The Last Green Valley by Mark Sullivan is a riveting story. It is based on the lives of the Martel family of German descent as they lived and farmed in the Ukraine. At the point when WW II was in progress, their family and numerous different families of similar background started the journey toward the west, often through the two contradicting armed forces. It is a story of immense courage and determination. While not a fundamental topic, what they went through says a lot about where we are today in our society. The Martel family did make it to the US, where their family worked sincerely and keep on thriving. It’s an astounding story. I’m happy I knew somewhat of the ending, that they did in reality make it to America because what they suffered would have destroyed most others.
The story of this novel follows the Martel family from the 1930s till the present. They encountered a Stalin rule, plus Holodomor (great famine) and German rule in Ukraine. Then, they travel through various nations following war events and looking for survival. Sometimes they are protected (for the most part by Germans) and sometimes prosecuted (generally by the Soviets).
The Last Green Valley by Mark Sullivan jumps in time toward the start. The Martel’s lives during Stalin times in Ukraine are shown more like a glimpse from the past. After this, the plot turns out to be mostly linear in time, with the exemption of only one (however vital) event.
In spite of the abundance of suffering, the violent descriptions are kept to the least. Authors worked effectively in presenting, frequently complicated, political circumstances (specially Ukrainian). The physical and moral dilemmas faced by the characters (for the most part Emil’s) are heart-breaking and force a question, “what might I do in his place?”.
At the end, “The Last Green Valley” is a story about survival, family bonds and the unbroken human spirit. There is additionally a tiny touch of almost supernatural or mystical element there. It was not actually a “page turner” for me (I don’t think it should be, it’s not a spine chiller) yet I will remember this story.
The Last Green Valley by Mark Sullivan is my recommendation mostly because of its authenticity. And also because I learned something new.
Also Read: Olympus, Texas: By Stacey Swann
Book Review Podcast (The Last Green Valley By Mark Sullivan Is A Riveting Story)
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