A moving tale of Nazi occupation of Amsterdam and the amazing effort of university professor Josef Held to help a young Jewish student. It was a heartrending story of love and determination in the face of opposition. Recommend for all those that enjoy a good historical fiction novel.

A story of war, loyalty, love and friendship. Based in Amsterdam during the Second World War, the Dutch Jews are being segregated and moved into the Ghettos. Dutch Professor, Josef Held is losing his Jewish students by the day and when he watches his elderly Jewish neighbour killed on his own doorstep by the Nazis, he offers one of his students, Michael Blum, a place to hide. Desperately trying not to be discovered, Michael forges a close relationship with Professor Held. As the war continues though, they both begin to see that not everyone can be trusted…

I loved this book! I do enjoy a good wartime read but the ones I read are mainly family sagas based around the women and families who are left behind when the men go off to war. This book was completely different in that it was based in Amsterdam around the time of the persecution of the Jews. Told over the space of 3 or 4 years, the story focusses mainly on the story of Josef Held, a Professor of Mathematics and widow. It’s an emotional and heartfelt storyline that features not only the personal backgrounds of the characters, but also the horrors and ravages of the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam.

The main characters of Held and his student Michael Blum are really well suited and complement each other well. Initially finding Michael a bit of a dreamer during his classes, Professor Held’s relationship with him is described tenderly as the story progresses. The plot not only shows the devastation caused by the Nazis, but also how the communities pulled together and would risk their own lives to protect each other. I loved the side-line story of Held’s niece, Ingrid. She works with the Third Reich and finds herself romantically involved with a Nazi Officer. Her storyline progressed really well and whilst I sort of guessed where it was going, it was played out wonderfully!

The book was well researched with lots of fiction for the characters storylines, but also with plenty of historical facts from events that happened around that time. It moved at a good pace, holding my interest and with unexpected twists of events placed throughout the story. Whilst it was a work of fiction, it made you remember, as you read it, what actually happened not just in Amsterdam but in many countries, cities and towns throughout Europe during the Second World War, and how many Jews lost their lives to the atrocities committed by the Nazis.

A wonderfully written historical book, which left me thinking about it long after I’d finished it. Heart-warming and emotional, if you enjoy wartime stories then I would definitely recommend this one.

This was given to me through Net Galley and It's a story about the Dutch when Germany invaded and went after the Jews. Characters you will fall in love with where you have mystery,love,being scared,and growing up! How far will you go to help someone you love! The history is well researched and even though a lot of books have been written about the Nazis,this takes place in the Netherlands. You will be surprised at the end and be prepared to cry!!

wow! A View Across The Rooftops tells the story of life in Amsterdam in WWII. The primary character is Professor Held, a widower who living an isolated existence (except for a relationship with his niece and interactions with another university employee) of his choosing. Due to circumstances of WWII, his life is upended and as a result, he puts his life in danger for another and in doing so, develops a relationship that truly causes him to look at his life and his actions and as a result, has profound personal growth. There are secondary storylines (the story of his niece - Ingrid, the university secretary - Hannah Pender, and Michael Blum - a student) as well and the author, Suzanne Kelman, weaves the storylines together exceptionally. I was hooked from the beginning and read late into the night over a few days because I just didn't want to put down the story. The afterward was enlightening to learn about some of the factual basis of the story and got me thinking...."how far would I go to save someone?

I thank Netgalley and the author for allowing me to read an advanced review copy. This review is left voluntarily and honestly.

Wow! I was hooked from the start and couldn't stop reading it, although at the same time I didn't want it to end! I loved all the Dutch characters and was really hoping they would all survive the war. It was heartwarming that so many of them risked their lives to save others and made me wonder if I would be so brave in the same situation. This would make a really good film, fingers crossed!

