RHYS: Last week we celebrated the release of my World War 2
stand-alone novel In Farleigh Field. This week my dear friend Libby Hellmann is
celebrating her own WW2 novel: WAR, SPIES, AND BOBBY SOX. So I'm delighted to
have her as our visitor today to tell us about the new book.
RHYS: Libby, my book is set in the English countryside but you
have a very different approach to WW2. Where is yours set?
LIBBY HELLMANN: Hi, Rhys
and Jungle Reds. Thanks for the opportunity to share. WS&B is set during
World War Two, but it’s very different from IN FAIRLEIGH FIELDS. First, it’s a
collection of stories: two novellas and a short story. All three are set in Chicago
and the surrounding area. Second, my knowledge about battles and military
issues is quite limited, so I knew from the start that the stories would be
character driven; that is, they would be about the effect of wartime on people
who stayed home while their loved ones went to war.
RHYS: What made you want to write about WW2? Has it been a subject
that has fascinated you for some time?
LIBBY:Like you, I’ve always been an avid reader of WW2 fiction,
because I think it’s the last time in recent history where there was such
clarity between good and evil. It was a time where some people turned out to
heroes while others became cowards—or worse. So, in that respect, it’s a period
that is rich in potential conflict and character development. But I was
intimidated at the prospect of writing about the era; so many complex,
beautiful stories have already been written… I kept wondering what I could
possibly add. A friend of mine, however, thought differently, and while she
didn’t dare me, she did encourage me
to write about the era. I guess you could say she wore me down. Still, I knew I
had to choose small pieces of the “canvas.” Eventually, the stories that make up
War, Spies, and Bobby Sox came to me,
one at a time, and I decided to give it a shot.
RHYS: Did you have to do a lot of research? What kinds of
research?
LIBBY: Yes, but research is my
favorite part of the process. I could read and take notes all day every day. (I
think it comes from the notion that information is power.. J)
A couple
of years ago I decided to focus on espionage techniques and strategy, which
have fascinated me almost as much as World War Two. After reading as much as I
could, I also visited Bletchley Park in the UK (you and I have discussed this),
as well as the Spy Museum in DC. Then I read even more. Eventually, I decided
to try out what I’d learned in a WW2 setting, mostly because the techniques that
were used then were tangible (dead drops, signposts, tailing individuals) and
easy to understand. “The Incidental Spy” was the result.
Initially,
I planned to write a companion piece about the women at Bletchley Park.
But as
fate would have it, I was in exercise class one day (yes… there are benefits to
working out) and someone mentioned a nearby location that was once a prison camp
for German POWs during the war.
Huh?
German POWs? Here?
I had known
there were some camps in Michigan, but in Illinois? I subsequently found out
there were nearly half a million German POWs incarcerated in almost every state except four between
1943-1945. It wasn’t a secret, but many people just didn’t know about them. The
POWs worked on farms and factories mostly in rural areas. I’ve written more
about the camps here. So the companion novella turned
out to be about two German POWs and their “love” triangle with a farm girl.
The third
story is about an actress in the Yiddish theater in Chicago’s Lawndale and her decision
to spy on the German-American Bund in 1938. Lawndale was ground zero for the
riots after Martin Luther King’s death, but in the Thirties it was a thriving
Jewish community. The research for that came from an unlikely source – my son.
He was preparing for his Bar Mitzvah and someone gave him a wonderful book
called “The Jews of Chicago.” Of course, I flipped through it, and a photo that
turned out to have been shot in Lawndale during the thirties captured me. It
was a shot of butchers, clearly immigrants, behind the meat counter in a deli.
I don’t know why it stopped me -- it might have been the lighting…their
blood-spattered aprons… or the expression in their eyes-- a mixture of pride,
hope, and fatigue-- but I knew then that I had to write about people like them.
So I toured Lawndale, interviewed people who had lived there (there are still a
few around), and eventually wrote “The Day Miriam Hirsch Disappeared.”
And of
course, I had to research the norms, habits, and culture of the era. This video
trailer sums up much of what I researched:
RHYS: When I first wanted to write this book my then-agent told me
that nobody was interested in WW2. Now I sense a great fascination with this
war. Why do you think this is?
