© 2024 MICHIGAN PUBLIC
91.7 Ann Arbor/Detroit 104.1 Grand Rapids 91.3 Port Huron 89.7 Lansing 91.1 Flint
Donate
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Novel follows Italian prisoner of war in WWII-era Michigan

Michigan Public | By Stateside Staff
Published July 13, 2016 at 4:07 PM EDT
Prisoners of war held in Michigan’s camps were mostly German, but there were also soldiers of other nationalities, like these Italians captured by the Germans in Greece in 1943.
Wikimedia user Bild Bundesarchiv
/
http://j.mp/1SPGCl0
Prisoners of war held in Michigan’s camps were mostly German, but there were also soldiers of other nationalities, like these Italians captured by the Germans in Greece in 1943.";

There aren't many books that serve up history, suspense, crime and a love story, all beautifully tied together.

Wolf's Mouth manages to offer all that and more.

Author John Smolens is a former professor at Northern Michigan University, where he helped to found its Master of Fine Arts program.

Wolf's Mouth starts in World War II and follows the story of Italian prisoner of war Francesco Verdi, who is held in a POW camp in the Upper Peninsula.

Smolens spoke with us today about his novel and the history of POW camps in Michigan.

GUEST John Smolens is the author of nine published works of fiction. He lives in Marquette, Michigan.
Tags
Arts & Life historynovelauthorWWIIprisoners of war2017 Michigan Notable Book
Stateside Staff
Stateside is produced daily by a dedicated group of producers and production assistants. Listen daily, on-air, at 3 and 8 p.m., or subscribe to the daily podcast wherever you like to listen.
See stories by Stateside Staff
Related Content