Reminiscent of Diane Ackerman’s The Zookeeper’s Wife, this stunning novel draws from true accounts to shine a light on a period of Holland’s darkest history and bravest heroes.1942.As war rips through the heart of Holland, childhood friends Josie van Rees and Eliese Linden partner with a few daring citizens to rescue Eliese’s son and hundreds of other Jewish children who await deportation in a … deportation in a converted theater in Amsterdam. But amid their resistance work, Josie and Eliese’s dangerous secrets could derail their friendship and their entire mission. When the enemy finds these women, only one will escape.Seventy-five years later, Ava Drake begins to suspect that her great-grandfather William Kingston was not the World War II hero he claimed to be. Her work as director of the prestigious Kingston Family Foundation leads her to Landon West’s Ugandan coffee plantation, and Ava and Landon soon discover a connection between their families. As Landon’s great-grandmother shares the broken pieces of her story, Ava must confront the greatest loss in her own life–and powerful members of the Kingston family who will do anything to keep the truth buried.Illuminating the story and strength of these women, award-winning author Melanie Dobson transports readers through time and place, from World War II Holland to contemporary Uganda, in this rich and inspiring novel.
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This World War 2/present day timeslip novel held me captive the whole way through. The characters are distinctly drawn, the settings immersive from Holland to Uganda, and the theme of sacrifice vs. self-preservation is one that will always be timely. The storytelling is elegant and beautiful. This is the first book I’ve read by Melanie Dobson (I know! Where have I been?) so I’m excited to read her backlist!
Melanie Dobson is a masterful storyteller. She weaves past and present, ordinary and extraordinary, love and loss, fears and faith in an intricate tapestry of experience and emotion. My words can’t even begin to scratch the surface of Dobson’s exquisite art.
The richness and depth of not only faith and emotion but also fascinating historical detail captivated my heart, mind, and spirit. The characters (and real people who inspired them) speak truth to us and our lives today. Despite their grave circumstances, these people made a difference in the lives of others by loving and acting sacrificially.
Memories of Glass tore my heart out, engaged my mind, and challenged my spirit in such a way that I am grateful for and changed by the experience. I highly recommend this book and I will definitely be purchasing a print copy for my all-time favorites shelf.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
With WWII-era and present-day storylines equally enthralling and skillfully entwined, I couldn’t stop turning the pages of Melanie Dobson’s Memories of Glass. Drawn from history to highlight the Dutch resistance to Hitler’s Nazi regime, the story is sweeping in its scope of setting, each vividly alive on the page, and its pace felt like a snowball rolling downhill, gaining in suspense as the life-and-death stakes mounted. A stunning story peopled with characters heroic, flawed, and unforgettable, Memories of Glass is sure to please longtime fans of Melanie Dobson’s books as well as readers new to her novels.
Oh my. I’m still reeling from this book, which I finished a couple days ago. Equally compelling present and historical chapters drew me in, Melanie Dobson’s enticing characters and brilliant plot kept me turning the pages. This was a tear-jerker that broke my heart but did not leave me without satisfying hope. I love how she takes real history and blends it into fiction in such a seamless manner. Beautiful and masterful.
Once again Melanie Dobson shines her light of truth in this elegantly complex and gripping WWII time-slip story. In 1942 Nazi-occupied Amsterdam, while friends Josie and Eliese attempt to rescue as many Jewish children as possible from imminent death, modern-day Ava Drake, director of her family’s prestigious Kingston Foundation begins to uncover dark secrets about her great-grandfather which her relatives wish to keep hidden. Yet amidst Ava’s overwhelming discovery of an old corruption that aided in the Holocaust of so many innocents, she finds love and reverence for the courageous women who stepped forward years ago to save them. Memories of Glass is a remarkable story, and one that will linger in the heart long after the last page.