LIBBY: I’ve noticed the same
thing. Again, I think it’s the notion of clarity between good and evil. In the
current era of government surveillance, 24-hour news cycles, drone strikes, and
Trump, there are no simple heroes or villains any more. We have grown cynical,
we know our leaders lie to us, and we have lost faith in our institutions. We
are all living in “The Age of Gray” (and
I don’t mean our age). So the idea that there was something worth believing in,
something that united us all, despite our circumstances, is very appealing.
When you add to that the
almost simultaneous releases of All The
Light You Cannot See, Nightingale, Jody Picoult’s The Storyteller, Unbroken
by Laura Hillebrand, and more, it does seem that a new sub-genre of literature
has materialized. I’m thrilled we both have joined it.
RHYS: Are you doing some events for this book? Where can readers
find you?
(and for my readers, I'll be at Murder By the Book tonight and at
The Woodlands, TX library tomorrow)
LIBBY: I’m going to be in Florida for 10 days starting next week
(March 14-21). You can find me in Tampa, Ft Myers, Sanibel, and Boca Grande. Check
my event schedule at my
website.
And here's Libby's description of the book:
WAR, SPIES AND BOBBY SOX
And here's Libby's description of the book:
WAR, SPIES AND BOBBY SOX
As
World War II rages across Europe and the Pacific, its impact ripples through
communities in the heartland of America. A farm girl is locked in a dangerous
love triangle with two Germans soldiers held in an Illinois POW camp ... Another
German, a war refugee, is forced to risk her life spying on the developing
Manhattan Project in Chicago ... And espionage surrounds the disappearance of
an actress from the thriving Jewish community of Chicago’s Lawndale. In this
trio of tales, acclaimed thriller author Libby Fischer Hellmann
beautifully depicts the tumultuous effect of war on the home front and
illustrates how the action, terror, and tragedy of World War II was not
confined to the front lines.
Ebook 978-1-938733-98-7
Print
9781938733970
Thanks so much, Rhys!
This was a most interesting interview . . . so much I didn’t know, like prison camps in the United States for German prisoners during the war.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new book, Libby. I’m looking forward to reading your stories . . . .
Thanks, Joan. Start with the blogpost I highlighted above. That will give you some basic understanding. Also, a book that was published a while back called SUMMER OF MY GERMAN SOLDIER is the only other story I've heard of that mines the same territory. You might like it. I did.
DeleteI love WWII stories, especially those set in Europe where I have family and relatives. My father served in the North Atlantic with Arctic Convoys from the US and UK avoiding German U-boats to get supplies to Russia. He was just a teenager, and I wasn't born for several years later. His ship was torpedoed twice, yet no one was injured and all men on the ship made it home. The war affected so many in my family, my father and uncles who served and the women who went to work while they were gone and then stayed working. My mother and grandmothers said it changed women forever and they, the women in my family at least and Im sure many others, never wanted to go back. Such brilliant people to be close to and have pride in, because you knew they had done what had to be done. I love that WWII is experiencing a new generation of novels right now. The old ones — I read my parents' and grandparents'—were different. They served a different purpose, I think. Today's seem to have a slightly different edge through focus. They don't seem to be as concerned with nationalism patriotism, rather they tell more personal stories within the same frameworks. I really like that. Love your books, Libby and Rhys.
ReplyDeleteReine, you made my day. That's exactly why I wrote about the era. Tom Brokaw wrote that book, THE LAST GREAT GENERATION (think that's the title) and after seeing the kind of mess we baby boomers have made of things, I'm starting to wonder if he was right. There are so many stories like those of your family -- most of them inspiring.
DeleteI stumbled onto the remains of a WWII POW camp in Princeton, Texas, just a few miles east of where I live. The area was a campground for migrant workers during the Depression, then became a POW camp during the war. Today it's a city park, and the only remnant of the POW camp is an old water tower and a historical marker but, like you, Libby, I had no idea there were German POWs here until I happened onto it.
ReplyDeleteIt was a serendipitous surprise, right? While I was writing this, a couple of people emailed me to say they'd actually had conversations with POWs. Apparently, most of them (the POWs) were polite and accepting and very happy to be in America as opposed to Europe. I sometimes wonder if their treatment (which was scrupulously fair) did more for our relationship with Germany than the Marshall Plan.
