A former reporter for PEOPLE magazine, Kristin has been writing professionally since the age of 16, when she began Unless explicitly stated that they are free, all books that I review have been purchased by me or borrowed from the library. How essential is ones name to identity? Do you think there is a right way or a wrong way to react to such news? Publisher: Gallery Books. The book I believed had vanished forever. Do you think she did the right thing by keeping quiet, or should she have done more to try to save him? The narrative, which alternates between France in World War II and modern-day America, is based on the true story of the document forgers who aided the secret underground French resistance in helping thousands of Jewish children escape to the safety of neutral Switzerland. You Save 15%. WebThe series follows the lives of two perceptive and intelligent girls, Elena (sometimes called "Len") Greco and Raffaella ("Lila") Cerullo, from childhood to adulthood and old age, as they try to create lives for themselves amidst the violent and stultifying culture of their home a poor neighborhood on the outskirts of Naples, Italy. WW11. WebThe Book of Lost Names tells the story of a young woman, whose talent for forgeries helps hundreds of Jewish children flee the Nazis. She and others in the book change names several times over the course of the novel. Choose Expedited Shipping at checkout for delivery by, Learn how to enable JavaScript on your browser, 19 Best WWII Historical Fiction Books That Bring History to Life, Freed: Fifty Shades Freed as Told by Christian, Darker: Fifty Shades Darker as Told by Christian, Fifty Shades Trilogy: Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, Fifty Shades Freed 3-volume Boxed Set, Grey: Fifty Shades of Grey as Told by Christian, Master of His Fate (House of Falconer Series #1), Creatures of the Kingdom: Stories of Animals and Nature. Common Sense Media. As his biography (written by his daughter Sarah) chronicles, Kaminsky didn't stop at the end of the war. Kristin Harmels work is always riveting but her storytelling reaches new heights with a tale that is layered, complex, and satisfying to the last page. If your chapter doesnt already have a book group, nows the time to start one! I go to the website for Deltahabit, I suppose, since Louis traveled often for business and was part of the airlines frequent-flier program. The book that was taken from me before I could learn whether it contained the one answer I so desperately needed. The Book of Lost Names. I think Ill do just that. I grab the newspaper and go. But erasing people comes with a price, and along with a mysterious, handsome forger named Rmy, Eva decides she must find a way to preserve the real names of the children who are too young to remember who they really are. Eva is asked to escort a group of children and goes to meet them, only to find Rmy, who she hasnt seen in months, escorting them as well. by Joy Ladin Joseph arrives and attempts to torture information out of her, but before he can shoot her, Erich appears and kills him. Inspired by an astonishing true story from World War II, a young woman with a talent for forgery helps hundreds of Jewish children flee The book I last laid eyes on more than six decades ago. Im really looking forward to this one! A riveting historical tale that I devoured in a single sitting. Great review, thanks for sharing your thoughts. On page 165, Eva says, Ive always thought that its those childrenthe ones who realize that books are magicwho will have the brightest lives. How did Evas love of books help her throughout different points in the story? Yes, I have a computer. But when you grow comfortable hiding within a protective shell, its harder than one might expect to stand up and say, Actually, folks, this is who I am. Perhaps I also feared that Bens father, my husband, Louis, would leave me if he realized I was something other than the person I wanted him to see. It is estimated that he and his fellow Resistance members saved the lives of 14,000 Jewish people using forged documents. What could be better than a story of champagne, secrets, lies, and history from a writer as compulsively readable as Kristin Harmel? WebWanderlust: An Eccentric Explorer, an Epic Journey, a Lost Age Paperback January 16, 2024 by Reid Mitenbuler (Author) 4.6 out of 5 stars 52 ratings The Book of Lost Names Hardcover July 21 2020 by Kristin Harmel (Author) 21,851 ratings See all formats and editions Kindle Edition $18.99 Read with Our Free App Audiobook $0.00 Free with your Audible trial Hardcover $37.00 Other new, used and collectible from $20.50 Paperback $20.92 Other new and used from $8.19 Audio CD Our shelves are packed