Exploring Kindness Amidst War: ‘Enemies in the Orchard’ Review

Introduction

Sometimes history has a habit of blurring the lines between enemy and friend. This is true in Dana Vanderlugt’s WWII novel in verse, Enemies in the Orchard. Can a teenage Nazi and a farm girl learn to treat each other decently and allow a friendship to blossom? 

Review

Claire De Boer is the hardworking daughter of parents who own an apple orchard. In 1944 the family needs extra help around the farm because her brother is in the service fighting the Germans. Claire’s father hears of a program where the US Government lends out German POWs to work as hired hands. Claire does not welcome this invasion of her family’s peaceful orchard. Will she change her tune when Karl, a new crew worker and a former member of the Hitler Youth starts being friendly? 

So many war stories are about subduing the enemy with force, and I appreciate that Vanderlugt’s war story has a softer side to it. The Nazis may have worked hard to make Karl dislike America but right from the beginning, Karl learns to appreciate the simple beauty of America on his train ride west. He observes “It is hard to feel treu—/devoted—/[ to the] Fuher/ when everything I was promised/ the history lessons I was taught in school/ the duty and discipline/…the patriotic songs/… grow fainter and fainter/with each turn of these train wheels/ that crisscross serene American towns.” He wonders if the Germans have a twisted perception of the American life as “… homes we were assured were burning/ with death and destruction/ filth and fury/when instead I see/windows glowing lightly/and smoke rising lazily from woodstoves that warm/ well-fed families.” (p. 35)

Vanderlugt demonstrates that kind actions or friendly gestures might be just the ticket to dissolve conflict.  At the outset of the novel Claire resents the arrival of the German POWs to the apple orchard. She grumbles “… Under those prisoners’ uniforms, / I make myself picture their hearts black with hatred. (p. 50). She stubbornly adds, “I remind myself:/ no matter how harmless they may look…/they have surely carried evil/across the ocean with them/inside them. (p. 51). 

Throughout the novel Karl works hard to show a softer side of a German solider to Claire. He responds with a simple “Danke” to a meal and appreciates a special apple desert.  She believes that German soldiers are supposed to be serious and somber, not polite and friendly. “The friendliness on his face/and the quietness in his eyes/ surprises me.” (p 77). Karl also takes special care to offer her friendly waves and head nods. He even demonstrates empathy to her when she is going through a rough time.  He notes, “It must be…. difficult/ to have us here. / As if your family has been traded for us.” (p. 100). 

For her part, Claire does not ignore Karl’s attempts at conversation but takes the time to talk to him when he makes the effort.  It is hard for her at first, “I think about turning back/ avoiding any interaction,/ but I tell myself to walk tall,/ that I can handle myself” (p. 99).

Karl’s kindness and gentle nature is contagious. Claire slowly begins to treat Karl decently through a kind good night, a tentative returned smile or a subtle defense of his character in conversation with a frightened child, “You don’t have to be scared. /He’s not a solider anymore/ He won’t hurt you. (p. 123). Towards the end of the novel, Karl defends her honor. In turn for his kindness Claire stitches up a bad cut and is touched to hear his inquiry “Are you okay Claire?” (p. 223). As the reader finds out, eventually Claire considers Karl to be a friend and not an enemy. 

A Note From Carol

I also read Enemies in the Orchard and wanted to add that the story incorporates the author’s family’s stories about German POWs who picked apples in their Michigan orchard. Although the story about the two young people is fictional, Dana Vanderlugt researched the time and place and discovered the event which provides a startling and sober ending. The Author’s Note and Sources will help readers more fully appreciate this less-known aspect of WWII. I highly recommend it for ages 11 and up; adults will enjoy the book also.

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“My grandfather’s apple trees are gone now, the old orchard bulldozed to make room for subdivisions, but deep underground, I know the tangled roots of history remain.” p. 275.

If you are interested, google German POWs in America. You’ll find images like this one taken in Door County Wisconsin. These POWs are assisting with the cherry harvest. https://www.wearegreenbay.com/news/local-news/a-hidden-history-german-pows-and-the-door-county-cherry-harvest-of-1945/

Giveaway

I’m giving away my copy of this beautiful story to one fortunate winner. Leave me a comment by 9 am on July 29 to enter. U.S. addresses only.

Guest Blogger

By now, many of you have gotten to know Kate Lundeen, who reads books faster than I post them!

Kate Lundeen is a frequent book reviewer. She last shared her thoughts about A YEAR WITHOUT HOME  She writes, “The Lord’s hand of watchful care and protection blessed my life from my start as a tiny premature infant. Doctors diagnosed me with cerebral palsy from birth complications which mainly affected my legs and motor skills.  I also have a learning disability that does not allow me to write down or process thoughts as fast as other people.  I am a former homeschooler and obtained an Associate in Arts degree from a North Carolina community college after five years of hard work! I discovered and developed a love for writing in college. Now I pen articles for my local church newsletter and write book reviews. I enjoy my current job as a part-time library assistant in a Christian library in Matthews, NC. I have a servant’s heart and a willing attitude to grow in old skills and develop new ones along whatever path the Lord chooses to take me.”