The Girl From the Fjords by Eliza Graham

I have just returned from travelling in Norway where I spent a few days of my time in Bergen. On one of those days I went west to visit the Nordsjøfartmuseet in Tælavåg. The museum tells of the terrible reprisals on the town after passengers of the Shetland Bus were discovered by the German authorities. It also focuses on the Shetland Bus itself. It was a fascinating visit on an atmospherically appropriate day where a haar looked set in for ever!

Reading The Girl from the Fjords by Eliza Graham brought back to me what I had learned there. The book was vivid in its descriptions and I liked the strongly defined characters. The action mostly took place, I think, somewhere near Tælavåg, and that was the setting I pictured as I read. Most of the action took place during the Second World War with a little just after it. Asta Nilsen, the titular character, was a vivid personality and she and others were shown making difficult decisions in a fairly believable way.

The plot was perhaps predictable but it was handled well and with a good pace. As far as I can tell, it’s historically accurate and there was nothing that jarred for me. I was happy that the author talked about the Resistance fighters travelling to and from Scotland – even though that’s not historically accurate as Great Britain was generally referred to as England at the time. The Shetland Bus was referred to as ‘taking the English journey’, something I struggle to get my head around. Whatever the Shetlanders might be, they’re not English! But different times and all that.

I’d recommend the book although its ending lets it down. It’s too contrived and unlikely, not that that stopped me reading and enjoying it. Thanks to Storm Publishing for a review copy.