Loved it!!! Beautiful, emotional and heartbreaking story. I loved everything about this book- the characters, writing style and story. Michael was perfect for Josef. They both helped each other. I loved the relationship they had with each other. There were definitely tears at the end, I couldn't help myself when Josef was reading the letter and the book inscription. I dreaded every time Ingrid stopped by to visit her uncle. Silly, silly Ingrid. What did she expect at the end of the war??? She was very naive and easily influenced. I wasn't surprised about Heinrich. Hannah, Josef and Michael were wonderful characters. Hannah was so brave on her mission and she was always there to help Josef. I can't forget Kat/Dantes, he was a wonderful companion for Josef and Michael.

Definitely recommend the book. I loved reading the author's story behind the book. The Dutch saved the lives of 30,000 Jews by hiding them in their basements, attics and barns. I can't imagine the atrocities that people suffered during WWII. I look forward to reading more books by the author. The cover of the book was simply beautiful and perfect for the story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bookouture through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Moving 😢story of self sacrifice and endurance under incredible odds👍👍
5 well-deserved 🌟stars
Incredibly moving, this fictional story of a few of the long-suffering residents of Amsterdam who risked their lives to help their vulnerable fellow citizens during the German Occupation is really top-notch. Josef and Hannah quietly dominate the story, but the biggest emotional punch is attached to the sad, taboo love story of Jewish university student Michael and Elke, his gentile lover, and young Eva, whose whole family is threatened by the German campaign against the Jewish community..

This is a story that will stay with me for a long time. Michael's fate could so easily have echoed that of Anne Frank, who experienced her own years sequestered in an Amsterdam attic with a view across the rooftops. Josef breaks his self-contained isolation to protect and bond with a young man in need of refuge and goes to ultimate lengths to keep Michael healthy and safe. Hannah finds her own way to fight back against the Germans' oppression and cruelty. And Josef's Nazi-sympathizer niece provides a high level of tension as she makes Josef's mission more perilous, plus her self-absorbed character gives a different perspective on how to face the disruptions and deprivation of wartime. It's an epic tale told through small lives and, despite some tearful, heart-wrenching events, was a joy to read🤗.

Thanks to publisher Bookouture and NetGalley for providing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

A View Across the Rooftops by Suzanne Kelmam
Source: NetGalley and Bookouture
Rating: 5/5 stars

By 1941, three things are happening in Professor Joseph Held’s world: 1) he is twenty years in to mourning the loss of his beloved wife; 2) the Nazi’s have occupied his town of Amsterdam and; 3) he is harboring a young Jewish student in his attic. All three things have the potential to end more than one good man’s life.

As a professor of mathematics, Joseph Held has always found solace in his number, formulas, equations, and algorithms. Math never changes, math never dies, and the knowledge of math can change the way one sees the world. What math cannot do is bring back Professor Held’s wife, force the Nazi’s to cease their madness, nor save the life of the young man hiding in the professor’s attic. For so many years, Professor Held has found comfort and solace in his numbers, his routine, and his loneliness, but with the coming of Hitler and the Nazi occupation, all the professor’s comfort and solace have been brutally taken away.

While Professor Held has never considered himself a particularly brave or courageous man, he has always seen himself as honorable and protecting his young student is simply the right thing to do. The professor’s attic is never used and hardly remembered by anyone who has been to his home which makes it the perfect place to hide. As the years of the war and the occupation stretch on, Professor Held and his fugitive learn of one another’s lives, hopes and dreams, of the frustrations and losses they have both experienced, and the toll the interminable war has taken on them. There is never a moment not filled with fear, anguish, paranoia, and anxiety, but some of those moments are eclipsed by small bits of happiness and hope. As it turns out, an aging, lonely mathematics professor can learn to live again and a young, seemingly hopeless Jew can help pave the way in even the darkest of times.

