This forgotten history of displaced WWII children and the return to their roots [is captivating, thought-provoking, enlightening, and bittersweet. ―Alka Joshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Henna ArtistRosner is one of my favorite authors. ―Lisa Scottoline, #1 bestselling author of EternalFrom Jennifer Rosner, National Jewish Book Award Finalist and author of The Yellow Bird Sings, comes a novel based on the true stories of children stolen in the wake of World War II.When your past is stolen, where do you belong?Ana will never forget her mothers face when she and her baby brother, Oskar, were sent out of their Polish ghetto and into the arms of a Christian friend. For Oskar, though, their new family is the only one he remembers. When a woman from a Jewish reclamation organization seizes them, believing she has their best interest at heart, Ana sees an opportunity to reconnect with her roots, while Oskar sees only the loss of the home he loves. Roger grows up in a monastery in France, inventing stories and trading riddles with his best friend in a life of quiet concealment. When a relative seeks to retrieve him, the Church steals him across the Pyrenees before relinquishing him to family in Jerusalem. Renata, a post-graduate student in archaeology, has spent her life unearthing secrets from the past--except for her own. After her mothers death, Renatas grief is entwined with all the questions her mother left unanswered, including why they fled Germany so quickly when Renata was a little girl. Two decades later, they are each building lives for themselves, trying to move on from the trauma and loss that haunts them. But as their stories converge in Israel, in unexpected ways, they must each ask where and to whom they truly belong. Beautifully evocative and tender, filled with both luminosity and anguish, Once We Were Home reveals a little-known history. Based on the true stories of children stolen during wartime, this heart-wrenching novel raises questions of complicity and responsibility, belonging and identity, good intentions and unforeseen consequences, as it confronts what it really means to find home.
In the captivating novel "Once We Were Home" by Jennifer Rosner, we embark on a journey to the heart of family, love, and the power of forgiveness. Set in the vibrant city of Philadelphia, the story revolves around two families whose lives intertwine in unexpected ways during the Great Depression.
At the center of the narrative is the Levin family, struggling to survive the economic hardships that have gripped the nation. Sarah Levin, a spirited young woman, finds solace in her love of books and dreams of a better life for herself and her family. Her father, Isaac, a proud and hardworking man, grapples with the loss of his livelihood and the strain it puts on his marriage to the stoic Rebecca. Meanwhile, across town, the wealthy and influential Rosenthal family seems to have it all. Yet, beneath their veneer of success, they harbor their own secrets and challenges.
As fate brings Sarah and the Rosenthal's son, Gabe, together, their lives take a dramatic turn. Despite their vastly different backgrounds, they find solace and understanding in each other's company. Their friendship blossoms into a forbidden love that threatens to upend the carefully constructed lives of both families.
With exquisite prose and vivid historical detail, Jennifer Rosner paints a poignant picture of life during the Great Depression. She delves into the resilience of the human spirit and the strength of family bonds in the face of adversity. Through the Levin and Rosenthal families, she explores the complexities of love, loss, and the search for a place to truly belong.
"Once We Were Home" is a powerful and moving tale that resonates long after the last page is turned. It is a testament to the enduring power of love and the transformative nature of forgiveness. Jennifer Rosner's captivating storytelling and insightful exploration of human nature make this novel a must-read for fans of historical fiction and anyone seeking an emotionally rich and thought-provoking read.
