#bookreview thelostwife alysonrichman terezin nazi germany auschwitz reading

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"The Lost Wife" by Alyson Richman Book Review

Quote: P.188 "Over sixty years have passed and her shadow still walks beside me. Her shadow stretching long & black--waiting for me to reach for her--waiting for me to extend my hand."

This is an absolutely beautifully written book that I enjoyed from the very first paragraph to the last. This is truly a love story of a young man, Josef and his bride, Lenka living in Prague during a time a great unrest just before the Nazi invasion. Against the backdrop of Prague and the increasing Antisemitism of the time, the characters fall in love and are married. However, soon after their marriage they are separated by the Nazi Invasion.

The book follows both characters along their difficult journeys separately. While Josef escapes the invasion and deportation to the death camps he faces a nightmare of his own. Lenka is forced along with her family and others living in Prague to the Terezin Concentration Camp and then later to Auschwitz. Of course Lenka's story is one of terrible atrocities that most of us cannot imagine could happen, but did; but more than that Lenka's story is one of hope and perseverance amidst impossible circumstances.

This story comes full circle and reminds us all that a heart doesn't ever forget. A beautiful, endearing, and tragic story that will stay with you long after you've read that last paragraph.