Thank you HarperCollins Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC of The Last Train to London by Meg White Clayton. This is an interesting part of World War II history based on the Kindertransports and the real life woman Truus Wijsmuller who saved thousands of Jewish children by smuggling them out of Germany to safe houses. Her courage is undeniable. I enjoyed researching her story after I finished the book more than I enjoyed reading the book.. I found the book to be slow moving and it was difficult for me to finish. This being said I am sure there are many readers out there who would thoroughly enjoy reading this World War II novel. I encourage you to try it, it truly has gotten many wonderful reviews. It will be out September 10, 2019.

You will enjoy reading this compelling fictional account of the kindertransport. Keep tissues handy.

Just finished reading this book, be forewarned you will cry before you finish this book, big ugly snotty multi tissues cry. That said it was worth it. A must read if you like historical books. This is set in Vienna and ends in England. Based on the pre WWII Nazi occupation and the kindertransports that brought in danger children to safety and the amazing women who brought them to safety.

The Last Train to London is a well-written novel about the kindertransports which enabled thousands of children, mostly Jewish, to escape Nazi Germany. The character are well developed and the Meg Waite Clayton really enables the reader to know and feel for the characters.. The book is based on the true little-known story of Truus Wiljsmuller who was one of the architects of the kindertransports. It's a page-turner with a fair amount of suspense. There's also a love story of an affluent Jewish boy and the daughter of a fearless journalists who both escape on the train. Parts of the book are truly heartbreaking and it's not hard to compare it to what's happening in the world today.

Beautifully written historical fiction novel taking place in the 1930’s in Austria. Stephan is from a family of successful chocolatiers. As the Nazis took over Austria, Stephan’s family loses everything; because they are Jews, they are given few choices. Zofie-Helene, Stephan’s friend, is also in danger as her mother is a journalist revealing the truth about Eichmann and his henchmen. A truly emotional story, brought to life through brave and vulnerable characters. Highly recommend.

There are a lot a helpful reviews for this so I'll just say that is a compelling read! Highly recommended. 4.5 stars.

I really appreciate the advanced copy for review!!

Very interesting account of the little known kindertransports that saved young German Jews prior to WWII and the Dutch woman who risked all to accompany the children

A beautifully written, meticulously researched, fictionalized history of the Kindertransport effort which managed to rescue 10,000 children from Nazi occupied Europe in the nine months prior to the outbreak of WWII (relocating them in England which temporarily waived immigration requirements for the effort. A similar effort in the U.S. was quickly quashed by FDR himself.)

We follow two narratives that slowly weave together: one follows Geertruida Wijsmuller or “Tante Truus,” — the Dutch woman who drives the Kindertransport effort from the politicking at home to the many, many, individual rescues in Europe. The other follows children and their families in Vienna who will eventually become part of Tante Truus’ transport.

I loved the characters — particularly the Austrian children. Clayton succeeded in making these children so bright and so real, their pain and determination nuanced and completely beyond the brief words I can find to describe them. Stephan Neuman — a 16-year old, budding playwright — and his five-year old brother Walter. Theirs is a highly cultured family, and I loved the immersion in the rich cultural world that Stephan inhabited. Stephan’s friend Žofie-Helene Perger — a mathematical prodigy whose non-Jewish mother is a journalist who speaks out against the Nazis putting herself and her family at great risk. And how can you not love Tante Truus who literally can’t bear to think about a child getting left behind if there were anything at all she could do to prevent it.

The real brilliance of Clayton’s book lies in the meticulous portrayal of the many tiny details that comprise life at that time — the underground tunnels, the linotype machines, and mouthwatering descriptions of the chocolatier’s trade. Hovering like a black cloud over these small details, the progressive hardships and changing attitudes of neighbors and friends, the slow shame that creeps up on children who are suddenly treated as different, the insidious and constant fear, disbelief, and tension that inhabits every moment. At the same time, the macroscopic details of global policies — the committees, the bureaucracy, the movements, and the fear on the part of foreign populations and governments as they slowly turn their backs on what was happening to the Jews (and other undesirables) in Europe as the Nazis plow their way through the continent. The book is utterly gripping.