The Bottom Line: I always feel icky saying “I loved this book” when the book focuses on such a desperate and barbarous time of human history. A View Across the Rooftops is another version of a very well-known story and one that is crafted beautifully. While many books in this genre tend to focus on the atrocities of the concentration camps, A View Across the Rooftops focuses on the lives of just a small number of people, a very courageous city, and a spirit that was not to be broken no matter how bleak the situation. While there are no truly graphic scenes in this book, the hardship, the loss, the desolation is certainly still conveyed and felt. One of the strengths of this book and how I feel it best conveyed not only the sadness and desperation of the situation, but also the fierce determination and resilience of the people involved is in how many years the book spans. A View Across the Rooftops spans almost the entire length of the war though the story moves quickly enough that you don’t feel like you’ve spent four plus years reading. In fact, the story moves at quite a good pace and that has to do primarily with the quality of the characters, the quality of the writing, and the overwhelming sense of tension and anxiety. You can’t stop reading for fear all will be found out and lost on the very next page. Amid all the awful, there is also a very real sense of hope – a feeling that despite all the city and her people have been through, there is still strength and love and hope. Those ideals are felt most strongly in the characters of Professor Held and his student; to follow their journey through so many days, months, and years is at times crippling and, at others, positively uplifting. While on the one hand I felt utter abhorrence at man’s treatment of man, I also come away with a renewed faith in humanity and our ability to overcome, to forgive, to help, to care, and to simply be courageous in the face of great fear and imminent danger. This is storytelling at its finest and for those who tend to be drawn to this time period, you will not be disappointed.

I just love historical fiction and this was a brilliant eeady. My favourite kind of real. Thoroughly enjoyed this. Well worth a read you won't be disappointed.

I really enjoyed reading this historical fiction book. It had a different perspective when compared to all the other books I have ever read during this historical time. I immensely enjoyed it.

Ordinary people can become heroes. In Dutch, the word held means hero. The name of the main character is Josef Held who is a mathematics professor. He lost the love of his life Sara and has an isolated life. He steps up to the plate by hiding a Jewish student, Michael who appears at his home one night as the Germans are rounding up Jews.

In this story we see heroes doing what is right at great costs. I thought the story was interesting and I learned a great deal. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review.

WWII in Amsterdam... portrayed so beautifully by these authors words, I was gripped by this story from the minute I first picked it up. I loved that it was focused on the heartbreaking and ‘heart-making’ relationships that came as an effect of the War and not on the war itself.

I loved that this piece of historical fiction had a somewhat modern feel to it, i think that made it even easier to read and therefore allowed me to connect better with the characters.

My only criticism of this book is that it fast forwards by years within the chapters but without any obvious way of showing that it has done. So suddenly we’re two years on and I started to wonder whether I had missed bits.

Genuinely loved this story and it may be one of the best pieces of historical fiction I have come across so far. Beautiful and emotional, all wrapped up within this authors writing.

4.5 stars ⭐️

Thank you to Net Galley, Bookouture & the author for my copy.

Oh my, this was another tearful book for me for all the best reason. At times there feels such a strong connection with a story that it seems to become personal and so how you feel and care about the characters affect you. This was such a book for me.
Set in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam in 1941 the local people have no choice but to follow the constantly changing demands given to them. Michael Blum was a young man who had an infectious personality, challenging, sensitive and very in love with a Dutch girl. A perfect match in every way, except for now because Michael was a Jew and she wasn't. Michael was studying advanced Math at university under Professor Josef Held and was a real thorn in his side with his teasing antics. When Michael tells the Professor that Jews will no longer be allowed to attend University Josef gives him a book. A book that will save his life.
When the Nazis go to round Michael up to be taken away he escapes because of a good friend, leaving the love of his life and making her promise to make a life for herself without him. He heads for his only hope of not being caught that night, the Professor's house, the address with had been in the book cover unknown to the Professor when he gave Michael the book.
What begins as a one-night solution builds into a friendship that still brings tears to my eyes. There is some terrible hold your breath moments, especially as Josef's niece takes up with a high ranking Nazi. I could even begin to imagine the shame and guilt that the people left behind felt when life long friends were hauled out of their homes and taken away. Whole communities and streets left baron of its occupants within hours of being raided by the Nazis while others turned their backs unable to help because they would have been killed.
This story is brutal and inspirational, cruel and beautiful, the worst and the very best of humanity. So very beautifully written, so very tender at times it is how both men became the salvation for each other. I love the characters that the author created each one brought the perfect reaction from me. Do read the authors notes, which again brought floods of tears for me. Very highly recommended!

