real page-turner as well as a good lesson in history. Since "The Diary of Anne Frank" and Anita Shreve's "Resistance", there really hasn't been much written about life in the Netherlands during this difficult period in twentieth-century history, certainly not about the more isolated communities in the north and certainly not with the depth of compassion and detail that these authors demonstrate. Well done!
I was particularly drawn to the parts where the community anxiously awaited the coming of the Canadians, which would signify the end of the war. I felt a connection here, as my father was one of the liberating Canadians.
"River in the Sea" is highly recommended by Emily-Jane Hills Orford, award-winning author of "The Whistling Bishop".
Tina Boscha has written a riveting story about life in the Netherlands during World War II. Her prose is outstanding, her description drags the reader right into the story. This is a real page-turner as well as a good lesson in history. Since "The Diary of Anne Frank" and Anita Shreve's "Resistance", there really hasn't been much written about life in the Netherlands during this difficult period in twentieth-century history, certainly not about the more isolated communities in the north and certainly not with the depth of compassion and detail that these authors demonstrate. Well done!
I was particularly drawn to the parts where the community anxiously awaited the coming of the Canadians, which would signify the end of the war. I felt a connection here, as my father was one of the liberating Canadians.
"River in the Sea" is highly recommended by Emily-Jane Hills Orford, award-winning author of "The Whistling Bishop".
January 9, 2012
Well written historical novel about life during the German occupation of the Netherlands during WWII. This is a self-published novel and is based on the life of Boscha's mother. Boscha brings the reader through a range of emotions by all the characters, but especially Leen, a young girl trying to grow up during this turbulent period in history. Her emotions are felt by the reader. The middle of the book drags a bit and I wonder if Boscha did this deliberately. Every day, the residents of Friesland, a northern province of the Netherlands, think the war is ending. Yet, it took 2 years for it to end. The slowness of this part may have been to give the reader a sense of "it's coming, yet it doesn't". That's just conjecture on my part, though. The ending of the novel, The one thing I would have liked to have seen was a glossary. There were many Dutch terms thrown in throughout & while some were easy to figure out, others were not.
April 4, 2012
The Help, Peter Pan, The Handmaid's Tale, Gone with the Wind, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, and the Harry Potter series. What do they all have in common? They have all been awarded my coveted 5 star rating. I'm very excited to announce that Tina Boscha's River in the Sea joins that list today! This is a Call Me Bookish first - never before have I given an indie book 5 stars.
Unlike a lot of reviewers, I use the same standards to rate indie books as I do New York Times best sellers. Don't get me wrong, I get why people give indie books some slack; I mean, it's true that they're self-edited, not allotted the same kinds of resources, etc. However, I personally feel that it would be wrong for me to rate them differently. I confess that while I have never tried to self-publish, I still feel that I wouldn't put anything out there unless I felt like it was the best it could be.
River in the Sea is that kind of finished product. I walked away from it feeling satisfied, feeling like I would never change a thing about it. (As a very opinionated reader, that barely ever happens!) While I commend and am deeply appreciative of River in the Sea's superb editing, I want to set the record straight. River in the Sea has earned each and every star I gave it simply because Tina Boscha writes beautifully - the plot is riveting and her characters are fully-imagined.
Speaking of characters, while Boscha cautions readers that this book is a work of fiction, she confirms that it is indeed based on her mother's real-life experiences in German occupied Friesland. The protagonist, Leen, is a typical teenager who is just trying to figure it all out. Her favorite pastimes include driving fast, finding ways to con her eldest sister into doing her chores, and smoking in public even though it's frowned upon because she's a woman. That's what broke my heart. Her coming of age took place about 60 years before my own, but we still had so much in common. The difference is that Leen's occurred during times of slaughter, hiding, starvation, and fear of the unknown. Everything that she goes through feels so unreal, but they did, these things happened!
The only other time I felt this connected to a place I've never been, to a woman I've never met, and to a time I've never lived in was when I finished Gone with the Wind for the first time.
River in the Sea deserves all of these shining stars and more.
