In pre-war Prague, the dreams of two young lovers are shattered when they are separated by the Nazi invasion. Then, decades later, thousands of miles away in New York, there’s an inescapable glance of recognition between two strangers. Providence is giving Lenka and Josef one more chance. From the glamorous ease of life in Prague before the Occupation, to the horrors of Nazi Europe, The Lost Wife explores the power of first love, the resilience of the human spirit- and the strength of memory.
The Lost Wife is part love story and part holocaust survival story. It’s one of those books that will keep you from doing anything but reading the pages! The author ties hope, desire, dread and fear seamlessly into this tale.
The author’s use of colors to describe almost anything…smells, sounds and feelings was a lesson in evocative vocabulary. The introduction to many acclaimed artists was welcome and the power of music was heartbreakingly beautiful. You can tell this author treasures the arts.
Poetically written with compelling characters. Thisย wonderful plot of lost souls and lost love during the Holocaust is one you’ll be passing to another reader to share the story. This is a book you can read in one sitting and just sink your teeth into.
Quotes I Liked:
He laughs. And in his laugh I hear bliss. I hear feet dancing, the rush of skirts twirling. The sound of children. Is that the first sign of love?ย You hear in the person you’re destined to love the sound of those yet to be born.”
-โIf those we love visit us when we dream, those who torment us almost always visit us when we’re still awake.โ
-“I had to teach myself that love was very much like a painting. The negative space between people was just as important as the positive space we occupy.”
-โTo those who believe the dead do not visit them, I say you have cataracts in your soul. I am a man of science, yet I believe in guardian angels and the haunting by ghosts.โ
Every day I clean the Winchestersโ beautiful house top to bottom. I collect their daughter from school. And I cook a delicious meal for the whole family before heading up to eat alone in my tiny room on the top floor. I try to ignore how Nina makes a... read more
Review:The Museum of Failures by Thrity Umrigar is another excellent example of creating a novel with richly layered characters while comparing Indian and American lifestyles. In this story, Remy returns to Bombay, which he has dubbed the museum of failures, as he sees his native country through the lens of his American life. Heโs there to meet his friendโs niece with the hopes of adopting her baby, as he and his wife are unable to conceive. This innocuous trip turns into a much more complex time as Remy is hit with roadblocks time and time again.Itโs the story about Remy and his mother that really got to me. He lived a life of never measuring up and feeling quite unloved by her. Through their time together in Bombay, he learns critical information that allows him to see her in a more thoughtful and understanding way. This time away has brought whatโs left of his shattered family back together.His trip extends much longer than anticipated and he realizes the value of being home. His American wife Kathy seemed too good to be true, but I did like their relationship, born of trust and equality. Remyโs life as a poet was buried away, but through his visit in India, he realizes the importance of doing work you love, not just working for a higher paycheck.Overall, this was a satisfying read and one that fans of Umrigar will appreciate. Her last book, Honor, along with The Space Between Us, are my two favorites of hers. I havenโt met an Umrigar book I didnโt enjoy!@thrity_umrigar @algonquinbooks ๐: Do you dress up for Halloween? If yes, what's your costume of choice? If not, what's a scary book you've read? ... See MoreSee Less
Couldn’t put it down. I very memorable read!