The Unlikely Allies: 1939

The House of Winslow #36

by Gilbert Morris

Mallory Winslow follows God's call to carry the gospel to the Lapps in the Arctic, but is pulled in several directions.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Romance, Historical, World War II

320 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2005

About the author

also published under the name Gilbert L. Morris

Gilbert Morris was one of today's best-known Christian novelists. He lived in Gulf Shores, Alabama, with his wife, Johnnie. He is the father to Lynn Morris and Alan Morris

Series:
* Adventures of Kerrigan Kids
* American Century
* Appomattox Saga
* Barney Buck
* Bonnets and Bugles
* Cheney Duvall, M.D. (with Lynn Morris)
* Cheney and Shiloh: The Inheritance (with Lynn Morris)
* Chronicles of the Golden Frontier
* The Creole (with Lynn Morris)
* Danielle Ross Mystery
* Daystar Voyages
* Dixie Morris Animal Adventures
* Far Fields (with Robert Funderburk)
* House of Winslow
* Jacques and Cleo: Cat Detectives
* Katy Steele Adventures (with Alan Morris)
* Lady Trent Mystery
* Liberty Bell
* Lions of Judah
* Lone Star Legacy
* Omega (with Lynn Morris and Alan Morris)
* The Price of Liberty (with Robert Funderburk)
* Reno Western Saga
* Seven Sleepers
* Seven Sleepers: The Lost Chronicles
* Singing River
* Spirit of Appalachia (with Aaron McCarver)
* Too Smart Jones
*

Reviews

[Vanessa Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I grew up with Gilbert Morris's books, so coming back to this later in life was sort of like revisiting my childhood! Morris's writing style isn't my favorite, but it's so distinctly Gilbert Morris that I can't really complain. Not all authors have such a defined style throughout so many of their books.

Derek and Mallory were interesting characters, but I never felt as if I really knew either of them. This book covered a lot of time and a lot of material; it was extremely plot-driven. As someone who is more used to tons of character development and more day-to-day happenings in the characters' lives, this was a little bit difficult to get used to. However, I appreciated that the characters had more of a life outside of just when they knew each other, which made them feel like more independent characters who could carry their own stories.

Probably the best part of this book was the strong Christian message. Mallory's bravery in the mission field was so encouraging! The Gospel was presented throughout, and there was no mistaking that this was a Christian fiction novel.

Overall, this wasn't my favorite book, but because of the quality of the message, the interesting setting, and the well-paced plot, it was a nice read.

[Jencey/ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could you trust someone who is supposed to be your enemy? Would your mission be the same? How does God’s plan figure into this story? The author Gilbert Morris answers these questions and more in his novel Unlikely Allies.
Synopsis:
Mallory is excited for the next part of her life to begin. She has grown up as a missionary kid. Her choice of career is to a missionary to the Lapps in Norway. Mallory’s work seems to be going well, until World War II reaches Norway. She is conflicted about whether she should participate in the resistance or not? Miles away in Germany another SS officer is having second thoughts. Derek Gruber wants nothing to do with this war but to persue literature and writing, and a chance to be with his first love Rachel. Derek gets news that absolutely devastates him which leads him down a grim path. What will happen for both Derek and Mallory as the war progresses?
My Thoughts:
I am down to my last three House of Winslow novels. I really liked Unlikely Allies. I wondered how the author would end up bringing these two characters Mallory and Derek together. Something that came up as I read this novel is who the real historical characters are. The author is known for putting in at least one. So who are they in this novel? The answer is the Lapps are the truly historic part of the novel. I have no doubt that some of the SS military mentioned are as well.
I thought the plot is unconventional with bringing a Nazi changing side. I thought it was interesting the way the Lapp people. What I enjoy most in the historical novels is reading about the resistance and their role in fighting the Nazis like in this novel or the Japanese in others. This novel is very enjoyable!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mallory grew up in Kenya with her missionary family and is called to be a missionary to the Lappes in Norway. After she's been there for two years, Germany invades Norway. Mallory plays a role in the underground resistance.

Derek grew up in Germany with the expectation that he would have a military career just like his father, a high ranking officer. However, Derek would rather become a professor and focus on poetry.

Mallory and Derek meet in 1940 and form a friendship.

This is an enjoyable and easy to read story. I liked how backgrounds on both main characters are given before they meet. It gives us a good idea of where they are coming from. WWII in Norway and the life of the Lappes was very unique. I also liked the strong Christian thread.

Dislikes: There were some parts that were not very realistic. I felt her missionary time with the Lappes was rushed. She was an outsider bringing a message to a native people and got very quick results. I found it unlikely that Derek would be found in his office openly reading a book by a Christian English poet.

Overall, this is a good read with a solid Christian theme.

[Alison E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mallory Winslow goes to Norway as a missionary to the Lapps, but ends up being involved with the resistance during World War II. Derek Gruber may be German, but he doesn't agree with all that the Nazi government is doing. He even falls in love with a Jewish girl, to the horror of his father, an officer in the Reich. He is drafted into service himself and eventually ends up in Norway. This book was really good and had a lot of faith elements as well.
Note: This cover above says "1939," but the book has "1940."

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not as riveting as some, and women should not be preaching in church services, as the main character does among the Lapp people, but overall it was an interesting read. The romance, as usual, was a bit shallow. If you want to learn a bit about WWII and the Lapp people of Norway, however, it is not a bad way to start.

[Bonnie Olive · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story of courage and Gods provision s

I chose this book because I like to read of courage and how God provides. It is a wonderful story of Gods leading Mallory to the laps and Derek

[Heather Burdge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silly love story, within an overall good story.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mallory is called to do missionary work with the Lapps. Meets a German officer.

[Ruth Pauw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written, although the focus seems to be more on romance than missionary work.

[Sandy Duke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started out very slowly and a bit awkward. I stuck with it and I am glad that I did. No spoilers but it did NOT end like I thought it would.

[Kirsty Pearce · Rating 5 out of 5]

The House of Winslow is a series I have carried with me since the start of my teen years, and regardless of the fact that it might not be the most consistently well-written, every time I delve into the pages of one book or another belonging to it, a strong feeling of home always makes itself known. The Unlikely Allies is one of the better ones though, and is also at the top of the list of my all-time favorite stories in this series. Not only is it set during WW2, one of the most fascinating and exciting periods of history for me, but Gilbert Morris also made the inspired decision to cast a German solider as the hero. I really appreciated this fictional example of the very real fact that not all of Hitler's soldiers were in and of themselves hard-hearted and ruthless, with Derek painted as a wonderfully sensitive and sympathetic man whose journey is at once heart-wrenching and beautiful. His connection and interactions with Mallory also effortlessly heart-felt and stirring, the choice to set the majority of the novel in Norway is one I loved as well, especially when a comparison between the Vikings and the Nazis is brought up. The glimpse we get into the work of the resistance is also inspiring, and adds an extra layer of tension.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have greatly enjoyed all of the books so far in the House of Winslow series, the WWII storyline, behind the scenes in Germany from the view of sensitive, Derek Guber, was so well done.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

8 - I would not have liked to have lived through the time that Hitler was in reign, Jews afraid of being caught and to be one that helped them escape was a big risk.