*#WLC Review*
Unlike a lot of reviewers, I use the same standards to rate indie books as I do New York Times best sellers. Don't get me wrong, I get why people give indie books some slack; I mean, it's true that they're self-edited, not allotted the same kinds of resources, etc. However, I personally feel that it would be wrong for me to rate them differently. I confess that while I have never tried to self-publish, I still feel that I wouldn't put anything out there unless I felt like it was the best it could be.
River in the Sea is that kind of finished product. I walked away from it feeling satisfied, feeling like I would never change a thing about it. (As a very opinionated reader, that barely ever happens!) While I commend and am deeply appreciative of River in the Sea's superb editing, I want to set the record straight. River in the Sea has earned each and every star I gave it simply because Tina Boscha writes beautifully - the plot is riveting and her characters are fully-imagined.
Speaking of characters, while Boscha cautions readers that this book is a work of fiction, she confirms that it is indeed based on her mother's real-life experiences in German occupied Friesland. The protagonist, Leen, is a typical teenager who is just trying to figure it all out. Her favorite pastimes include driving fast, finding ways to con her eldest sister into doing her chores, and smoking in public even though it's frowned upon because she's a woman. That's what broke my heart. Her coming of age took place about 60 years before my own, but we still had so much in common. The difference is that Leen's occurred during times of slaughter, hiding, starvation, and fear of the unknown. Everything that she goes through feels so unreal, but they did, these things happened!
The only other time I felt this connected to a place I've never been, to a woman I've never met, and to a time I've never lived in was when I finished Gone with the Wind for the first time.
River in the Sea deserves all of these shining stars and more.
*#WLC Review*
October 17, 2011
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my review. Great historical fiction based on the author's family history! The story is about a young Friesian (northern Netherlands) girl and her family, during the end of WW2. The girl, Leen, accidentally runs over a German soldier's guard dog on her way home and everything bad that happens after that is somehow the result of that one incident (at least in her mind). The depiction of life during occupied Nazi rein is amazing. I agree with what another reviewer wrote about it, "War shows us what people are capable of when they are no longer governed by reason or rules." The only problem I had with this book was with the Frisian language that was in quite a bit of the dialog without translation. Even in context, some of it was not able to be understood. Other than that, I found it an engaging read!
December 4, 2017
I thought this was a fantastic book. It feels like such a fresh approach to a period in history that has been well documented. The ability for the author to access the memory and accounts of family members make this possible with much warmth, wit and a great sense of life. Ultimately its a coming of age novel for the angst-ridden (as any teenager might be) Leen, faced with a multitude of emotions due to the pressures of family life, burgeoning friendships and loves whilst living under harsh wartime conditions. I really loved this book and hope there are more novels to come.
November 16, 2011
An amazing story of a young girl from the Netherlands during WWII. It was powerfully emotional and had me going through all of the feelings with the character throughout the book. I held my breath on a few occasions and rejoiced in others. Exceptional writing!
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February 15, 2012Free on Kindle today 2/15/12
December 9, 2011
First let me start off by saying that while I do like historical fiction, I usually prefer my time setting to be a bit further back. However with Boscha's story I was drawn in from the first. I really loved this book. Boscha told a beautifully moving story of a time that was horrible and cruel. Especially to it's youth, a large portion of which was forced to grow up way sooner than it should have. There is an especially moving part where Leen and her sisters are hiding upstairs while her father is speaking with German soldiers. Her sister immediately quiets when her mother places her hand over her mouth. Her sister is only a child, but her first Razzia, when soldiers would come to round up people, was when she was a baby and she was, as Leen says, "born into war". So she knows to stay quiet and wait just like the adults.
