The Boys from St. Petri (novel)

The Boys from St. Petri is a historical novel by Bjarne Reuter, originally published in Danish as Drengene fra Sankt Petri in 1991. The novel is set in Nazi-occupied Denmark during World War II and follows a group of teenage boys in Copenhagen who form a resistance group called the RAF Club (RAF-klubben).

The plot revolves around the boys' initial acts of petty sabotage and vandalism against the German occupiers, which gradually escalate into more serious and dangerous acts of resistance. The novel explores themes of courage, loyalty, friendship, and the loss of innocence as the boys confront the realities of war and the moral complexities of resisting oppression. Their youthful idealism is tested as they face difficult choices with significant consequences.

The Boys from St. Petri is known for its realistic portrayal of life under Nazi occupation and its focus on the perspective of young people involved in the resistance movement. It depicts the risks and sacrifices inherent in fighting for freedom and the emotional toll it takes on individuals and communities. The novel has been adapted into a film of the same name, further popularizing the story.