Julie's Review: The Last Green Valley

Author: Mark Sullivan
Series: None
Publication Date:  May 4, 2021
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Pages: 328
Obtained: Amazon First
Genre:  Historical Fiction
Rating: 5/5
Bottom Line: A courageous story about a family that never gave up, even in their darkest times
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Summary: In late March 1944, as Stalin’s forces push into Ukraine, young Emil and Adeline Martel must make a terrible decision: Do they wait for the Soviet bear’s intrusion and risk being sent to Siberia? Or do they reluctantly follow the wolves—murderous Nazi officers who have pledged to protect “pure-blood” Germans? The Martels are one of many families of German heritage whose ancestors have farmed in Ukraine for more than a century. But after already living under Stalin’s horrifying regime, Emil and Adeline decide they must run in retreat from their land with the wolves they despise to escape the Soviets and go in search of freedom. Caught between two warring forces and overcoming horrific trials to pursue their hope of immigrating to the West, the Martels’ story is a brutal, complex, and ultimately triumphant tale that illuminates the extraordinary power of love, faith, and one family’s incredible will to survive and see their dreams realized. ~amazon.com

Review: This book is not an easy read at all. It is criminal what other humans will do to each other under the guise of war. It is heartbreaking to know that The Last Green Valley is based on a family's 

story at the end of WWII. Emil & Adeline live a simple life on their farm in the Ukraine when they decide that they can no longer live under Stalin and use the offer of the Nazi's to go West. 

For Emil and Adeline the question becomes to stay with the devil you know or to travel with the devil you don't know but that might get you closer to freedom. They know the travel won't be easy, but they are hoping it's worth it. Through flashbacks we learn about the struggles they have gone through both together and separate. Through it all Adeline retains her faith and never doubts God. The opposite is true for Emil who struggles with his faith and to trust in God. It is one area where the Martel's disagree. 

Throughout their travel West, they suffer difficulties, horrors and others all while continuing to believe that they will find their "Green Valley" that Adeline believes is their end game. 

For most of the book you are holding your breath as you read about their struggles and their flee to cross various countries. Their sons are incredibly strong and brave to endure what they did as well. While this book isn't a biography, it is based on the true story of the Martel family, which is seriously amazing. At the end of the novel, I cried because of so many things but the sheer grit of this family will astound you. 

Mr. Sullivan has written another brilliant historical fiction novel. Highly Recommend. 

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