For me, this is the best of the recent spate of WWII / Holocaust books: it felt incredibly real, and I was surprised to learn new things about a topic in which I’m quite well-read. I appreciated that the ultimately uplifting story was focused on survival and rescue, rather than the horrors and despair of the camps. A surprising extra: enduring the frustration (with our characters) of watching countries closing their borders to such desperate need (even though Jewish societies had offered financial support to ensure that host countries would not bear the costs) gave me a new perspective on the refugee crises facing the world today.

This book started off a little choppy for me (but that could have been the unfinished manuscript on my Kindle), but the storyline is excellent, the cover is engaging, and the story quickly picked up. I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to review this book, and I will for sure be recommending it to others when the book is released.

The Last Train to London was a brilliantly written novel by Meg Waite Clayton that explored friendship, bravery and determination. This was a book that made a lasting impression on me. Meg Waite Clayton's research for this book was impressive. As many books as I have read about the Holocaust and World War II I marvel at how many brave human beings I did not know about and how their heroic acts saved so many from unspeakable cruelties and deaths. This book will pull at your heart and bring tears to your eyes.

Truus Wijsmuller was a member of the Dutch resistance and was determined to make saving Jewish children her mission. In 1936, as the story began, Truus or Tante Truus, as she liked to be called by her children, had already began smuggling Jewish children in small numbers out of Hitler's Germany as early as 1933 and bringing them to any nation that would take them. Truus and her husband Joop were both invested in this endeavor. They had a happy, supportive marriage that depended on their mutual respect for one another. Although childless, after many miscarriages, the thousands of children Truus saved, became their children. Due to Truus's bravery over ten thousand mostly Jewish children were saved. Perhaps her most challenging rescue though was in Austria, just after Hitler's invasion. Eichmann, the head of Germany's Jewish Office, had to be persuaded and convinced by Truus, to allow 600 mostly Jewish children to be taken out of Austria to England, by the Vienna Kindertransport.


In 1936, prior to the Nazi invasion of Austria, Stephan Neuman, a fifteen year old Jewish boy, lived in Vienna with his parents and little brother Walter. Their father, Herman Neuman owned and ran a very successful family business, Neuman Chocolates. Stephan lived a very privileged life but was not defined by it. He aspired to be a writer and playwright with his role model being Zweig. Although Stephan's family considered themselves Austrians first, the Nazis saw them as Jewish. One day Stephan stopped by Otto Perger's barber shop to get a quick haircut. Perhaps quite by fate, Stephan was introduced to Zofie-Helene that day. She was Otto Perger's granddaughter and Kathe Perger's daughter, who was the editor of the anti- Nazi newspaper, The Vienna Independent newspaper. Zofie- Helene was a Christian girl, a little younger than Stephan, who excelled in Mathematics. She was brilliant. It was evident that there was a special spark that existed immediately between Stephan and Zofie-Helene. They became best friends but their lives were about to change drastically. In March 1938, the Nazis invaded and took over Austria. The Nazis raided Stephan's house, set up their headquarters on the floors the family had occupied and forced the family to move up to the servants rooms on the top floor of the house. Stephan's mother was dying of cancer. When the Nazis came and forced his father from their house, his father pleaded to stay to take care of his dying wife. Mercilessly, the Nazis beat Stephan's father numerous times which the family later learned resulted in his death. Stephan was able to escape to the roof and then to the underground tunnels beneath his father's chocolate business. Zofie-Helene's mother was arrested and put in jail. Their friendship was not destined to end, though.

