“A fascinating, heartrending page-turner that, like the real-life forgers who inspired the novel, should never be forgotten.” –Kristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of Sold on a Monday Inspired by an astonishing true story from World War II, a young woman with a talent for forgery helps hundreds of Jewish children flee the Nazis in this “sweeping and magnificent” (Fiona Davis, … “sweeping and magnificent” (Fiona Davis, bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue) historical novel from the #1 international bestselling author of The Winemaker’s Wife.
Eva Traube Abrams, a semi-retired librarian in Florida, is shelving books when her eyes lock on a photograph in the New York Times. She freezes; it’s an image of a book she hasn’t seen in more than sixty years–a book she recognizes as The Book of Lost Names.
The accompanying article discusses the looting of libraries by the Nazis across Europe during World War II–an experience Eva remembers well–and the search to reunite people with the texts taken from them so long ago. The book in the photograph, an eighteenth-century religious text thought to have been taken from France in the waning days of the war, is one of the most fascinating cases. Now housed in Berlin’s Zentral- und Landesbibliothek library, it appears to contain some sort of code, but researchers don’t know where it came from–or what the code means. Only Eva holds the answer, but does she have the strength to revisit old memories?
As a graduate student in 1942, Eva was forced to flee Paris and find refuge in a small mountain town in the Free Zone, where she began forging identity documents for Jewish children fleeing to neutral Switzerland. But erasing people comes with a price, and along with a mysterious, handsome forger named Rémy, Eva decides she must find a way to preserve the real names of the children who are too young to remember who they really are. The records they keep in The Book of Lost Names will become even more vital when the resistance cell they work for is betrayed and Rémy disappears.
An engaging and evocative novel reminiscent of The Lost Girls of Paris and The Alice Network, The Book of Lost Names is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of bravery and love in the face of evil.
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Not since “The Nightingale” have I finished a book and been so choked with emotion. Harmel was inspired by the true story of French citizens who fought against evil during WWII with courage and conviction. She shines a brilliant light on those who had their identities erased and lives destroyed, on a country and its people torn apart, and young women like Eva, who risked their lives with everyday acts of epic heroism. Sweeping and magnificent.
The Book of Lost Names solidifies Kristin Harmel’s place as one of the top writers of historic fiction about strong women during WWII. I would give 10 stars to this book if I could. Her book is based on real people and she ties that in with comprehensive research and we have a chance to read a fantastic book that won’t soon be forgotten.
Eva, a semi-retired librarian in her 80s is shelving books and sees a newspaper picture of a book that she immediately recognizes. It’s a book that she hasn’t seen in over 60 years and she refers to it as ‘the book of lost names’. Much to her son’s disapproval, she immediately books travel to Munich to see the real book. The German librarian who wrote the article discussed that many books had been taken back to Germany by the Nazis and he was trying to find the original owners. He also mentioned that there was some sort of code in the book and he had no idea what it was. But Eva knew what the code was – she had written those codes in that book during the war when she lived in France.
This is a book about love and war, friendship and family and endangering your own life to help other people. The characters are well written and the story line is intriguing. Plus I learned some history that I’d never known. I knew that children were sent to safe places without their parents but not about them changing their names or about the importance of forgeries during the war. This was a wonderful book and is now on my list of favorite books about strong women in WWII. Eva is a character that I won’t soon forget.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
Truth is, I’ve been avoiding books about World War II lately, but I’m so glad I didn’t avoid this one! This is a gripping story of the French resistance, but not one you’ve read before. The Jewish heroine is persuaded to become a forger, and she painstakingly forges documents that allow Jewish children to escape into Switzerland. Yes, you’ll shed some tears. A terrific book.
As long as I draw a breath, I will never tire of WWII novels. I am always so amazed at the strength of ordinary people and their ability to do extraordinary things. This novel highlights forgers who saved tens of thousands of lives with their artistic abilities. Entire towns hid refugees from the Nazis. No matter how dark the days, nor how dire the circumstances, God raises His people to work together for good. He lets in hope, kindness, and mercy to comfort those who are suffering.
Kristen Harmel has included all the necessary ingredients to make for an exciting read: Resistance fighters, drama, intrigue, a range of emotions, faith, human kindness as well as the atrocities humans can commit. Even some homage to”Romeo and Juliette” is thrown into the mix.
