Nothing Sung and Nothing Spoken

Nothing Sung and Nothing Spoken

  • Downloads:1851
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2022-12-19 09:51:48
  • Update Date:2025-09-07
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Nita Tyndall
  • ISBN:0063087448
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

Berlin, 1938

It is the summer before World War II begins, but Charlotte Kraus doesn’t know it yet。 All she knows is the zing of electricity she feels every time her best friend, Angelika Haas, grabs her hand。 Charlie would follow Geli anywhere—which is how she finds herself at an underground club one Friday night, dancing to contraband American jazz and swing music, suddenly feeling that anything
might be possible。

Under the oppressive shadow of the Nazi regime, returning to the club is a risk。 But Charlie does, unable to resist the allure of sharing a secret with the girl she can’t stop thinking about, or the thrill of disobeying the Party’s rules。 Soon the Swingjugend movement becomes more than a simple escape。 It’s a place where Charlie and her friends find acceptance, freedom, and camaraderie among others who are determined not to sit on the sidelines of history。

Increasingly terrified by the tightening vise of Hitler’s power, Charlie is drawn to larger and larger acts of resistance—even as Geli, the daughter of a senior Party officer, begins to pull away。 But resisting the Nazis is a dangerous proposition, and the war will test what Charlie is willing to risk at the expense of her family, her friends, and the girl she loves。

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Reviews

Haley

This book was good, but I kept waiting for something more to happen。 I liked the characters, but I would have liked to see a little more story to the other people in Charlie's life besides just Geli。 I loved that this story focused more on how the people of Germany resisted the Nazi's during WW2, but it left me wanting a little more。 Overall it was a good read。 This book was good, but I kept waiting for something more to happen。 I liked the characters, but I would have liked to see a little more story to the other people in Charlie's life besides just Geli。 I loved that this story focused more on how the people of Germany resisted the Nazi's during WW2, but it left me wanting a little more。 Overall it was a good read。 。。。more

voka

3,5/5

milliereadsalot

Thank you to Pride Book Tours and Harper360YA for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!I don’t read historical fiction very often, and especially not historical fiction told from this perspective, so it was interesting to take myself out of my comfort zone for this one。 I found this really easy to read and to get into, but I struggled to care about the story because, of course, you know about all of the horrific things that are happening alongside the plot and I Thank you to Pride Book Tours and Harper360YA for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!I don’t read historical fiction very often, and especially not historical fiction told from this perspective, so it was interesting to take myself out of my comfort zone for this one。 I found this really easy to read and to get into, but I struggled to care about the story because, of course, you know about all of the horrific things that are happening alongside the plot and I ended up worrying and caring more about all of that than what was going on in the characters’ lives and whether they could listen to jazz music。 I also found it difficult to connect to the main character, when she was so dedicated to Geli, who is the daughter of a high-ranking Nazi officer and is very privileged throughout the book, and this kind of translates to our main character Charlie as well。I think the biggest issue for me was that the book takes place over the course of WWII, so over several years, but it didn’t feel like the characters had any real development and were still acting the same at 20 as they were at 15, especially Charlie, and it just meant I struggled to connect to her。However, I did really like the side characters in this, especially Renate, as she tried to hide her disability from the Nazis and her father’s disability also, while her brother is becoming increasingly involved in the HJ。 You could tell how much she cared about Minna, who was the only Jewish friend in this quartet, while I struggled to see Charlie's emotions for Minna。Of course any story set in WWII is going to be emotional and have an emotional end, and I did find myself caring a lot more towards the end, but I think that doesn't counteract the lack of connection for the majority of the book。 。。。more

Anita

This was an incredibly enlightening but very easy book to read。 It’s subject matter is incredibly tough and emotional to read about (Nazi Germany and the countless ways it ruined lives), it’s also an incredibly hopeful story about love and resistance。 Excellent, fully formed queer characters and great family dynamics here as well。 Solid 4 stars。

Marybeth Buskirk

I won’t be doing a review on this one as it’s a Harper Collins published book (ie: I’m in support of the Harper Collins Union Strike) but just know to PLEASE SKIP THIS ONE

