The World That We Knew is a novel by Alice Hoffman set during World War II. The story follows three young women who are brought together in a time of darkness and danger. The novel weaves together themes of love, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit.

The novel begins in Berlin in 1941, where Hanni Kohn realizes she must send her daughter, Lea, to safety. She seeks out a rabbi’s daughter, Ettie, to create a mystical creature called a golem to protect Lea. The golem, Ava, accompanies Lea as they flee from Nazi-occupied Germany.

As they journey through France, they encounter a diverse cast of characters, each dealing with their own struggles and losses. The novel explores the impact of war on individuals and communities, as well as the enduring power of hope and love.

Hoffman’s writing is known for its lyrical prose and magical realism. In The World That We Knew, she skillfully blends historical events with elements of fantasy, creating a rich and evocative narrative that captures the complexities of human experience during wartime.

The novel delves into themes of sacrifice, bravery, and the bonds that hold people together in the face of adversity. It also examines the ways in which people find strength and solace in the midst of unimaginable horrors.

On the brink of World War II, as the Nazis tighten their grip on Berlin, a mother’s brave and loving actions give her daughter a chance to survive.

“[A] hymn to the power of resistance, perseverance and enduring love in dark times…beautiful…Hoffman, the narrator continues to dazzle.” (New York Times book review)

At a time when the world changed, Hanni Kohn knew she had to send her 12-year-old daughter far away to save her from the Nazi regime. Her desperation leads her to Ettie, a rabbi’s daughter, who for years eavesdropped on her father, helping her create a mystical Jewish creature, a rare and unusual golem, who vows to protect Hanni’s daughter, Lea.

When Ava is brought back to life, she, Lea and Ettie are forever bound together, their destined paths must cross, their destinies intertwined. What does losing a mother mean? How much can a person sacrifice for love? In a world where evil can be found at every turn, we meet remarkable characters who take us on a fantastic journey of loss and resistance, fantasy and mortality, in a place where all roads lead through the Angel of Death and love never exists. -end.

I have been reading Alice Hoffman for many years and have read most of the books she wrote. Her story lines are always profound and leave each character close to each other. This is not a disappointment but a difficult read. After visiting Dachau as a teenager, it brought back memories of the darkness I witnessed there. I cried for the characters and the Jews and non-Jews who were massacred by German soldiers.

• The World That We Knew

• A Novel
• By: Alice Hoffman

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