As I understand it, this book was previously published with the title “What Did You Do in the War, Sister?” Now called Sisters of the Resistance it appears at first glance to be a non-fiction work, but is in fact fiction, although clearly based on fact. Taking inspiration from a cache of recently discovered letters and documents, the author has created a fictional American nun as a focus for the story of the real nuns of Notre Dame de Namur and their brave resistance to the Nazi occupation of Belgium. It’s a gripping tale and one that deserves to be told. These nuns were unbelievably courageous and took enormous risks – but why turn their achievements into fiction? Their incredible story seems to me to be diminished by inventing fictional nuns and a fictional order, when their own true-life exploits need celebrating and sharing. It’s a relatively readable and enjoyable novel, if a little melodramatic at times, but it would have been a more fitting tribute to these brave women to tell of their defiance and deception as non-fiction.

It is said that there comes a point in every woman's life when they are seen by society to be "invisible". Religious sisters can be either invisible or inspire fear, apprehension, respect and questioning. Perhaps these are the reasons that woman can be used in subterfuge without raising suspicion.
This book describes , through the narrative of Sister Christina and american born Nun in Belgium, the hidden story of the many ways in which the religious sisters contributed to the resistance by hiding, saving and rescuing Jewish Children, Jewish families, Allied airmen and soldiers and German child soldiers. Their quiet devotions and obedience helped them through the difficult times. The story is created from archive letters from the Sister's Of Namur.
Their story deserves to be told, but the novel in itself underplays the very strengths and characterstics which made their heroics possible. In short, the book sadly underplays their work and is overly simplistic.