The story is told through the eyes of Leen De Graaf. It is set in the Netherlands near the end of World War II. Of course for Leen and the rest of the people in her life, they hear constantly about the "end of the war" and have begun to lose hope that the end will ever come. The males in her life live in constant fear that they will be rounded up and carted off in one of the numerous Razzia. This leads Leen to take work for a family in a nearby town to help make ends meet. Poor Leen, because of the war circumstances and events completely beyond her control, she ends up being in the wrong place at the wrong time. However it WAS her decision to slam on the gas instead of the brakes, which leads to her killing the German soldier's dog. Up until that point her family seemed to at least be relatively safe from the atrocities that had surrounded them. Which leads Leen to believe that she is the main cause of the events that happen after her 'accident'. Hindsight is always 20/20, and knowing from history the horrors that occurred during the war, I read the book with the knowledge that whether Leen had hit the dog or not, the things that happened afterward would still probably have happened. But Leen doesn't know this, and she blames herself for her father going into hiding for pretty much every other bad thing that happens after that. There were times in the story I wanted to cry for her for that reason alone. It doesn't help that her one and only friend is possibly working with the Germans which causes Leen to blame herself even more.
The authors descriptions of the times and the places in her story really bring the work to life as well. I could see the cold grey camp where the soldiers where stationed. I could feel Leen's terror as she went by it, and her frustration and heartache as she is forced to watch her world disintegrate around her. The war, while being an obviously important part to the novel is not the novel itself. Which is one of the reasons I think I enjoyed it so much.
The only real complaint I have is that the end just seemed to come too quickly. I would have loved to find out more of Leen's life between the end of the war and when she decides to go to America. I also would liked to have found out more of what happens to her friends Minne and Jakob. Don't take that to mean the end of the story was bad. It was a good end to a great story, I would just like read more.
I would definitely read more of the authors work if given the chance.
*****In compliance with FTC guidelines, I'm disclosing that I received this book for free through GoodReads First Reads. ****
(I recommend everybody should go check out all the awesome first read giveaways they have!)
The story is told through the eyes of Leen De Graaf. It is set in the Netherlands near the end of World War II. Of course for Leen and the rest of the people in her life, they hear constantly about the "end of the war" and have begun to lose hope that the end will ever come. The males in her life live in constant fear that they will be rounded up and carted off in one of the numerous Razzia. This leads Leen to take work for a family in a nearby town to help make ends meet. Poor Leen, because of the war circumstances and events completely beyond her control, she ends up being in the wrong place at the wrong time. However it WAS her decision to slam on the gas instead of the brakes, which leads to her killing the German soldier's dog. Up until that point her family seemed to at least be relatively safe from the atrocities that had surrounded them. Which leads Leen to believe that she is the main cause of the events that happen after her 'accident'. Hindsight is always 20/20, and knowing from history the horrors that occurred during the war, I read the book with the knowledge that whether Leen had hit the dog or not, the things that happened afterward would still probably have happened. But Leen doesn't know this, and she blames herself for her father going into hiding for pretty much every other bad thing that happens after that. There were times in the story I wanted to cry for her for that reason alone. It doesn't help that her one and only friend is possibly working with the Germans which causes Leen to blame herself even more.
The authors descriptions of the times and the places in her story really bring the work to life as well. I could see the cold grey camp where the soldiers where stationed. I could feel Leen's terror as she went by it, and her frustration and heartache as she is forced to watch her world disintegrate around her. The war, while being an obviously important part to the novel is not the novel itself. Which is one of the reasons I think I enjoyed it so much.
The only real complaint I have is that the end just seemed to come too quickly. I would have loved to find out more of Leen's life between the end of the war and when she decides to go to America. I also would liked to have found out more of what happens to her friends Minne and Jakob. Don't take that to mean the end of the story was bad. It was a good end to a great story, I would just like read more.
I would definitely read more of the authors work if given the chance.
*****In compliance with FTC guidelines, I'm disclosing that I received this book for free through GoodReads First Reads. ****
(I recommend everybody should go check out all the awesome first read giveaways they have!)
June 7, 2012
Leen is a typical 15 year-old. She is at times stubborn, sneaks cigarettes, drives her father's truck too fast and likes to get her hands dirty while wearing lipstick. Teenage mistakes are part of growing up, but during WWII, under Nazi Occupation, mistakes can be dangerous and deadly. (Some spoilers if you read further)
In October of 1944 Leen and her family have remained intact in the village of Wierum, located in the Friesland province of the Netherlands. The cold Wadden Sea held back by the dikes and the colder North Sea churning beyond the islands offshore. They have survived the food shortages, the lack of electricity and the fear of a rapid and authoritative knock on the door by Occupation soldiers...until now.
