In Our Midst, by Nancy Jensen. A Dzanc book.

 The Aust family leave Germany six years after the end of World War I to make a life in America. They settle in a small, and rather typical, midwestern town in Indiana, where they open a restaurant and acclimate nicely into American culture. The Austs develop close friendships, generously contribute to the community, add to the eclectic, growing a country of immigrants.
 
And then comes another world war and as America fights Nazism-- which grows powerful by dehumanizing others—it allows fear to justify its own display of dehumanization of others. As we learn of German concentration camps, we develop our own camps for those we consider a threat—Italian, German,  and Japanese nationals.
 
The reader follows the Aust family through their journey from beloved citizens of a small American town to accused traitors-- moved from one camp to another, first separated and alone, then as a family. The family is arrested and judged without due process, tossed into camps against their will, where they’re treated like traitors/criminals and live among true Nazi thugs with no means of protection. With the exception of a few friends, most neighbors in Indiana turn their back on this German family. They have to rely upon small acts of kindness of strangers and new friends and their love for each other.
 
This is not an easy book to read, but it is an important book because it reminds us not only of
of the importance of due process and constitutional freedoms, but also, the importance of kindness and understanding even during the chaos of war. It is shocking and ironic we fought a war against a regime that dehumanized “others,” yet in the name of that fight proceeded to dehumanize “others.”
 
The author never preaches, only shows us the world through the eyes of “others.” We live and breathe with the Aust family as this travesty takes place. We see the camps, the betrayal of neighbors, the fear and paranoia of our government. We see the distant eyes of guards and harsh, cold treatment from many Americans.
 
The truth is difficult and at times I wondered how much of this story deviated from reality. Were paranoid actions in reality truly this brutal or did the author darken the world for effect?  In a book like this, research and quality of writing is important, and, ultimately, because of Jansen’s authentic details and excellent writing, I trusted her.  
 
Books like IN OUR MIDST display the importance of historical literary fiction. Good literary writers, like Nancy Jensen, take us on important journeys that most history books avoid. We are allowed to  feel the consequences of our mistakes, not simply learn them.  
 
This is a tough read, but it’s an important one-- particularly now, when anger and fear of the “other” is leading our country, once again, to devolve into division and hate. Great writing and insight. I recommend it.