Memories of Glass

By: Melanie Dobson

Narrated by: Nancy Peterson

Length: 11 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's Summary

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 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 listeners through time and place, from World War II, Holland, to contemporary Uganda, in this rich and inspiring novel.

©2019 Melanie Dobson (P)2019 Two Words Publishing LLC

Well-written and beautifully read, A fascinating Plot

Though we know the horrors of Hitler’s occupation of Holland all too well, Melanie Dobson’s brilliant interweaving of so many times and places and characters will keep you spellbound until the unweaving in the last few chapters.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Memorable, Inspirational WWII Story

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.
Wonderful Narration!

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Excellent read!

I love the way the author weaves her characters together and linking them all, regardless of circumstance, with the faith, hope and love of God!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I enjoyed the story .

enjoyed the story. had some trouble keeping characters straight, especially towards the end when I thought I had their paths straightened out.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Beware

If you are very religious, this book is for you. I am not super religious, but have faith and this book was too much. One chapter said God at least 60 times. Not my favorite, tried to keep going for the historical fiction part of the story line.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Memories of Glass

A good book, not terrific. But interesting enough for fictional history. My compliments to the author.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Stories separated by decades and continents come together beautifully

Another great book by Melanie Dobson. This book looks, wincing, at some of the hard things that happened during World War II. It doesn’t shy away from the reality that is still here today. Well researched. Historically accurate. The truth really does set you free.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Bittersweet loved the courage of the Dutch people who sacrificed

I have read somewhere that the people of holland more than any other country sold their own neighbors out and collaborated with the Nazi. This book told of the good people and horribly bad people. I loved the main characters and could have listened to more. The names and relations of people thru the three generations got jumbled up some. What have loved a schematic of the two families to have been available

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Fantastic

Loved this book. Great narrator. It was easy
to follow who was who. I really fell in love with the characters. I cried at the end

Horribly accented

The narrator put so much emphasis on accenting language it was extremely difficult to concentrate on the storyline.