Emma Warren

Read this in one day and cried。

kim baccellia

Powerful portrayal of the complicity of friendship and small acts of resistance during WWII Nazi Germany。 This story shows the underground contraband Swingjugend movement and American Jazz in Berlin before and during the war。 Friends Geli, Charlie, Minna, and Renate start with discovering the joy of Swingjugend。 At first, the Nazi party thinks it's only a nuisance but later this simple act of resistance is seen as much more。 Powerful portrayal of the complicity of friendship and small acts of resistance during WWII Nazi Germany。 This story shows the underground contraband Swingjugend movement and American Jazz in Berlin before and during the war。 Friends Geli, Charlie, Minna, and Renate start with discovering the joy of Swingjugend。 At first, the Nazi party thinks it's only a nuisance but later this simple act of resistance is seen as much more。 。。。more

Arzum

Couldn’t really connect

Em

Interesting perspective of history, learned a lot!

Luz

This book, although a bit different from what I expected to be an action-packed fiction novel, easily gets five stars from me。The writing is beautiful。 The book's atmosphere and the story really had me invested。 This book, although a bit different from what I expected to be an action-packed fiction novel, easily gets five stars from me。The writing is beautiful。 The book's atmosphere and the story really had me invested。 。。。more

Jay

On the cusp of World War II, Charlie has some intense feelings for her best friend Geli。 One night Geli takes her to a jazz and swing club。 As the war draws nearer, their time at the club grows, and Charlie has a hard time hiding her feelings for Geli。 Charlie continues to walk a fine line between silently protesting and flat out defying the Nazi regime。There's something a little worrisome about starting a book about lesbians in Hilter's time。 I had the sinking feeling that Nothing Sung and Noth On the cusp of World War II, Charlie has some intense feelings for her best friend Geli。 One night Geli takes her to a jazz and swing club。 As the war draws nearer, their time at the club grows, and Charlie has a hard time hiding her feelings for Geli。 Charlie continues to walk a fine line between silently protesting and flat out defying the Nazi regime。There's something a little worrisome about starting a book about lesbians in Hilter's time。 I had the sinking feeling that Nothing Sung and Nothing Spoken would be hard to get through, and it was at times。 (I even teared up at one point)。 One thing that I will commend Tyndall for is that they really make you care a lot about Charlie。 I was immediately drawn to her, and wanted all the best for her。 It constantly pulled at my heartstrings whenever Geli just acts like Geli, privileged and like what the Nazis are doing is just a bother to her。Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC。 I loved this book! 。。。more

Jodi Johnson-Meyers

I will be honest, I don't tend to gravitate toward LBHTQIA+ books。 This book was relatable to all。 The characters were believable。 I found myself sympathizing with Charlie。 We have all had those relationships that we know are a moth to a flame。 While I did find a few historical stretches, I completely understand why the author did what she did。 I highly recommend this book。 I found myself looking forward to reading it each night before bed。 I will be honest, I don't tend to gravitate toward LBHTQIA+ books。 This book was relatable to all。 The characters were believable。 I found myself sympathizing with Charlie。 We have all had those relationships that we know are a moth to a flame。 While I did find a few historical stretches, I completely understand why the author did what she did。 I highly recommend this book。 I found myself looking forward to reading it each night before bed。 。。。more

Jeimy

I thought I had reviewed this one, but alas。 I remember being frustrated by some of the characters, but I still like it。

