The Light After the War

A Novel

By: Anita Abriel

Narrated by: Jesse Vilinsky

Inspired by an incredible true story of two Jewish friends who survived the Holocaust, this “heartfelt and memorable tale of family, love, resilience, and the triumph of human spirit” (Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author) spans World War II from Budapest to Austria and the postwar years from Naples to Caracas, perfect for fans of The German Girl and We Were the Lucky Ones.

Spring 1946: Best friends Vera Frankel and Edith Ban arrive in Naples. Refugees from Hungary, they managed to escape from a train headed for Auschwitz and spent the rest of the war hiding on an Austrian farm. Now, the two young women are starting new lives abroad.

Armed with a letter of recommendation from an American officer, Vera finds work at the United States embassy where she falls in love with Captain Anton Wight. But as Vera and Edith grapple with the aftermath of the war, so too does Anton, and when he suddenly disappears, Vera is forced to change course. Their quest for a better life takes Vera and Edith from Naples to Ellis Island to Caracas as they start careers, reunite with old friends, and rebuild their lives after terrible loss.

Moving, evocative, and compelling, The Light After the War is a timely and “unforgettable story of strength, love, and survival” (Jillian Cantor, USA TODAY bestselling author).

GREAT HISTORICAL INFORMATION …

I can’t say that I LOVED this book, but I did enjoy it enough that I don’t regret spending a credit on it.

In terms of historical information, the book was great. I am always in AWE of the strength and resilience of those who survived the horrors that Hitler brought upon the Jews so unfairly. Stories such as stories this one helps keep this time in history alive. Sadly, we are only one generation away from people forgetting about what happened entirely.

I substituted in an English class not too long ago for a few weeks. In week one, the lesson plans were for students to spend the class inside the library learning how to use REAL reference books (a skill that is all but forgotten thanks to the Internet). It was so surprising to learn that some of the kids didn’t even know what an encyclopedia was or how to use it.

Mid-week during our classes in the library, one of the students came across information about Hitler. Other students said they had come across information too, but they didn’t understand why there was so MUCH about Hitler. I was stunned to the point of having to sit down when one of the students asked, “Who is Hitler?” Many other students said, “Yeah, why is he so important? I’ve never even heard of the guy.”

I felt absolutely SICK to realize that these middle schoolers didn’t know who Hitler was or the terror he reigned down all across Europe for so long. They were completely CLUELESS! So many lives destroyed and so many lives snuffed out for no reason. How could these students not know ANYTHING about such a shameful and painful period in the world’s history? It hurt me to realize that the Jews who had suffered so were fading from history (I am not even Jewish and it hit me so hard).

As a teacher, I strongly feel that this period in our world’s history should be part of every school’s mandatory curriculum. What the Jews endured (as well as those who tried to help the Jews) should NEVER be forgotten. What will be remembered by the generation that comes after those middle schoolers who had absolutely no idea who Hitler was???

I am flabbergasted by the comments of some people that Hitler never did all the things he was famous for. When I heard of these people, I so wanted to meet them and show them pictures of the concentration camps, of tattooed arms, of mass graves. Let them then say this never happened. What an ignorant insult to every Jew who survived and to families who lost so much…

In terms of this book, it wasn’t long before Edith and her boy craziness began to get on my nerves. She and Vera having just arrived in a new country with little more than the clothes they were wearing, had nowhere to stay and no way of obtaining food… Yet, instead of worrying about getting as job as Vera was, all Edith could talk about were cute young men. She gave little thought to how they were to survive, only to when she could next be with some guy. Poor Vera had to do all the worrying for both of them. At least Vera was practical in her thinking.

My one disappointment in Vera was her willingness to allow Anton back into her life so easily after what he had done. Had I been Vera, Anton would have to work a WHOLE lot harder to gain my trust back. Actions speak so much louder than words.

I had hoped that in the epilogue, the author would explain what happened in the future with Anton and her mother, Vera. Did her mother and Anton marry? Was Anton her father (how could that be possible if Anton was sterile)? I’m very disappointed that the author didn’t provide closure for readers.

Despite my minor complaints, I would recommend this book to others. The narrator did an excellent job. I hope to find more books similar to this one.

Very well told

This was a wonderful story. How many got through with a feeling of guilt of survival. These stories help us never forget.

Breathtaking Novel

Love reading about the past, their hardships, the relationships and most of all, Empathy. High school kids need to read this as part of the curriculum.

Great historical fiction, not the best ending

The reason this book did not get 5 stars from me was because the ending was terribly disappointing. After all of her pain and all of her triumph, I felt that her choice in the last few minutes of this book was without reason. Instead of completing her journey, making her own choice to make her happy, she decided to make a choice (again) out of fear. I was hoping to see a better completion to her journey. Overall, this was a great historical fiction I really enjoyed and loved finding out the familial connection to the author. Romantic, realistic, and well done.

Excellent plot with twists one could never imagine

Great read. Listen all the way to the end. Romance, intrigue, adventure, a terrific story.