The Resistance Girl is a historical fiction novel by Mandy Robotham set in Nazi-occupied Norway during World War II.
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Book Blurb
Norway, 1942: She has lost everything to the Nazis. But now she fights back…
War rages, and, under cover of darkness, Rumi Orlstad and her fellow resistance fighters smuggle British agents, fugitives and supplies across the North Sea into Nazi-occupied territory.
One night, when he braves a storm to complete an ill-fated mission, Rumi’s fiancé is lost to the dangerous waters. Broken-hearted, she withdraws from the clandestine group, vowing never to let her loved ones put themselves in the line of fire again.
But months later, Rumi stumbles across a Nazi secret that lays Hitler’s plans for Norway bare, and she knows she has no choice but to risk her life for her country once more…
The Resistance Girl Book Review
I’ve read plenty of WWII novels focused on the resistance, but The Resistance Girl offers a fresh perspective by highlighting the Norwegian resistance, which I knew little about.
It was eye-opening to learn about the Nazis’ horrific eugenics plan and their attempt to create more Aryan babies using Norwegian women. That aspect added a deeper level of horror to the story.
The Shetland Bus, which smuggled people and supplies from Norway to Scotland, was also fascinating, and Robotham did a great job portraying the bravery of these resistance fighters.
I loved Rumi, Jens, and Marjit as the main characters – not only for their courage but for their vulnerabilities too. Rumi’s grief at the loss of her fiancé at the start of the novel was particularly well-handled, capturing her anger and devastation.
Part of me wasn’t sure the romance was entirely necessary but it did add a sense of hope to an otherwise rather grim tale. I did also appreciate how the romance itself was handled. It wasn’t overly dramatic or rushed, but felt more grounded and realistic, considering everything the characters were going through. It added a layer of tenderness amidst the tension and loss.
Despite COVID travel restrictions impacting Robotham’s research, the book still felt vividly researched, with detailed descriptions of Norway that really brought the setting to life.
Overall, The Resistance Girl is a gripping and well-written novel that adds a unique voice to the WWII historical fiction genre.
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