3.5 stars.

Valérie is a law student in France in 1992 who is researching her thesis on the Klaus Barbie trials when she stumbles upon an unexplained list of 108 names. While investigating this list of names further, she discovers that it is a list of Jewish children who were smuggled out from under the Nazi regime in WWII and given new identities. Valérie becomes determined to locate each of the now adults to hear their stories and shed light on their true origins.

THE FORGOTTEN NAMES was a ‘listen now’ option on Netgalley that I couldn’t pass up, particularly because it is narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, who has done an excellent job differentiating the different characters and their voices.

THE FORGOTTEN NAMES is based on the true story of a woman who sought to reunite 108 Jewish children who were saved from the Venissieux camp in August 1942 with their true identities. Escobar tells this story in dual timelines – 1942 and 1992. While this story has taken certain creative liberties for the sake of storytelling, it is clear that much research went into the creation of this story. It’s an incredibly emotionally charged read about a deeply tragic and difficult time.

I’ve read many stories set during WWII, many inspired by true events, and it never ceases to amaze me how brave and courageous some individuals were, in the attempts to save even one life, even if it meant putting themselves in severe danger. For this story in particular, I was shocked at how quickly these acts needed to be put together and actioned. What an incredible feat!

I was definitely most interested in the timeline set in 1942, though both timelines are vital to the story, and are each informative and powerful. THE FORGOTTEN NAMES is a story filled with resilience, love, hope, and courage.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, HarperCollins Focus, for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.

This book is a little hard to put into word. It's not enjoyable as such due to the nature of the storyline. However, the author was able to capture the emotion of what where terrible events. The narrator of the audio book did a fantastic job. Telling us the story of parents who knew they would die, sending away their children in the hope that they will live.

I am having a hard time putting what I want to say into words. This story is about heroes- the people who worked together to save the Jewish children, It is a heart breaking the story of what is happening during World War Two. It is also about a women who works hard to give back to those who have lost so much. Read by the fantastic narrator Saskia Maarleveld.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus for providing me with an ARC in exchange or my honest review. This was a heart-wrenching and beautiful courageous story at the same time. This is about Nazi-occupied France during WW II and the amazing bravery of everyday citizens, clergy and the french resistance who were responsible for saving 108 Jewish children from death. This also tells how their parents had to make the heart wrenching decision to sign over their children to these complete strangers in order to save their lives. These parents did this even though they did not know who the children would be returned to them when the war was over. The dual timeline also follows the story of Valerie who was a law student in the 1990's who did the research over a 25 yr long journey to help re-unite them with their heritage and families....Enjoy!!!

The Forgotten Names by Mario Escobar is a poignant and emotional historical novel set during WWII. It tells the heart-rending story of the Nazi’s persecution of the Jews in France, and the devastating, long term effects this had on families who were torn apart. It is also a powerful story of resistance, bravery and the kindness of people, who saved so many lives, even at great risk to themselves. The novel delivers a moving account of the time, leaving a lasting impression on the reader and a desire to learn more about the survivors of this terrible period of history and their saviours. Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Would you ever be able to give up your parental rights? What if it meant your children would have a chance live when you knew you were going to die? That's the question faced by parents in the book, The Forgotten Names, by Mario Escobar. Told in two timelines, we meet Valerie Portheret in 1992 as she is researching the wear abouts of 108 Jewish children who were rescued from Nazis during the German occupation of France during WWII. We meet resistance members, clergymen, Red Cross workers, and others who, in 1942, risked everything to snatch these children from the grasp of Klaus Barbie, the Butcher of Lyon. These brave men and women realized that the only Jews who could be saved from the Venissieux internment camp were unaccompanied minors, so they carried out a risky plan to have the children's mothers sign legal documents giving up their parental rights in order for their children to escape certain death. The children were taken in by families, their names changed - hidden in plain sight. The workers desperation, the mothers' sacrifice, the children's confusion and fear all leap off the page and leave the reader devastated and yet still hopeful. Hopeful because all of them acted with courage and and determination. Valerie's search lasts twenty-five years, and during that time, she learns the children's real names and meets many of the survivors. Mario Escobar tells their story with compassion.

