Book Review: Vandella: Resilience

Reviewed by Lauren Hayataka

An intense saga of defiance, friendship, and resilience in the heart of Nazi Germany

In M. Ch. Landa’s evocative dark fantasy, Vandella: Resilience, the intricate interplay of morality and war unfolds through the eyes of Peach Niemeyer, a spirited young woman nestled in the tranquil corners of the German countryside.

Central to the narrative is a thought-provoking question: “If Death warned you of your impending demise, would you dare to defy it?” This question is the catalyst for Peach’s journey, overshadowed by her family’s deep involvement in the SS. In the midst of wartime chaos, Peach’s dreams of hurdling her way to Olympic glory collide harshly with the grim realities of Nazi oppression, creating a poignant and thought-provoking narrative. 

At a wedding steeped in ominous mystique, Peach witnesses a séance within the walls of the infamous Wewelsburg Castle. Here, the line between the supernatural and the corporeal blurs, as a spectral entity bargains for Nazi victory in exchange for the lives of seven innocent children. Appalled by this sinister pact, Peach embarks on a daring rescue mission, guiding the captive children through a war-ravaged Germany while being relentlessly pursued by the unforgiving forces of the SS.

One of the novel’s standout features is the relatability of its protagonist, Peach. Readers may easily connect with her struggles, not just against the oppressive SS but also against the weight of familial expectations. While Peach nurtures dreams of Olympic glory, her mother envisions a divergent path for her—a future where Peach marries well and fulfills the rigid expectations set by the regime. In this envisioned life, she would earn the coveted Cross of Honor of the German Mother from the Fuhrer, a recognition achieved by bearing at least five healthy children. This aligns with the Nazi regime’s viewpoint, as an SS officer reminds Peach that: “There is nothing more serviceable than motherhood…Bearing this nation’s soldiers in your womb is nothing short of heroic.”  

The very idea of aspiring to anything beyond this prescribed role is considered unfathomable, underscoring an additional strength of the novel: its vivid depiction of the rigid confines of Nazi Germany, where the state held precedence over the individual. It’s important to highlight that readers with a foundational understanding of World War II and the Nazi regime would find the book more accessible, given its heavy reliance on German ideology, terms, and ranks. Through Peach’s perspective, readers are immersed in the world of the Band of German Maidens (BDM), where German youth were encouraged to establish friendships and celebrate their heritage, all while dreaming of the glorious future promised by the Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler. 

Peach’s close friend, Gerda, whose wedding Peach attends, exemplifies how Germans were encouraged to support the Fuhrer through eugenics practices to ensure Aryan supremacy. In a heartbreaking contrast, their mutual friend Ania, who dreams of attending Reich bridal school and having an SS-Eheweihen wedding, faces insurmountable obstacles as her father succumbed to tuberculosis. Gerda dismisses Ania’s aspirations, asserting that it can never happen in her case as her genes have decided her fate. In contrast, Peach is deemed an ideal bride due to her father’s high-ranking SS position and her excellent health, aligning perfectly with the regime’s criteria for breeding the supposed perfect race. This distinction underscores the dehumanizing process where individuals were ruthlessly judged and categorized based on unforgiving criteria, illustrating the depth of control exerted by the Nazi regime. Every individual was simply a means to an end—in this case, a tool to creating a fantastical race of man. 

Simultaneously, Peach and those around her exemplify the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit. They defy societal norms, demonstrating that people can rise above predetermined roles and societal pressures. What makes this story unique is that the characters drive the plot forward, shaping their own destinies rather than being victims of circumstance. As a result, these characters come to life as genuine, distinct, and relatable personalities, even within the complexity of the multiple characters introduced in each chapter. 

Amidst this exploration of individual strength, the novel delves into mature themes with unflinching realism. Readers should be mindful that the novel contains strong language, sexual assault, and graphic violence. It is essential to note, however, that these elements are not gratuitously added for shock value. Instead, they serve as tools to magnify the harsh realities of war, pushing readers to confront the discomforting facets of history. 

Vandella: Resilience presents an exceptional perspective on World War II, unfolding the narrative through the experiences of a German character, offering an uncommon and often disregarded viewpoint on the conflict. It transcends the conventional war narrative; instead, it serves as a window into the past, encouraging readers to explore history’s complexities from a fresh perspective. And by doing so, the novel offers readers a chance to empathize, learn, and reflect, just as Peach and later, her granddaughter, do. 

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