While speeding home in her father's truck, with pilfered salt shoved into her undergarments, she runs over and kills a German dog who strays into the road. She is forced to dig a grave by a sadistic German soldier, then is nearly raped. She is saved at the last moment by young German soldier, one who will play a pivotal role in the story as it progresses.
She befriends Minne, a girl slightly older but far more confident than Leen. Her hair is always curled; her mouth constantly adorned in red lipstick and she possesses an endless supply of German-manufactured tobacco. The impressionable Leen, is initially suspicious, but for any teenage girl who aspires to be more desirable and a little rebellious, she overlooks the red flags and bonds with Minne.
As the war rages closer, Leen's father is ordered by the Germans to assist in the cleanup of a Dutch city after a punishing aerial bombing. The Germans are short on labor and recruit, forcefully, the local men to step up to the job. As part of the strategy of the Dutch resistance, the men disappear and go into hiding. Leen assumes the Germans came for her father because of the dog she killed.
When Canadian forces finally liberate the northern portion of the Netherlands, and take the emaciated, starving and exhausted German soldiers into custody, the community launch reprisals against those who aided and fraternized with the enemy. Now Leen is in trouble. Her friend Minne is accused of being a traitor and possibly Leen by association. The lynch-mob mentality that swept across post-WWII Europe, touches this quaint seaside Dutch enclave. To top everything off, her father is still missing.
The author Tina Boscha has an MFA in Fiction and this, her debut novel, is a story about her now 80 year-old mother as a teenager during WWII. The dialogues and some of the storyline are fictional, but the struggle to find food, living by oil lanterns or candle light, the constant fear and wretched life under Occupation, is probably close to the truth.
River in the Sea reminds those of us who have survived the "Great Recession" and those in Europe who are presently grappling with their economic crisis, that things were a lot worse not so long ago. There is a couple of underlying themes that the reader can extract from this enovel. No matter what dire situation you face, you can overcome it, and we can either learn from the past, or repeat it and suffer the consequences.
This enovel is beautifully written, with descriptions and details that are exquisite and eloquent. Boscha is not only a competent writer, she excels at it. Why the publishing companies rejected this gem defies logic and comprehension. Fortunately she opted to self-publish and, to paraphrase a cliché, the rest will be history. -- eNovel Reviews
March 27, 2014
I received this book for free from the publisher. All content and opinions are my own.
Tina Boscha contacted me a few weeks ago, asking me to read her self-published historical fiction novel. I was captivated by her email and her description of the book - which is based on her mother's experiences during the German occupation of the Netherlands. So, I agreed to read River in the Sea. And I'm so glad I did.
I tend to particularly enjoy historical fiction set during World War II, especially books set in Nazi Germany. That sounds a little perverse now that I set it out like that. Think The Book Thief, The Devil's Arithmetic, and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Anyway, this book, River in the Sea, is a nice addition to the genre.
Leen De Graaf, our heroine, is a typical fifteen-year-old. Meaning, she wants to do everything she shouldn't. But, in the context of the German occupation and a war, her attempts at teenage rebellion have dramatic consequences for her and her family.
I was riveted within a few dozen pages as one of the pivotal events of the book unfolded. Right riveted. The writing, while a little slow to start, ended up being expressive yet understated. And the pacing was so well done - I could not put it down. But my favorite thing about River in the Sea turned out to be the finely wrought characters. Leen is a lovely narrator, full of teenage insecurities, guilt, curiosity, recklessness, and dreams. She, at all times, felt authentic. And her family and friends and neighbors are drawn so well that they add a rich texture to the book. I love character-driven books, and this is one of them.
The only weakness I felt in the whole book was a slight lack of background information. It is set in Friesland, Netherlands, which is apparently the name of the place and a specific ethnic group. I craved more information about the ethnic group, the implications of the occupation, like the oft referenced raids for men and boys, and the general layout of the town and the family home. Still, I was able to piece all of the necessary information together.
