Hank and I

by Christina Rosmolen

"Hank and I met when I was eight and he was nine. We stood there, staring at each other, not saying one word . . . " And so begins the true story of two Dutch children who met prior to World War II in Holland. While the war raged in their country and beyond, Hank and Christina grew up, and met again during the infamous Hunger Winter. They fell in love, married after the war, and began their life together as husband and wife. But postwar Holland was no longer a land of plenty as all of Europe struggled to recover from the devastation brought on by the terrible war. America beckoned the young couple, and they immigrated to the state of Kansas in 1949, eventually settling in the state of Washington. There, they forged a new life together in a new country, raised their two daughters, and dreamed of many happy years together . . . But their story ended too soon, and though they are separated by death, Hank and I reminds us all that their story-and our stories also-aren't really over; they're just waiting for the glorious final chapter to be written, when loved ones will meet up once more in heaven, never to be separated again.

156 pages, Paperback

First published October 29, 2009

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

"'Hank and I met when I was eight and he was nine. We stood there, staring at each other, not saying one word...' And so begins the true story of two Dutch children who met prior to WWII in Holland. While the war raged in their country and beyond, Hank and Christina grew up, and met again during the infamous Hunger Winter. They fell in love, married after the war, and began their life together as husband and wife. But postwar Holland was no longer a land of plenty as all of Europe struggled to recover from the devastation brought on by the terrible war. America beckoned the young couple, and they immigrated to the state of Kansas in 1949, eventually settling in the state of Washington. There, they forged a new life together in a new country, raised their two daughters, and dreamed of many happy years together. But their story ended too soon, and though they are separated by death, 'Hank and I' reminds us all that their story - and our stories also - aren't really over; they're just waiting for the glorious final chapter to be written, when loved ones will meet up once more in heaven, never to be separated again."

It's beyond me how people survived so much hunger, cold... in the fear of so much evil. What a great inspiration these wonderful people are. I pray their stories will never be forgotten.

[Mmtimes4 · Rating 4 out of 5]

And so begins the true story of two Dutch children who met prior to World War II in Holland. While the war raged in their country and beyond, Hank and Christina grew up, and met again during the infamous Hunger Winter. They fell in love, married after the war, and began their life together as husband and wife. A story of courage and commitment. From WWII Holland to new life in America.

I usually don't like romance novels as they seem to unreal. This true story is so moving, it gave me such a deep appreciate for survivors of WWII and what they went through. I cannot image being that hungry or cold. To follow their lifes, their courage to come to America, and the challenges they faced made for nonstop reading enjoyment. This book is not bathed in deep character development as the characters are real, you feel like you know them by the end of the book. I encourage people who have family members that has survivored WWII to get their stories down on paper. I would recommend this book, a true love story.