The Lost Baker of Vienna

A wonderful read! And the fact that it's based on the author's real-life ancestors makes it that much better!

The story jumps between "present" time and post-war Europe, immediately after the end of WWII. The story itself is captivating, but it also taught me a lot about how things were during that time in Europe that I didn't know about.

I highly recommend this great novel!

Kurtzman is a talented writer who expertly juggles two timelines in this riveting historical novel set in post-war Austria and present day. We immediately sympathize with both Chana and Zoe. Ultimately this is a suspenseful and moving story about how strong women sacrifice and survive.

In this phenomenal dual-timeline historical novel, we meet Chana, struggling to make a living in post-war 1946 Austria, and present-day Zoe, searching for information about her grandfather’s past. As the stories of these two strong women intertwine, the reader is treated to a moving, suspenseful tale of love and family and sacrifice set against the vivid backdrop of Vienna. Debut author Sharon Kurtzman has done a masterful job of combining meticulous research and her own family history with fascinating characters, and the result is a story that readers will long remember. I highly recommend it.

This novel written with dual time lines reflects the struggles in post war Vienna, and the toll it placed on lives. The connection between the two times lines are intertwined and come together in the most satisfying way. Tears were shed.

I have been fascinated by World War Two historical fiction for years. Yet, I never thought much about what happened after the treaties were signed. The Lost Baker of Vienna has me asking so many questions, wanting to learn as much as possible. The survivors of the Nazi occupation are an inspiration to me and hopefully to you.Dual time line stories give multiple perspectives. I was impressed with the way the author tells Chana's story. Zoe has just lost her remaining family member. While searching her grandfather's documents she discovers an envelope with her name on it, for her future. She will find herself in Vienna at the Empress Hotel searching for clues from Henri Martin.Henri Martin has never been one for the limelight. He doesn't do interviews. He doesn't pose for photographs. This time he can't hide away. Henri Martin shares his story in his own words and by sharing Chana's story from her point of view.Chana takes the reader back to 1946 Vienna. The war is over but the challenges are immense. The Blackmarket is thriving. The abuse and hatred towards the Jewish people continues. Imagine surviving the ghettos and camps only to continue to suffer wlth a lack of food, clothing and shelter. The author brings the struggles forward. The fears of trying to survive were intense. To see that they had to grasp at for any chance of hope just to continue was heartbreaking.I was thrilled when Zoe learned about the family she never knew. I was saddened that it took her grandfather's passing to start her on the path. The story is fascinating. The story was inspiring. It gave me glimpses into the past guiding me to learn more. I always want to know more. We should all want to know more.The Lost Baker of Vienna brought the past into the present. It was written is such a way that I wanted to keep reading. The author grabbed my attention. She teased me. She kept me guessing. The truths were worth every wrong guess, every tear and every moment of anger at those that treated people as less than.