In 1941 Berlin, Hanni Kohn seeks to protect her daughter, Lea, from the rising Nazi threat by commissioning the creation of a golem named Ava. This mythical protector, brought to life through forbidden mystical rituals, is bound to Lea as they flee toward the French countryside. Along their path, they encounter Ettie, a rabbi's daughter who helped craft Ava and seeks her own escape. The narrative follows these three women as they navigate occupied territories, hidden chateaus housing Jewish children, and the constant danger of betrayal, using a blend of folklore and historical reality to survive the Holocaust.
Readers of historical fiction and magical realism choose this title to see how ancient mythology intersects with twentieth-century atrocities. The book appeals to those interested in Jewish folklore, wartime resistance, and the specific toll conflict takes on maternal bonds. A reader finishes the work with a detailed understanding of the French Resistance networks and the intellectual traditions of Jewish mysticism. It provides a look at how cultural legends offer psychological endurance during periods of systemic persecution and displacement.
Balanced in tone; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Story Seeker. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2019
- Language
- EN