I am ready to read more from this talented writer.
This is the first novel I’ve read by Kristin Harmel, and I was not disappointed. Having lived for years in France and being very familiar with the French Resistance during World War II and the true stories of how Jewish children were rescued, I nonetheless gained new insights into this dark period of history. Harmel’s research is well-done and her characters sympathetic as they are faced with often unbearable choices.
Another magnificent book from Kristin Harmel. It drew me in immediately and didn’t let go, even after the last page. Harmel’s in depth research is apparent in this story of survival, sacrifice, courage and heartbreak all infused with love and hope. She brings the reader deep into the French resistance during WWII and teaches us aspects of the war we never learned about in school, though should have. Grab a copy today, sit back and dig in. Forget work, forget meals. You won’t want to put it down.
With meticulous research and an assured hand, Kristin Harmel once again spotlights French Resistance figures of the Second World War, unique heroes whose bravery and immeasurable sacrifices are too often lost to history. THE BOOK OF LOST NAMES is a fascinating, heartrending page-turner that, like the real-life forgers who inspired the novel, should never be forgotten. A riveting historical tale that I devoured in a single sitting.
I love reading about WW2 and the brave people who fought the Nazi regime. However, this one was a dud for me. I felt the characters were flat, there were a lot of tropes, and the plot was a bit implausible. For example, the main character seems to magically become a master forger of documents, despite having no real artistic ability or experience. Everyone is mean to her, even in the present-day portion of the book. It is unrealistic and an insult to the real people who did this sort of work.
The romance of the story had a good start, but fell off and resolved oddly. The best parts were underdeveloped… that would be the parts of the story where we meet the children who are being written into the book of lost names, and her travel to the border with them. I wish more time was spent on their stories, and less on the romance and hysterical mother. I did not find this to be a page-turner and really had to plod through it to finish. I would label this “World War II Fluff Romance”.
The most meaningful aspect of WWII stories is learning about ordinary people who summon strength and courage they didn’t know they had to save themselves and others against incredible odds, a theme that is central to this novel.
I believe the coded book central to this novel is based on true events; an author’s note would have been very helpful. Also, there was one character that was consistently annoying and at least one aspect of the novel that didn’t seem true to my limited knowledge of the Jewish faith. All of this, plus a heavy emphasis on romance, limited my enjoyment of this title.
I listened to the audiobook and appreciated Madeleine Maby’s narration. I’m not sure I would have finished reading a print book.
3 stars
I love WWII fiction and The Book of Lost Names had such an intriguing premise, something so different than other historical fiction books I have read. While this book held my interest, it fell short for me. At times I found it predictable and slow moving.
It is told in a past / present format, but the majority of the book is told in the past. There are only small snippets of the present day story. I thought Eva was a well-developed character, but her mother drove me absolutely mental. She was extremely annoying and I dreaded any time she was part of the dialogue.
I think that most WWII historical fiction fans will like this book, there are a lot more people who seemed to enjoy this more than I did.
Thank you to Gallery Books for my copy of this book via NetGalley
Kristin Harmel books are always a favorite and this might be her best yet.
Eva Traube Abrams, a semi-retired librarian in Florida, is shelving books one morning when her eyes lock on a photograph in a magazine lying open nearby. She freezes; it’s an image of a book she hasn’t seen in sixty-five years—a book she recognizes as The Book of Lost Names.
As a graduate student in 1942, Eva was forced to flee Paris after the arrest of her father, a Polish Jew. Finding refuge in a small mountain town in the Free Zone, she begins forging identity documents for Jewish children fleeing to neutral Switzerland. But erasing people comes with a price, and along with a mysterious, handsome forger named Rémy, Eva decides she must find a way to preserve the real names of the children who are too young to remember who they really are. The records they keep in The Book of Lost Names will become even more vital when the resistance cell they work for is betrayed and Rémy disappears..
Moving, heartbreaking, informative, memorable characters and so much more. Everything a great book needs this one has.
Kristin Harmel has done it again! Her latest journey in this WWII historical fiction novel is emotionally moving. You will learn about part of the resistance that was such an important part of this period of time. The willingness and bravery of so many individuals is astounding. I continue to be amazed at the boundless sacrifices people were willing to make because it was the right thing to do…even it cost them their life.
