The rumblings of war in distant countries mattered little to Danny McClain. Growing up in Chicago, his world revolved around after-school jobs, a rescued beagle, his pen pal in Holland, and the Cubs’ chance to go to the World Series. Then, in December of 1941, during his first year at Northwestern University, news of the attack on Pearl Harbor hit much too close to home.
The United States may be many things, but we are above all a nation that loves and trusts God. When we are troubled or worried, we come together and ask for God’s mercy and protection.
“Of Windmills and War”: A Personal View
First of all, I’m seldom drawn to historical fiction, or romantic fiction for that matter. However, there was something about exploring the resilience of the human spirit against such immense darkness that resonates deeply with me which is what attracted me to Diane Moody’s Of Windmills and War. Set in the German occupied Netherlands during World War II, the title alone, with its evocative imagery of peaceful landscapes juxtaposed with conflict, immediately piqued my interest. I picked it up hoping for an immersive and moving account of life under occupation.
The book dives into the lives of a Dutch family as the Nazi shadow falls over their quiet corner of the world. Without giving away specifics, the narrative follows their struggles, sacrifices, and the dangerous choices they make in the face of escalating oppression. It’s a story rooted in the everyday realities of occupation – scarcity, fear, the constant threat of discovery, and the moral complexities of resistance.
One of the strongest elements of Of Windmills and War, for me, was the atmosphere Moody created. I felt transported to the damp, cold landscapes of the Netherlands. The descriptions of the canals, the small, unassuming homes, and yes, the windmills, provided a vivid backdrop against which the drama unfolded. This sense of place grounded the story and made the intrusion of war feel all the more jarring and tragic. I appreciated how the narrative didn’t just focus on grand acts of heroism but also on the mundane, grinding reality of simply trying to survive day by day, securing food, keeping warm, and maintaining a semblance of normal life while constantly looking over your shoulder.
I also found myself connecting with many of the characters, particularly the central family members. Their internal struggles, their doubts, and their unwavering commitment to protecting each other and helping others felt authentic and deeply human. Moody does a good job of portraying the difficult moral landscape they navigate, where even small acts of kindness or defiance come with immense risks. I was invested in their fates and felt genuinely anxious for them during moments of heightened tension. The emotional weight of their plight was palpable, and certain scenes were particularly moving, highlighting the immense personal cost of war and occupation.
However, while I found much to admire, there were aspects of the book that didn’t quite land perfectly for me. At times, I felt the pacing could be a little uneven. There were stretches where the narrative seemed to slow down considerably, getting perhaps a bit too bogged down in daily details, which occasionally diluted the overall tension built in other parts. While I valued the focus on everyday life, there were moments I wished the plot moved forward with a little more urgency, especially given the high-stakes premise.
Additionally, and this is a subjective point, but for me, a few plot points or character interactions felt perhaps a touch predictable, adhering slightly to common tropes found in this genre. It didn’t necessarily detract entirely from the story, but there were instances where I anticipated a twist or outcome a little too easily, which slightly lessened the impact when it occurred.
Overall, my experience reading Of Windmills and War was a powerful one. While I had minor reservations regarding pacing and occasional predictability, the immersive setting, the strong emotional core, and the compelling portrayal of a family’s courage under duress made it a worthwhile read. It’s a testament to the resilience of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, a theme that always resonates with me. I finished the book with a heavy but hopeful heart, reflecting on the sacrifices made during that dark period of history. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a character-driven WWII novel set in a compelling, less often explored, part of occupied Europe.