From the international bestselling author of Last Train to Istanbul comes a novel based on true events that explores the depths of pride, devotion, and persistence as four generations of a family struggle to forge their destinies.As Hitler’s reign of terror begins to loom large over Germany, Gerhard and Elsa Schliemann—like other German Jews—must flee with their children in search of sanctuary. … in search of sanctuary. But life elsewhere in Europe offers few opportunities for medical professor Gerhard and his fellow scientists. Then they discover an unexpected haven in Turkey, where universities and hospitals welcome them as valuable assets.
But despite embracing their adopted land, personal and political troubles persist. Military coups bring unrest and uncertainty to the country, intermarriage challenges the cultural identity of Gerhard and Elsa’s descendants, and anti-Semitism once again threatens their future in the place they call home.
From World War II to the age of social media, one family’s generations find their way through love and loss, sacrifice and salvation, tragedy and triumph—with knowledge hard won and passion heartfelt.
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I thoroughly enjoyed this book and this author’s writing. At first, I hesitated to read it, as I thought it would be a “downer” about events surrounding World War II. Instead, it was a positive and powerful historical story, spanning three generations. Great insight into the plight of immigrants who struggle to assimilate in a new country. The story both moved and disturbed me, as history continues to repeat itself.
Kulin is a Turkish writer. The story, based on true events, follows several generations of a Jewish family who fled Germany prior to World War II and settled in Turkey. Their struggles for acceptance are threatened even as they strive to embrace their adopted land.
Great background on Turkey
I enjoy biographies and this was a good one, or seemed like it. Forever people have been dispersed and uprooted from their homes by conquering armies, and the adjustments they make and the cultural mixing that occurs is both traumatizing and elevating, sometimes leading to better culture and sometimes leading to the dark ages.
A view of the world that was new to me.
In the onset of World War II, German Jews are forbidden to work. So many do not survive in their homeland. Academics are welcomed to Turkey, which is modernizing and reconstructing its higher education system. This story flows from the generation relocated from Nazi Germany, through children’s and grandchildren’s assimilation into a new, generally welcoming, but unfamiliar country and culture. The characters’ responses and insights are valuable in understanding the effects of disorienting dislocation.
This had an early twist to the story. I learned about how the Jews immigrated to Turkey.
This is a story about a world event that is very little known. I found it interesting, informative and very well-written.
Ok. Informative about families who had to escape Germany before and during WWII.
Interesting aspect of Hitler atrocities. Also, Ataturk helped these educated German Jews and benefited Turkey.
This book was fine enough, not attention grabbing and kept wondering about the title, which does not really describe the book in my opinion..but informational about the mixing of ethnic people and the troubles they encounter..
I enjoyed the read as I could not wait to continue reading the next chapter and kearning about the next generation in this book.
I liked the beginning. However, as it progressed it was lacking character development and it political. I didn’t even finish it.
I enjoyed this story. I liked where the story started and how the characters developed. I did feel like the ending seemed rushed, but all the characters had me engaged. I’m impressed how many years were covered and how emotionally involved I was.
I liked how the author incorporates the wars and the country development. How the author was good about not stressing the religious or other parts of the human.
I enjoyed this book because it taught me a section of history I never knew. It was also very personable – I felt like some of these people could have been my friends!