Father Viktor Koch was an American priest with the Passionists Order who felt led as a missionary to help establish a group of the same in Bavaria, Germany. Prior to reading this compelling book based on fact, I had never heard of this group before. Author Katherine Koch is a family descendent and conducted meticulous research into his life. The included photographs really personalized the story and her storytelling is stellar and original. I have read hundreds of World War II books so unique people, topics and locations turn my head. This is one of those books.

Father Koch gave hope and encouragement to those who were suffering terribly during the war. He desperately wanted to save people, a Wehrmacht veteran, his wife and son in particular. Though Nazis typically despised faith in anyone or anything other than Hitler, Father Koch somehow was able to teach and instruct. He had help in unexpected places including a Nazi charity worker. Koch pointed out that not all Germans were evil and focused on compassion and humanity in general. When American liberators arrived in 1945, mass graves were discovered, numbering 140 corpses. Koch insisted that the victims be buried humanely and expediently so called those in the village to remove the bodies, clean them and bury them properly. Not only that but he ordered that this be done in 24 hours. If not, the locals would all be shot, a bold move from a foreigner in a country where he wasn't born. What the German villagers did was incredible.

Throughout times of horror, Father Koch remained steadfast in his faith and love for fellow humans. He used both the good and the bad to point people to God. This book is a completely different perspective on WWII which I appreciate. Of course the topic is a difficult one as each one of those corpses were very real flesh and blood reminders of the dreadful Holocaust.

My sincere thank you to Book Whisperer and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this phenomenal novel which bruised my heart but encouraged it, too.

“The Sower of Black Field” by Katherine Koch is historical fiction (WWII) book about her family member, Father Viktor Koch, an American priest living in Germany. This book was well researched - and the Author’s Note details what was true, what was based upon facts, and what was fictional. While I found this book an interesting one, at times I found myself skimming through some of the sections. While the story moved forward, there are a number of characters to keep track of that I rather wished for a list (maybe I missed it?). I liked how Fr. Koch’s relationship with the townspeople went beyond just a spiritual one. I also liked the care that the author gave to this story - it’s one that people should know.