The Last Green Valley by Mark Sullivan

It’s not anything new when I talk about how much I loved Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan. It’s one of my top books of 2022 and top books in general. So when I saw that Sullivan had released another historical fiction, I was kind of both excited and skeptical about reading it as the bar was so high from his first book. I had such high hopes that I think I would’ve been crushed if it didn’t live up to Beneath a Scarlet Sky. And yes, I know that, that is not great thinking, but I said what I said. (You do not need to read Beneath a Scarlet Sky before reading this one. They are both stand alone books). Luckily, Mark pulled off another amazing historical fiction story based on very real events and people. Plus, with everything going on in the world at the moment, thought it would be enlightening to read a book set in Ukraine and see how much this country has had to endure over the years.

“Our job in life is to endure, to be kind, and to constantly put the past behind us and not dwell too much on the future. If you must look back, try to find the beauty and the benefit in every cruelty done to you. If you must think about the future, try to have no expectations about it”.

The Last Green Valley

March 1944, Stalin has begun to push into Ukraine and Emil and Adeline Martel must make a life changing decision. Do they wait for Soviets to escort them to Russia, possibly even Siberia, or do they follow the Germans who have pledged to protect “pure-blood” Germans. They decided they must run with the wolves they despise to get away from Stalin and his reign on their country. They are hoping that once they run, it will lead them to freedom elsewhere. The Martels face two warring forces and observe some horrific trials as they set out for their dream that they know begins in the West.

“Don’t chew on the bad things that happen to you, dear. Try to see the beauty in every cruelty. It sets you free. Forgive hurt if you want to heel a broken heart. Try to be grateful for every setback or tragedy, because by living through them, you become stronger.

The Last Green Valley

This book brought on both similar and different emotions from the first one. I felt that familiar anger and fear that BASS (title was getting too long to keep typing) brought while also having a lot more feelings of warmth as I read about a families journey instead of an individual. Both the Martel’s and Pino suffered many obstacles that you often couldn’t even fathom that they were all happening at the same time as each other. Sullivan has such a way with words that it has you wanting to highlight a different quote on every page just to remember it later. I hope he keeps finding these stories and sharing them with the rest of the world in the way he has done so far. Read this book!

Until Next Time, The Library Abroad