Melanie Dobson always manages to make me ponder God at work. In “Memories of Glass” she tells the story of the people of Amsterdam and the German occupation during WWII. Most novels I have read about this time period occur in Germany, France, and Poland. This book expanded my view about the Holocaust and reminded me the war was in Europe, not just those few countries. Here, as in other countries, God raised up good people to oppose the evil of the Nazi machine. You could see God working throughout, bringing threads together to accomplish His purposes. Although it was explicitly unsaid in the book, we are reminded that one does not know when our final breath will be breathed, so one must make peace with God now before it happens. Well done, Melanie!
This moving story, filled with layers and depth, kept me listening. The narrator, Nancy Peterson, did a good job with distinct voices for different characters. She had a clear delivery which made for pleasant listening. Also her pace matched the action of this well written historical fiction. The dual time frame stories were interestingly tied together. I thought that both stories were creative and moving. The struggles and hurts were realistic. Yet among evil, there were pockets of good. Truly, Good WWII fiction. I was given a copy of this audiobook by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
She discovers a past both painful and beautiful…
I’m sitting here now emotionally spent. Words cannot express how much my heart breaks at the horrors those who lived and died during the Holocaust had to face. Memories Of Glass explores the horrors of WWII Holland, but not just the darkness for author Melanie Dobson also tells of the courageous people who fought so hard to save the lives of many innocent children. While this book is sometimes painful to read it is also a beautiful story of hope that transcends generations and ethnicity.
This was another of those books that I never even read the blurb for, it was a Melanie Dobson book and that was all I needed to know that I had to read it. And honestly, I couldn’t put it down, reading until 2 am to finish it and finally allow sleep deprived eyes a little rest.
As with many of her other books Memories Of Glass is what some people call a time slip novel and others, probably more accurately, call a dual timeline story. I equally enjoyed, though I’m not sure that’s quite the right word, both eras, finding Ava’s experiences in Uganda and journey to find the past to be as engrossing as Josie and Eliese’s wartime experiences.
Memories Of Glass is a heart-wrenching read that will stay with the reader long after those last pages, be they paper or digital, are turned. Melanie Dobson is a master at her craft and this is one book that is not only going onto my favorites list for this year but it is also one I would highly recommend…
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
Memories of Glass…has left me speechless. While this book covers only a small portion of WWII it does it very well.
This was a very well researched book. I felt as if I was reading an actual account of those rescuing and hiding Jewish children from the Nazi’s. They were truly heroes of the war.
The significance of the colored glass in Oma’s house and memories was very touching.
In the modern part of the story, I again felt as if I was reading a real-life accounting of events. I could see the lengths that Ava was going to in her quest to find the truth about her grandfathers. I felt her frustration with her so-called family. The only thing they cared about was money, at any cost.
The way some people built their wealth during and after the war was terrible. How they covered it up was worse.
I liked how the author connected Ava with Landon and his grandmother.
I cried near the end.
“The past often has a way of creeping into our present.”
With a powerful and compelling style, award-winning author Melanie Dobson creates an extraordinary time-slip novel that demonstrates the strength and determination of the human spirit. In Memories of Glass, Melanie Dobson shares the courageous story of the heroic men and women who risked their lives during World War II to rescue countless Jewish children from the Nazis. During this time of extreme evil in the world, countless lives were lost as the Nazis began to carry out Hitler’s Final Solution, while many brave Dutch citizens joined together in the resistance. Memories of Glass weaves the historical and contemporary storylines together as Ava Drake’s present-day work as director of the Kingston Family Foundation leads her to a coffee plantation in Uganda and, ultimately, the dangerous search for answers about her family’s history during World War II in Holland. The stunning conclusion to this novel leaves the readers filled with compassion and hope for the future.
Memories of Glass is a story of forgiveness, resilience, and the silent heroes who fought against the Nazis. The author shares the message of God’s forgiveness and grace and the “reminder of God’s love no matter the wickedness of man.” Melanie Dobson is a favorite author of many World War II historical fiction readers because of the incredible way she ties her contemporary and historical storylines together, her strong and courageous heroes and heroines, and her ability to weave the characters’ faith seamlessly into her novels. Memories of Glass is highly recommended for fans of World War II fiction, and readers who enjoy time-slip novels by authors such as Heidi Chiavaroli, Rachel Hauck, and Sarah Monzon.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine.
