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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
The Book of Lost Names summary
Kristin Harmel
Brief summary
The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel is a historical fiction novel that tells the story of a young woman's journey during World War II, as she forges documents to help children escape the Nazis. It is a heartwarming tale of courage, love, and the power of art.
Table of Contents
The Book of Lost Names
Summary of key ideas
A Dangerous Love and a Web of Librarian Secrets
In The Book of Lost Names, by Kristin Harmel, we're introduced to Eva Traube, a young Jewish woman living in Paris during World War II. When her father is arrested by the Nazis, Eva and her mother flee to the free zone in southeastern France. There, Eva stumbles into a job at a local church, where Remy, a handsome forger, teaches her the craft of forging documents.
Their mission is critical: to create false identity papers for Jewish children being smuggled to Switzerland. Threatened by the constant fear of being caught, Eva and Remy find comfort in each other’s company, tracing a delicate line between their shared purpose and growing love.
The Lost Names: A Code of Survival
The church’s records of births, deaths, and marriages provide the raw material for their work. However, Eva cannot bear the idea that the children, too young to remember, may lose their real names forever. She convinces Remy to help her develop a system: an intricate code embedded within the pages of a centuries-old religious text that records the children’s true identities against their new fabricated ones.
Unbeknownst to them, this record, which Eva dubs The Book of Lost Names, becomes a crucial rallying point for the later reunification of families torn apart by the war. Yet, preserving their mission and the weight of their secrets becomes increasingly dangerous as Nazi influence intensifies around them.
Decades Later: The Past Resurfaces
The narrative then leaps forward to 2005, where an older Eva, now a semi-retired librarian living in Florida, spots an article in the New York Times. It's about the recovery of a war-time cache of stolen books, amongst which is a familiar volume: The Book of Lost Names. The sight of this book rekindles emotions that Eva has kept buried for over six decades: her love for Remy, the heartbreak of leaving him and the book behind, and the guilt of survival.
Compelled to recover the book and finally reveal the encoded names of the children to the world, Eva sets out on a journey back to France. She encounters a series of revelations, heartbreak and healing in her pursuit of closure and redemption.
Epilogue: A Story of Hope Amidst Darkness
In the end, Eva reunites with Remy who, to her surprise, had survived the war. She learns that he continued their mission and safeguarded the Book of Lost Names through the decades. The reunion provides a bittersweet resolution to their love story, layered with loss and longing, but filled with respect and shared memories.
Overall, The Book of Lost Names is a striking testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the lengths individuals will go to preserve identity and humanity during times of unthinkable adversity. Eva’s journey reminds us that even amidst the darkest periods of history, stories of courage, love, and hope persist.
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What is The Book of Lost Names about?
The Book of Lost Names is a historical fiction novel that takes place during World War II. It follows a young woman named Eva who works in a secret resistance network, forging documents to help Jewish children escape the Nazis. As she navigates the dangers of war, Eva discovers the power of art and the importance of preserving history through the lost names of those who perished. It is a captivating story of bravery, love, and the enduring legacy of the written word.
The Book of Lost Names Review
The Book of Lost Names (2020) by Kristin Harmel takes readers on a journey of resilience and courage during World War II. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With its deeply emotional storyline and well-researched historical background, the book immerses readers in the lives of its characters, eliciting empathy and connection.
- The author skillfully weaves together compelling themes of identity, sacrifice, and the power of art, making the story both thought-provoking and engaging.
- Through its captivating plot twists and moments of suspense, the book keeps readers on the edge of their seats, guaranteeing an exciting and fulfilling reading experience.
Who should read The Book of Lost Names?
- Readers who enjoy historical fiction and stories set during World War II
- People who are interested in stories about resilience, courage, and the power of friendship
- Those who appreciate books that explore the themes of identity, belonging, and the search for meaning
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The Book of Lost Names FAQs
What is the main message of The Book of Lost Names?
The main message of The Book of Lost Names centers around the power of resilience and the importance of preserving history.
How long does it take to read The Book of Lost Names?
The reading time for The Book of Lost Names varies depending on the reader, but it can be read in several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Book of Lost Names a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Book of Lost Names is worth reading for its captivating storytelling and exploration of the strength of the human spirit.
Who is the author of The Book of Lost Names?
The author of The Book of Lost Names is Kristin Harmel.
What to read after The Book of Lost Names?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Book of Lost Names, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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