Lizzie

I was so excited by the premise of this book, and the historical setting it explored。 It was great to see the world of cultural resistance in war-time Berlin, the underground swing movement, and the people who participated。 📚Find this and more reviews on my blog!📚Unfortunately, the book itself was a bit of a disappointment。 The main character, Charlie, didn’t have any strong motivations or a compelling character arc。 The book spanned nearly seven years but there wasn’t even much of a sense that I was so excited by the premise of this book, and the historical setting it explored。 It was great to see the world of cultural resistance in war-time Berlin, the underground swing movement, and the people who participated。 📚Find this and more reviews on my blog!📚Unfortunately, the book itself was a bit of a disappointment。 The main character, Charlie, didn’t have any strong motivations or a compelling character arc。 The book spanned nearly seven years but there wasn’t even much of a sense that she had aged, let alone any other indication that she had any sort of emotional journey。 There was no emotional connection to the main romance, which sort of came out of nowhere, and was undermined by the fact it was clear Charlie felt she was with her second choice (which is a shame, as Renate – the love interest she ends up with – was the most compelling character in the whole book and should have had more airtime)。 While the setting was an interesting one, and the main draw of the book, it ultimately didn’t have much emotional or dramatic impact on the characters until the final chapters。 At the start of the book Charlie is relatively oblivious to world around her, but the closest we got to any actual reconciliation with that was when she first realised that Jewish people were being targeted, and then we were told she was sad when her Jewish friends moved away。 It would almost have been more compelling if she had started from a place of agreeing with the “values” (Kinde, Küche, Kirche) drilled into her, and started to question them。 Instead she had a very vague understanding of Nazis-are-bad the whole way through。 In our modern minds, the figures and symbols of the Third Reich have (quite rightfully so) become synonymous with evil and villainy, and it felt like the author took that for granted rather than show the characters having that understanding or epiphany。 I desperately wanted Charlie to have at least a small moment of righteous anger, if not actively trying to do something about the world she was in, even on a tiny scale。 At best the setting felt divorced from the characters, but at worst it made the characters almost unrealistically oblivious。 This was a book with a lot of potential, but ultimately it didn’t hold any emotional or dramatic impact for me。 Thank you to the publishers for sending me a copy for review。 All opinions are my own。 。。。more

Misha Ali

I'm not crying, you're crying。 I'm not crying, you're crying。 。。。more

marlot

3 - 3。5 stars (?)i think queer historical fiction is such an important genre。 it shows that queer people have always existed。 it puts them back into the narratives that they have so relentlessly been erased from。 so i’m very glad this book exists! however, it fell flat in some ways。 the premise was great; queer experiences in the midst of the nazi regime and their involvement in the swingjugend movement has a lot of potential as a subject matter — which this story sadly didn’t live up to。 i foun 3 - 3。5 stars (?)i think queer historical fiction is such an important genre。 it shows that queer people have always existed。 it puts them back into the narratives that they have so relentlessly been erased from。 so i’m very glad this book exists! however, it fell flat in some ways。 the premise was great; queer experiences in the midst of the nazi regime and their involvement in the swingjugend movement has a lot of potential as a subject matter — which this story sadly didn’t live up to。 i found it to be too slow-paced and it failed to really captivate me。 it had the potential to be absolutely gut-wrenching and heartbreaking but i simply did not care all that much。 that’s not to say that the context of the time period isn’t extremely tragic, but i can’t help but feel that the author failed to really capture that gravity on page。 i did not particularly care for the main character either。 i found her to be naive and ignorant。 despite the book covering 7(?) years, there was a lack of real character development。 i also wish it focused a little more on the queer experience in context of the nazi regime, rather than solely the (inter)personal experience。 that’s not to say i didn’t enjoy it。 i certainly did。 it had some beautiful moments。 and the characters were diverse and dealt with a diverse set of challenges。 i just didn’t love it and i really wish i did。 。。。more

Deidre

Charlotte (her friend’s call her Charlie) is growing up in Berlin as Hilter is rising to power。 Her and her friends are taught growing that women’s place in society is “Kinder, Küche, Kirche”: children, kitchen, church。 Charlotte longs for a life where she’s free to make her own decisions and free to pick whom she loves。 When her friend Geli takes her to an underground jazz club, Charlie quickly realized she’s amongst others who defy the Nazi Party。 As the years pass within the book, you see gli Charlotte (her friend’s call her Charlie) is growing up in Berlin as Hilter is rising to power。 Her and her friends are taught growing that women’s place in society is “Kinder, Küche, Kirche”: children, kitchen, church。 Charlotte longs for a life where she’s free to make her own decisions and free to pick whom she loves。 When her friend Geli takes her to an underground jazz club, Charlie quickly realized she’s amongst others who defy the Nazi Party。 As the years pass within the book, you see glimpses of Charlie growing up, growing into her own as a young woman and the decisions she makes along the way。 There were beautiful moments of joy and good times, along with the glimpses of tense moments that put a knot in my stomach。 Charlie and her family and friends see the destruction of Jewish property, followed by the disappearance of their Jewish friends and neighbors, and live through food rationing and air raids。 There was a part in which tears were shed and my heart broke for Charlie。 Nita Tyndall is a brilliant storyteller and this book was wonderfully written。 I really enjoyed it and wasn’t able to put it down。 This was an unique look into Nazi Germany during WWII through the eyes of a teenager。 Highly recommend this book! 。。。more

