Tag Archives: WWII

Renia’s Diary: A Holocaust Journal

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This diary contains important excerpts for comparative literature in the classroom. Readers see a diary significantly different than Anne Frank’s, in that Renia Spiegal was socially living out and about as a Jew in Przemysl, Poland. When Poland was conquered and divided between Russia and Germany under the Nazi-Soviet pact, Renia and other family members were split up for many years. Renia lived in Soviet-occupied Poland, while her mother lived in German-occupied Poland on the other side of the San River. As a result, Renia was able to live more freely as a Jew for most of the beginning of her diary. 

Although under Soviet occupation, we still see a young girl torn by war and desperate to be with her mother again. “My thoughts are so dark, it’s a sin to even think them.” She showers her diary with symbolic poems that mostly mirror her teenage angst, but sometimes reflect a war-torn society.

Like most diarists, Renia Spiegal could not foresee that hers would be published. So, she does regularly sift about her thoughts and mundane day to day affairs: parties, boys, gossip, dancing, crushes, and school. There is more of the day-to-day humdrum than significant events until the Nazi’s invade the Soviet territory in June of 1941 which occurs at approximately 45% of this book. With the Nazi occupation, her life takes a different turn. She must wear an arm band, her family’s possessions are taken, and they are moved to a Przemysl ghetto. 

The last 15% of the book is her sister’s account of what happened and is extremely pertinent in order to comprehend the velocity of all that Renia encountered. 

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. And, thanks to Renia who continued to write with passion amidst a cruel world.

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The Winemaker’s Wife, by Kristin Harmel

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The synopsis provided for this story is a bit misleading. Less than 15% of the story deals with the French Resistance; and moreover, it goes into little to no details about what they did other than hiding the munitions as stated in the synopsis. The members are never named, the groups are unknown, and the effect of their cause is anonymous. The reader never sees the outcome of what came from their help with the resistance and there is no action regarding the resistance movement.

The premise for this book was an interesting concept showing a different perspective of WWII German-occupied citizens: the winemakers. It was interesting that they were treated differently since the Nazi soldiers needed booze, and I would have liked more interaction between them.

This novel relishes in marital problems, affairs, and wine. The chapters alternate between Liz, Ines, and Celine. The reader is quickly made aware of Liz’s divorce in 2019 which causes her to fly to Reims, France to stay with her 99-year-old spunky Grandma Edith. Meanwhile set in 1943 during German-occupied France, Ines and Celine both express their own marital problems. The first half of the book primarily focuses on Ines and Celine’s relationship problems with their spouses. Ines constantly feels left out and insignificant, and for the reader it frequently feels like she is whining and can become annoying to suffer through the pages of her moaning about no one caring about her

Overall, there was little depth to the main characters, so none of them really resonated with me. I didn’t like any of the characters set in the past, and I felt like it was hard to get to know them as a reader. On the other hand, I did like Grandma Edith and it was her relationship with Liv and the connection that was to be made between her and the past that caused me to keep reading. The ending was carefully crafted and enjoyable. 

This is a good light read for those interested in both romance and wine. (There are many paragraphs throughout beautifully describing how wine is made.) 


Thank you to Gallery Books, Kristin Harmel, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Hitler’s Last Hostages, By Mary M. Lane

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“Gurlitt took advantage of the desperate straits of the Wolffson family, offering only 150 reichsmarks for Gothic Church and 300 reichsmarks for Roofs, roughly $60 and $120 at the time. Immediately after buying them, however, Gurlitt flipped Roofs for 1,400 reichsmarks–a 367 percent profit. He decided to keep Gothic Church for himself.”

I found the organization and sequencing of this book would be difficult to use for research purposes. The information was well-researched, but the organization was sometimes difficult to follow. The heist that Cornelius Gurlitt’s father, Hildebrand Gurlitt, coordinated and kept secret for so long was astounding. The German government’s response to crime is even more astounding.

The prologue reads like a scandal from a magazine. The author gets a call in 2013 from her editor about a stash of Nazi-looted paintings found in the home of Cornelius Gurlitt, the son of Hildebrand Gurlitt, and wants her to cover the story. While investigating, she discovers the German government is focused on the art for taxation purposes rather than ethical or moral reasons. However, this modern-day story is not picked up in the book again until the end around 75%. 

Thereafter, information delves into the history of artistic movements in Germany shortly before WWII. The artists are comprehensively detailed, specifically George Grosz. His history, education, family, and artistic background are detailed thoroughly for 10% of the book. I was unsure and asking myself why so much on this one man? But he is cycled back to at the end of this book and is used to mirror what was felt by many of the local artists holistically and to navigate what happened to them. 

