Alan Hlad

This is the best historical novel I have ever read. Often, it is near impossible for me to understand a historical novel without a lot of background knowledge. And, even though this whole story line is not true, the images and events that take place are so crystal clear and could have been true for that time era. It could have been true. It was very believable. I can't think of a better title. It neatly tied the past to the present. I was constantly amazed at how easy this was to read, even with occasional German words, and how much I regretted putting a bookmark in the book each time I had to stop. Themes of love, hope, patriotism and courage are strong from cover to cover. This book made me laugh, cry, feel angry, and just about any other emotion in between. I hope this becomes a movie. I will be there with my box of tissues. I learned so much about pigeons and their use in the war, ways to hide and escape when on the run, and how to eat next to nothing to survive. I truly despised the evil things the Germans would do for no good reason. Thank goodness that is no longer true. Some books are just stories. This book can change a person's outlook on life.… (más)

This book is a treasure! I was taken up right away with the story. Rose and her fellow agents welcome you into their stories and the incredibly painful sacrifices they made to help with the war against the horrors and evil of Hitler's Nazi regime. It truly was written as a personal story and not as a boring historical text. I learned so much from this book and at the same time was impacted by the character's struggles. The love story was not drippingly sentimental or the opposite - constant "skin contact". This was the ache of love that sacrifices everything to save another. Though the main characters survive prisoner of war and concentration camps, several well-rounded characters are wrenched from this life by the horrors of WW2. My husband was so impressed with the book reviews and my glowing endorsement that he wants to read it! I would definitely recommend it. Though you might want to have tissues ready for the tears! This should be made into a movie!… (más)

Maria Alves is a librarian in NYC, when she answers the call to help the US read and gather Axis books, manuals, etc. to help fight the Germans during WWII. She is sent to Lisbon, as she is fluent in Portuguese. She meets Tiago Soares, who owns a bookstore. He is forging passports and Visas to help Jewish refugees escape. They feel an instant connection.
One night, she meets Lars Steiger, a wealthy Swiss banker, who is helping the Germans. Maria's handlers request that she become a double agent, and give false info to Lars. Naturally, she is terrified, but agrees to do her duty.
I had no idea of the role of librarians in these neutral cities, and I enjoyed the story very much!… (más)