Winter in Wartime

The action takes place in the final months of World War II, when German occupation presses on Dutch towns and Allied air raids punctuate daily life. Food shortages, rationing, and clandestine Resistance activities shape the rhythm of the village. The late-war period creates the constant tension and danger that drive Michiel’s coming-of-age journey.

The story unfolds in a quiet Dutch village in the northern Veluwe, beside the IJssel river. It is a rural, close-knit community where daily life centers on farming, small chores, and sheltering newcomers displaced by war. The setting mirrors the occupation’s reach, with bombardments and railway strikes shaping everyday life.

🛡️ Resistance

Michiel’s longing to join the Resistance propels him into risky chores for the village, testing his courage and sense of duty. He struggles with his father’s cautious approach while idolizing his Uncle Ben, who claims Resistance ties. The plan to attack ration offices and hide an English pilot reveals how ordinary lives become entwined with political struggle. His choices illuminate the price of solidarity under occupation.

🕵️ Secrecy

A web of secrets tightens as letters, hidden pilots, and furtive meetings blur the line between citizen and covert operative. Michiel faces setbacks—broken bike, air raids, and surveillance by locals—while deciding whether to risk delivering a critical note. The self-made burrow for Jack in the forest embodies a fragile hope kept alive by secrecy. Trust becomes a scarce but indispensable currency.

👪 Family

The war tests family bonds as Michiel's drive to help others collides with his father's cautious approach. His sister Erica provides emotional grounding while Uncle Ben's risky bravado shapes his sense of identity. The tension between duty to family and duty to a larger cause drives the emotional stakes.