Hitler comes into play at around 25% of this book, as a young man. His primary school, social, religious upbringing, and family history are accounted for. His obsession with art throughout his life projects into his political display as a leader. Claiming that art and Nazism are inseparable facets to the success of his regime, he restricts and censors all “degenerate culture” (non-Aryan art, or anything that does not support Nazism). He advocates for the success his Fuhrermuseum Project (his dream art museum) even when losing the war. In this source, everything surrounding Hitler’s campaign stem back to his love and passion for art.
Now, Hildebrand Gurlitt comes back into the picture. While using the Holocaust victims and others in monetary turmoil to profit for himself, Gurlitt was responsible for selecting/buying pieces for Hitler. Yet Gurlitt couldn’t help but secretly pocket his own pieces along the way.

The end of the book sequences back to Grosz and the artists who were “degenerate”, detailing what happened to them. After this recount, it goes back to the 2013-2018 case against Gurlitt. This was my favorite part.

Artists included in this book, but not limited to: Emil Nolde, Otto Dix, Ernst Kirchner, Pablo Picasso, Max Beckmann, Kathe Kollwitz, Gustave Courbet, Adolph Menzel, Edouard Manet, Camille Pissarro, Eugene Delacroix, George Grosz, Henri Matisse, Max Liebermann, Edgar Degas

Many thanks to Perseus Books, Public Affairs, Mary M. Lane, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy.

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The Light From The Dark Side Of The Moon, By Norman G. Gautreau

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The description for this book is slightly misleading. The majority of this novel centers around romance rather than actions, experiences, and history. The story is told through flashbacks Henry has as a 92 year old man; so it alternates between his present time at 2014 and his past time with Elodie during WWII.

From the moment Henry crash lands behind Utah beach, he is rescued by Elodie, a member of the French resistance who is posing as a German nurse. While healing, he journeys with her and her resistance group across France. Most of their journey materializes while taking a group of refuge children across the Pyrenees. At times, a historical incident might occur but it is typically overshadowed by their budding romance. The story was very slow moving at times. 

The character of Elodie seemed romanticized and fanciful. She had no flaws and was capable of anything without effort. From musician, to a sharpshooter, to a nurse, hero, linguist, tour guide, and the list goes on…her character was unbelievably unblemished. As a result, this caused her flawless character to seem unauthentic.

The most entertaining element of the novel was the character of 92 year old Henry. As a vehemently sarcastic, energized, and strong-willed 92 year old, his character was entertaining and whimsical. However, he was too often pining for his lost war love, Elodie. Everything reminded him of her- perfumes, songs, tastes, beaches, dogs, foods, semantics; and, the writing would sometimes fill a whole page at times explaining how he missed her so. At times, it felt extraneous. Again, too much romance for me.
I did like the ending.
3.5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley, Blank Slate Press, and Norman G. Gautreau for providing me with a copy of this novel.

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The World That We Knew, by Alice Hoffman

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I have to admit that I was ambivalent about the description of this novel, but I was completely swept off of my feet. From the first line, you are pulled into the world painted by Alice Hoffman. Yes, this is historical fiction with a splash of magical realism; and yes, it is awesome. This book is filled with insightful quotes, and will saturate you with sensibility and nostalgia. 

From the involvement of the Huguenots, Jewish resistance groups, Operation Spring Breeze, etc., I was blown away by the amount of history she incorporated. I would say that there is more history surrounding the characters in this novel than fantasy. While this novel does bare magic, the story revolves around the setting in history.
The fantasy advances the internal conflict within the social setting of Germany and France itself while magical realism vividly paints this picture over the atmosphere of WWII that have never been put into words before. Beasts, angels, and fate contribute to the blanket of symbolism and metaphorical environment of Nazi occupied territories. 

I did not enjoy when the golem is made in the beginning. The creation itself seemed to unnecessarily drag on and it almost made me want to stop reading. However, it was only for a chapter, although a tiresome long chapter. This was minute and not enough to take off a star. 
If you like WWII novels, I recommend adding this to your list.
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and Alice Hoffman for giving me the opportunity to read and review this novel. The opinions in this review are my own.

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The Long Flight Home, by Alan Hlad

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This novel doesn’t go into details of the Nazi war crimes, and the Jews are never mentioned. The focus is more on the romance between the two main characters than on the history. You don’t have to know a lot about pigeons or aviation to follow the story. But on the same token, you will not learn much.

Most of it centers more around the relationship between one specific pigeon and her owner. I was hoping there would be more information regarding the pigeons war effort; for example, the messages that they delivered that were helpful to the RAF and what not. Yet, the only messages the reader is made known of are the messages that the pigeon delivers between the two main characters who have a budding romance. The encounters that the pigeons had with the war, spies, citizens, and enemies itself are not detailed in this novel. The dates for the chapters suddenly stop after chapter 3, so you have to guess the timing of the rest of the novel while reading.

You will be reading this novel for the story rather than craft of literary devices. Relationships and dialogue are romanticized. The story is intriguing and the development is carefully calculated that makes for an enjoyable read. The ending was amazing. On the other hand, the writing style was mundane. While I did enjoy the concept of this story, overall it is 3 stars out of 5.