I would definitely grab a box of tissues before you open the book and get lost in Eva’s story and the part the foragers played in the downfall of the Third Reich. While a story with a dual timeline, the majority of the book is spent during WWII. The moment between time periods flows smoothly. The characters are well developed. In fact, so much so, that you will care deeply about their lives and their efforts for the resistance.
Your heart will soar, you’ll hold your breath as you experience dangerous situations, you will doubt the integrity of some individuals, and your heart will ache at moments. Such a myriad of emotions. The twists and turns have you anxiously waiting to see what will happen next. Love, loss, fear, hope, family relationships, trust, betrayal, and bravery are primary aspects of this fabulous book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own. I cannot say enough about how much I enjoyed the trip with Eva. This book will stay with me a long time. The tears are still pooling in my eyes as I write this review. Please! Put this book on your list of books to read! It i worth every second you spend absorbing the words and the story of such beautiful and dedicated individuals. I can’t wait for the author’s next gift in the form of a story for us.
Brilliant is how I would describe this book that I cannot seem to get out of my mind. This story is told in a now and then format with now being May 2005 when 86-year-old Eva is at her job at a local library in the US and she notices a newspaper that was left on a table. An article jumped out at her that was written by Otto Kuhn, a librarian in Berlin, which shows an old book that had been looted by the Nazis as the war was ending. Mr. Kuhn wants to reunite the book with its former owner. Eva immediately recognizes the book and makes arrangements to fly to Berlin to visit Mr. Kuhn. The then in this story begins in July 1942 when Eva watches as her father is taken prisoner by the French police and sent to Auschwitz. Eva and her mother flee to Aurignon where she begins working as a forger of documents for the resistance.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of World War II Historical Fiction.
Kristin Harmel’s The Book of Lost Names was a very thought proving read. Entertaining as well, it kept your attention and made you not want to stop reading. This is another historical fiction but the characters and circumstances seemed quite real. I would highly recommend The Book of Lost Names.
This book is impossible to stop reading once you start
Beautifully written suspenseful tale of the French Resistance beginning in 1942. The story is told mostly in 3rd person in the past, but with occasional chapters in first person narrative by the main character, Eva, in the present (2005). It’s as if Eva is looking back and telling her own story to someone. The Book of Lost Names is a story of faith both in one’s self, in God and in humanity. It is also a story of a woman whose strove to not “erase” children who were saved by the French resistance, yet she erased her own identify to her family after the war was over. It was not until 60 years later that she reveals herself. The reader is left to wonder about Eva’s life as she enters her 87th year on earth but can only hope that she has her happy ever after living in the knowledge that she has finally revealed her past to her family.
I enjoyed the first 3/4 of the novel although her mother drove me crazy. The ending was implausible and ruined the book for me.
This was my first Kristin Harmel read, and I definitely look forward to reading more. Kristin Harmel is a fabulous writer. I actually listened to this on audio (Madeleine Maby is a great narrator) and looked forward to each time I could listen. I could envision each character and felt their emotions. Most of us have never experienced the kind of risk conveyed in this story in order to rescue others from evil, but I hope I would be as willing and brave as Eva. I appreciated Kristin Harmel’s depiction of how a heart can be stretched in two good and caring directions. I appreciated how well she conveyed the emotions and faulty thoughts of Eva’s mother. I appreciated how a God-given talent can be gloriously used for good—beyond what we can begin to imagine. Personally, I wished a couple of passages towards the end hadn’t been included, but still, I loved this book.
Wonderful characters, fascinating story, great writing….will seek out more books by Kristin Harmel——this book was the first box of hers I’ve read……more to come…
THE BOOK OF LOST NAMES by Kristin Harmel is set in France after the German invasion.
Eva Traube Abrams comes across an article in the New York Times about the book of lost names that she hasn’t seen in over sixty years.
Eva and her parents lived in an apartment in Paris. She and her mother flee Paris after her father is arrested and sent to a prison camp. They find refuge in a small mountain town in the Free Zone, where Eva begins forging identity documents for Jewish children fleeing to Switzerland.
Eva falls in love with a handsome forger named Rémy. While they are erasing the children’s identities, they also keep a secret book that identifies each child, so that after the war they can be reunited with their families.
This is a real page-turner that moves smoothly between present day and World War II France. Just when you think all is lost, the author delivers a satisfying conclusion. I loved this book and recommend it.