The Last Green Valley: A Novel

Yet again, I procrastinated reading a book that I’ve been actively wanting to read for several years. In this case, I’m going to use the excuse that I was letting this age like wine on my bookshelf. I enjoyed Mark Sullivan’s Beneath A Scarlet Sky so much that I think I was a little nervous that another book could never measure up. How (happily) wrong I was! Inspired by a true story, the book follows the Martel family as they flee a Stalin-ruled Ukraine during World War II. Unfortunately, in order to do so, they must be escorted by the Nazis as they are considered to be of ethnic German blood. Life with the Nazis isn’t easy, especially with Emil’s dark history under their control, but the family deems this escort to be a necessary evil to ensure their freedom. Their path to freedom is riddled with obstacles. There’s no avoiding the evil people at the helm. Tragedy follows them everywhere. Adeline’s faith carries her through, encouraging her young sons (and some extended family) to keep their sights on their dream — a green valley to call their own. Emil respects his wife’s unwavering faith but struggles with his own. The choices he was forced to make in order to spare his life and protect his family haunt him. Things he could never share with Adeline. I loved this book so much. I loved the characters and their mix of personalities. I loved the spiritual themes, the history, the hope, the character growth… I could sing so many praises. I felt as though I was there traveling along with the Martels. I’ve read so much historical fiction by now that lately I’ve struggled to find books in this genre that I connect with as many follow the same formula and plot points feel recycled. I think the book being based on real people adds something extra to the storytelling. While the writing undoubtedly follows a certain and familiar formula, I wasn’t bothered by any moments of predictability. I’m excited to move on to All the Glimmering Stars next! Hopefully, I won’t put it off as long as I did with both of the author’s other books… but then again, both have been five-star reads. Timing is everything, right?

Like more than two million other readers who loved “Beneath a Scarlet Sky,” I wondered if Mark Sullivan had another one in him. Could he capture lightning in a bottle again? Would ‘The Last Green Valley’ be as good? I bought the book the the day it was published and read it right away. It is better than Beneath a Scarlet Sky. Much, much better. I could not put it down and will never forget it. Other reviewers already provided plenty of details about the story, so I will spare you that. Instead, I would like to focus on how the book seems to operate on at least THREE LEVELS. Any single one of them is worth your investment of time and money. LEVEL ONE is the surface level – a gripping WW2 story focused on two incredible people: Emil and Adeline. Fasten your seat belt for a wild ride. Sullivan transports you into worlds you never knew existed, even if you have already read many WW2 books. He entertains, informs, and inspires. LEVEL TWO delivers a message. To be sure, the book teems with insights about life, love, death, evil, sacrifice, forgiveness, and faith. What struck me most, though, were Sullivan’s powerful insights about how to transform your life for the better. Regardless how bad things get for you -- no matter what hardships you face -- you, too, can emerge stronger and happier. Sullivan threads the needle here. He does not beat readers over the head with his message about personal transformation. He shows it rather than tells it. The message is subtle and will not resonate with everyone. But it’s there if you need it, and I expect it will change more than a few lives. LEVEL THREE is autobiographical. I am going out on a limb with this one, but here goes. Sullivan has been public about his life challenges, including being so distraught that he nearly committed suicide. Then ‘Beneath a Scarlet Sky’ came along and changed his life. That story -- and its positive worldwide reception -- helped Sullivan journey through the darkness and emerge into the light. Now, Sullivan seems to be giving back. With “The Last Green Valley,” he seems to be turning around and extending a helping hand to other travelers, offering to help them transform their own lives. Granted, his best seller “Beneath a Scarlet Sky” did this, too, but the effect was somewhat unexpected. This time, Sullivan is doing it on purpose. In “The Last Green Valley,” he writes from a position of hard-won wisdom. He has mastered much more than storytelling. I recently read Paolo Coelho’s masterpiece “The Alchemist” yet again and was struck by the similarities. If you know that book, then consider that when Sullivan wrote “Beneath a Scarlet Sky,” he was like the shepherd boy, Santiago, on a quest across the Sahara. But now, Sullivan - who has lived in the Sahara himself -- has found his ‘personal legend,’ his calling. And he knows that the universe conspires to help him bring it into reality. With “The Last Green Valley,” the shepherd boy (Santiago/Sullivan) has evolved into another character in Coelho’s famous book: the alchemist. In his new role as alchemist, Sullivan has begun to help others realize their 'oneness with the soul of the world.' BOTTOM LINE: "The Last Green Valley" offers something for everyone. If you seek a thrilling, interesting story, then you will get it. If you want something more -- a gift that can inspire, heal, and perhaps even change your life -- then that is available to you as well. I highly recommend it.

The Last Green Valley is a good read but tedious at times. But of course, it was tedious because what these people had to endure was very difficult: hunger, lost of life, injuries, starvation, cruelty, being stressed ALL the time, financial hardship, living in fear, but then also hope and endurance and moments of joy also prevail. Truthfully, I am tired of historical fiction about the wars, all of them, but specifically anything having to due with the holocaust, which this novel did but the concentration of it wasn’t so much on the horrific treatment of the Jewish people but rather on people trying to avoid having anything to do with war at all. The Martel’s were trying to escape the Soviet forces taking over their lands, possible capture and being sent to Siberia to work. The German’s were making promises to the purebred German’s to go with them to secure a better life. So, the Martel’s went with the German’s. The Martel’s eventually wanted to go far west, as far as they could, to a place they would be free to live a simple life of farming, as far as America. Somewhere along the way this novel turns into, well, almost a self-help kind of book. Just be positive and everything will be alright. I believe greatly in hope, positivity and prayer so that was great but it became a bit corny, and in the horrific climate of this novel I don’t think it played well.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! I sometimes get easily distracted when reading but this book held my attention! Mark Sullivan did an amazing job telling the story of the Martel family and the hardships they endured living in and fleeing Communism for freedom in America. I loved how the author incorporated so much factual information into the telling of this story and I respect how much research he did along with spending time with the Martels in an effort to convey this truly incredible immigrant story!