full of books that take place during or around World War II, and I know that theres so many that it might seem overwhelming. Pick up this epic and heart-wrenching WWII tale immediately! Join today for full access. Eva Traube Abrams, a semi-retired librarian in Florida, is shelving books one morning when her eyes lock on a photograph in a magazine lying open nearby. A celebration of the power of books to give hope and healing, this lovely tale offers hope in troubled times. In this story, Eva is a likable character as well as independent, feisty, clever, smart, and brave. WebBook review by Regan McMahon, Common Sense Media Common Sense says age 4+ Fun, personalized tale of kid's quest to find lost name. This thoughtful work will touch readers with its testament to the endurance of hope. As a group, choose one of her inspirations as your next book club pick, such as Adolfo Kaminsky: A Forgers Life by Sarah Kaminsky, A Good Place to Hide by Peter Grose, or The Book Thieves by Anders Rydell. Eva must have been overwhelmed with so many conflicting emotions when she arrived in Berlin. Ive been seeing this one, but wasnt sure. Was moving on and trying to forget Rmy the right decision for Eva, or do you believe that she should have waited even longer to make sure that Rmy hadnt survived? Shekhinah Speaks But the content itself is terribly clumsy. Click Here to find out who said this, as well as discovering other famous literary quotes! As soon as I arrive at my housea cozy bungalow just a five-minute walk from the libraryI log on to my computer. Twitter Subscribe to receive some of our best reviews, "beyond the book" articles, book club info and giveaways by email. Search: After stints covering health and lifestyle for American Baby, Mens Health, and Womans Day, she became a reporter for PEOPLE magazine while still in college and spent more than a decade working for the publication, covering everything from the Super Bowl to high-profile murders to celebrity interviews with the likes of Ben Affleck, Matthew McConaughey, OutKast, Justin Timberlake, and Patrick Dempsey. Or had they discovered a switch within themselves that allowed them to turn off their civility? Why do you think the author decided Joseph would be the traitor? The book in the photograph, an eighteenth-century religious text thought to have been taken I click immediately and book the latter. It belongs to meand to Rmy, a man who died long ago, a man I vowed after the war to think of no more. Somewhere along the way, he got the mistaken idea that I am a simple person. Set against all the danger and drama of WWII Paris, this heartfelt novel will keep you turning the pages until the very last word. REVIEW THE BOOK OF LOST NAMES is a tension-filled and thought-proving World War II historical fiction drama. How do you think Evas past affected the way she raised her son, Ben? 4.9. WebThe Testament of Solomon is a pseudepigraphical composite text ascribed to King Solomon but not regarded as canonical scripture by Jews or Christian groups. The idea of the book being personalized to a child's name is brilliant, really. As the Germans become suspicious of potential forgery activities in the area, Eva and the rest of the workers must be protected. We cannot do that, Eva. Review coming on July 6, [], [] Other stories by Kristin Harmel that I have reviewed: The Book of Lost Names, The Winemakers [], [] Continue here for my full review of The Book of Lost Friends [], wow, sounds good! Javascript is not enabled in your browser. From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Killers of the Flower Moon, a page-turning story of shipwreck, survival. ", Engrossing a suspenseful tale of betrayals personal and political, and of courage and sacrifice., "The strong and courageous inhabitants of THE ROOM ON RUE AMELIE occupied all my time until the tender and powerful final pages. (ARC) Compelling Historical Fiction (WW11). ~Denise J Hughes, Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones. Are you talking to that newspaper? Im jolted out of the fog of my memory by the voice of Jenny Fish, the librarys assistant manager. Eva meets document forger Rmy Duchamp, who draws her into the Resistance; Remy trains Eva, and the two inevitably grow closer as they work to provide papers for those fleeing the Nazi regime. I owe it to the children. Mrs. Compare her stance here with how she behaves in Aurignon, after Tatu is taken by the Germans. Chapter-by-chapter summaries and multiple sections of expert analysis, The ultimate resource for assignments, engaging lessons, and lively book discussions. It's a cute, rhyming alphabet adventure that makes a great bedtime book, as it ends with the tired child tucked into