I knew in the first couple of pages that this was going to be a really great read and it really was. This story is set in Amsterdam during World War II. Josef Held is a widowed college math professor and Michael Blum is one of his Jewish students. Add in, secretary/clerk Heather Pender and you have a great story line. There are so many things that happen in this book and the author did a brilliant job weaving the story lines together. I absolutely loved this book and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves World War II stories. The characters are all pretty much likeable and I found myself on the edge of my seat rooting for Professor Held. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for an absolutely fantastic read in exchange for an honest review.

World War ll. The Nazi's have occupied Holland. It becoming more and more dangerous for the Jewish population. Professor Josef lives a solidarity life in Amsterdam when the Nazi occupation begins. Michael and Elke are madly in love. He is Jejwish, she is Dutch. Students are disappearing as the Jewish students are being taken away. Where can they go? Who can they trust?

This book is loosely based on a true story. Josef and Michael are great characters who form a special bond. There's a great list of characters who are true to life and believable. Josef puts his life at risk whilst trying to hide Michael. Be warn, this book will mess with your emotions. You will also find it hard to put down. Its beautifully written. A story of courage shown in difficult circumstances. At the end of the book, we are told the background of which this story is based on. Just make sure you have a box of tissues handy before you start reading this marvellous story.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Suzanne Kelman for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

‘One doesn’t know how brave one is until the cost outweighs the fear’

What do you do when the world around you fall into darkness? It’s 1941, and the Nazi’s have occupied Holland. Amsterdam has changed, and life is becoming evermore dangerous for the Jewish population. So what do you do? Do you stand by, watch, and keep yourself safe? Or do you take a chance on doing the right thing, even if it might mean risking your life?

This book follows a selection of characters throughout the war, covering a wide range of perspectives. The stars of the show are Josef, a widowed mathematics professor struggling with his morals, and Michael, his young Jewish student who Josef bravely decides to hide in his attic. Also covered are Hannah, the University secretary whose allegiance is uncertain, and Elke, Michael’s non-Jewish girlfriend, who tries desperately to carry on living despite true mystery of what has happened to her love. The final perspective included is that of Ingrid, Joseph’s niece and a strong supporter of the Nazi ideology.

While I enjoyed all of the sections, I particularly liked the inclusion of Ingrid’s perspective, as I think a lot of literature can be quite black-and-white about these sort of topics. I loved the opportunity to see both sides of the story - not only those who struggled at the hands of the Nazi’s but also those who supported them, and why they were drawn to them. In Ingrid, Kelman has created a surprisingly sympathetic character - one through whom you can begin to understand the perspective of someone who has drunk the kool-aid, so to speak. After all, much as we like to think we’d all be heroes, World War II clearly shows that that is not the case, and so it was refreshing to see a character who was not a hero, and who simply did what she felt was best for herself.

Other than Ingrid, many of the other characters related to the resistance in some way or another. Yet while some of these acts of resistance were large, others were the small, seemingly insignificant acts of bravery that made such a difference to so many, which was incredibly touching to see. The small impact of gifting a music box for example, could have a life altering effect, and that was heartwarming to think of.

I’ve been reading a lot of historical fiction set during World War II at the moment, And my favourites have always been those that cover an area that I don’t know as much about. This book did exactly that, as until now I have literally never read anything about how the war played out in Holland. This meant I personally found it hugely enjoyable, as not only was is very well written, it also provided me with the opportunity to learn about about the wonder that was the Dutch resistance.

All in all, I loved it. For a book that spammed over 5 years, it was surprisingly engaging, as sometimes I find novels covering a wide time period can drag a little. Instead, this novel was very well paced, gorgeously well written, and filled with wonderful characters who remind you of the strength of the human spirit, and the lengths we will go to in order to serve those we love.

Disclaimer - I was provided with an advance reading copy by NetGalley. This has not affected my review in any way, and all opinions are my own.