Mark Sullivan is such a great writer and you cannot go wrong with having this book in your library. Another great story from this author! Make sure to read his others too!

The last sentence in the book explains this historical fiction novel based primarily in Ukraine - This is an American Story, an immigrant story and a universal story. May we all dare to chase such dreams, experience such grace, and lead such miraculous lives. This story touched my heart as I read about the Martel family, starting in Ukraine in 1943. These were simple people, farmers whose family were brought to Ukraine from Germany by Catherine the Great to share their agricultural skills with Russians. In 1945, most lost their farms and were required to either run with other Ethnic Germans (the wolves to escape WWII) or stay and wait for the bear (Russia) that they knew would kill them. The first third of the book focused on the build up of this family - along with the heartache, the hard labor, and the love that they endured. It was a little slow, and with the background of the TV images of the current crisis in Ukraine, a bit difficult to listen to. Things remained bleak during The Great Trek from Ukraine to Poland, and got even worse for the family when they arrived at the border and endured examination of their papers, the donation of cast off clothes from Jewish prisoners, and assignments to living quarters confiscated from Jewish citizens. The hardships of daily living were unbelievable harsh and difficult - but this family stuck together and endured everything while maintaining their familial bonds. I loved the characters, their resilience, their love and caring for one another and their revelation of faith, which wavered, but which they ultimately recognized and respected. I did switch between the Audible and Kindle versions because at some points, I needed to see the words and feel the impact that they had. The actor in the Audible version was wonderful and told the story as if he were sharing it with a friend. I appreciate the author's note at the end, along with the map of the Great Trek, and the details of his research. Once again, he took a story of real people and made me aware of a little known part of history.

This book provides a personal account of a Ukrainian family surviving both Russian and Nazi governments during WWII. The family suffers as they work to achieve their dream of escaping to the West and establishing lives that are no longer disturbed or controlled by dictators such as Stalin and Hitler. It provides an historical perspective of the challenges faced by the Ukrainian people and an understanding of their determination to not be taken over by Russia again. This book was well written and engrossing as the family flees Ukraine as the Russians advance to take Ukraine back from German occupation. Their oppression by both Communists and Nazis and what they must endure to escape both oppressive governments is both fascinating and heartbreaking. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical literature or literature that showcases the power of the human spirit. This novel is based on the true experience of a family seeking a life free from oppression.

It's long so stay with it and you will be rewarded. The reason why freedom is so very important. An American story.

Para quem, como eu, que gosta de reviver histórias de luta e sobrevivência da segunda guerra mundial, de pessoas comuns. Às vezes parecem um sofrimento sem fim, mas o autor soube contar a história real, e com isso nos prender no mesmo fio de esperança que a família relatada no livro. Esse livro renova nossas esperanças e nos faz ver a nossa realidade de uma forma mais leve, com um propósito maior.

What a beautiful book it is. This is a heart-wrenching, upsetting yet stunning book about Emil and his wife Adeline and their two sons caught in a world where the second world war is causing upheaval in Europe and further east. Torn from their farm in Ukraine the tensions of the period are brought to life and the impact on the characters is so sad. Caught between Stalin’s brutal regime and Hitlers annihilation of the Jews it follows the family as they try to flee to safety. This was a truly emotional read. The horrors of war are shadowed by the brutality and evilness of men who commit such terrible crimes against each other. It felt that there was nowhere safe for the family and the instinct to survive no matter what life threw at them is just so reflective of the many people who lived through this nightmare. Based on a true story this book took me on a moving journey of hope and a certain trust that in the end everything is worth fighting for. Emil’s journey took him to the depths of absolute misery, one that I am lucky enough to say I have never and hope to never witness. How one man could experience such horror and still believe his path out of it would happen is just testament to his strength and love that he had for his family. It’s an area of history I know little about. For many Germans who lived in areas outside the Fatherland the return to it was not all it seemed and the afterword provided historical context to the storyline and some family details which was very useful. Did I have a tear in my eye - yes I did, but I also had a feeling joy and comfort. This was a 5 star 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟 read for me. A family’s journey from the horrors of war to their dream to realise a better, safer life where they would have the freedom to make their own choices. Phenomenal story and Mark Sullivan is such a gifted writer who has been given this story to tell so beautifully.

With 40% read I finally gave up before slitting my own wrists.... No doubt it improves as the title suggests, but quite frankly I'd had enough. Well written, but the story is very slow to develop.

I was so impressed with Mark Sullivan's novel Beneath a Scarlet Sky and considered this my favourite book. I couldn't imagine anything surpassing this story but he did it again. Now I have two favourite books! The story had so much sadness as are any stories we read about wars in Germany, Russia, Italy, France but to follow one particular family's struggles and triumphs was inspirational, gut wrenching and emotional. You could not stop reading or in my case, listening to the audiobook. I was pulled into the story and could feel what they must have felt - the sign of a great author!!!!! I love that these books were based on a true story which is so impressive. Emil and Adeline Martel were the bravest people and wanted only the best for their family. The narrator for both books was excellent!!! I can't wait to read Mark's next book and have to be patient for it to be written. I keep saying wow!!

Dieses Buch sollten alle lesen, die die derzeitige Situation in der Ukraine besser verstehen wollen. Absolut empfehlenswert.