River in the Sea is well-written, well-paced, and contains lovable and authentic characters. I'm rather shocked that this book has not found a publisher.
Tina Boscha contacted me a few weeks ago, asking me to read her self-published historical fiction novel. I was captivated by her email and her description of the book - which is based on her mother's experiences during the German occupation of the Netherlands. So, I agreed to read River in the Sea. And I'm so glad I did.
I tend to particularly enjoy historical fiction set during World War II, especially books set in Nazi Germany. That sounds a little perverse now that I set it out like that. Think The Book Thief, The Devil's Arithmetic, and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Anyway, this book, River in the Sea, is a nice addition to the genre.
Leen De Graaf, our heroine, is a typical fifteen-year-old. Meaning, she wants to do everything she shouldn't. But, in the context of the German occupation and a war, her attempts at teenage rebellion have dramatic consequences for her and her family.
She never should have come. She'd been taught this lesson from her earliest days: one sin begat another. A tiny snowball could grow so powerful you could not stop it.
I was riveted within a few dozen pages as one of the pivotal events of the book unfolded. Right riveted. The writing, while a little slow to start, ended up being expressive yet understated. And the pacing was so well done - I could not put it down. But my favorite thing about River in the Sea turned out to be the finely wrought characters. Leen is a lovely narrator, full of teenage insecurities, guilt, curiosity, recklessness, and dreams. She, at all times, felt authentic. And her family and friends and neighbors are drawn so well that they add a rich texture to the book. I love character-driven books, and this is one of them.
The only weakness I felt in the whole book was a slight lack of background information. It is set in Friesland, Netherlands, which is apparently the name of the place and a specific ethnic group. I craved more information about the ethnic group, the implications of the occupation, like the oft referenced raids for men and boys, and the general layout of the town and the family home. Still, I was able to piece all of the necessary information together.
River in the Sea is well-written, well-paced, and contains lovable and authentic characters. I'm rather shocked that this book has not found a publisher.
February 12, 2012
It took me some time to get into "River in the Sea", probably close to 100 pages. I really wanted to finish it, though, so I slogged through, and once I got into it, I really did like it. The book takes place in Friesland, a northern province in the Netherlands, during WWII. The main character, a teenager named Leentje (or "Leen" as she is called through most of the book) is relatable and engaging. The book begins with a simple accident that changes the course of her family life forever. As you watch everything unravel around her, you feel for her, and want to reach through the page to be able to hug her and tell her it will be okay. Sometimes you want to shake her, and tell her that what she's doing or thinking is just plain stupid. But that's what makes her real. She is - despite the maturity that is forced upon her - still, at heart, just a teenager.
I will say that the use of the Friesian language was sometimes a bit too much. I have a background in German, so I could figure out what they were saying about 75% of the time, but when the reader doesn't understand what the characters are saying in a foreign language, it can be somewhat off-putting. Other than that, I can definitely recommend this book.
I will say that the use of the Friesian language was sometimes a bit too much. I have a background in German, so I could figure out what they were saying about 75% of the time, but when the reader doesn't understand what the characters are saying in a foreign language, it can be somewhat off-putting. Other than that, I can definitely recommend this book.
March 27, 2012
Wow. I am so happy I bought 'River in the Sea' by author Tina Boscha. Within moments, I was pulled into this touching story of the young Leen and viewing World War II through her eyes. I connected with Leen for so many reasons and couldn't wait to see how her story evolved. I loved her bravery, her determination, and her willingness to rebel under the watchful eye of the German soldiers occupying her town and also those of her community. I really know I have fallen for a story when I can finish reading and say, "I would just love to sit down with the main character and ask her some questions." That is how I felt after finishing 'River in the Sea.' I would love to meet Leen, (and the author too!) Highly recommend this novel!
Want to read
November 16, 2011The author is doing a BOOK GIVEAWAY at my place.
http://www.girlwithanewlife.com/2011/...
http://www.girlwithanewlife.com/2011/...
February 20, 2012
EXCELLENT ---- (and sad)! A page turning novel!
