Anna opened the letter with trembling hands. 'My darling, if you're reading this, I haven't managed to unravel my parents' secret. But you can. Will you finish the search for me, find out who they were, and who you really are?' Nazi-occupied Holland, 1944. As soldiers patrol the streets, nursing student Ilse is only just surviving the terrible famine and increasingly violent German occupation. Though exhausted by her demanding work at a hospital far from home, she can't help but notice Levi , the young man with ...
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Anna opened the letter with trembling hands. 'My darling, if you're reading this, I haven't managed to unravel my parents' secret. But you can. Will you finish the search for me, find out who they were, and who you really are?' Nazi-occupied Holland, 1944. As soldiers patrol the streets, nursing student Ilse is only just surviving the terrible famine and increasingly violent German occupation. Though exhausted by her demanding work at a hospital far from home, she can't help but notice Levi , the young man with the dark eyes watching the world silently from the abandoned house next door. Then, early one morning, she finds him terrified and trembling with cold on the back doorstep. Levi's Jewish family have been arrested and sent to a concentration camp, their likely fate all too clear. And now he needs her help. So Ilse makes the most dangerous decision of her life, and takes Levi in. Hiding him away in her tiny attic room, he must remain concealed or risk almost certain death. But as the war worsens, keeping Levi a secret becomes ever more difficult, even as their mutual affection grows. And when a local German soldier becomes obsessed with Ilse, they fear their time - and luck - has run out... London, present day. When Anna's father dies, he leaves her a ticket to Amsterdam, a bent silver sixpence on a delicate silver chain, and a note begging her to complete the journey he was never able to. To the town where he was born, to find out once and for all who his parents were, and to discover their wartime fate. Based on the author's incredible family history, a totally devastating and ultimately uplifting story about a girl who risked everything, including her life, to save the man she loved. Heart-breaking and timely, this powerful tale will be loved by fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Nightingale and Fiona Valpy . Readers love Imogen Matthews: ' Literally gave me shivers ... Absolutely heart-breaking ... Gripping... This one really got to me, I was in tears ... Will stay with me for a very long time .' Echoes in an Empty Room , ' I couldn't put it down ... I read it in a day ... From the first chapter you are engaged with the characters and I even found myself warning them when they were due to be raided - OUT LOUD! ' Goodreads reviewer, ' Couldn't put this book down ... I was transported through time and space and felt as if I was right there .' Goodreads reviewer, 'Heart-wrenching... My heart was in my mouth .' Goodreads reviewer, ' Unbelievable ... Drop everything as you will not want to put this down .' Goodreads reviewer, ' Powerful, inspiring, heart-breaking ... An inspiring story about the bravery and kindness of ordinary people... It had me in tears .' Goodreads reviewer, ' Truly heartbreaking and emotional ... Tear-jerking... Glued to the story... A page-turner and unputdownable, will make you cry till the end! ' Tropical Girl Reads Books ,
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New. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 296 p. Wartime Holland, 3. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Firstly, I must point out that the description I was provided with (above) was not accurate to how the book played out - I'm not sure what happened there but regardless, it's still a really good story and although part of a series, it can most definitely be read as a standalone.
The Boy in the Attic is a story told from 2 timelines, 2 perspectives and 2 countries.
Ilse's story takes place in Holland during World War II. The Nazi's have put a halt to her studies to become a doctor and she is living with her parents. Food is scarce and it's a daily battle to find enough to keep them from starving to death. Ilse then receives a request to help out at a hospital and she moves to live with her friend and her parents but what she discovers and the choices she makes, puts all their lives in jeopardy.
Anna's story is based in the UK in the early 2000's. Her father has just past away and whilst sorting through his affairs, discovers he was adopted and his origins are in Holland. Anna sets out to find out more.
I found the dual timelines worked really well although I admit to being more emotionally attached to Ilse's story. Both characters are well developed and I found myself completely immersed in both their stories and desperate to find out how Ilse and Anna were connected.
I found Ilse's story captivating, Anna's not as much but they worked well together and I did feel connected and invested in both their stories to the end.
This is a story of heartbreak and tragedy but also one of discovery and survival and one I would recommend to those who enjoy historical fiction stories that are set in this period. This one uses the author's own family history to give a believable feel to this story.
Thanks go to Bookouture and NetGalley for enabling me to read The Boy in the Attic and share my views.
