Love Devouring Darkness

The Plum Tree by Ellen Marie Wiseman
Reviewed by Jessica

Ellen Marie Wiseman’s The Plum Tree is a beautiful piece of historical fiction. I was captivated from the start. Wiseman deftly tells the heartbreaking coming of age story of a young German girl in love with a Jewish boy during the onslaught of Hitler’s takeover of Germany. The novel spans from 1938 to 1945, ending with the collapse of Hitler’s regime.

The Plum Tree follows Christine, a headstrong seventeen year old German girl who yearns for the adventures of a life outside her small town. Employed by a wealthy Jewish family in town, Christine is able to live glimpses of a beautiful life through Isaac, the cultured son of the family. Their friendship blossoms into sweet young love, but right as Germany is rapidly changing beneath Hitler’s regime.

Christine is a superbly powerful narrator. She faces losing Isaac and his family to the Nazis who overrun her town; the loss of her father when he is drafted into Hitler’s army; near starvation and constant threats and abuse from the Nazis. However, Christine never loses her identity and passion for the injustice being brought into her life by Hitler and his army. She boldly takes steps to fight against the Nazis and never gives up hope that she will be reunited with Isaac and they will be able to live out their lives together.

The Plum Tree is magnificent! This book will drive down and take a bite out of your core with its powerful message about love devouring the darkness of destruction and bringing constant hope to those who keep love in their hearts.
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