The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin: Book Review

Details

• Genre: Historical
• Series: No, but is interconnected with When Twilight Breaks and Until Leaves Fall in Paris
• Length: 343 pages (Paperback)
• Publication Date: February 7, 2023

Tropes

• Reformed MMC
• Opposites attract
• Secret identity

My Rating

Book Description

“When the Germans march into Denmark, Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt exchanges his nobility for anonymity, assuming a new identity so he can secretly row messages for the Danish Resistance across the waters to Sweden.

American physicist Dr. Else Jensen refuses to leave Copenhagen and abandon her research–her life’s dream. While printing resistance newspapers, she hears stories of the movement’s legendary Havmand — the merman — and wonders if the mysterious and silent shipyard worker living in the same boardinghouse has something to hide.”

When the Occupation cracks down on the Danes, these two passionate people will discover if there is more power in speech . . . or in silence. Bestselling author of more than a dozen WWII novels, Sarah Sundin offers pens another story of ordinary people responding to extraordinary circumstances with faith, fortitude, and hope for a brighter future.”

— from Goodreads

My Review

The Nazis’ occupation of Denmark was not a part of history I was very familiar with. And before this, I didn’t really know much about Danish culture either. 

There were enough mentions of physics that Else’s passion for it was believable, but not so much that I got lost.

It was adorable how Henrik/Hemming and Else supported and encouraged each other through their respective struggles. And although the truth about Hemming does complicate their romance for a while, they’re able to work things out. (I loved Else’s line about finding “the constant.”)

A major theme was deciding when to speak up and when to stay silent. Both main characters face this choice several times throughout the book.

I also liked how Henrik’s opinion of his father gradually changed as he reflected on previous memories and learned some new things about his father. They both made mistakes that fueled their estrangement. However, they’ve realized that and are willing to take the necessary steps toward fully repairing their relationship.

The Sound of Light is not only an enjoyable story, but also an interesting glimpse into Denmark’s history and culture during WWII.

Favorite Moments

⚛️ wooden dog
⚛️ Else tending to an ill Henrik
⚛️ “the constant”
⚛️ reunion

Favorite Quotes

“‘But all the colors are already present in the light….the prism separates the colors. Only then can we see them.’

…’Hmmm. Like courage.’

‘Courage?’

‘You can’t see it. You don’t even know if you have it. Then you hit hard times, and you find out if the color is there.’“

Sarah Sundin

“‘Light sounds like speech. Whenever someone speaks words of kindness of courage, speaks out for the downtrodden and oppressed, speaks out against injustice…That’s the sound of light.’“

Sarah Sundin

“‘I think light sounds like silence. The silence of someone concealing his nobility and sacrificing everything so he can quietly do great deeds.’“

Sarah Sundin

“‘Light has no color, yet it has all the colors. A prism separates the wavelengths so the colors can be seen….The past few years have served as a prism. Our colorless lives hit that sharp, glassy edge. We could have been broken.’

‘We weren’t.’

Understanding flickered in his eyes. ‘The colors came out.’“

Sarah Sundin

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