The Book of Lost Names

by Kristin Harmel

Book Overview

"A fascinating, heartrending page-turner that, like the real-life forgers who inspired the novel, should never be forgotten." --Kristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of Sold on a Monday

Inspired by an astonishing true story from World War II, a young woman with a talent for forgery helps hundreds of Jewish children flee the Nazis in this "sweeping and magnificent" (Fiona Davis, bestselling author of The...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 198213190X
• ISBN13: 9781982131906
• Release Date: May 2021
• Publisher: Gallery Books
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.3" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Wonderful book

Absolutely fascinating book. Story of people risking everything to save lives. Eye opening about people forging documents to save children's lives and secretly recording their original names in a religious book. Good romance too. I loved this book.

Excellent read!

This book is heart wrenching and heartwarming. I’ve been struggling with WW2 themed books because of current events. I couldn’t put this book down and read in one day. It tells a story of the Resistance I had not yet learned. The story will stay with you.

Loved this book. It’s one that you can’t wait to get back to.

Love story in the midst of war. Another tale of those who helped others while knowing it was great risk to them.

Great read!

This is such a wonderful book! It will touch your heart! Very highly recommended! I also recommend “The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris” and “The Clockmaker’s Wife” by Daisy Wood!

Purchasing for my home library immediately!

I absolutely loved this book. It’s one of those books that leave you so moved and emotional at the end that you don’t really know what to do next or how to move on. I borrowed from the library to read, but I’ll be purchasing a copy for my home collection for sure.

- paris during world war ll

Hardly know where to begin..other than to say what what an Absolutely Stunning Novel ! They say you know a book is good, when it still lingers in your mind, after your done reading it . Well this is one of those books ! A Captivating plot, with many character personalities that make you mad, sad, and happy. It is tragic for the period of time they are living in, heartbreaking, hopefull, and joyfull.The story starts in modern day where Eva , as an older semi retired librarian, is living in Florida. As she is working one of the desks of return books, she sees a New York Times newspaper, with an article about a recovered book from world war ll. She knows immediately it's her book.. the book of "Lost Names". The story will now go back to Europe during Hitlers invasion in Paris. Eva's father was taken in the round up of its Jewish citizens, her mother and herself watch in shock and grief as he is carted away. They only escaped because a neighbor had ask them to babysit her two young daughters,as she was taking her own mother to the hospital with feeling very ill. Eva and her mother flee, to the Free Zone in Paris. They escaped because Eva who has a God given talent for art ...was able to forge both their papers well enough not to be detected by the German police as they boarded trains and a bus.They arrive in this little town..close to Switzerland as that is their plan to get over the boarder, to freedom, and then figure out how to get back to her beloved father with papers to get him released. As they find a boarding house to stay in for a few days.. Eva is soon being brought into a Resistance cell..who under the help of a local priest, rescue children and give them false papers to get them over the boarder. Sooooo much happens in the in between parts ..you wouldn't believe.!! The book in the newspaper, comes into play..as Eva is making forged documents for all children of all ages..she starts a book with a secret code..of the REAL name of the children, so after the war..God willing if they come back ..they will know who they Really are..as some are so young, they could never remember or know their real names. It is her strongest feelings that they not be " Erased" of who they really are. Things happen in the story that will have you biting your nails..the cell is betrayed from the inside.The Nazi's come, people who are main Characters in the story are killed, and the book is looted by the Nazi's. It's over 65 yrs and now the book is back!!.Eva is flooded with memories of all that she had did, people she knew and loved, and helped.She decides to go back to Europe and claim the book! I really can't tell more without spoiling it for future readers. But I can say..have tissues handy ..a few tears will fall.... What A Fantastic Author, with a beautiful gift for writing and story telling. You feel the fear, the happiness, the compassion ..any and all of the emotions of her characters ! Crazy good..is all I can say..plus of course I highly recommend this as a must read !! I wish it could be higher than 5 stars...10 is what I feel it deserves. Another keeper for my growing out of control library !!! LoL. Can't wait to read others that she has written.

Love this book

One of my new favorite authors quick read

A Must-Read!

If your tastes lean toward well-written and researched historical fiction from the WWII era, you will love this book. I couldn’t put it down! Writer did a wonderful job.

Amazing book!!

What an amazing book!! From start to finish! Love story and wanting to see that happy ending lol even though the mom.. well I’ll let you form your own opinions lol

A must read book

What a beautiful book filled with history about the Resistance and how they helped saved lives and about a love that was lost and found again