Originally published in Library Journal, February 2020. Based on the incredible true story of her mother's life, Abriel's novel set during and immediately following WWII is both moving and captivating. Jewish teenagers in Budapest, Vera and Edith, narrowly escape from the cattle car headed to Auschwitz, carrying both of their mothers. Believing their parents and… Continue reading The Light After the War by Anita Abriel
Tag: 1940s
The Winemaker’s Wife by Kristin Harmel
Review originally appeared in Library Journal, July 2019. Alternating between the vineyards of war-torn 1940s France and present day, the lives of Ines and Michel, newlywed owners of the famed champagne house, Maison Chauveau, and the head winemaker’s Jewish wife, Celine Laurent, are forever altered. As Germans are pillaging homes and sending Jews to prison… Continue reading The Winemaker’s Wife by Kristin Harmel
The Magnificent Life of Esme Wells by Adrienne Sharp
Review originally appeared in Library Journal, January 2018. Young Esme Silver was born in pre-WWII Hollywood to Dina Wells, a 16-year old wanna-be actress star with the right looks, but very little talent. Her father, "Magic Ike," gambler and small-time crook, spends his days at the horse track, dragging "Baby E" along as he makes… Continue reading The Magnificent Life of Esme Wells by Adrienne Sharp
The Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman
After having seen the book-to-movie film preview for this novel, I purchased a copy, thinking it would be like so many of the historical fiction novels of WWII that I've read and enjoyed. Though it was very different, I still enjoyed it very much. It took me quite a bit longer to read it than others, but… Continue reading The Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman
Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse
I'm back again with another WWII historical fiction novel, which seems to be one of my favorite genres of late. This is written for a YA audience, but like Salt to the Sea, adults will also enjoy reading it. Girl in the Blue Coat will be published April 5, 2016. The story takes place in… Continue reading Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse
The Railwayman’s Wife by Ashley Hay
The Railwayman's Wife will be published April 5, 2016. The story takes place in the town of Thirroul, in 1948, on the coast of New South Wales. The author's vivid descriptions of the water, the library, the train station, and the beach really help the atmosphere of the book, allowing readers to imagine such beauty. Anikka (Ani) Lachlan, wife… Continue reading The Railwayman’s Wife by Ashley Hay
The Song of Hartgrove Hall by Natasha Solomons
The Song of Hartgrove Hall, written by Natasha Solomons, begins in post-WWII Britain in the 1940's. The story alternates between 1940s - 1960s Britain and present day, with the same family, the Fox-Talbots, inhabiting Hartgrove Hall. Hartgrove Hall itself has such a pivotal role in this story; the once stately, then crumbling, then restored once… Continue reading The Song of Hartgrove Hall by Natasha Solomons
Letters to the Lost by Iona Grey
Letters to the Lost will be published on May 26, 2015. This is one of the best and most beautiful stories I have read in a while, which is saying a lot because I read so many different types of books. I've not read anything by this author previously, but I do hope she writes… Continue reading Letters to the Lost by Iona Grey
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