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smreads24's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
katrenia's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the book. The transition between years and locations was easy to follow. It is a believable fictional representation of WW2 era, and has a happyish ending.
susanp's review against another edition
5.0
Well-written story that goes back and forth between Hitler’s 1938 invasion of Austria and 1989 United States. While this is quite light, considering the topics, it was a very good read.
ammbooks's review against another edition
5.0
If you loved Nightingale you will love the Lost Letter.
knynas1's review against another edition
5.0
5 ⭐
Beautiful! Heartwarming! I loved this novel. It skips between 1939 Austria and 1989 California. The characters were bold, smart, strong, and interesting. I was swept up in their stories and the present day mystery about the stamp and letter. Once I reached the second half of the book, I could not put it down. If you love World War II fiction, mysteries, and love stories, I highly recommend this book!
Beautiful! Heartwarming! I loved this novel. It skips between 1939 Austria and 1989 California. The characters were bold, smart, strong, and interesting. I was swept up in their stories and the present day mystery about the stamp and letter. Once I reached the second half of the book, I could not put it down. If you love World War II fiction, mysteries, and love stories, I highly recommend this book!
reneesmith's review against another edition
4.0
A warm-hearted story about brave, resilient people and the legacies they leave to those who come after them. No graphic holocaust scenes but some language.
lovetoread62's review against another edition
5.0
Fabulous book about stamp engraving in Austria during WWII.
soliveri718's review against another edition
5.0
To start this book has been sitting on my shelf for years and I'm sorry it took me so long to read it!
It's been awhile since I've picked up a historical fiction novel about WWII let alone the Holocaust. This book also brought with it a breath of fresh air because it covered a new form of resistance that I had never known about before. I never would've guessed that stamps were used to hide messages, or the tools of a stamp engraver were used to forge passports and papers saving Jewish families from the Nazis. The bravery of the people who worked to save lives during this time never ceases to amaze me.
The Plot: Jumping between 1938-1939 Austria and 1989-1900 Los Angeles, this story follows Katie a daughter who is taking care of her ailing father, who is in a memory care unit. Her whole life she has known her father as an avid stamp collector and when she brings her father's stamp collection to have it appraised by Benjamin, one stamp catches his eye and thus the story begins. The journey also reveals a lot more about Katie's father than she ever knew. Through this stamp the reader meets Kristoff who is an apprentice to Frederick Fader a Jewish engraver of stamps along with Fader's family including his wife and two daughters. What ensues is a heartwarming but also a heartbreaking story about love, survival and the lengths people go for their family.
I couldn't put this book down, and even though I've read so many books about WWII and the Holocaust before I always learn something new. I'm glad I picked this book up to read and highly recommend it.
It's been awhile since I've picked up a historical fiction novel about WWII let alone the Holocaust. This book also brought with it a breath of fresh air because it covered a new form of resistance that I had never known about before. I never would've guessed that stamps were used to hide messages, or the tools of a stamp engraver were used to forge passports and papers saving Jewish families from the Nazis. The bravery of the people who worked to save lives during this time never ceases to amaze me.
The Plot: Jumping between 1938-1939 Austria and 1989-1900 Los Angeles, this story follows Katie a daughter who is taking care of her ailing father, who is in a memory care unit. Her whole life she has known her father as an avid stamp collector and when she brings her father's stamp collection to have it appraised by Benjamin, one stamp catches his eye and thus the story begins. The journey also reveals a lot more about Katie's father than she ever knew. Through this stamp the reader meets Kristoff who is an apprentice to Frederick Fader a Jewish engraver of stamps along with Fader's family including his wife and two daughters. What ensues is a heartwarming but also a heartbreaking story about love, survival and the lengths people go for their family.
I couldn't put this book down, and even though I've read so many books about WWII and the Holocaust before I always learn something new. I'm glad I picked this book up to read and highly recommend it.