Additional Quotes:
“Books, she once said, are the best legacy. They outlast one’s life and shed light on the past when truth is hard to find.”
“God is going to use you to bring people together instead of tear them apart.”
“He desires redemption, not pain, for His children.”
What a spellbinding read! My favorite split time novel of Melanie Dobson’s so far!
The author drew me in immediately with the past and present storylines. I even had a slight preference for the modern day heroine, Ava – though I usually lean to loving the historical heroine/s a tad bit more. Ava had such an intriguing storyline. And, swoon, I loved Landon!
The writing was fantastic. The storyline was unique. The pacing was perfect. I love learning about history that I had no idea about. LOVE!!
This story is one I’ll not be quick to forget! And the ending has stayed with many days after finishing the book. Beautiful story, inspiring, encouraging and uplifting. That’s the kind of novels I love to read.
A poignant tale of two women in Holland, fighting for the lives of the children as well as their own during the dark days of WWII.
A dual timeline story that weaves together pieces of the past and present, highlighting the brave men and women who risked everything for the sake of others, and the terrible injustices suffered in Holland during the second World War.
I procrastinated a bit on this one as dual timelines and holocaust don’t always draw my attention right away, but I was blown away by this touching and powerful story. The modern day story tells of Ava Drake, a young woman working for her family’s philanthropic foundation as she uncovers the dark secrets of her family’s wealth. Meanwhile in the 1940’s, we follow Josie and Eliese, two friends reunited by the war, as they experience a fast changing world as their freedoms are lost and they make sacrifices with the hope of doing some lasting good for the sake of the children. I don’t usually like bouncing back and forwards in time, but this book made me love it, as I compared present and past trying to piece together the clues as to how it was all connected.
I loved how this book kept me guessing throughout, and I wasn’t completely sure how it would end. This book realistically shows humans at their best and worst, showing the horror of the Nazi occupation in Holland, as well as the unbreakable hope and will to fight for something better. Fantastic characters, that felt tangible, realistically flawed and imperfect. A masterfully told tale of faith, friendship, and courage.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Memories of Glass is a complex story that has stuck with me. It’s based on true accounts of Dutch children who were secreted away to safety during WWII. Although this novel is Christian fiction, stories like this need to be told so the heroic deeds of those who risked their lives to save these children live on. I keep thinking about the families torn apart by the ravages of war, how agonizing it must have been to leave a child with a stranger, and how frightening it must have been for the children to be separated from their parents and thrust into hiding because their very lives depended on it.
Evil personified through the Nazis and even some of the Dutch Jews who wanted to make money is incomprehensible. The atrocities that took place during WWII are appalling. Dobson communicates extremely well the fear and anxiety the men and women experienced who were working against the Hitler regime. The scenes are entrancing and touched me deeply. I would have loved an entire book set only in this era with these characters.
The contemporary time line is told in first person POV which is not my desired point of view to read. The characters are numerous and I couldn’t keep them straight in my mind. A family tree in the beginning would have been a tremendous help. One of the main takeaways for me was if you start digging into your family’s past, be prepared. The truth isn’t always pretty.
I was provided a copy of the book by the author with no expectation of a review. I also purchased a digital copy. All opinions are my own. No compensation has been received.
Truly five stars! (or more) This isn’t my usual read, so I put it off, then I couldn’t put it down. Just superbly written.
Melanie Dobson has written another beautiful story of heartache and redemption. She is a master of time slip novels and has become one of my favorite authors. I highly recommend this book.
With decades comes perspective but what if you were on the other side of WWII and the Nazi regime? What if you didn’t realize what would happen to the families you helped register before they were loaded on trains to a German concentration camp? Melanie Dobson puts you in those shoes and others in the Dutch resistance group in Memories of Glass.
I was immediately drawn into this tale of three women. Josie and Eliese met and became friends as young girls in Holland. The war brings them together years later and together they work together to save children from the camps.