***** If The Forgotten Names by Mario Escobar is on your TBR, read it now. Mr. Escobar writes this true, dual timeline work of art with eloquence, heart and objectivity. This reader could only react with tears, horror and respect for the parents who gave up their children to spare them from certain death during the Holocaust. He wrote about one determined lady spent 25 years finding each of the 108 children to inform them of their identity and the great sacrifice their parents made.
For me, the descendant of immigrants, this book was a double-edged sword. It was reminiscent of not so long ago in the United States when our government was separating immigrant children from their parents.
I listened to this audiobook as my father, a Korean War veteran, was in the hospital fighting for his life and later as our family cared for him during his recovery at home. Aware I missed important aspects of this book, I did something I've never done: After finishing it, I started immediately started listening to it again. This is the third book by Mr. Escobar that I've read and I will continue to read his works. Highly recommend.
I received a free audio version of this book from NetGalley for an honest review.
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This book is needed now more than ever before. It is sad how we forget the inhumanity that we inflict on each other, often in the name of God. The story is about a young woman who is looking for a topic for her dissertation, first she settles on the infamous Klaus Barbie, the butcher of Lyon”, but in her research she finds the story of 108 children who miraculously managed to escape from deportation by the Nazis to Germany. It is a story of courage to stand up to fear and hatred (which we need to do again). Over and over we are reminded that to follow Christ means taking care of the least and the lost. If you are happy with what is going on in the USA toward marginalized persons today, you will not like this book. For me, as a Christian, it was a reminder of the call that God has on me. I highly recommend the book. My only complaint was I wish there was more information about what happened to the children, the wrap up seemed very quick. I am thankful to Harper Collins Focus and NetGalley for a copy of this book for an unbiased review.

The Forgotten Names by Mario Escobar was one of the most moving audiobooks I’ve listened to in a long time. It’s the kind of story that stays with you, emotional, heartbreaking, and so incredibly human. Escobar has a gift for shining light on the forgotten corners of history, and this story is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit, even in the darkest times.

This story hit me hard. It made me reflect on the strength of mothers, the innocence of children, and the weight of the choices people are forced to make during times of war and loss. I felt everything, the fear, the hope, the sorrow, and the narration brought it all to life with such care and emotion.

This book isn’t just historical fiction; it’s a tribute to those whose stories often go untold. I’m so grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to experience this one. Five stars, without hesitation.

The Forgotten Names tells ones of the many heartbreaking events that unfolded during WWII. It may have been the writing style, but I had a difficult time connecting with any of the characters.


*Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Focus for the audio ARC of this title.*

I have enjoyed Mario Escobar's other books for the historical value primarily, but also the character interactions and such. This book was great regarding the history and of utmost importance because of all the lost generation of youth murdered by Nazis.

The Forgotten Names is my first book by Mario Escobar, and what a ride! I really liked this. The voice narrator did a stellar job reading this book, and I was fully immersed. If you're interest in this book, I highly suggest the audiobook!

The Forgotten Names follows two timelines.
The first one, 1992, follows Valérie, a phd student who's doing her thesis on WW2. At first, she wants to work on Klaus Barbie, also known as the Butcher of Lyon. As a German officer and a member of the SS, Barbie did absolutely horrible things to Jewish people and people of the Resistance. While working on her thesis, Valérie finds out about 108 children who were sent to the Vénissieux camp in August 1942 with their families. What happened to those 108 children is at once horrifying, sad, and magical.

The other timeline follows different characters in 1942. We follow members of the Resistance and Jewish people targeted by the Nazis. This was, in my opinion, the best timeline - and also the most prominent one. We follow what happened to the families who were sent to the Vénissieux camp and the desperate hopes and attempts of the Resistance to save them. We see how those 108 children were saved. The Resistance asked their parents to give up their rights, because unaccompanied minors couldn't be sent to Germany or Poland. It was truly heartbreaking to be in these parents' minds as they gave their children up to save them. It was even more harrowing to be in Klaus Barbie's head as he chased them and tortured people.

While the book is great, I found the 1992 timeline a bit uneventful, if not even useless at times. It didn't bring anything to the story, in my opinion, especially once we know that Valérie was a real person, and it's thanks to her that we now know the story of these 108 children. My other issue is that I found the ending a bit rushed. I would've loved to see it more developed.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.

What a phenomenal Book. The history and the characters of this book are heartfelt and heartbreaking. The things that the characters had to do during that time was amazing and how heroic their actions were. This story gives you a glimpse of the things that happened in World War II during the Nazi occupation. This is a history that we need to remember and to recognize the heroes so that these things will never happen again.

This is a great story and the narrator did a wonderful job. This book is very similar to the book of lost names. If you enjoyed that you should also enjoy this as well.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC/Audiobook!

