Suzanne Kelman: The impossible choice – Zin.nl

A heartbreaking war story about young love and old heroes. A book that you can read in one go, a story that you won’t let go of. The British Suzanne Kelman (1965) In addition to being a writer, he is also a screenwriter and film producer. You will notice this when you read The Impossible Choice. Stopping is not an option. Read an excerpt here!

Suzanne Kelman dedicates The Impossible Choice ‘to all the unsung heroes of the Netherlands, who risked their lives during the Second World War by hiding 30,000 Jewish people, the ‘hiders’, in their barns, attics and cellars. We may never know your names, but the memory of your courage will always live on.’

Also special and characteristic is the opening fragment from our own Anne Frank, with which Suzanne sets the tone of her novel: I looked out the window over a large part of Amsterdam; over all the roofs to the horizon which was so light that the dividing line could not be clearly seen. As long as this still exists, I thought, and I can experience it, this sunshine, that sky where there is no cloud – I cannot be sad for so long…

It is not surprising that she chose a quote from Anne, because The Impossible Choice takes place during the Second World War in the Netherlands. To be precise, in the period 1941-1945. A period of concern, uncertainty, fear, sadness but ultimately also discharge. All the big emotions come through here.

The novel is wonderfully romantic but also nail-bitingly exciting, the story is written cinematically and vividly. As if it’s happening before your eyes. That ensures that you read eagerly. Would you like to read along?

Reading fragment

We at Zin chose The Impossible Choice for You as a reading fragment, chapter two. In which you meet the Jewish Michael, an eternal romantic, and his lover, the Dutch and non-Jewish Elke. Who seems to have a much more realistic outlook on life. She is very concerned about the war and the Jews who are no longer insecure about their lives. The love bursts from the pages and at the same time you already feel the threat hanging over you. A harbinger of what is to come. Enjoy reading! (And want more – just like us? Run to the bookstore!)

fragment – ​​see PDF (chapter 2)

From: Suzanne Kelman, The impossible choice (Luitingh-Sijthoff, €22.99)

About the book

Amsterdam, 1941. While the Nazis occupy his beloved city, professor Josef Held feels helpless and faces an impossible choice. When he discovers that his former student, the Jewish Michael Blum, is trying to escape the Gestapo, he offers Michael shelter in his attic.

In the silent darkness of the secret room, Michael talks about his beautiful, fearless girlfriend Elke. Michael insists that not even the Nazis will come between them. But Elke is a non-Jewish Dutch girl and their relationship is strictly forbidden. Josef is furious at the rules of the cruel German soldiers and remembers his own heartbreak. He desperately tries to give Michael and Elke’s love a chance. But then disaster strikes.

The impossible choice (Luitingh-Sijthoff, €22.99)

About the writer

Suzanne Kelman (1965) is a multi-award winning screenwriter, film producer and author. Her war novels have sold more than 350,000 copies. Her books are also published in more than seven countries.

Fancy?

We are giving away 5 copies of The Impossible Choice. Make a chance? Share your details in the win form below and who knows. You can participate until May 8.