The Belgian Girls
Kathryn J Atwood
(Author)
Description
I have just been condemned to death. I will be shot tomorrow. Long live the King. Long live Belgium.
When the Germans overrun Brussels during the First World War, Gabrielle is infuriated to see her newfound happiness shattered. It isn't long before she is faced with an impossible choice. Three decades later, shy and bookish Julienne moves to Brussels with her widowed father at the height of the Nazi occupation and is horrified to witness the city's callous treatment of Jews.
In this dual timeline novel inspired by the life of Belgian spy Gabrielle Petit, two very different young women must discover their inner strength to become the heroes their city needs. And when loyalties are tested and decades-old secrets are revealed, their legacies will become entwined forever.
Written by historian and storyteller Kathryn J. Atwood, The Belgian Girls is a tale of hope, forgiveness, and the healing power of friendship.
Product Details
| Publisher | Catherine Rose Press |
| Publish Date | May 08, 2025 |
| Pages | 278 |
| Language | English |
| Type |  Paperback / softback |
| EAN/UPC | 9798218650889 |
| Dimensions | 9.0 X 6.0 X 0.6 inches | 0.8 pounds |
Reviews
"Resistance and love come together here in a tale of one kingdom united throughout two world wars, turning a moving paeon to a nation into a passionate personal journey that crosses generations. These "Belgian girls" are heroines to remember with pride and admiration."
-Elizabeth Wein, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of Code Name Verity.
"The Belgian Girls pays tribute to the courageous women who fought during their nation's darkest hours. Kathryn Atwood's stellar research and clear admiration for these unsung heroines shines from every line!"
-Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network.
"History is written about powerful nations, great battles, major campaigns, and the men who led them. A novel like The Belgian Girls reminds us that there is more to the story. Smaller countries, lesser-more personal-battles, and the women who waged them were just as much a part of both 20th century wars. Two intimate narratives, one set during The Great War, the other in the war that came after, offer a glimpse into the hearts and minds of a pair of brave resistance fighters, each doing their part, each inspiring those who would come after.
-Alina Adams, New York Times bestselling author of The Nesting Dolls and My Mother's Secret: A Novel of the Jewish Autonomous Regions.
"In The Belgian Girls, Kathryn Atwood creates a vivid picture of life in occupied Brussels in both World War I and World War II. Her intertwined stories of two young women, a generation apart, who play similar roles in resisting the Germans are thrilling, bittersweet, and heart-rending."
-Pamela Toler, author of The Dragon from Chicago: The Untold Story of an American Reporter in Nazi Germany.
"The work of female World War I resisters influenced a great many of the women who later became involved in World War II resistance. It is good to see a work that brings the two groups together and sparks renewed interest in the work of women as major participants in the world wars. Atwood does an excellent job of bringing their stories to life."
-Sherri Greene Ottis, author of Silent Heroes: Downed Airmen and the French Resistance
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