Want to read
December 29, 2011I'm hosting a paperback giveaway and an ebook giveaway on my blog:
http://bit.ly/sYb7VU
http://bit.ly/sYb7VU
July 24, 2023
Leen is a young teenager as World War II finds its way into the Netherlands as the Nazis take over the country. She soon finds herself making choices that alienates her brother, sends her father into hiding, and leads to her mother having a mental breakdown. Will Leen be able to help her family or only cause more problems?
I marked this book down due to some profanities and one sexual scene. I felt like this book could have been more interesting if it had been shortened.
I marked this book down due to some profanities and one sexual scene. I felt like this book could have been more interesting if it had been shortened.
July 17, 2018
This is an absolutely amazing story ;-) River In The Sea is a wonderful historical fiction tale , a coming of age story that takes your breath and a look at how a split second can change so many lives . This is THAT BOOK ....the one you can't put down , that page turner , that hate to see it end , but will never forget ....Yup , THAT BOOK .
June 1, 2025
Follows a teen and her family through German occupation and the end of World War II in the Netherlands.
Closer to 3.5 stars but I rounded up for the glimpses into the everyday life and challenges faced by the characters.
Closer to 3.5 stars but I rounded up for the glimpses into the everyday life and challenges faced by the characters.
May 15, 2018
It was an ok book. The story started out slow and stayed that way for a while. It wasnt a captivating book and I had a hard time reading it out of disinterest.
February 2, 2013
//River in the Sea//is a WWII coming of age story that takes place in Friesland, Nethlands. Based on her parents’ accounts, author, Tina Boscha, writes tragically, sensitively and honestly about life on the harsh North Sea coast during the German occupation.
Boscha’s 14-year-old protagonist, Leen De Graaf, is drawn to the universal teenage peccadilloes of smoking, makeup, and driving. She also works as a household servant and a field hand, and spends nights “underground,” sleeping in neighbor’s barns to avoid German raids. A series of tragedies causes German soldiers to suspect her family of anti-German sentiment which leads to her father going into hiding and losing all contact with his family. Leen’s mother suffers from depression—spending days on end in bed—leaving her children to care for themselves.
The author chronicles ordinary life in the 1940s—like food preparation and church services as well as the extraordinary like dissembling a vehicle to keep it from German seizure. She explores the need for teenagers to be a part of the adult world at the same time needing to be assured of familial safety and love.
The book is well written and historically significant. The readers will find themselves drawn into the period and the problems the family has to transverse on a daily basis.
A thorough rendering of details causes the book’s pace to be cumbersome in places. An inordinate number of passages are attributed to the main character’s visceral reactions—enough to be distracting. But the story is significant and praise worthy enough to be included in school and university
Boscha’s 14-year-old protagonist, Leen De Graaf, is drawn to the universal teenage peccadilloes of smoking, makeup, and driving. She also works as a household servant and a field hand, and spends nights “underground,” sleeping in neighbor’s barns to avoid German raids. A series of tragedies causes German soldiers to suspect her family of anti-German sentiment which leads to her father going into hiding and losing all contact with his family. Leen’s mother suffers from depression—spending days on end in bed—leaving her children to care for themselves.
The author chronicles ordinary life in the 1940s—like food preparation and church services as well as the extraordinary like dissembling a vehicle to keep it from German seizure. She explores the need for teenagers to be a part of the adult world at the same time needing to be assured of familial safety and love.
The book is well written and historically significant. The readers will find themselves drawn into the period and the problems the family has to transverse on a daily basis.
A thorough rendering of details causes the book’s pace to be cumbersome in places. An inordinate number of passages are attributed to the main character’s visceral reactions—enough to be distracting. But the story is significant and praise worthy enough to be included in school and university
March 23, 2014
To see my full review:
http://abookvacation.com/2014/03/27/r...
This is an absolutely stunning, captivating read that held me in its grip from the very beginning. I started it late at night, yet stayed up well into the wee hours of the morning to finish this gem–and it absolutely blew me away.