Stephanie

3。5 stars rounded up。 This is a different perspective on WWII than I’ve read before。 Focused on the swingjugend movement in Nazi germany。 The author did an excellent job conveying the feelings of fear and oppression of the time。 Charlie and her friends just want to listen to music and escape what is happening。 We see Charlie grow up and realize what is happening and joins resistance efforts。 Geli was spoiled and unconcerned even though she was aware of what was unfolding。 Without spoiling things 3。5 stars rounded up。 This is a different perspective on WWII than I’ve read before。 Focused on the swingjugend movement in Nazi germany。 The author did an excellent job conveying the feelings of fear and oppression of the time。 Charlie and her friends just want to listen to music and escape what is happening。 We see Charlie grow up and realize what is happening and joins resistance efforts。 Geli was spoiled and unconcerned even though she was aware of what was unfolding。 Without spoiling things, how this ended showed the horrors of the time period and the difficult decisions people made to save themselves。 。。。more

Danielle M

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 Absolutely heartbreaking! I really loved this story。 It reminds me that even in the midst of a war, there are people in the aggressor’s country that hate what is being done and want to see peace among themselves and others。 I also loved how the author handled Charlie’s sexuality。 Charlie was just a queer teen and it wasn’t made a big deal of, especially during the time period she lived。 She just was herself。 I loved that。 There weren’t people backing her into a corner for who she was and nobody Absolutely heartbreaking! I really loved this story。 It reminds me that even in the midst of a war, there are people in the aggressor’s country that hate what is being done and want to see peace among themselves and others。 I also loved how the author handled Charlie’s sexuality。 Charlie was just a queer teen and it wasn’t made a big deal of, especially during the time period she lived。 She just was herself。 I loved that。 There weren’t people backing her into a corner for who she was and nobody thought to make her feel weird about it。 I absolutely love when teens are so willing to fight back against oppressors and bullies。 Charlie and her friends were so incredibly strong。 I would have liked to read more about them actually。 I could’ve easily read a 500 page book with these kids and this story。 。。。more

Kimberly Jones

I thought I was well-read as to World War Two and holocaust literature。 But this book really opened my eyes to the role of music。 At first the book felt adolescent。 Ha ha。 That is the intended audience after all。 But it sucked me in and I found it very rewarding。 I would like to know whether young people in Berlin at that time were as comfortable and knowledgeable about homosexuality as this book suggests。 I’m not entirely sure the author got that right。 But setting aside that nuance, it was the I thought I was well-read as to World War Two and holocaust literature。 But this book really opened my eyes to the role of music。 At first the book felt adolescent。 Ha ha。 That is the intended audience after all。 But it sucked me in and I found it very rewarding。 I would like to know whether young people in Berlin at that time were as comfortable and knowledgeable about homosexuality as this book suggests。 I’m not entirely sure the author got that right。 But setting aside that nuance, it was the best historical novel I have read in a long time。 。。。more

