The Light After the War
by Anita Abriel
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Pub Date Feb 01 2020 | Archive Date Jan 10 2020
Simon & Schuster (Australia) | Simon & Schuster Australia
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Description
In 1946 two young Hungarian refugees arrive in Naples after losing everyone they loved before the war. Vera Frankel and her best friend, Edith Ban, are haunted by their terrifying escape from a train headed for Auschwitz after their mothers threw them from the carriage, promising they would follow. But instead the girls find themselves alone in a frozen, alien land. They manage to find refuge and barter for their lives by working on an isolated farm in Austria until the end of the war.
Armed with a letter of recommendation from an American general, Vera finds work and new hope at the United States Embassy and, despite her best intentions, falls in love the handsome and enigmatic Captain Anton Wight. But when Anton suddenly disappears, Vera is forced to drastically change course. Their quest to rebuild their lives takes Vera and Edith from Naples to Ellis Island to Venezuela and finally Sydney as they carve out careers – and find love.
Heartbreakingly moving and compelling, The Light After the War is inspired by the true story of the author’s Holocaust survivor mother.
Praise for The Light After the War
‘You will be swept away by this fast-paced, heartbreaking and hopeful tale of friendship, family, second chances and the enduring power of love, based on the true story of the author’s mother in war-torn Europe.’ Kristin Harmel, bestselling author of The Room on Rue Amelie
‘A heartfelt and memorable tale of family, love, resilience and the triumph of human spirit.’ Pam Jenoff, bestselling author of The Lost Girls of Paris
'There is so much in The Light After the War that truly shines: Unforgettable love, family, faith—and the courageous resolve of two young women to mend their lives and seek new beginnings in a world tragically changed. Fans of historical fiction are sure to devour this tale of hope, reinvention and the power of friendship to heal the heart’s deepest wounds.' Roxanne Veletzos, author of The Girl They Left Behind
‘Heartbreakingly moving and compelling … a testament to the power of humanity, to those people who even after unspeakable horrors and loss, still believe in the beauty and wonder of love, hope and friendship.’ Better Reading
Advance Praise
‘You will be swept away by this fast-paced, heartbreaking and hopeful tale of friendship, family, second chances and the enduring power of love, based on the true story of the author’s mother in war-torn Europe.’ Kristin Harmel, bestselling author of The Room on Rue Amelie
‘A heartfelt and memorable tale of family, love, resilience and the triumph of human spirit.’ Pam Jenoff, bestselling author of The Lost Girls of Paris
'There is so much in The Light After the War that truly shines: Unforgettable love, family, faith—and the courageous resolve of two young women to mend their lives and seek new beginnings in a world tragically changed. Fans of historical fiction are sure to devour this tale of hope, reinvention and the power of friendship to heal the heart’s deepest wounds.' Roxanne Veletzos, author of The Girl They Left Behind
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781760852405 |
| PRICE | A$32.99 (AUD) |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Karyn G, Reviewer
Based on actual events from the life of the author's mother Vera Frankel ‘The Light After the War’ tells the story of best friends: Vera Frankel and Edith Ban. The girls grow up in a privileged family life in Budapest, Hungary until the Germans arrive. As they are Jewish the families of both girls become victims to the Nazi regime. The girls and their mothers are herded on a train headed to Auschwitz. The mothers, in an attempt to save the girls, manage to get them off the train in the hope they will survive the horrors of war. Vera and Edith do survive despite having to endure many hardships both physical and emotional . The girls are determined to live the life they had dreamed of when growing up in Budapest despite believing they have lost everyone they have loved. Vera dreams of being a writer and Edith a fashion designer.
The girls journey takes them across Europe to Ellis Island, America; Caracas, Venezuela and finally Sydney, Australia.
The story is heartbreaking at times and one can only imagine how the young women get up each day and face the world but that is what Vera and Edith did as each encourages the other when life becomes unbearable. Memories of their life during the war is woven into the telling of their life post war.
There is romance throughout the book but the power of friendship and above all the bravery and the strength and determination of the human spirit shines through.
I found ‘The Light After War’ an easy read and at times I did find the romance of Vera and Anton and then Ricardo a bit fanciful but on the whole I wanted Vera and Edith to live a wonderful life after all the horror and hardship they had endured.
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster (Australia) for the advance copy to read and review. A historically interesting and gripping story of a period of history we should never forget.
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