DeleteWelcome, Libby, and congrats on the book! A neighbor of mine served in the Navy during WWII and used to run patrols on the eastern shore of Florida. He said they could see the German subs pop up on occasion. This gentleman passed away a few years ago, which makes me think about the what happens when the witnesses to history are no longer alive. Do you think their stories have been adequately captured for future generations in books, museums, and movies
ReplyDeleteHi, Ingrid. I do. Especially now that there seems to be a Renaissance of stories, books, and movies about the era. Again, I think Rhys and I agree that it was one of the last examples of good vs evil, and many storytellers are drawn to that. Add in the fact that in fiction you're supposed to have conflict on every page, even if it's just a glass of water the character can't find, and you have a perfect setting for a story.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds terrific, Libby! And I love the stories about how you got your ideas… That is so exciting.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Hank. I'll bet you have heard about stories in all sorts of ways. Tell us the most unlikely way you heard about one of yours...
DeleteWelcome Libby, and thank you for your book exploring WW2 here. I was born in December 1940 and was five by the time the war was over. So I have childhood memories of ration books, going out each morning with my grandmother to put out the flag and say the pledge of allegiance, saying prayers for my father, two uncles and an aunt who were in the armed forces. My dad was a naval officer in the South Pacific, and one uncle was flying B-29s over Burma. These times were very different, and only yesterday I was remembering "saccharine" pickles, made with artificial sweetener due to the sugar rationing. I went with my grandmother to roll bandages while my mother and another aunt worked in the war industry.
ReplyDeleteBut my clearest memory of all was packing up Bundles for Britain. I had a coat and bonnet, outgrown but much loves. I remember weeping as it was packed up, along with my rabbit fur muff, to go to some little English girl. I hope she loved it as much as I did.
What a memory to cherish, Finta. I hope whoever received it knew it was packed with love.
DeleteLibby, your stories sound like nuggets of gold, mined from a wealth of material that will never run dry. Like Reine's family, my father and older uncles fought in the war, my grandparents and mother and aunts held down the home front. My mother's stories of that time painted a vivid picture of what life was like at home. A few years ago, an aunt passed on a box of memorabilia from my grandmother. In the box were newspaper clippings that told the story of the battles my father fought in, letters from generals commending the troops for their hard effort with handwritten notes from my father scrawled on the back, a letter from my dad to his mother, and a telegram saying he was on his way home. That was more information about his service than we ever learned from him. But it was a poignant reminder of my grandmother, hanging onto any scrap of news that told her that her first-born was still alive. Can't wait to read your collection.
ReplyDeleteHi, Flora.. do you still have that memorabilia? You should write about it.. an essay or something.. It's clear a lot of us never tire of hearing about those times.
DeleteLibby, this book sounds so rich in material! And I love the way you 'found' your story. Prison camp in the US for German soldiers? Who knew!
ReplyDeleteExactly, Hallie. I love the little tingle I get when someone says something totally by chance and I KNOW I need to write about it. Or at least know more.
DeleteI love WWII stories that explore the impact on the people NOT on the front.
ReplyDeleteSo glad, Mary. Me too. Hope you'll check it out!
DeleteI've always been fascinated by WWII. The clarity of heroes and villains certainly makes sense. I think it's also watching how many small things made such a big difference. And yes, the stories of those at home is just as fascinating. Your book sounds great.
ReplyDeletethanks, Mark.
DeleteYour name reminded me of another author - Lillian Hellman. Any relation? If it is ok to ask.
ReplyDeleteYour collection of short stories sound interesting! I remember a Kristy McNicol movie about German POWs in America during the war.
My Mom was born in Chicago during the Second World War. She remembers her family moving to a very small apartment, which was a big change from a 10 bedroom, five bathroom mansion in Chicago. The reason was because all of the servants left to work in war factories, where they could earn more money!
When my Mom and I travelled to England for the first time, we were on a train travelling from London to York. A lady was sitting across from us. She told us that she was sent to America as a child during the War.
Years before I was born, my Mom travelled to Europe with a tour group. The tour guide was horrid so she decided to leave the tour group a day early and she caught a flight back to the USA from London. It happened to be a charter flight full of English war brides.
On a different topic, I looked at your event schedule and it looks like All of your events will be in Florida, right?
And welcome to Jungle Reds! I look forward to reading your new book!
No relation, Bibliophile, although I've been tempted to fib about it once or twice. And no relation to the Mayonnaise people either. You certainly have a lot of stories -- war brides, children sent to America, moving from a big house -- what a fascinating time it was! I will be doing some events in Chicago (if you're there) in April and May. I just need some sunshine first. :)
DeleteThank you! Wish we had a chance to win your book! Sometimes the guest offers a free book to people who comment on the post.