Anna

As someone who sobbed their way through Who I Was With Her, I was really looking forward to this book but unfortunately it just felt really flat for me。 I didn't particularly like any of the characters and felt more frustrated with their actions than anything else。 I wasn't a fan of the narration either and while I could understand the importance of providing multiple perspectives of a time period, it is difficult to empathize with characters Who are concerned about curfews and music when people As someone who sobbed their way through Who I Was With Her, I was really looking forward to this book but unfortunately it just felt really flat for me。 I didn't particularly like any of the characters and felt more frustrated with their actions than anything else。 I wasn't a fan of the narration either and while I could understand the importance of providing multiple perspectives of a time period, it is difficult to empathize with characters Who are concerned about curfews and music when people are legitimately being murdered right next to them。I also had trouble with the fact that this book takes place over such a long period of time yet none of the characters really change at all and even though the setting and the political climate all of that changes I think the author really took advantage of the fact that readers would have some sort of historical knowledge of world war II instead of putting the time and effort into on-page explanations。 And while I think that many people are familiar I think this was a shortcut and there was an opportunity to really throw people into the mindset of how scary and terrifying it must have been for everyone during that time period。 。。。more

Isabel

*2。5This really wasn't for me, but I really wish it was。 *2。5This really wasn't for me, but I really wish it was。 。。。more

Jessie

Figuring out who you are and who (and how) you want to be in an oppressive situation and then in the midst of war。One of my favorite things here is the sibling relationship between Charlie and Greta。 They're five-ish years apart, I think, and they care about each other so much while also having a pretty bumpy relationship through here。 And it's such an interesting complement to the light notes we get of Renate and Hans and a huge contrast to Renate and Fritz。(view spoiler)[In contrast to some ot Figuring out who you are and who (and how) you want to be in an oppressive situation and then in the midst of war。One of my favorite things here is the sibling relationship between Charlie and Greta。 They're five-ish years apart, I think, and they care about each other so much while also having a pretty bumpy relationship through here。 And it's such an interesting complement to the light notes we get of Renate and Hans and a huge contrast to Renate and Fritz。(view spoiler)[In contrast to some other reviewers, I absolutely did see Renate and Charlie coming。 If anything, I felt like I needed more justification for how much Charlie loved Geli。 There was clearly a pull between them, but the book started too late for us to ever really see why。 (hide spoiler)] 。。。more

Zoe

As a lover of historical fiction I couldn't resist this book。 Set in Germany just before and during the Second World War。 A sign of a good young adult is that it appeals to all ages and I just loved this book。 It follows the lives of young Germans and some of the Jewish community during this era and the dangers of stepping out of line。 They just want to dance but it's forbidden and they are forced underground。 The unrequited love storyline between Charlie and Geli was beautifully written。 I was As a lover of historical fiction I couldn't resist this book。 Set in Germany just before and during the Second World War。 A sign of a good young adult is that it appeals to all ages and I just loved this book。 It follows the lives of young Germans and some of the Jewish community during this era and the dangers of stepping out of line。 They just want to dance but it's forbidden and they are forced underground。 The unrequited love storyline between Charlie and Geli was beautifully written。 I was interested in the group the girls attended and went down a Google rabbit hole finding out more。 It was quite an eye-opener。 。。。more

Izabella Britten

So good, yet so heartbreaking。 I cried a few times。 It is so sad when people can not live their true selves and they live in fear。 But it was also heartwarming and very very well written!

RobinLikesReading

"I feel guilty for it sometimes, for any sort of laughter or feeling of freedom on my part, because there is a war going on and we shouldn't be allowed to forget so easily。"I have absolutely no words。。。 but I'm still going to be talking about it。 Before I can say I'm a fan of an author, I always need to read at least two books of them and I can say I'm absolutely a fan of Nita Tyndall now。 I already loved their previous book Who I Was With Her but I think I even loved this one more。 I'm going to "I feel guilty for it sometimes, for any sort of laughter or feeling of freedom on my part, because there is a war going on and we shouldn't be allowed to forget so easily。"I have absolutely no words。。。 but I'm still going to be talking about it。 Before I can say I'm a fan of an author, I always need to read at least two books of them and I can say I'm absolutely a fan of Nita Tyndall now。 I already loved their previous book Who I Was With Her but I think I even loved this one more。 I'm going to be reading every book Nita releases in the future for sure。Nothing Sung and Nothing Spoken takes place right before and during World War II。 Charlie is a girl who's in love with her best friend Geli。 One day Geli invites Charlie to a club where they dance and listen to Jazz aka forbidden music。 The second time they invite Renate and Minna as well and this causes Charlie to wanting to rebel against the nazi regime。 This book is beautiful, terrifying and heartbreaking。 This book takes place over a few years, it starts before the war and you slowly see everything changing。 Jewish shops are being closed, Jewish people are disappearing/hiding, including Minna, without anyone knowing where they are or if they're ok。 The relationship Charlie has with the other characters is very important in this book。 Her bond with her little sister, her bond with her friends, there's even a very sweet sapphic romance which I loved very much。I already knew much about WWII but this book has taught me more。 I knew there were acts of rebellion but I did not know about the swingjugend。 I don't think they ever taught about that in my high school。Anyway, this book was beautifully written and I know I'll be thinking about it for a very long time。My Instagram 。。。more

