Sixty Blades
of Grass

Inspired by the author’s own family history, this novel of danger and betrayal explores what it takes to lay down one’s life for another.  

During the Second World War, Ria, a seventeen-year-old Dutch Resistance fighter, paints in fields overlooking the busy rail yards. Hidden in her artwork is information crucial to the Dutch Underground about the concentration camps and Nazi troop transports.

But Ria’s covert activities aren’t the only thing on her mind. In these uncertain times, even trusting family is risky. She suspects her father of collaborating with the Germans and is determined to uncover the truth.

Across town, her German-born father is also living a double life. But his desire to keep his daughter safe proves inadequate when he invites a German colonel into his home with terrible consequences . . . 

With no one to rely on or turn to, Ria knows her greatest challenge has only just begun as she must fight for her own survival . . .

The Real Facts

Ria (Rika)

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The Art

This is a painting Ria (Rika) gave me when I visited The Netherlands with my mother in 1978. I knew she had painted the trains taking the Jews out of the country in code, and feel this might be suggestive of the paintings she hastily did and hid for others in the Resistance to find. The aim was to document as much as they could about the transports so they could find their Countrymen when the war was over.

 Elizabeth Millane’s remarkable debut novel “Sixty Blades of Grass” transports readers to the haunting and turbulent world of Holland during the Nazi occupation of World War II.  Through the eyes of the courageous protagonist, seventeen-year-old Rika, a member of the Dutch Resistance, Millane weaves a mesmerizing tale of love, resilience and the indomitable spirit of the human soul.  From the very first page, it is impossible not to become involved in Rika’s journey.

Millane’s writing style is captivating and heartfelt, conveying the range of emotions experienced by her characters.  The pacing is excellent and kept me on the edge of my seat as I was eager to discover what fate had in store for Rika and her family.  If you are a fan of historical fiction, “Sixty Blades of Grass” is a must-read.  You will be moved and inspired by this extraordinary story of bravery and sacrifice.

 By Madison Butkus

Hometown Weekly Reporter

Author and local real estate agent, Betsy Milane, spoke about her recently published book ‘Sixty Blades of Grass’ at The Center at The Heights on Wednesday, June 7th. Seniors listened on while  Milane explained how her book is based around her own family’s exploits in the Dutch underground during World War II. 

The overview of the book states, “The bond between a Dutch teenager and her father is tested as the Resistance wages its secret war against the Nazis, in this suspenseful, emotional novel. … Inspired by the author’s own family history, this is a riveting, heartrending novel of danger and betrayal that explores what it takes to lay down one’s life for another in the most harrowing of circumstances.” 

Milane gave great detail into how her family navigated through life during the Nazi reign. She explained how her study abroad trip to Europe, during her junior year at Boston College, allowed her to learn all about her family's rich history. While learning all about her family during this time, she additionally mentioned how much research she did in order to write her book in its entirety. 

It took Milane twelve years in total to write her book; as writing was not always at the forefront of her career. In between substitute teaching and selling real estate, Milane chipped away at her novel, while trying desperately to find a publisher to officially publish her book. 

She discussed, “It’s funny, this time last year, everyday I woke up and I thought, ‘Will I be published? Is this going to happen for me?’ I had an agent and I thought ‘Well of course I have an agent, I’ll be published.’ And then a year went by, and then another year went by. And I was getting these rejections and after every rejection, I asked ‘Why?’ And they told me. So I went back and I put more chapters in the book and I ramped up the tension and I just kept revising. And finally, it hit. Which was kind of neat!”  

Milane’s book ‘Sixty Blades of Grass’ was just released earlier this month and can be found on Amazon.