From the Valley We Rise

By: Elizabeth Musser

Dakota County Library paperback 371 pages plus author's note, acknowledgements, discussion questions, and an excerpt from By Way of the Moonlight

Published: 2025

Genre: Christian historical fiction

Our book club discussed this Monday 9/29 but I've had a very busy week! This book is set in WWII France and focuses on the résistance. Chapters alternate between Isabelle, Réne (her teenage cousin), and Peter (an American chaplain who was in love with Isabelle as a teenager). The book is wonderful and filled with so many messages about forgiveness, doing the right thing, bravery in faith, etc.

Page 38: Yes, God had been a very present help. But it hadn't erased the fear. Or the nightmare. The memory of that incident at once cursed and blessed Peter as he closed his eyes and fought his way back to sleep.

Sometimes we think that having a saving faith in Jesus Christ means we won't struggle, but that just isn't true. The Bible tells us that ". . . In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33b). Peter was tortured by a few memories but kept drawing on his faith.

Page 42: "I wouldn't worry about it too much. It's actually nice for the boys to know that we clergy are human. Makes it easier to relate."

Peter feels bad that he lost his temper on the soccer pitch. This conversation with Rabbi Horowitz goes on and is full of good stuff. The Rabbi asks Peter point blank, "What is so terrible in your past that you cannot forgive yourself, Ginger?" This was a good scene and sets up for the "reveal" later in the book.

Page 59: When she looked unconvinced, he had added, "Remember what Saint Augustine said: 'Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are anger and courage; anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are.'"

Isabelle's dad is giving wise advice to his daughter before they embarked upon the task of hiding Jewish children and she has expressed her fear and lack of courage. This is one of my favorite quotes from the book.

Page 64: She fell to her knees and admitted, "I am so mad and heartbroken and afraid, God. And alone. I don't have anyone else to love." You are not alone.

Isabelle has a huge crisis of faith due to the war and the deaths she is experiencing. I love that when she tells God this, she "hears" Him answer. Prayer is powerful!

Page 75 has Delphine and Isabelle talking about the Penitent cliffs, God, the Jewish people, faith, Christians, . . .  I can't just pick out a quote or two. The whole conversation is beautiful and raw. Delphine was my favorite character in the book. Her youthful innocence and yet wise observations were the best parts of the book.

Page 76: "My papa told me, 'Izzie, courage is not the lack of fear; courage is fear that has said its prayers.'"

Again, Isabelle and Delphine are talking. I love this quote and its sentiment!

Page 232 is where we finally find out what horrible thing happened in Kentucky that affected Peter so deeply. I had wondered about it with all the references to it but was glad to be able to read about it. We get more info on it on page 328, but it helps make Peter's character that much more understandable and compassionate. He's telling Isabelle about what happened in that part of the story. Her horror and compassion help bring healing to Peter. Horrible people can destroy others too easily . . . 

Page 248: "Don't cough, don't sneeze, and for heaven's sake, don't laugh," the nurse had warned.

That last command she would obey forever. Isabelle could not imagine ever smiling again, let alone laughing.

The nurse's advice has to do with Isabelle's broken ribs, but the admonishment to not laugh was so sad because she honestly felt that she could never be happy again. The war and the atrocities really wore her spirit down.

Page 264 is where Isabelle is pouring out her heart to Peter as he lay in a coma, only she doesn't realize who he truly is yet. Her honesty about questioning God and even being angry with him is so raw and real.

Page 320: "What is the book of Psalms but one long, groaning, grief-filled complaint. One after another, one long lament. Of course, there are praise psalms too. Thank the Lord, often the lament and praise are in the same psalm."

I just really liked this. Peter is telling Isabelle that "God can take it" when she confesses her anger and blame toward Him for the war and suffering.

Page 321 had the word "imprecatory" in reference to a Psalm and I had to look it up! "Imprecatory" basically means "cursing." The AI that irritates me so much refers to "Imprecatory" describes a prayer that invokes evil or a curse upon one's enemies, often calling for diving judgment and vengeance. The term is most commonly associated with imprecatory psalms in the Bible, such as Psalms 58 and 109, where the psalmist asks God to bring destruction and punishment upon the wicked." I do like learning new words.

 

Page 329: "God will forgive me. It's much easier for me to accept God's forgiveness than to forgive myself. Sometimes . . . sometimes I just try to ignore and forget it."

"I do that too." She gave a timid smile. " I have a hard time forgiving myself also."

 

Peter and Isabelle are having a heart to heart conversation. This resonates with me. Sometimes forgiving oneself is the hardest thing to do.

 

Page  332: "There's good and bad in all of us, Pete. Always remember that. Ain't one of us off the hook. All of us need God's grace."

 

These words of wisdom were from Peter's dad. He's remembering his father's words as he's headed back to the battlefield after recovering from his coma.

 

Page  369: "And then he tells the story of the camp, of building it back, of building back Sisteron, and of a God who will help us build back our lives, no matter what we've been through. He'll hold us fast."

 

The theme of building back was worked throughout this story beautifully. It's referencing Isaiah 61:4

 "They will rebuild the ancient ruins
    and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
    that have been devastated for generations."

Musser did a fantastic job with weaving this theme through the story and her characters' lives 

Part I was pages 15-170. Part II was 173-209. Part III was 213-341. Part IV was pages 344-371. The Prologue was before Part I . . . only the separations didn't really make sense to me. I had other post-it notes and thoughts about Rene and his anger, but I was supposed to return this book a week ago so I'm done!