DeleteNot sure if I will be in Chicago. If you will be in San Francisco area in California, please let us know!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Libby! Your new story collection sounds fascinating! Like so many of us, I've long been drawn to WWII. One of my novels has a backstory about a German Jewish refugee escaping to London at the beginning the war, and in doing the research I learned so much about how difficult it was for Jewish refugees in London--and about what life was like there for ordinary people during the war. One of my favorite resources was a diary kept by Vere Hodgson from 1940 to 1945, call Few Eggs and No Oranges, published by Persephone Press. Like you, I could do research all day:-) Congrats on the collection and I can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteAt least the Jewish refugees in England weren't being killed... although I do know that anti-Semitism was probably at its peak during the War years. Even people who weren't pro Hitler could "blame" Jews for the problems associated with the war. My late husband's family was from Germany, and his cousins spent the war in Shanghai. There was a large Jewish refugee population there; in fact, my husband brought back a directory of the synagogue members from the period and found their names in it. I always thought it would make a fabulous movie. I'll check out the diary... thanks, Deb!
DeleteDeborah, your refugee character was one of my favorite characters in your books. xoxo
DeleteHi Libby~~ I am so pleased you are coming to Tampa. I see you at Bookswap on March 15th. I was born 6 months after WW2 ended. My father did not serve in the military. He worked in a steel mill, a necessary war industry. My mother taught nursing at the University of Washington. She was a fairly recent graduate, filling in the positions that were left open as the medical staff left for the war. My great uncle was an Episcopal Priest in NYC. I still have his sermons; have never looked to see if his war sermons differed from the body of his work.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of good vs evil on a World scale? I agree. The disheartening truth, evil, war and redemption have continued unabated. Fifty years ago America was enmeshed in Viet Nam, and now saber rattling seems to be today's song. and the answer is still blowin' in the wind.
Wow! Thanks Coralee. I'll look forward to meeting you. And yes, we still have a lot to learn.
DeleteWhat a fantastic idea for a collection, Libby - it sounds like a must-read.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the burst of interest in WWII is also due to the sense of the lived experience rapidly passing away. The generation that fought in the war is, well, literally passing, and their children, the Baby Boomers, are in their sixties and seventies. The war will soon have no narrators whose lives were shaped by it, which, in a way, liberates writers to step in imaginatively.
That was my other thought, Julia. Thank you for sharing it more eloquently.
DeleteLibby, your collection sounds like a must-read and must-add to my WWII fiction books. I've had an interest in WWII for years, and my favorite books are the fiction ones where we see how the daily lives of people behind the lines of combat were affected. One of the aspects of your book, Rhys, that I enjoyed was your treatment of how differently the upper class and those beneath were affected.
ReplyDeleteI did know that there were German prisoners-of-war camps in the United States. There was one located about 45 minutes from where I live in Kentucky, and it wasn't the only one in the state. I haven't read much in fiction about them, so I look forward to your story involving that aspect, Libby.
Thanks, Kathy. There must be people still around who remember when the soldiers were there. It would be fascinating to hear their stories.
DeleteMy mom is 97 and met my dad during the war on Galveston Island. She was working as a medical technologist and he was stationed there a while with the Army Air Corps. I love hearing Mom's tales about life during the war. She was a country girl who grew up all over west Texas and New Mexico. They moved a bunch due to the depression. She'd work during the year and go to college during summer school. She got accepted to finish her schooling in Galveston. That was probably the first time she'd ever been to a beach! She went to school, worked, and had a very active social life. She dealt with ration books, crazy landladies, gas rationing, clothing scarcities. And had a ball the whole time. She and Dad married in the big Episcopal church there in 1944.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story, Pat! Thanks for sharing.
DeleteWWII is a favourite era of mine, so I'm delighted to learn of In Farleigh Field; War, Spies and Bobby Sox. Also, Few Eggs and No Oranges (in Deborah's comment). Thank you, Reds!
ReplyDeleteI'm not really a WWII person, but I love the idea of it being the last time there was a clear-cut Good & Evil (in capital letters). This sounds fascinating, and anytime there's a Chicago setting, I'm definitely interested. I'll have to make sure to pick up a copy.
ReplyDeleteI looked at your schedule and noticed that you'll be at Centuries & Sleuths next month. I'm assuming your talk and signing is before the MWA meeting? Looking forward to seeing you again!