Ava Drake longs for a family that’s not motivated by greed like those surrounding her. When she discovers some new information about the Kingston family, she sets out on a journey to uncover the truth with no idea of what she will uncover.
From Holland to Portland to Uganda, Dobson paints portraits of a life lived in selfishness versus a life lived in selflessness with beautiful prose and a story of sacrifice that will stay with the reader long after the final word is read.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
4.5 stars
“If only I could ask questions about my family and get straight answers. If only people would share their stories instead of locking them away. ”
If only. It’s the story of Ava Drake’s life. So much of her family history is shrouded in secrecy, facts hidden in the shadows and the truth anything but clear. Along the fault lines are stories dating back to World War II, when there fortunes to be made upon the sacrifice of the innocent. As Ava digs deeper into her grandfather’s past, her present occupation as the director of the famed Kingston Family Foundation leads her straight to Uganda, where she meets the kind of man who insists that the truth can set her free.
“Windows are a curious thing. . . . the stained ones transform the light but not the transparent glass.”
Rich in history, this lovely story paints a mural of love, loss, and bravery using colors bold enough to cover the ugliness that begs to raise its hideous voice among the shattered “memories of glass”. It’s a complex story, especially in the beginning, when layer after layer of family connections and deceit threaten to snuff out the souls who rose to an occasion that they never would have chosen for themselves. And yet they did; they certainly did.
I received a copy of this book from the author. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
SOUL-STIRRING!
Using historical facts, author Melanie Dobson’s latest novel MEMORIES OF GLASS is SOUL-STIRRING! Dobson uses the time-slip method, traveling from WWII Holland to present day Uganda. The plot is built around the lives of two intertwined families who have amassed a fortune. However, how the fortune was gained is a closely guarded secret that is known to only a select few. This is a story built built on love and choices. In the past it shows a love that turns to greed and in the present day a love that grows in word and deed.
As you read this jewel of a novel, you may learn many new facts and be reminded of facts you’d rather forget. I know I am appalled to read that Americans were EVER involved in financially supporting Hitler! Even worse, as Dobson writes in this novel, they funneled money to the Holland Trade Bank that invested heavily in the research and proliferation of Zyklon, the poison that Nazi Germany used in their gas chambers! I personally have stood in “The Showers” (that’s what they told the unsuspecting prisoners) at Dachau and I can assure you I will forever be changed by the emotions I experienced. It was 40 years ago and I still remember it as though it were yesterday. Truly one of the most sobering experiences of my life!
Dobson approaches subjects that are difficult for any of us to face – the Holocaust – those who were forced to wear “The STAR”, those who hid their friends, those who did everything they could to protect innocent children, those who made choices purely for survival and those who made choices based purely on greed and leave you asking yourself, “What would you do to save the life of your child?”
I was provided an ARC of this novel by Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.
4 Stars
Oh my goodness, this is one that will linger in my mind. I listened on audio (Nancy Peterson is a fabulous narrator). At first, it was tricky to get the characters aligned in my mind, (one of the disadvantages of audio vs. print), but the story was so gripping and written so well, I didn’t want to stop listening each time. Melanie Dobson created a story that set me right into the midst of the devastating choices good people were forced make to save lives. She did a great job of taking the reader into the emotional depths and the myriad ways individuals were affected during the heinous time of the Holocaust. Reflection upon this time, rightfully takes our minds to the larger story of the evil, but we tend not to thing about the day-to-day losses. Children unable to play because they’re forced to be quiet while in hiding. A parent forced to trust a stranger with their child’s safety. Couples split apart. Loyalties tested. Trust broken. A fiancee’s shocking cause for grief, but no freedom to mourn, generations of consequence.
Melanie Dobson masterfully immersed me into the story of her characters’ hearts and into the settings of past and present. I especially loved the connection of a Portland coffee business and the ministry to help orphaned children with the coffee plantation in Uganda. The reader is rewarded with multiple stories of prevailing goodness and hope when hearts surrender to God and care about others more than themselves.