Just how far from the known do things have to descend to before you take a stance and find a courage you never knew you had? Such is the case for the characters in this book, from the reticent and keep to himself professor, to the administrative assistant at the university, a young Jewish student in love with a Dutch girl who could never forget him….

This was not a story of people who decided to become people fighting against the Germans and the rise of despicable acts in their beloved city of Amsterdam – but they were more poignant for their sudden decisions to take a stand, even when every instinct is screaming for self-preservation. Starting with Josef Held, a professor of mathematics who has kept himself ‘removed’ from people and interactions since his wife’s death some years earlier. Recently, with all of the changes from the occupation, he’s been intrigued by his interest in Hannah Pender – the administrative assistant at the university, and frustrated with Michael Blum, a Jewish student who is noted for being a very reluctant student, also very in love with a young Dutch girl, Elke. But the Nazis are tightening their hold – from confiscating his wireless to taking an elderly neighbor into custody to places unknown, and he’s trying simply to survive the onslaught. His only family is a niece, brought to him after her parent’s death as a child, and now involved with a Nazi officer, bringing Josef no end of worry.

Hannah takes care of her infirm mother, who spends much of her time knitting caps for ‘the boys’ who will be cold in the coming months. She’s also friendly with a Jewish family, and the young daughter spends hours with her mother, learning to knit and sharing her worries. Hannah would like to hide the family away – but her position and her mother’s need for care have her in a bind. She’s also wondering why Professor Held runs so hot and cold, when she’s only tried to have conversations. The two have much in common – that they won’t see for ages – but the connection from the university will serve them both during the long years of occupation.

When Michael appears at Held’s doorway after his best friend is shot, Josef decides that enough is enough – and sets him up in his attic – the only view is over the rooftops. Despite the dangers, Michael is full of life, daring and imagination – frustrated by being ‘caged’ and worried for Elke – but alive. Alive in ways that Josef has forgotten – but this connection will bring the two closer together and encourage Josef’s return to a life lived with joy. As Hannah’s story progresses, her father’s shed, where he built and repaired bicycles becomes her refuge- from healing a wounded allied soldier and seeing him smuggled away, to building bicycles and finally being a part of the resistance delivering bicycles and packages, and finding her own simple and quiet ways to resist and help those she cares for. This isn’t a story that focuses on the atrocities of the war in a general way -but more the small moments, the emotions and the events that changed Josef and Hannah, along with Michael, Elke and Josef’s niece – and gives a sold sense of the atmosphere and the changes it brought under the brutal occupation.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-ayd/” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

A View Across the Rooftops is a fantastic historical fiction novel. The characters are interesting and well developed. The storyline is interesting and detailed.

Thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
First time reading this Author and thoroughly enjoyed this book will be looking for her others books.
I just adored this book the story line and characters was just so well executed.
The story set in in holland at the hands of the German invasion how they overcame lots of obstacles. I can highly recommend this OUTSTANDING book.

This book was really good and I couldn’t put it down. I’ve read MANY books that take place during WWII but surprisingly not one that takes place in Amsterdam. I also haven’t had many where a main character is so fully invested in the Nazi party and against their own people the way that Ingrid is. But you don’t hate her, or at least I didn’t hate her. But it shows what happens to women that sided with the Nazi’s after they lost power and abandoned those women. Josef and Michael are also strong characters that grow together and form a bond that you enjoy reading about. I also like that the resistance fighter in it all was a woman while also having someone like Elke realize that even the Dutch were doing awful things like stealing art from others to profit.

While Josef is the main character of the story it jumps between him, Elke, Hannah (a woman that works at the university), and Ingrid (Josef’s niece) so that the story is told by many different people. Because of this it is able to show how one man with no affixation to the resistance is willing to put his life at risk for one man. It’s a powerful part of the story and it does well being shown by different people because you also get the Nazi side of things because Ingrid works for them and truly believes everything that they say. But she’s not a character that you inherently dislike because she’s also just so naive and is mistreated.

The book is a fantastic one and people should pick it up when it comes out.