No sex. No obscenities. Minimal vulgarity. Would be okay for a high school student to read.

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Wunderland, by Jennifer Cody Epstein

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My biggest dislike was the historical accuracy of the novel. Many dates were off, among other things. For example: In 1935 Ilse is part of the BDM but has not experienced or succumbed to any racial propaganda, which is largely unlikely. The Nuremburg Race Laws were started in September of 1935; but before that time they already tolerated violence against Jews and that year in particular was a violent one.


The story reasons Isle joining the BDM to feel like she is part of something. Yes, the feeling of being part of change and being something bigger was appealing, while the monetary value was also substantial to those effected by the recent depression shortly before. Everyone had their own reason for joining, but antisemitism was prevalent and very much understood–especially with BDM leaders and it is ignored in this novel until later in 1938. Among other things during this time, they were indeed taught to identify Jews as the enemies. The novel does not accurately reveal these thoughts or ideals for youth members until years later.
In another chapter set during 1936, it talks about British Boy Scouts coming to participate with the Hitlerjugend. This seems highly unlikely since Hitler’s Party banned the Boy Scouts in 1935.

I didn’t enjoy chapter for Ava as much as I did the chapters for Renate and Isle. Some parts of the chapters for Ava almost seem like “fillers” and unrelated.
There is an attempt to connect the story to Alice in Wonderland, but it is done so loosely and poorly. The transitions and timing of this connection are not smoothly made and are awkward for the reader.

However, I did enjoy the ending to this novel and the overall relationship between Isle and Renate.

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In Another Time, by Jillian Cantor

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Rather than concentrating on the period of WWII that relishes in combat and fighting, this story focuses on the before (1931-36) and after (1946-59).
The setting for this novel centers on Hitler’s rise to power in Germany and the affect of his reign after the war in London, Vienna, and Paris–the concentration being on the sociology therein. The romantic storyline of the main characters (Hanna and Max) revolves around Hitlers rise to Chancellor, followed by Germany leaving the League of Nations, the greater imposition of new anti-Semitic laws, then Hitler becoming fuhrer, and so-on etc…while showing the effects of this on their relationship since Hanna is a Jew and Max is not. Likewise when she wakes up ten years later, the plot continues to reveal the effects on the economy, social anthropology, and the new negative connotation of being a German in different parts of Europe.

Lots of romance. The mystery starts at very beginning of prologue and pulls you in immediately. Do not skip the prologue!
I was caught off guard when a hint of science fiction was embedded within the story. At first I was skeptical of it, but in the end very appreciative. Dont let it stop you from finishing the story.

Perk—The top of the left side of EVERY page remind readers of POV (Hanna or Max) and the year to make it easier for the reader to follow the timeline of events. I included a photo below.

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The Victory Garden, by Rhys Bowen

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This follows the fictional life of the main character Emily during WWI. The story does include her life among the Women’s Land Army, albeit not into much detail. Since the book covers the very end of the war, the land girls and Emily’s life there were only given about one fourth time of this novel. I was disappointed. Next, the story tries to then focus on the main character using natural herbal remedies as the next chapter in her life, but this aspect just seemed tacked on. Emily’s herbal remedy potions had little to do with what she learned being a land girl. It was like the story needed somewhere to go. I kept reading waiting for everything to piece together, but it was weakly done.


Something I found interesting and was hopeful about was the pregnancy of the main character. Refusing to go to a home where she can have the child placed for adoption, she was determined to have the child on her own and make ends meet. She has the child out of wedlock during a time period where this was unacceptable, so this is what kept me reading. Yet, I found her unrelenting ability to always prevail and meet her challenges successfully during the pregnancy far-fetched and romantical rather than historical.

Not as impressive as The Tuscan Child, which I was a huge fan of. I didn’t feel like I was immersed into another society or culture. But a quick, light, and very easy read. I would say 2.5 stars out of 5.

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The Girl They Left Behind, by Roxanne Veletzos

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This book spans from 1941-1960, Bucharest throughout WWII and followed by it’s tight grasp under the Soviets. What sets this novel apart from other WWII historical fictions is that the complexities, solemn intrigues, and tangled mystery continue after the “war” is over. The author really paints a vivid and heart-breaking image of what life was like under the Soviets and the impact of their ideological barrier called the Iron Curtain. The reader is immersed into that time, place, and feels the oppression and consummation of the reigning communistic government.

The story is utterly amazing, and even more so knowing that it’s based on true events; the “real” girl that was left behind is revealed at the end of the novel on pages 343-345 and is followed by black and white photos on pages 346-351. One of the photos can be seen below.
Excellent story, well written, and dusted with historical remnants. Political turmoil, family hardships, and romance all envelope this amazing piece of fiction.

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