bed. Draw Me After: Poems Hardcover The accompanying article discusses the looting of libraries by the Nazis across Europe during World War IIan experience Eva remembers welland the search to reunite people with the texts taken from them so long ago. Shabbat shalom! I am going to add it to my list of book to read! Eva never shares the details of her past heroic deeds with her family. How does her outlook change? (ARC: Pub Date: [], [] Stars. With exceptional skill, Kristin Harmel constructs The Winemaker's Wife between the past and the present, giving equal weight and importance to both, all the while weaving a tale full of secrets and betrayals that puts to the test mankind's strength, fragility and vileness. It features a clever rhyming text and ends with the kid main character tucked safely in bed, making it a good choice for a bedtime book. She doesnt understand what it means to love books so passionately that you would die without them, that you would simply stop breathing, stop existing. The records they keep in The Book of Lost Names will become even more vital when the resistance cell they work for is betrayed and Rmy disappears. Do you think she did the right thing by keeping quiet, or should she have done more to save him? I blink away the uninvited thoughts of Rmy and return my attention to the article. The man in the photo is Otto Khn, a librarian from the Zentral- und Landesbibliothek in Berlin, who has made it his lifes mission to return books looted by the Nazis. Theme: World War II. You cant judge a person by their language or their place of originthough it seems that each new generation insists upon learning that lesson for itself. Free standard shipping with $35 orders. While Eva, the gifted young Jewish forger in Kristin Harmel's The Book of Lost Names, may be a fictional character, the work she did and the risks she took were realities during World War II. As #nationalpoetrymonth comes to a close, this week's #shabbatbookshelf features a selection of new Jewish poetry books to enjoy. The records they keep in The Book of Lost Names will become even more vital when the resistance cell they work for is betrayed and Rmy disappears. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); As #nationalpoetrymonth comes to a close, this week's #shabbatbookshelf features a selection of new Jewish poetry books to enjoy. From New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict comes an explosive novel of history's most notorious sisters, one of whom will have to choose: her country or her family? What would you have done in Josephs position?11. Shes smirking a bit, certain that she has asserted her superiority. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. See if anyone in your book club would have enough talent to fool the French and German soldiers.2. Join Hadassah Magazine Executive Editor Lisa Hostein on Wednesday, April 8 at 6 p.m. Why do you think the author introduces us to her protagonist at that stage in life? Common Sense Media reviewers include writers, editors, and child development experts. [4] @fsgbooks Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. Why do you think some Holocaust survivors are open to discussing their past and others arent? by @sarahblakeauthor When she meets him, she sees that Faucon is just an alias for Joseph Pelletier, one of her close friends from childhood. Want suggestions based on your streaming services? So happy you loved it, Carol! Uh-oh, it looks like your Internet Explorer is out of date. A hardcore coming-of-age novel nails the glitter and grime of L.A.s 80s metal scene. When Rmy is caught and arrested by the Nazis, Eva must accept that the truth about their network and location could be tortured out of him. Over a year later, the war is over, and Eva returns to Paris. A shiver runs through me, and I dont know whether its fear or excitement. Once you start reading this moving novel, you will not be able to put it down until you reach the last page. Lots to Love: Other reasons I love The Book of Lost Names include the historical details about the forgery operation during the war, the inspiring people in the community and the Catholic priest who all risk their lives to help the Jewish people, the dedication and commitment to help innocent children, andthe love story. Erich then turns the gun on himself to provide a distraction for Eva to escape the approaching Nazi soldiers. translated by Zelda Kahan Newman My full review of The Book of Lost Names. The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel is such a well-written historical fiction novel. My review of Lost Names here. Sometimes something as simple as a pen and a bit of imagination can alter the course of