During WWII, no one expected the Nazis to reside in the Norwegian village of Valcos. It was small, and its only industry was fishing. Yet they did. Maybe it was because Valcos–being on a deep fjord–had a large fishing fleet, or perhaps it was because they hoped to enlist the influential aid of Captain Engeland, who lived there. The captain was away when the Nazis came, but that did not stop them from taking up residence in his home. The captain’s son, Martin, was at school in a nearby village, leaving the captain’s wife, Fru Engeland, and daughter, Petra home to deal with the unwanted guests. With the help of other Norwegians, young and old, they did spy work and foiled the Nazis’ plans while deftly convincing their guests that they were very dull people.
This story is fictional, but it feels as if it were true. Living in the U.S., Alta Halverson Seymour published this book in 1944. Because of that, there is no resolution on how the war ends for the Engeland family. By the end of the book, the war is still raging. We know that the family is reunited and as safe as they can be doing the dangerous work that needs to be done. The fact that there is no resolution does not, in my opinion, lessen the book in any way. As a matter of fact, I think that it makes it more incredible.
Like Hilda Van Stokum in The Winged Watchman , and Wyatt Blassingame in Combat Nurses of World War II , in On the Edge of the Fjord , Alta Halverson Seymour shows us a different side of the Second World War. This is not the only book by Seymour that I have read. One of the first was T he Tangled Skein . It is also about Norway and WWII but in a different way. It is about what happens after the war when a family is suspected of being Quislings, people who helped the Nazis during WWII.
One of the things I enjoy about Seymour’s books is that they are really about the whole family. On the Edge of the Fjord does have a “Main Character,” Petra. But really, it is just as much about some of the other members of the Engeland family as it is about her. For example, a large part of the book is told from the perspective of Petra’s older brother Martin.
On the Edge of the Fjord is a story of courage and fortitude, patience and so many other essential qualities. This book is fast-paced–without a slow part, unlike so many other books–and very funny. You watch the Nazis fall for so many of Petra and Fru Engeland’s deceptions. Like Petra intentionally flipping a fishing boat and acting like she can’t swim, even though she is an expert swimmer–having won the previous year’s swimming competition in Valcos.
This book was out of print, but many publishing companies, including Purple House Press and Bethlehem Books , have brought it back. Each printing is lovely and totally different.
I have found that WWII books tend to be some of my favorites. On the Edge of the Fjord by Alta Halverson Seymour is no exception. If you enjoy books about this time, I am sure you will find this book as incredible as I do. Though, frankly, I think that anyone would appreciate it.