Sisters at War is without doubt the hardest WWII book I have ever read, just as it was the hardest book for the author to write (as noted in her acknowledgements). My heart was torn to shreds as I followed the characters, especially Justine, through her painful experiences. My throat was constantly tight with anxiety as I read of the initial and continued violations this poor girl experienced at the hands of the Nazis.
Jina Bacarr paints a very clear and troubling picture of what it was like for many women who were taken over by the enemy. The rape of innocent girls, of the land, of the culture and a race. All that the Nazis pillaged and controlled through their arrogance bred great fear in the victims under their reign. It gave many free rein to release their most base and vile natures. Hot tears repeatedly flowed from my eyes as my soul ached for the victims. These people lost their freedom, the privilege of making choices and they had to learn to tolerate the awfulness of it all. This caused changes in many hearts. First anger, then fear and then came vengeance. How to retaliate. Hence the resistance was born. Fighting back, sometimes in acts of violence. Bombings were quite common. Peace was always the longing and aim but how to get it back was not easy or without scars.
This is a story about the atrocities of war but also violence towards women from men in power. It is obvious from Sisters At War that women lost all that was precious and sacred to them. Bringing this to the forefront as Jina does, through her characters, we enter their world and witness repeated violations. It is a hard pill to swallow for when we put ourselves in their shoes and feel the horrible acts, it makes us aware of the severe suffering they faced. Jina has a special gift of bringing it home so succinctly and powerfully. Maybe it’s because she has had her own horrible encounters (which she shares in the Acknowledgement notes). So, the emotions exhibited in her characters are real and straight from her heart. This kind of raw writing born of experience makes us feel, grieve and gasp. She knows what she’s talking about.
Due to constant stressful events, there is so much tension in this novel that it’s like a tightly wound bow string ready to snap. And it does. There are little breaks here and there that make us grasp at filaments of hope between ledges of despair. We wish for something good to happen on the horizon. But it is a tumultuous ride from start to finish with hurdle after hurdle.
These two sisters are kept apart from the moment the Nazi walks into their home, takes the paintings and begins to violate the younger sister Eve. Big sister Justine, the designer, steps in and offers herself in Eve’s place. She is trying to protect her little sister, the scientist. Justine’s blondness and beauty are often noticed and this time she uses her attractiveness to lure the enemy away from her sister and mother. But the treatment she receives is far worse than she can imagine. It is in those initial moments she must learn to hold her tongue and bear the nasty treatment she receives to survive. And to keep her family safe. Although she must appear strong and accepting, she often speaks fiery words that could cause her great harm. Living with such bottled up emotions, though, means she must let off just enough steam to keep from cracking under the pressure but not enough to give away her most sacred thoughts. Justine is a prisoner but able to move about outside her four walls as long as she does what is asked of her. To onlookers she may appear to be aligned with the enemy. But she is always watched and under the Nazis tight control. Despite this, her spirit remains brave, selfless and resourceful.
Not to ignore Eve in this analysis but she is at the mercy of her anger at what the Nazis have taken from her. She fears Justine is dead when she does not hear from here. This fuels her desire for vengeance. And reason for joining the resistance. She uses her scientist abilities to help with the bombs and makes headway. But she is in danger, more than she knows and what she later learns puts her in a bad position with her sister. But is everything as it appears? For in the end, she will face an even greater task than she could ever have imagined.
Sisters at War is such an apt title for so many reasons I cannot say (or risk giving too much away). There are other wonderful key figures (males) that help the girls from their difficult positions plus a few women who sympathise and help, too. This is one powerful, gut-wrenching, soul shattering novel that would make any woman (including those who are mothers) cry and cringe. My own heart felt pierced to the core as it made me think long and hard about the horrors many women faced under the Nazis. (And even with women abused today.) The strong descriptions of emotional pain are intense in this novel for good reason. It is a novel to shake everyone from complacency and lead us to appreciate any freedom we have today.
I don’t quite know how to end my review as this novel is like nothing else I have read in its unfettered cry against human cruelty. Sisters at War is a testament to courage of the highest order. Jina has resounded loud and clear with her message to speak out. Well done for her own bravery in writing this difficult novel and in allowing her personal experiences to help others. A must read for anyone. 5 Stars seems a pale rating for such a magnificent delivery of justice. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for my review copy.