history.. For a better shopping experience, please upgrade now. J. K. Rowling. Explore. Did you feel sympathetic toward Mamusia as she was left behind in Madame Barbiers boardinghouse, or did you grow irritated by her inability to understand Evas drive to help others? This religious text, Khn has told the reporter, is my favorite among the many mysteries that occupy our shelves. The Book of Lost Names. He loves when grandma reads with him and this book is a huge success. Discuss.5. Do you feel any sympathy toward the mother? The novel ends with 86-year-old Eva arriving at the library in Berlin where the Book of Lost Names is being held by Otto Khn, the librarian. It cant be, I whisper. Its one of my favorite WW11 histfic reads of the year and when I finished reading it, I thought that was a satisfying read! I love it when a story feels well worth the investment of time. The Winemakers Wife is a beautifully told, atmospheric story about redemption, heartbreak, resilience, and courage. This might be what youre sensing? It's staring out at me from a photograph in the New York Times, which someone has left open on the returns desk. Page turning..but her endings are always a little but unrealistic! All rights reserved.Information at BookBrowse.com is published with the permission of the copyright holder or their agent. Kristin was born just outside Boston, Massachusetts and spent her childhood there, as well as in Columbus, Ohio, and St. Petersburg, Florida. The Book of Lost Names. We cannot." Discuss the moments in the novel when Eva decides to go it alone and compare them to the moments when she trusts others with her secrets, her wants, and her fears. [] Novel Deelights The Silent Wife & Finders Keepers Reading Ladies Book Club The Book of Lost Names & The Salt Path What Cathy Read Next The Young Survivors & Munich Art and Soul []. Published in Paris in 1732, its a very rare book, but thats not what makes it extraordinary. The book that held so many secrets. However, there was a "larger picture& - LeahLovesBooks, Every character in the novel is well-rounded and clearly defined, if a little one-dimensional. Her mother sinks into depression, yet Eva does not have time to grieve. 5.0. David Cadji-Newby Picture Book 2015 Save Rate book Parents say age 3+ Based on 2 reviews Kids say No reviews yet. Sweeping and magnificent. Kristin Harmel- The book of lost names 35th book read in 2021 I purchased this book new as several people stronglly suggested I read this book This book was published in 2020 in paperback and thats the version I read. The kid is upbeat and adventurous. WebShadow and Bone is a young adult fantasy adventure and debut novel written by Israeli-American author Leigh Bardugo.It was published by Macmillan Publishers on June 5, 2012. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); And isnt that the moral of the story anyhow? In her authors note, on page 384, Kristin Harmel says, You dont need money or weapons or a big platform to change the world. Close X. But alas, I am nothing to her but an old lady. A hardcore coming-of-age novel nails the glitter and grime of L.A.s 80s metal scene. Have you read other books by Kristin Harmel? Yes, well, you probably shouldnt be doing that in front of library guests. She says it without a trace of irony. I highly recommend Accurate description. If you liked The Book of Lost Names, try these: A captivating novel of a Berlin girl on the run from the guilt of her past and the boy from Brooklyn who loves her. The people, animals, and creatures met on the quest are kind and helpful. Why do you believe Eva decided to become a document forger? Instead of finding Joseph, Eva discovers Genevive, dying from a gunshot wound to the stomach. He was the son of Dorothy "Dotty" (Teitelbaum) and Phillip Cohen, who performed in vaudeville under the name Phil Roy. Detailed seller ratings. Is The Book of Lost Names on your TBR or have you read it? Her wording in the notes is a bit tricky and at first I thought this was based on a real person which is my fav kind of character (like last train to London) but this character is imagined. John Wrays sixth novel, Gone to the Wolves, is a love-hate letter to 1980s death metal. The Thirteenth Hour Poems Only Eva holds the answerbut will she have the strength to revisit old memories and help reunite those lost during the war? Was moving on and forgetting Rmy the right decision for Eva? I had to read the author notes carefully to figure this out..it seems to me that the character is imagined but the forgery activities were true..she cited men who were forgers but because she probably wanted a woman character she had to imagine this one. I suppose I cant blame him, not entirely. Write