3.5 Stars

It’s hard to describe how I feel about this novel. I enjoy historical fiction and am fascinated by the people who lived in Berlin at the time the Berlin Wall was erected. Getting the chance to learn about Bob Inama was also fascinating, especially because we have some things in common (the same religion and he taught at a college I attended).

Fascination aside, it was a pretty slow read for me. I could read a chapter or a few pages and then put the book down for quite awhile. It did hold my attention better in the latter half of the book though.

I wanted there to be more of a connection between the main characters’ stories. I guess that’s difficult when you’re trying to stay true to actual events (Bob’s story) and adding in a fictitious character and events (Luisa’s story).

Excellent historical book, based on true events and inspired by the life of Bob Inama, an LDS man drafted into the army in the 1960s and then sent into Berlin as a spy, trying to gather intelligence on the Russians for the US military, along with his capture, torture, and release, as well as the stories of the fictional Luisa, whom Moore created to tell the real experiences of other people whom she researched but combined their stories and experiences all into one for Luisa's character.

I was in high school when the Berlin Wall came down and I remember hearing the stories of German/Berlin citizens trying to escape from the Russian-occupied East to their families who were in the West or to simply a better life in West Berlin. My brother-in-law served his LDS mission to Germany and was actually in Berlin when the Wall came down. He has related his experiences of traveling into Berlin and the checkpoints they went through and how many Russian soldiers he encountered on the train checking his papers, as well as his experiences in Berlin itself before and after the Wall came down. Many things he has shared with us (that happened to him in 1989) are things that were happening to Bob, Luisa, and the other characters in Berin in 1961.

Moore's extensive research is very apparent in the chapter notes at the back of the book. As I read a digital ARC of the book, I didn't realize they were there until I had finished reading the book, so I feel like that helped me keep the flow of the story better, because I am one who would have read the notes as I went along, but Moore's details in the chapter notes are enough that I was able to recall where the history and information she explained there fit into the story line. The reason behind the title and cover don't come into play until later in the book, but they are explained and while it's a heavy detail, the cover and title are beautiful and help with the message of Bob's story and how he was able to survive his imprisonment. There are excellent characters throughout the book, not just Bob but all the characters (some real, some fictional, some whose names have been changed); and their development and how Moore tells Bob's story of being a spy and the story of that tragic time in Germany's history and the Cold War is engaging and drew me in. What is even more impressive is that Moore wrote this book through the pandemic, when she was unable to really have in-person contact with Bob Inama for her interviews.

That the effects of WWII were still so prominent in the daily lives of German citizens in the early 1960s (and then on until the Wall finally came down in 1989) is proof of the lasting effects of our actions, so books like this one are so important to tell the stories of our past so we are reminded of what happened so we can strive to not make those same mistakes in society. Moore once again proves that she is able to tell true stories of real people and also to write excellent fiction with the variety of books that she writes and for both her fiction and non-fiction to be engaging and enjoyable reads. The descriptions of beatings that Bob goes through during his imprisonment are not graphic, but Moore still portrays the intensity and tragedy of that time in Bob's military service and the lasting effects he suffered as a result, but there is still a very positive message in Bob's example of how he handled his service, his imprisonment, and his life after returning home, and how he befriended people and the forgiveness he had for what happened to him. Also, the efforts of so many people in trying to help their fellow citizens escape the East and how they put their lives on the line in doing so, told through Luisa's story, are only a few examples of the many experiences and escape attempts and the ways people tried to escape in their hope for freedom.

Content: No strong language; mentions of beatings but nothing graphic in description

The Slow March of Light marches to a different tune, and in that, I mean it no disrespect but even though it is based on true events, it has a stiffness to it that think resembles the main character Bob Inama who stood upright trying to do what is right and just even under the possibly worst situation that one could be in. First, his plans on becoming a government lawyer are put on pause when he is drafted into the US Army, and then during being undercover, and consequently spending six months in an East German(and communist) prison under terrible conditions during the Cold War. I couldn't help but continue reading and finding out what happened to Bob, he is a very likable character and person.

The Slow March of Light appealed to me because it spoke about a time in history that affected many people of which we don't hear a lot about. It may be hard to read or hear about but it is important that these stories are told and heard so that they aren't repeated ever again. This was an engaging read for me, and I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who is interested in this period of time and its richness despite the suffering. My gratitude to Shadow Mountain and NetGalley. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Author of "The Paper Dolls of Chinatown," Heather B. Moore has done it again! "The Slow March of Light" drops the reader into the summer of 1961, when the Berlin Wall was built to separate Berlin. Luisa, who tries to rescue her grandmother from East Berlin, joins a secret spy network to rescue loved ones and bring them to West Germany through a small, makeshift tunnel.

