by Hans Keilson
First published 2010
Wim and Marie believe sheltering Jews is their moral duty. The young married couple opens the upper floor of their respectable home in a provincial Dutch town to Nico, a Jewish man in hiding. Despite the constant tension, they find moments of domestic happiness and solidarity together. Then Nico dies unexpectedly after a brief illness. Wim and Marie face a terrifying dilemma: what to do with his body. They cannot call authorities or seek help without exposing their resistance activities. As fear takes hold, the couple discovers how deeply Nico's presence has changed their lives. His death forces them to confront not only immediate practical dangers but also the profound emotional bonds they formed during his stay.
Genres: literary-fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century, world-war-ii
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, moral-dilemma
Setting: Dutch, Netherlands, Provincial Town
Period: World War II
127 pages · Paperback · Van Gennep
Content warnings: death