Spanning a century and three continents, Even in Darkness tells the story of Kläre Kohler, whose early years as a beloved daughter of a prosperous German-Jewish family hardly anticipate the harrowing life she faces as an adult- a saga of family, lovers, two world wars, a concentration camp, and sacrifice. Based on a true story, Even in Darkness highlights Klare’s reinvention as she faces the … faces the destruction of life as she knew it, and traces her path to survival, wisdom, and unexpected love.
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Barbara Stark-Nemon has taken what is obviously a family story and instead of “fictionalizing” it into a novel, has truly breathed into it its own soul and made it its own being. On the surface, I was very intrigued by the story of these ordinary German citizens caught up in a war that was not of their making and the relationships that continued between them despite their Judaism or Christianity. I normally don’t read “Holocaust” stories because they are so terribly depressing, and though the Holocaust is a part of Even in Darkness, it does not overshadow the story as a whole. This is really Klare’s story, at least on the surface, of which the Holocaust was only a part. I did think that it particularly touching, and true, that Klare seemed to experience more aching despair and sadness over the death of her child, Werner, than any of her experiences in the camp. I think this would be the case for myself, and all mothers, as well.
So not only was the surface story very intriguing to me and extremely well written, the deeper theme of love in its myriad forms was beautifully expressed in the life of Klare and in the rich symbolism you employed. Through her, you were able to expertly express romantic love, marital love, maternal love, familial love, platonic love and finally, in Ansel, divine love. It is so perfectly symbolic that she is a Jewish woman and he a Catholic priest and that their love goes beyond man and woman, beyond religion, to something more pure – more divine – in which they both experience peace.
This book albeit a novel is based on the life of Kläre Kohler..she experienced great losses..two world wars..a concentration camp..but she is a woman ahead of her time..and it is the next part of the story that I had to read twice.
Linda Crisp
I loved this book. It was an unintential binge read for me. A book that made me think, made me sad and made me appreciate why we must continue to tell this story. I think every 10th grader and their teachers should read this book. Especially now.
Winner of IndieFab’s Gold for Literary Fiction and Bronze for Historical Fiction, Barbara Stark-Nemon’s novel traces the epic life of Kläre Kohler, a German Jew born before World War II into prosperity. EVEN IN DARKNESS (She Writes Press, 2015) shows Kläre’s life take one unexpected turn after another. As civilization collapses in Germany and, indeed, around the world, Kläre steadily and repeatedly reinvents herself, swimming upstream against a current that continuously drowns whatever faith or optimism she can muster. By the end of her life, Kläre has actually achieved something unexpected—wisdom. In an afterword to her fact-based novel, author Barbara Stark-Nemon says she believes that “the good we create on earth lives on in the people we touch; not only our children, but all those in whom our spirits have found a home.” Stark-Nemon’s point? Humanity can triumph, even in darkness.
I listened to this one on Audible and Jilli Bond did a marvelous job narrating this beautifully written story! It is the best audio of the year for me! Barbara Stark-Nemon has written a heart breaking beautiful story that will stay with me for a long time! I highly recommend this Five Star Gold novel!