Set in the divided Germanys of the early 1960s, Heather B. Moore’s The Slow March of Light offers a fascinating look at tense and chilling events that took place along the Cold War’s ‘front lines.’ Through the perspective of Bob Inama, an actual American soldier who was caught and imprisoned while spying in the East, readers get a vicarious glimpse into the horror of life in an East German prison. Another character, the fictional Luisa Voigt, brings to life the dangers faced by regular Germans from both sides of the Wall — caring people who risked life and liberty to help their brothers and sisters escape an oppressive regime. The Slow March of Light is a story of courage, perseverance, and finding faith in seemingly hopeless situations. It’s a story that will inspire readers to search for light in their own moments of darkness.

This book has sent me through a whirlwind!! I love history and feel like this book filled in a huge gap for me after WWII! I learned so much about the German people and the US Army. I definitely need to study more about those years of the COLD war! Ms. Moore has done an incredible job letting us view that world through the eyes of Bob Inama! What a story of courage, faith and diligence! I loved this story! You won’t regret reading it! I couldn’t put it down!

The Slow March of Light by Heather B. Moore is a historical fiction novel set in Germany during the early 1960's. WWll was over but political tensions were high in Germany due to the Cold War and the Berlin wall being built. War interrupts lives causing future plans and dreams to change or be abandoned. Bob Inama was studying to be a government lawyer when his plans changed due to be drafted into the army and stationed in Germany. He meets Luisa, a German nurse, during a church social. This is a moving story of how life was during the Cold War. Thanks to the author, publisher Shadow Mountain Publishing, and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for a honest review.

While the book was at times a bit slow moving, especially in the beginning, the overall story was memorable and moving. Bob had such character and faith in God that helped him to endure the disappointment of a forced career change, courage in a precarious undercover work in a violent and oppressive communist country/city, and hope and gratitude in a depraved and damaging captivity in a Soviet prison.

It is amazing how Bob was able to keep an attitude of grace, thankfulness, strength, and love despite how much oppression, harm and awful environment he endured. It was the epitome of “love your neighbor” in action. I am completely sure that that level of finding something to be thankful for and loving others is what got him thru that without being completely hopeless or give in to the horrible treatment. And even more so, that he was able to show one of his captors, who should have been his enemy, that kind of love and gratitude in the midst of that, which brought him to the Lord in the end. Man... what an example.

As for the writing itself, it was just slower, a bit dry and more drawn out than I’d prefer. I probably would have given it 3 stars if not for the great content of Bob’s experience and how much I admire him from it. The first quarter I got pretty bored but the rest picked up more. I could have done without the intro details at the beginning of the chapters also. They really weren’t very relevant to the story and didn’t really lend all that much to the theme in general. Often I struggled to figure out what they had to do with anything, and or what they were trying to convey being out of context like that.

Also, at the beginning of the book, the author listed a “chart of characters” for both real and fictional characters. But the list was so arbitrary it was odd. At first I thought it was important but then characters that were barely mentioned once or twice made it to the list, and major characters - even Luisa, one of the main ones, Murdock, etc - weren’t even mentioned at all. I would think it’d have just been better to omit it if it was going to be that random, because I kept going back to it trying to figure out what I was missing before realizing I wasn’t.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I received a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review
This felt like just another WWII novel. I couldn't get into it.

I just admired this book on so many levels. It is a historical fiction novel that takes place in the aftermath of WWII in Berlin during the time of the Cold War and the infamous Berlin Wall. This a war story of countrymen vs fellow countrymen based on the true story of Bob Inama. He was drafted and went under cover in East Berlin just before the "Wall" went up. The research for this novel must have been fascinating to unearth. Moore's writing was concise and beautiful done. It will allowed the reader to feel the emotions and the stressful of everyday people. Although it included a love story it was tastefully done and never trivialized the story line. I would like to thank Net Galley, the publisher and the author for the ARC of this gem.

5*

I have been a fan of Heather B Moore since the first book of hers I read. This book is no exception. Moore takes a daunting period in time and brings it to life. I was drawn in from the very beginning. I highly recommend this emotionally riveting book!!!

A Slow March to Light is a the story of an American soldier working as an undercover spy in East Berlin as the wall went up dividing the city overnight and Luisa, a nurse secretly helping her fellow Germans escape to West Berlin.