We hear much about the Holocaust and WWII, but I feel that we don’t hear as much about the other countries and people groups who were affected by Hitler’s regime outside of Germany and Poland, and this novel, River in the Sea, focuses on the German occupation of one small town and its people in the Netherlands in late 1944.
Leen De Graaf is just a young teen, but she knows the taste of fear and death; she knows to keep her head down and not draw attention to herself, but in one sweep of panic, upsets all the rules and barely escapes with her innocence intact. And with this simple misstep comes a series of events that create a domino effect, leaving none untouched.
As the underground resistance works to thwart the German army and save the innocent, intense fear, a lack of food, disunity among families, and immense feelings of sorrow and guilt splash across the pages and evolve in such a way that it makes for a truly superb, poignant, and beautiful read. Make sure you have a box of tissues nearby as the novel definitely tugs at the heartstrings.
http://abookvacation.com/2014/03/27/r...
This is an absolutely stunning, captivating read that held me in its grip from the very beginning. I started it late at night, yet stayed up well into the wee hours of the morning to finish this gem–and it absolutely blew me away.
We hear much about the Holocaust and WWII, but I feel that we don’t hear as much about the other countries and people groups who were affected by Hitler’s regime outside of Germany and Poland, and this novel, River in the Sea, focuses on the German occupation of one small town and its people in the Netherlands in late 1944.
Leen De Graaf is just a young teen, but she knows the taste of fear and death; she knows to keep her head down and not draw attention to herself, but in one sweep of panic, upsets all the rules and barely escapes with her innocence intact. And with this simple misstep comes a series of events that create a domino effect, leaving none untouched.
As the underground resistance works to thwart the German army and save the innocent, intense fear, a lack of food, disunity among families, and immense feelings of sorrow and guilt splash across the pages and evolve in such a way that it makes for a truly superb, poignant, and beautiful read. Make sure you have a box of tissues nearby as the novel definitely tugs at the heartstrings.
May 16, 2012
This tale of a struggling Netherlands family during WWII enchanted me from the first page. I easily empathized with Leentje, the narrator and protagonist, a strong-minded girl who grows into a woman in a town and a time in which she is not a perfect fit.
The author evokes the gray dread of the occupation and its insanity and brutality without overstatement. Boscha's descriptions of the setting, the small village of Wierum and surrounding areas, evoke the chill winds, sunny days, blooming daffodils, and the kindness and cruelty of people, all in succession, beautifully complex.
Of particular note is Boscha's command of the Frisian language and its skillfully rendered interpretations. As we read, we feel that we're learning the language and culture in a breathtakingly elegant way. I've spent many summers in Germany and very much enjoyed the language component of this book.
For added fun, open up Google Earth and have a look at Wiemar, the dike, the sea, the church, and the surrounding villages. It will bring a sense of urgency and reality to your reading.
I would recommend this book without reserve to anyone who enjoys historical or literary fiction.
The author evokes the gray dread of the occupation and its insanity and brutality without overstatement. Boscha's descriptions of the setting, the small village of Wierum and surrounding areas, evoke the chill winds, sunny days, blooming daffodils, and the kindness and cruelty of people, all in succession, beautifully complex.
Of particular note is Boscha's command of the Frisian language and its skillfully rendered interpretations. As we read, we feel that we're learning the language and culture in a breathtakingly elegant way. I've spent many summers in Germany and very much enjoyed the language component of this book.
For added fun, open up Google Earth and have a look at Wiemar, the dike, the sea, the church, and the surrounding villages. It will bring a sense of urgency and reality to your reading.
I would recommend this book without reserve to anyone who enjoys historical or literary fiction.
June 1, 2012
Tina Boscha's "River in the Sea" is a compelling story of the final months of the German occupation of the Netherlands during World War II. The story focuses on Leen, a 15 year old girl, and her family's struggles during a time when the men and boys are forced to hide in the fields and barns to avoid being captured by the Germans.
Leen must pass by the German camp on the outskirts of town each day as she travels between home and work and back again. One fateful day a guard dog runs in front of her truck and she kills it. After they force her to bury the dog she is allowed to go home. Her family fears repercussions and her father and brother, Isaac, go into hiding. Eventually the rather is rounded up and the women are left to fend for themselves.