Brenda Coleman

I enjoyed the fact that this was historical fiction。 It dealt with the underground swing youth movement of World War II Berlin。 This movement was part teenage rebellion and part resistance to the Nazi party and the war。 The characters felt very real in the way they dealt with secrets from their families and unlawful romance during this time of extremist Government。 Charlotte’s dealings with her sister were very heartfelt。 This story drew me in and kept me till the very end。

Heron

From the outside, Charlotte “Charlie” Kraus is a good daughter, good sister, and example of model behavior。 But “it begins with a secret”—Geli’s hand in Charlie’s and the myriad feelings her touch evokes。 It escalates with the second: a secret club full of forbidden jazz and swing music and an atmosphere that makes Charlie feel more alive than ever。 The Swingjugend offers acceptance and escape, and as World War II begins, it becomes more—resistance。After Nita Tyndall tore my heart to shreds with From the outside, Charlotte “Charlie” Kraus is a good daughter, good sister, and example of model behavior。 But “it begins with a secret”—Geli’s hand in Charlie’s and the myriad feelings her touch evokes。 It escalates with the second: a secret club full of forbidden jazz and swing music and an atmosphere that makes Charlie feel more alive than ever。 The Swingjugend offers acceptance and escape, and as World War II begins, it becomes more—resistance。After Nita Tyndall tore my heart to shreds with their debut novel Who I Was With Her, they continue to wreak havoc with my emotions in this sophomore novel。 With a rich tapestry of historical detail that makes the setting come alive, a complex web of relationships both romantic and platonic, and an emotional crescendo that left me with a case of hopeful heartache, Nothing Sung and Nothing Spoken hit all the right notes for me。Nothing Sung and Nothing Spoken drew me in from the start。 Tyndall has a gift for conveying emotion in their writing and I was swept away into the forbidden thrill and defiance of the Swingjugend clubs from the start。 Given the period in which the novel takes place, there is obvious tension and peril throughout; Charlie navigates the risk of adhering to her values in an increasingly terrifying Nazi regime as well as the intricacies of her own relationships within that framework。The relationships in this novel are a delight for me。 Geli makes for a compelling if not necessarily likable central character and Charlie’s feelings for her are so deeply full of closeted queer yearning。 Charlie’s family and other friends, Renate and Minna, are also three-dimensional and add vivacity to the already intricate historical setting。 The drama in this is often quiet and understated but no less powerful for being so。There is something of a love triangle in this one, though I hesitate to label it as such。 Even if you’re not necessarily a fan of that kind of setup, I would recommend still giving this one a try if the premise interests you。 In addition to being queer, there are rich layers of nuance that made the relationships powerful to me。Nothing Sung and Nothing Spoken depicts an oft-neglected side of resistance in fiction; it is about trying to navigate your heart and your life when there is so little that is just in the world around you。 And while anguish and suffering are present in the narrative as historical context would suggest, there’s also a surprising amount of hope amongst the loose, open end。 Fans of YA historical fiction who want a deeply human portrait of one teen’s life during this era should definitely pick this one up。Thank you to Edelweiss and Harperteen for an advance review copy。 All opinions are my own。 。。。more

Andrea

If you live the movie “Swing Kids” you will love this book as much as I did

Izzys_Internet_Bookshelf

3/5I found it to be pretty interesting but at the same time I felt the pacing was slow and I wish there was a little more to the story。