My first impressions were that the story was blah. There is little pizzazz, just a meandering through the events like you would casually stroll a street on lockdown. A Slow March. There is a lot of reiterating the obvious, using sentences to fill the page rather than build the story. I initially found it quite boring and hard to engage with, but I pushed through.

The second half of the book, after the wall went up and action began to build, it improved. I enjoyed reading about Bob and Luisa’s blossoming relationship and dangerous commitments to help East Berlin Germans. Overall, I think this would be a good choice for readers who love reading about historical events. It is the first book I read about the Berlin during the Cold War and found the facts and stories of the characters very interesting.

This is pretty interesting, particularly since it's based on actual events. It's also emotional, engaging, and very well written. This one will stick with me a long time. Recommended.

I really appreciate the ARC for review!!

Oh, my goodness, this was a good book! I sort of felt like I was back in college with everything I learned, but I never had a World History class anywhere near this interesting! Thank you Net Galley and Heather B. Moore for the further education and enlightenment! Heather embellished (just enough to make it "un-put-downable") the true story of Bob Inawa and his experiences in East and West Berlin during the time that the wall was erected. This man was truly a hero, and there's no embellishment there!

To my somewhat amazement, I didn't quit learning when the story was over. Wow, the research this prolific author did and added (pages worth) at the end! So many new things we didn't know, hadn't heard. I am, indeed, grateful to live when and where I do and for servicemen like Mr. Inawa who have helped to make this a possibility.

I’ve noticed lately there seems to be two types of historical fiction- the first kind is where the history/ setting takes center stage and is the main character, and the other kind where the MC is our focus, and we get bits and pieces of history that swirl around the MC. I prefer the latter, while this is the former. It’s history heavy, good for those who like to know historical who’s, why’s and where’s.

The Slow March of Light tells the story of Bob Inama, a recent US army recruit who is thrust into spying for his country in Cold War Germany. It’s in Germany, he meets and befriends Luisa Voigt, a young nurse who just wants to help her people.

Although I enjoyed the overall story, I found the main character, wasn’t Bob or Luisa, (whose stories are parallel) but Berlin. That isn’t a bad thing (it’s my favorite city, which is the main reason I wanted to read this) but the interaction between Bob/ Luisa and Berlin, at times, felt separate. And I think it was that reason, the story didn’t 100% “grab” me- it wasn’t what some would call a “page turner”, but it is a solid, well told story that deserves to be told.

A sensational historical novel focusing on true events that transpired in Germany during the Cold War. The chapters alternate between the two protagonists that both struggle with the difficult and at times almost unbearable circumstances, while their feelings for each other remain their guiding light.

This book wasn’t what I thought it was - it was even better. Two lives woven together but split as separate strands. Really enjoyed it. So authentic. Am going also purchase for a friend to read which is high praise indeed!

Touching historical fiction!
The story was engaging and educational. I loved the example of Bob Inama. Throughout his experiences he looked for things to be grateful for, even while in prison. The story was well written and gave ‘faces and voices’ to people who lived in Berlin during the 60s and experienced the political tightrope first hand. It gives me greater understanding and appreciation for what they had to endure. I can’t imagine living in those circumstances! My heart was touched by the humanity and kindness of people, even when life seemed grey.

This story took me a little while to get into (more likely a reflection of things going on in my life than the author’s intro). I really enjoyed reading Bob’s story and knowing that it was a true story and that he had such great faith at such a time. I’m so glad he went on to live a happy life and I loved the letter from Adolph.

I thought the fictional activities of Louisa were a good glimpse into things likely happening at the time with people trying to help people on the other side of the wall.

I disliked how most of the book was set up to make Bob and Louisa seem like their lives would either eventually combine, or they would be lovers torn apart by their circumstances.

I think Heather did a marvelous job overall. I imagine it would be challenging to write someone’s true story, while that person is still living and will read the story; especially if said story is basically being told for the first time through your telling of it (amazing it was a secret for so long). I am very curious as to how his family members may have reacted to the finished book and Bob’s story (aside from his wife, who knew vaguely what had happened).

Wow...where do I even begin. This was a fabulous read. I laughed and cried, mother and cheered through the parallel stories of two young adults during the beginning of the Cold War. I learned quite a few things I didn't know about that timeframe of history.

The amazing true story of Bob Inama is equally balanced by a fictionalized women Luisa-giving an all encompassing look at the effect of Soviet rule in Germany. You feel like you are there I'm the moment with these characters and there are intense moments.

H.B. Moore has delivered a thought provoking, persception altering novel that I know I will read again and recommend!