I won this book in a giveaway by GoodReads.

Writing about World War II has been a recent trend among historic fiction authors. There are so many angles to see the war from and each book brings a new look at a very tumultuous time. This book is not historic fiction however, it is history.

Investigative journalist Faris Cassell receives a letter dated 1939, shortly before Hitler begins removing Jewish people from Vienna. Her husband was given the letter after it was found in a trunk in an attic in California. He brought the letter home to share with his wife. After reading the contents of the letter, it was impossible to ignore. What happened to the author of the letter? Did he escape? What about his family?

So many questions in need of answers. Ms. Cassell begins researching to find family members. Her investigative journalism pays off and she tracks down someone living in America that she believes is related to the author of the letter. She contacts the supposed relative and offers to return the letter to them. Initially met with skepticism and mistrust, she finally meets with her first family member. As she develops trust and understanding of this family, they cautiously open the door to their past, sharing with her.

The story of the Berger family of Vienna is astonishing. They were a happy family living a happy life until the world upends. Hitler begins unleashing his views on the world. Suddenly being Jewish became a liability. Neighbors and acquaintances disavowed them. Being Jewish became dangerous. It became evident that the family needed to leave to escape death. The country they loved became a place to fear.

There are portions of this account that are uncomfortable to read. Details of atrocities that make you sad. Reading a fictional account of something bad can upset you but it’s easy to move past, after all – it’s fiction. When you see pictures of this family, learn their names, know how they lived, it becomes gut-wrenching. Faris Cassell’s writing causes you to look deep within. How would I respond during such a time? Would I have helped the Jewish people? Would I protest the hatred?

There are some parallels to the times we are currently living in. Nationalism, racism, hatred are not relegated to the past. It is said that you need to study the past in order to prevent repetition in the future. We need to do better.

This account of life during the early portion of WWII illustrates the circumstances were dangerouse for Jewish people from the start. Anti-semitism existed and the war brought it to the forefront. Ms. Cassell does not preach or vilify the actions of the time yet it is very hard not to dwell on the evil. Looking at the pictures of the Bergers and learning of their travials brings the war into sharper focus and makes this book much more meaningful. It is an excellent book, do not rush through it, some soul searching is always good.

My rating: 🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

Additional thoughts: After reading this book, I needed a few days to decompress. Information was so closely controlled by the Nazis and even in America we couldn’t fathom the depth of Hitler’s hatred. As I thought of all that they endured, I realized that they triumphed by telling their story, surviving and continuing the close family ties that their parents and grandparents established.