When Germany invaded Austria, Helen and Norman Bentwich of England persuaded England to fund a rescue and find homes for 600 children from Austria. They appealed to Truus Wijsmuller and her husband Joop to allow Truus to go to Austria and meet with Adolf Eichmann so they could rescue these 600 children. Meeting with Eichmann was probably Truus's most challenging pursuit. She came to realize that Eichmann imposed his power through pure intimidation. He was going to allow Truus to rescue 600 children from Austria but she knew if she was one minute late or one child short, Eichmann would surely cancel the entire transport. Eichmann demanded that Truus have all 6oo children ready to leave by Saturday. He knew that Saturday was the Jewish Sabbath and that some parents might forbid their children to travel on the Jewish Sabbath. Again, Eichmann knew he was imposing his power. Despite all the obstacles, Truus was able to get all 600 children on the train headed for England. Fortunately for Stephan, a young boy named Carl Fuchsel was diagnosed with measles just as the children were to board the train. Stephan, having number 610, assumed Carl Fuchsel's identity and took his place. Stephan was able to grant his Mutti's (Mother's) last wish to him. He would accompany Walter to England and keep him safe and help him remember her and his father. Just as the train was to depart another addition was placed on the train. A basket with a tiny baby was handed to Zofie with instructions to help the baby live a life where she would be safe. The children that were allowed to leave Austria on the train had to be between 4 and 17 years of age. No babies were meant to travel on the train so Zofie, with Stephan's help, had to keep her hidden. Truus had a big job ahead of her as well. All 600 of the children on board depended on her for their safety and their future. Separated from their families, most of these children would never see their parents again. Most of the children, though, after arriving in England, were placed in homes with loving families. For some it was a long process, though. What happened to Zofie, baby Johanna (named after Zofie's own younger sister that was too young to be included on this kindertransport) Stephan and little Walter and how will their futures end?

The Last Train to London was one of the best books I have read in a while. I loved the characters Meg Waite Clayton invented with Zofie-Helene and Stephan. Their friendship and innocence was beautiful. The remarkable, brave and unselfish acts of Truus and Joff Wijsmuller, Helen and Norman Bentwich and too many countless others that risked their lives to save Jewish children during this horrific time in history cannot be ignored but must be recognized and Ms. Clayton did a brilliant job doing just that. This is a book that will be hard to put down. Thank goodness for people like Truus Wijsmuller. This was a well written and well researched book. I highly recommend this book. Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Collins Publishers and Meg Waite Clayton for allowing me to read this most remarkable book.All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A beautifully written book loosely based on a true story. A Dutch woman who rescued thousands of Jewish children and through Kindertransports brought them to safety. Highly recommended.

This is a story of the Kindertransport . A story of when Hitlers fingers reached Vienna. Lives change for both Christians and Jews. The story features a teenage boy who was a wealthy Jew and a teenage girl who is not Jewish but her mother wrote anti Hitler articles for the newspaper. This story tells how selfless women are determined to save children from Hitler by transporting them to London. Not an easy task.

A historical novel set during the early days of World War Two, slowly begins by sharing the experiences of three people and the changes around them. Truus is a young married woman who is working to get Jewish children out of Germany while there is still time, all the while yearning for a child of her own. Stephan is a privileged young Jewish boy watching his family and everyone he knows lose everything and everyone close to them. Eichmann is THE Eichmann known to all as one of the major organizers of the Holocaust.

This is slow to develop. Every chapter is from a different viewpoint, which made continuity difficult. It took until the final third of the book for it to become a compelling read. Not everyone has that kind of patience or dedication.

This is such a poignant story about a brave Dutch woman who rescued thousands of Jewish children and through Kindertransports brought them to safety. The children were well portrayed and the descriptions well done. I wish I knew how some of them lived with their new families.

The Last Train to London is based loosely on the true story of Geertruida Wijsmuller-Meijer, who saved more than 10,000 Jewish children during WWII. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, up until the end. It just kind of ended, without wrapping up anyone's story.

I really wanted to love this book. Unfortunately, it’s just not a book for me right now. Perhaps it’s the slow pace of the story, or perhaps it’s too much name dropping (artists, actors, playwrights, obscure political figures...I’m googling more than i’m reading the story.) I’m an avid fan of WW2 books and know quite a bit of history, but 15% of this book was all I could muster at this time. Maybe I will attempt to revisit this one in the future, maybe not.

