Scribner Book Company
The World That We Knew
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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * LONGLISTED FOR THE ANDREW CARNEGIE MEDAL
On the brink of World War II, with the Nazis tightening their grip on Berlin, a mother's act of courage and love offers her daughter a chance of survival.
"[A] hymn to the power of resistance, perseverance, and enduring love in dark times...gravely beautiful...Hoffman the storyteller continues to dazzle." --The New York Times Book Review
At the time when the world changed, Hanni Kohn knows she must send her twelve-year-old daughter away to save her from the Nazi regime. Her desperation leads her to Ettie, the daughter of a rabbi whose years spent eavesdropping on her father enables her to create a mystical Jewish creature, a rare and unusual golem, who is sworn to protect Hanni's daughter, Lea. Once Ava is brought to life, she and Lea and Ettie become eternally entwined, their paths fated to cross, their fortunes linked.
What does it mean to lose your mother? How much can one person sacrifice for love? In a world where evil can be found at every turn, we meet remarkable characters that take us on a stunning journey of loss and resistance, the fantastical and the mortal, in a place where all roads lead past the Angel of Death and love is never-ending.
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Book Details
ISBN:
9781501137587
EAN:
9781501137587
Binding:
Paperback
Pages:
400
Authors:
Alice Hoffman
Publisher:
Scribner Book Company
Published Date: 2020-01-09
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My spouse is the son of Holocaust survivors. He cannot watch or read anything related to the Holocaust. I have become that way as well.In all the horror, and Ms. Hoffman spares no details, there is a story of magic, love and humanity. These are the threads that come through the tsunami of darkness.I did not finish the book in joy but with the knowledge of my own unique spirit.
This novel provides your soul with a glancing look at the evil of WW2.One can only pray that sufficient souls can comprehend the devastation ; and commit to a world of peace against the failings of human kind shadowed by false power.
I've been fascinated by various "magical" events and/or legends portrayed several religions... Golems being the most fascinating. I've only read one other book that mentioned them... And that one was long ago. A "teen" book, so it was not very detailed and the golem was not a wonderful creature it. This book has random stories I assume based in fact, but fictional, of heroic people during WW II ... I found it inspiring... I hope you'll enjoy it.
It took me a little while to feel comfortable with the conjuring up of some kind of spirit. When I realized where the story was going I was completely enchanted with it which was totally surprising.
Wonderful story. Skillfully woven. Interesting characters - found myself having to keep a mini cheat sheet due to situational name changes for some of the characters. Inspiring and insightful. Well worth the read!
