Our Narrow Hiding Places: A Novel Authored By Kristopher Jansma

An elderly woman recounts her Dutch family’s survival during the final years of Nazi occupation, shedding new light on old secrets that rippled through subsequent generations.

Eighty-year-old Mieke Geborn leads a life of quiet routine in her New Jersey shore home, enjoying the calm of her retirement community, the companionship of friends, and her tai chi practice. Her peaceful existence is disrupted when her grandson Will and his wife Teru visit, their strained marriage and Will’s probing questions about long-buried family secrets forcing Mieke to confront her past.

To answer Will’s questions, Mieke must journey back to her childhood in coastal Holland during the final years of World War II. She recalls surviving the Hunger Winter, a harrowing period when Dutch citizens faced starvation due to food and fuel shortages. Her vivid memories blend childhood wonder with the harsh realities of war, transporting readers from the wind-swept beaches of The Hague to the grim confines of a concentration camp. Mieke’s story unfolds amidst the dangers of eel-filled rivers and culminates in the poignant tale of Will’s estranged father, who has been absent from Will’s life since childhood.

Our Narrow Hiding Places is a sweeping narrative of resilience and survival, exploring the lasting impact of war on generations. Through Mieke’s journey, the novel reveals the hidden costs of conflict and the strength that emerges from inherited trauma, offering a moving reminder of the enduring human spirit. 📚❤️