Thank you to Harper's Collins for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own
The Forgotten Names is a haunting and deeply moving novel that brings to light a little-known chapter of World War II history. Told through dual timelines, the story intertwines the harrowing events of August 1942 with a modern-day investigation by law student Valérie Portheret, whose dedication to uncovering the truth restores identity and dignity to the lives of 108 Jewish children rescued from deportation.

The novel's greatest strength lies in its emotional gravity. The decision faced by the mothers of Vénissieux—to abandon their children in the hope of saving them—is portrayed with heartbreaking clarity. The courage of the rescuers, from clergy to civilians to Resistance members, forms a powerful testament to human bravery in the face of cruelty.

The narrative is well-researched and compelling, though at times the pacing slows, especially in the modern sections that delve into academic detail. Still, the alternating timelines are skillfully handled, offering both historical context and the resonance of memory and justice.

Ultimately, The Forgotten Names is a stirring tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and a poignant reminder of how the smallest acts of courage can echo across generations. A worthy read for those drawn to untold stories of heroism and sacrifice.

The Forgotten Names is a beautifully written and deeply moving story that brings real history to life. I was truly drawn in by the way the author blended past and present, using dual timelines to reveal how the characters and their circumstances evolved. The historical elements were powerful and eye-opening, and it’s clear that a great deal of care went into the research. I also appreciated the way the story unfolded gradually, keeping me engaged as connections came to light.

The character development was another strong point — I enjoyed watching them change and adapt as the story progressed. The emotional weight of the events felt real and impactful, and the book does a great job of reminding us of the personal stories behind major historical events.

That said, I did feel a bit of a disconnect from the characters emotionally. While their experiences were compelling, I never felt fully immersed in any one character’s inner world. I also listened to the audiobook and found the narrator a bit hard to understand at times, which made me wish I had read the physical version instead. Additionally, the book leaned more heavily into pure history than I expected — I was hoping for a bit more of a narrative-driven historical fiction experience.

Still, this is a worthwhile and powerful read that sheds light on important truths. It’s perfect for readers who appreciate fact-based storytelling with emotional depth and a strong sense of time and place.

An incredibly poignant and beautiful historical fiction rendering based on the true story of an incredible woman who did everything in her power to reunite families and reclaim true identities after the Holocaust. And the brave souls who risked everything to protect innocent children from unspeakable evil. Reminds us that the powers of love and goodness always win out in the end.

Thank you for this audiobook and this opportunity.

As a passionate reader of historical fiction—especially stories that uncover hidden history—I found The Forgotten Names by Mario Escobar to be a compelling and thought-provoking novel. The book follows Valerie Portheret’s determined quest to locate 108 Jewish children and reconnect them with their heritage, shedding light on a lesser-known chapter of World War II history.

Escobar vividly portrays the courage and selflessness of the citizens of France, including local resistance groups, clergy, social workers, and the Red Cross in Vichy, who risked everything to protect these children from Nazi persecution. Years later, Valerie stumbles upon a list of their names and, as she delves deeper, uncovers the heartbreaking reality—many parents had relinquished their parental rights to ensure their children’s survival. Recognizing the profound significance of these identities, Valerie embarks on a journey to reunite them with their history.

Told through dual timelines, the novel intertwines Valerie’s present-day research with the unfolding events surrounding the hidden children, creating a narrative that is both emotionally gripping and historically insightful. Escobar’s storytelling captures the resilience and sacrifice of those involved, making The Forgotten Names a poignant and unforgettable read.

A book based about the Angels of Bataan during WWII, a tragic but beautifully written story about the Military nurses. It was a heartfelt story of loss, survival, hope, love and friendships.
The narrator did an excellent job in narrating the book.
Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher Harper Muse for the audiobook.

The Forgotten Names (Audiobook) by Mario Escobar

In 1992 France, Valérie is researching Klaus Barbie who was also known as the “Butcher of Lyon”. Valérie is given the hidden written records of the 108 Jewish children who were saved from being transported in August 1942, each child was given a new name and was taken in by a sympathetic family. As Valerie searches for these children, she discovers that most of them were too young to remember what their original name was as most of their parents never returned for them after the war ended as they were killed.

I could not imagine what the parents must have gone through as they gave up their rights as parents so that their children can be saved. Knowing that they will most likely never see their children again.

This is a very emotional, heart wrenching story that tugs on your heart whether you are a parent or not.

I would like to thank Net Galley and HarperCollins Focus Publishers for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review