The Catholic Writers Guild

 Our Young Adult review series continues, Theresa is doing a great job!

Enemy Brothers was one of those books you easily finish and then fling against the wall saying “Why isn’t there a sequel!”

It was a fascinating read, and its greatness went beyond the plot. The story was clever in its setup and the writing was exceptional. However, the charm of the story lay in the characters, in my opinion.

Dymory, or Dym, and Tony Ingleford were two characters that made Enemy Brothers what it was. They were unique, two people you wanted to hear more about. And perhaps, as strong as the charm of the characters was, the relationship between Dymory and his “enemy brother” was the best part of all.

The story takes place in England when World War II is nearing its apogee. The descriptions are true to the time and put you in England in the time of air raid shelters, daily blackouts and the nightly hum of anti-aircraft bombers.

Mainly the story is about Tony or Max Eckermann, as he considers himself. He was born in England to the large Ingleford family. On a vacation to the seaside when he was an infant his mother’s friend from her school days falls in love with the baby Tony. Robbed of the joy of motherhood that her friend has been so blessed with, the woman kidnaps Tony. Thus, Tony is raised in Germany and becomes Max Eckermann, never knowing about his true identity or the family across the sea which he was born to. As Hitler emerges to prominence in Germany, Max becomes fully involved in the movement to make Germany’s new-world regime. He is taught to hate the English and those who oppose Hitler, that black is white when it serves Germany’s interest and that Germany must expand to fulfill her destiny and create a pure race.

However, through a series of incidents, Tony is taken to England, and fate puts two brothers—long separated—back together. Tony’s parents have died in the lapse of nearly twelve years from when he was captured to the time the story opens. But Tony’s brother, Dym, had promised his mother before she died that he would find Tony. Fate, at the strangest of times, when Germany and England are in the middle of intense warfare, brings Tony to Dym.

The story continues with adventures and mishaps, but mainly revolves around the developing relationship between Tony and his elder brother.

The reader never meets the war full in the face   Rather from a peripheral perspective but still is profoundly affected by elements of it. Constance Savery did a phenomenal job creating the atmosphere, bringing depth and dimension to a regular adventure story and reconstructing in the reader’s mind a piece of past.

I was probably intrigued by the story most when I found out that Constance Savery wrote it during the time the story takes place, perhaps the bitterest part of World War II, neither near the beginning nor within sight of the end.  It was published in 1943.  The clear-sightedness of the story seems to be only possible from a retrospective view. Vivid and real, the story was written during the era of the Holocaust and comes to its readers as a beautiful reminder of what is possible during times of struggle.

At different parts, the author seems very certain, through the characters, of England’s victory over the powers of Germany. She also voices the inevitable victory of good over evil. A strong message of perseverance and faith are released through the pages. Although the story had the qualities of good writing and an exciting plot there was a depth to it that appeared in certain instances which truly made it great instead of simply fun. The reader is encouraged by the will of the character Dym to never give in, to never let the forces of evil take over the world and envelop it in darkness. The reassurance he gives his younger brother that no matter what happens, darkness does not last forever influences the reader also. From a historical point of view, its’ encouraging—but then you already know that Germany lost and the Allies won, that the Holocaust was ended and peace eventually restored. But knowing it was written during the years of war before the end seemed near creates a new perspective with which to look at it.

I highly recommend this book as a good tale that encourages its readers. If the book has faults, they fall in the shadows of its qualities—of the characteristics that make it an unforgettable read.

KathrynCunningham

Kathryn is a retired junior high teacher. A convert with a love for the Church she believes that its teachings have a more than viable application for today's world. She writes practical theological for the people in the pews believing that they have as much right to good catechesis as our youth and converts. Her writings appear on Catholic web sites and local Church publications. She has even been published in the diocese of Australia and most recemtly Zenit. Kathryn holds a Master's in Theology and is a certified spiritual director. Learn more about Kathryn at: www.atravelersview.org