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Ep 46 – Sonny Boy – A Powerful Story of Love, Struggle, and Resistance in WWII

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In this episode of Rosie the Reviewer, we dive into Sonny Boy, a Dutch film based on the book by Annejet van der Zijl. The movie tells the true story of Dutch-Surinam couple Rika van der Lans and Waldemar Nods, highlighting their struggles during the German occupation of the Netherlands. The couple’s relationship and their efforts to hide Jews in their boarding house make for a compelling, emotional tale of resistance during WWII. Maartje also shares her love for Dutch history and the personal connection to this story.

If you’re curious about the true history behind Sonny Boy and how it connects to real wartime stories in the Netherlands, read our full deep dive article here.

Sonny Boy trailer

Book Rec by Sam and Maartje

Cover of “The Boy Between Worlds” by Annejet van der Zijl, featuring a sepia-toned image of a young boy standing on a beach with a ship in the background, under dramatic skies. The subtitle reads: A Biography.

Sonny Boy or A Boy Between Worlds by Annejet van der Zijl is a stunning biography that reads like a novel. It follows the lives and romance of Rika van der Lans and Waldemar Nods, an interracial couple who not only dealt with racism but also with the invading Germans as the Second World War upended their lives. It’s a testament to the fact that loving homes made for the best hiding places—because despite their own struggles, Rika and Waldemar selflessly hid Jews in their boarding house. It is a must-read for anyone wanting to read about incredible bravery by ordinary people.

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