A heart-pounding, tear-producing, thought-provoking, heart-breaking page-turner that will leave you asking "what would you have done"? Meg Waite Clayton's story of pre-World War II's Kindertransports will change the way you look at today's refugees and make you wonder if as Americans we could, and should, do better.

The other day a friend who asked for a book recommendation said, “Not another Holocaust book.” When I encourage her to read this book, I’ll say, “This is not ANOTHER Holocaust book.”
Based on the real heroine Geertruida Wijsmuller, Tante Truus, and her determination to save as many children as possible from Hitler’s hands, this book begins in December 1936 before WWII began. Tante Truus was helping three Jewish children escape from Germany to the Netherlands.
In Vienna at the same time, Stephan Neumann, son of a wealthy Jewish businessman, meets Zophie-Helene, daughter of newspaper editor Kathe Perger (who publishes editorials unflattering to Hitler and Great Britain alike). As the teenagers become close friends, they experience the prejudice and cruelty of the Third Reich Tante Truus bravely helps more and more children escape in spite of the risks.
Hitler takes Austria. Stephan’s family loses everything. Zophie’s mother is in danger of arrest. The hitherto fairly relaxed pace of the book increases in intensity to match the growing danger of the time.
Be prepared with tissues when you read this book. The characters are finely drawn and will feel like your friends. Their lives will tear at your heartstrings. When mothers give up their children, the author successfully makes you understand the sacrifice.
Geertruide Wijsmuller and her Kindertransport rescued more than 10,000 children during WWII. I will be recommending this book to the high school history teachers who examine WWII in their classes, all my book reading friends, and donating at least one copy to our high school library. It’s a bit too mature for my middle school library.
A very sincere thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins publishers for ARC and the chance to review this well-researched, memorable, and thought provoking book.

The heartwrenching story of how one amazing woman saved 10000 children from Nazi occupied countries. It is a amazing book and although it is fiction is based on the real story of Geertruida Wijsmuller aka Tante Truusand and her incredible efforts to save as many children as she could from the horrible life they were handed by Hitler.

I truly enjoyed this book. It is such a heartbreaking look at what many children had to face before and throughout WW2. It will make you sad and emotional. Wishing you yourself could have helped these poor children. You will be amazed how one brave woman assisted by many other brave individuals put the needs of others above their own safety.

Thank You to Netgalley and HarperCollins Publishers Inc. for allowing me to read and review this wonderful ARC of The Last Train to London.

I've read many World War II books and it always amazes me when I am able to learn about someone who was a hero during this time but forgotten over time. Truus Wijsmuller, a member of the Dutch resistance, was a real hero. Through her determination and bravery, she was able to bring over ten thousand children from the German occupied areas of Europe to safety in England. She died in 1978 at 82 years of age.

The book begins in 1936. Germany has gotten stronger and Truus has begun to rescue small numbers of Jewish children. The two main characters are young teenagers who live in Vienna and are living their lives in the carefree way of the young. Fifteen-year old Stephan Neuman, the son of a wealthy and influential Jewish family and budding playwright lives in a huge home with his parents and younger brother. Stephan’s best friend and companion is the brilliant Žofie-Helene, a Christian girl whose mother edits a progressive, anti-Nazi newspaper. In March, 1938, their lives change drastically when the Germans invade Austria. Truus realizes that she needs to get a large number of children out of Austria for their safety and arranges a meeting with Adolf Eichmann. He tells her that 600 children can get on the train headed to England - not 599 and not 601 but they must travel on the Sabbath, which makes the rescue even more difficult to arrange. Will Truus be able to rescue Stephan and Zofie and keep them safe or will they be forced to stay in Austria and face an unknown and perilous future?

This novel was beautifully written and well-researched. I loved all three of the main characters - they were all brave and cared deeply about their families and other people. Truus was a real hero but the other heroes were the parents who sent their children away, knowing that they would probably never see them again, so that they could be safe. This book made my cry because the characters were so real and I cared deeply about their futures.

Author Karen Fowler said this about The Last Train to London: "Recommend this book to anyone who thinks no single person can make a difference.”