The Book of Lost Names: A Summer Read

The Book of Lost Names by US author Kristin Harmel is a powerful and heartbreaking new release about the thousands of people trying to flee to safety during the second world war, and the bravery of freedom fighters who put their own lives at risk to ensure the survival and future of many.

This historical novel follows Eva Traube at two separate times of her life. One is during the 21st century: Eva works as a librarian and comes across an article in a magazine about a book that has been re-discovered from the holocaust with an unknown code written inside. Eva recognizes the book immediately, though it’s been more than 60 years since she’s last seen it. It’s The Book of Lost Names. 

The story then switches to the 20th century, journeying along with a young Eva during the war where the tragedy and devastating consequences of one leader resulted in a horrific battle for survival. After the arrest of her father, Eva and her mother are able to flee to a small mountain town in the Free Zone. While Eva’s mother desires to free her husband and become reunited, Eva is drawn into the world of forging documents and working with freedom fighters to help hundreds of Jewish children escape the Nazis to ensure they have a future. As Eva works to create new identities, she realizes she is only aiding in the erasure of her people’s identity and existence. To fix what she feels is a betrayal to herself and the Jewish people, she works closely with another forger to create a code that will document and keep hidden the true identities of the people they are risking their lives to protect. 

“Honest, respectful, and highly educational, Harmel’s writing provides an insight into the dangerous network of freedom fighters and the devastating consequences of working against German soldiers to ensure a better future and survival for the Jewish people.”

“The Book of Lost Names” (Gallery Books) is a traumatic story about the erasure of Jewish people and the unjust, cruel treatment they received during the second world war that can never be justified. Honest, respectful, and highly educational, Harmel’s writing provides an insight into the dangerous network of freedom fighters and the devastating consequences of working against German soldiers to ensure a better future and survival for the Jewish people. A truly magnificent story about how the bravery of a group of people brought about a significant and awe-inspiring change during a violent and merciless time. 

Look for this book when it comes out on July 21^st, 2020! For more information visit Simon and Schuster.