your own review! While Eva, the gifted young Jewish forger in Kristin Harmel's The Book of Lost Names, may be a fictional character, the work she did and the risks she took were realities during World War II. Two of the more notable forgers heroes who saved hundreds of Jewish lives were Adolfo Kaminsky (1925-) and Alice Cohn (1914-2000). Eva has to risk her and her mothers safety on numerous occasions by trusting others. On page 370, Eva says, We arent defined by the names we carry or the religion we practice, or the nation whose flag flies over our heads. It works spectacularly as a love story; its characters are lovable and easy to bond with. The book that meant everything to me. Abrams? Its Jenny again, addressing me by my surname, though Ive told her a thousand times to call me Eva, just as she addresses the younger librarians by their given names. Choose from Same Day Delivery, Drive Up or Order Pickup. ~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection! Was any of that trust misplaced? Web1.8K views, 91 likes, 68 loves, 461 comments, 162 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Stop the Rot Sack the Lot: Live chat with Guru and Cazz "Not since The Nightingale have I finished a book and been so choked with emotion. She uses an old Catholic theology book, Epitres et Evangiles, and a secret coding system developed by Rmy to keep track of all the true names of the children. Informers and collaborators were so prevalent that even a walk outside could be dangerous for the whole household. Goodreads He makes me read it over and over. Eva, knowing that Joseph will be looking for her, returns to the church library and writes a secret note to Rmy in the Book of Lost Names, hoping he will find it one day. [], [] This heartfelt story reminds me of The Book of Lost Names in which the main character is a forger who works with the Resistance in Southern France providing [], [] Adolfo Kaminsky: A Forgers Life by Sarah Kaminsky paired with The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel []. When did you first realize the power of books? Compare her stance here with how she behaves in Aurignon, after Tatu is taken by the Germans. This compelling story celebrates hope and bravery in the face of evil. The Ending: I need to note that even though The Book of Lost Names is a rewarding, compelling, and satisfying read, the emotional and dramatic ending requires a little suspension of disbelief. One night, Eva sees Pre Clment speaking to a German officer. She opens it to find all the familiar codes of the Jewish childrens names, but there is no special message from Rmy, meaning that he never found hers: Marry me. Beyond the book | Even the entire point of the book -- to find the lost name -- is poorly done. We encourage groups to have their own discussions aboutThe Book of Lost Namesafter the interview. Excerpt | Reading Guide | Discuss | He is angry and alone, with only the books on his shelf for company. Tomorrow, the eighth of May, the world will celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. Book Cover and author photos are credited to Amazon or an authors (or publishers) website. You are courageous to go on an adventurous quest. I think youll enjoy it! Do you think she did the right thing by keeping quiet, or should Find books by time period, setting & theme, Read-alike suggestions by book and author. Do I dare? I murmur to the photo of Otto Khn. Wonderful review Carol. Discuss the moments in the novel when Eva decides to go it alone and compare them to the moments when she trusts others. The illustrations are colorful but not captivating. Do you think its possible for parents (or grandparents) trauma and/or resilience to be passed down through the generations? The sudden arrest of Evas father during a mass roundup by the Nazis leaves Eva as the head of the family. ", "Harmel's engrossing latest reminds us that love, like resistance, begins with courage.". Just $45 for 12 months or Do their religions or countries play into who they are as people? A man in his seventies looks back at me, his snowy hair sparse and wispy, his eyes froglike behind bulbous glasses. The name is spelled out on the last page. Lets Connect on Instagram @ReadingLadies_book_club, The Last Train to London by Meg Waite Clayton, Links Ive Enjoyed This Week 26/07/2020 #WeeklyRoundUpPost #SecretLibraryBookBlog Secret Library Book Blog, July 2020 Reading Wrap Up | Reading Ladies, 10 Popular Books With Mature Characters #FridayFavorites | Reading Ladies, Gift Ideas: Everyone Gets a Book! Her meeting with the children gives her the emotional connection she has been searching for and ignites a fire within Eva to do whatever she can to continue to help them.
