“I was born in darkness, on a gray winter’s day, into a grim reality.”Western Austria, winter of 1941. Naomi, a young Jewish woman, gives birth to a baby girl in a remote rural farm. The Nazi foe is everywhere, and Naomi realizes she must do everything in her power in order to save her daughter’s life, even at the expense of her own.
United States, 1990. Helena tells her daughter, Blair, for the … daughter, Blair, for the first time, the truth about her past, and presents her with a mysterious box that sheds light on her personal story. Blair, stunned and sore by the shattering discovery, storms out of the house and disappears to the other side of the world.
Her family situation unsettled as ever, Helena leaves next. Shadows from her past and the need to cope with them have gradually revealed painfully tangible memories, imploring to be exposed. She travels far, determined to try and build bridges—to her past, to her husband and children, and to her loved ones that are long gone.
Distant and removed from everyone in her life, at a furious pace, she writes down all her secrets, as well as the life story of her extensive family, which was torn to shreds by the Second World War.
When she’s closer than ever to exposing her account, devastating news from home force Helena to expedite her return.
Is her world about to change forever?
Beneath a Glass Bridge raises profound questions about loss, motherhood in times of crisis, hiding and exposure of the truth. Are the decisions we make in our lives reversible? Can we make up for missed opportunities?
“Beneath a Glass Bridge” is part of the “World War II Brave Women Fiction” series
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I really liked the historical portion of this book. Many characters were introduced in the beginning and I found myself stopping for a a moment to remember the connection to the family. The characters were not strong mentally but they suffered greatly. The author brought her story to life.
Historical fiction that is tragic but informative.
Fascinating history.
It leaves you wanting more.
Such a beautiful weaving of family members, each impacted and impacting and mattering. An important story, masterfully shared.
At times difficult to follow due to jumping back and forth into the past but it is an interesting read
Well written and with wonderfully interesting characters.
This book has so many cuts to and from past to present that some times it gets more than a bit confusing as to who is where and what is going on. I really disliked the main character who is so self absorbed from this reader’s opinion and extremely judgmental. This particular character is the daughter of the people in the past and the story of the people in the past – who lived horrors I hope none of us ever have to live again in the present or in any future – is touching, heartbreaking and interesting to read all by itself.
Do I recommend this book? I don’t know…I think either the story hits you just the right way or it doesn’t. I might read this book again in 10 years or 5 years or even next year and have a whole different take on the thing…but now…I found the story and the main character who is supposed to be writing this story waaaay too full of an angst I just don’t get and find irritating…like having poison ivy.
difficult for me to follow, times and places seemed to be variable.
This was a wonderful book, It was long, took my a while to read it all, but it was worth it –Great story –Great book, loved it.
It is not for light reading. My
depressing & repetative.
Good story line but dragged. I skipped pages. Unlikable main character. who leaves their youngish children for months, with barely phone connections, to write a book about your personal history, even if it did scar you.
This an introspective novel about being born in 1941 Austria to a single mom! After the war they were recovered by her Aunt and moved to England. Than later the Aunt and Uncle and four cousins moved to Israel! She had many experiences growing up and through her twenties and early thirties. The introspective occurs because she never told her husband about any of them and she finally told her adoptive daughter about her biological parents and being a writer it was easier to write a book to explain it all. It also provides insight in to Jewish life in Austria during the Nazi occupation from the perspective of her Aunt and mother. Very interesting read !
Interesting history of the Jewish nation through the War and post war times.
Long story, well written.
This book dragged on and on. The main character is a selfish narcissist who thinks her story is much more important and interesting than it is; she is totally not likeable. The only thing I can say is that the story was compelling enough that I read to the end.
A magnificent debut novel. Beautifully written. A look at the impact of the Holacust and WWII of the ones left behind to struggle, not only with what they went through but also the lasting effect it had.
Helena is a writer that is trying to cope with her past secrets. She has never told her husband, or children about her whole life. When her oldest turns 18, she gives Blair a box, that tells the truth of Blair’s real parents.
Blair leaves and this causes Helena to finally come to terms with her past. As a writer, the only way for her to do this, is to write a book, detailing her secrets and the story of her family forever changed by WWII and the Holacust.
War will always happen. It will also, always change the lives of those affected by it. Rather it is the soldiers fighting, the citizens in the country it is happening in, or those left at home wondering about their loved ones.
I recommend this book. It’s like no other WWII/Holacust novel I have read. It looks at the war from a family that was affected by it. By those left behind and the obstacles they had to overcome.
Thanks to Book Social, Tali Asnin-Barel, and Netgalley for the book to read for my honest opinion.