As the months go by and the food supplies dwindle the mother loses hope and becomes despondent. It is up to Leen to see that the family survives until the Allied forces can reach their town.
This was a fascinating read about an aspect of the war (the occupation of the Netherlands) that I haven't read about in other books. It's definitely worth a read!
Leen must pass by the German camp on the outskirts of town each day as she travels between home and work and back again. One fateful day a guard dog runs in front of her truck and she kills it. After they force her to bury the dog she is allowed to go home. Her family fears repercussions and her father and brother, Isaac, go into hiding. Eventually the rather is rounded up and the women are left to fend for themselves.
As the months go by and the food supplies dwindle the mother loses hope and becomes despondent. It is up to Leen to see that the family survives until the Allied forces can reach their town.
This was a fascinating read about an aspect of the war (the occupation of the Netherlands) that I haven't read about in other books. It's definitely worth a read!
September 13, 2012
In the Netherlands, during World War II, a family is dealing with the changes to their German occupied town. The main character, Leen, has to deal with so many situations that a typical girl her age would never dream of. Not only is she growing up, becoming a woman, and finding her own way in the world, but she, and everyone around her, are facing the doubts of lack of food and rationing while the questions of what is right or wrong are thrown out the window. What do the young Germans expect of them? Will they track down the family and punish them, or are they only human after all?
This was a touching story that I simply couldn't put down. I found myself so caught up in the emotions and experiences of the characters that I simply had to see how everything would end. I also found it easier to understand what it was like to live in an occupied city of that era. You won't necessarily have to be a fan of historical fiction in order to enjoy this one.
This was a touching story that I simply couldn't put down. I found myself so caught up in the emotions and experiences of the characters that I simply had to see how everything would end. I also found it easier to understand what it was like to live in an occupied city of that era. You won't necessarily have to be a fan of historical fiction in order to enjoy this one.
June 15, 2012
River in the Sea is about the hardships and dangers faced by the inhabitants of Friesland in the north of the Netherlands under German occupation during the last year of World War II. As with any work of literary fiction, it is really about the human condition and the human spirit. What set this book apart for me was the remarkable portrayal of the protagonist, a thirteen-year-old girl. Her impulsiveness leads her to do things she knows she shouldn’t. Her fear and guilt freeze her so that she doesn’t do things she knows she should. Nevertheless, her courage, basic integrity and grit carry her through. This is a memorable read.
September 8, 2012
Beautifully shows the effects of war through the quotidian and domestic details of life in an occupied country. Every event--no matter how small--can have huge consequences in the lives of these characters. And every detail Boscha includes matters--filling out the characters' world and drawing us in. There are some very simple moments that are so beautifully written they stayed with me even as I frantically turned the pages (not literally, since I read the Kindle version) to find out what happens next. Gripping and beautiful.
June 9, 2012
When a German soldier's dog bolts in front of Leen's truck, in a fraction of a second, she must make a choice: brake hard, or hit the gas.
She floors it.
What happens next sets off a chain of events that pitches Leen, just 15, and her family against the German forces when they are most desperate - and fierce. Leen tries to hold her family together, but despite her efforts, bit by bit everything falls apart.
I liked this Book, I felt so sorry for 15 year old Leen and what she had to go through. What a scary time to grow up in.
She floors it.
What happens next sets off a chain of events that pitches Leen, just 15, and her family against the German forces when they are most desperate - and fierce. Leen tries to hold her family together, but despite her efforts, bit by bit everything falls apart.
I liked this Book, I felt so sorry for 15 year old Leen and what she had to go through. What a scary time to grow up in.
April 14, 2012
Tina creates a totally believable world for her story. So much so, that I felt at times as if I had visited this village in Holland during WW11.,and seen the places, and met the people for myself. This added greatly to my enjoyment of a tender, well told story of a young girl surviving Nazi occupation of her Homeland. This was my first book read on Kindle, I could not have chosen a better one.
Johannes Gouws.
Johannes Gouws.
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