The cover is exquisite just like the story it contains. This tells us the story of a professor during WWII Amsterdam who decides to do whatevrr he can to save one of his Jewish students, Michael. This story is told from alternating viewpoints. We see people at their worst but also see that there is hope in how peiple are at their best. This is a wonderful book.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

Many thanks to #NetGalley, #Bookouture and the author #Suzanne Kelman for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book prior to its publication on Oct. 25th, 2019. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own honest thoughts.

The first thing that drew me to this book was the picture on the cover along with the text: Amsterdam, 1941: One man will risk everything to save a life. The artwork definitely reminded me of housing that I had seen while visiting the Netherlands many years ago and stories from the Second World War are always of interest to me as my father served with the Canadian Army and spent quite some months in the Netherlands during the war.

The author dedicates her book to "all the unsung heroes of Holland, who risked their lives during World War Two by hiding 30,000 Jewish people, the onderduikers, in their barns, attics, and basements. We may never know your names, but the legacy of your bravery will live on forever". Following the dedication she includes a quote from Anne Frank that references looking out "over all the roofs and on to the horizon". This set the tone for me right from the start. I doubt if there are many of my age and back ground who have not heard of Anne Frank or have not at least some familiarity with her story and hers is just one of the many stories that took place. I have visited the place where Anne hid. It was easy to imagine myself hidden away somewhere, perhaps peeking out through a small crack to see the only things in sight - the rooftops, perhaps some stars or the moon. How difficult it must have been to retain any sense of hope under such circumstances.

This particular novel was inspired by a story of one individual that the author heard of, an un-named man who was willing to risk his life and health in order to save a man that he was hiding in his attic. Originally she co-wrote it as a screenplay with her friend Susannah who had first introduced her to the story. As a screenplay called "Held" it won many awards but as of now it has yet to be made into a movie. Hopefully that will change once this novel has been published. As she wrote, the question that haunted the author was "Just how far would I be willing to go to save another person's life?" as a reader, I found myself pondering this question very seriously. In many ways it is a question we should ask ourselves on a daily basis as we hear of war and devastation and genocides that still occur on an ongoing basis around the world.

The main character of the story is a man called Josef Held - a university professor who loves music but somehow ended up as a math professor. After losing his wife due to complications of childbirth, Josef withdrew into himself such that his life consisted of teaching and just staying in his home where he would open the windows and hear his neighbour playing piano as she taught classes to her pupils or practiced her own compositions. When the war arrives, his life changes - first in small ways - pupils disappear from class, he is forced to give up his precious radio but life still goes on without too many drastic changes. His most infuriating student tells him that Jews will no longer be allowed to study at the University. His niece, an orphaned child that he has always felt guilty that he could not do more for, is now dating a Nazi officer. It becomes harder and harder to look away and not see the horrible things that are happening around him. When some innocent words he speaks to his niece lead to the brutal murder of Josef's neighbour, he can no longer ignore what is happening.

When Michael Blum, the infuriating student who would rather write poetry than learn math suddenly appears at his home in desperation, Josef takes him in and allows him to hide in the attic. At first it was to be for one night but that quickly changes and as the months go by and Matthew continues to hide in the attic, Josef's life becomes more open and emotionally he begins to live again painful though that might be. As he struggles with guilt for perceived past sins and the beginnings of love for a co-worker, Josef has to act as if everything is just as it always was. He never knows when his niece and her Nazi boyfriend will descend on his doorstep putting his life and the life of Michael Blum at risk. This risk continues from 1941 through to 1945 when Michael is forced to leave in a hurry. As a reader it was hard for me to imagine that I could hide anyone in my home for that length of time and under such difficult circumstances.

I do not want to spoil the story for readers yet to come so I will not go into further detail other than to say that the reader will also meet and gain an understanding of other characters and the things that motivated them. This is a powerful novel, extremely well written and it moved me to tears more than once. If you are interested in World War history or the psychology of what motivates people to act the way they do then I think you will find this a fascinating book. I highly recommend it.

A View Across The Rooftops tells the story of Professor Held, and did you know that Held is Hero in Dutch? This professor is very much a hero. In Amsterdam during WWII, the Dutch people fought against the Nazis, and one of the ways they did that was to hide Jewish people wherever and however they could. Professor Held did just that! This book was just wonderful! An amazing story, told by a gifted writer! At the end of this novel, which is a fiction book based on a true story, she tells you the story behind this book. This is where you learn what started her on this journey, and how this story would just not let her go.

The question that kept me up last night, well after I had finished the book, was the same as it was for the author.... How far would I go to save another human being? We always say I would do anything, but would you? Could you go as far as these people did?

Such an amazing book Suzanne Kelman!!
Thank you for sharing this story!!

I received this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Josef is a quiet university professor, grieving for his wife and following his routine life under German occupation. His Jewish student Michael is very much the opposite - passionate, wild, daring and in danger. As the Nazis continue to remove all Jews from Amsterdam Michael inadvertently ends up at Josef's house - and so begins Josef's quiet determination to keep Michael alive.
This is so well written - the tension when people start working with the resistance, the constant worry of what will happen to the characters with each step closer to discovery and Ingrid a character who seems so destined for disaster it's painful to read. Totally absorbing.

There are numerous books out there about normal and humble Dutch citizens who risked their lives to help the Jews during the war. All of them remarkable. I mean, the risks they were taking, but the sheer humanity and emtions which made them have to do it. I can’t imagine the heartbreak and anguish of being in a situation like that for either the Dutch people who took them in or for the Jews themselves. Persecuted for religion? Seems like we never learn. I think that’s why these books are so important to read. I am in awe of all of those who helped and to the Jewish people who survived such an ordeal beyond words.

This story is especially remarkable as it’s about an ordinary professor, a man you might not think is capable of anything extraordinary. He was a maths professor and is now retired. Living a simple unassuming life until he is met with a decision that will change his life and that of his friend. He ensures that he shows symptoms of a disease so that he can get urgent medicines. The medicine is not for him however, but for a Jewish friend who is suffering from the same disease. If that is not humanity at it’s finest, I don’t know what is. The story explains and explores his reasoning, what happens next and puts that in the context of a city on the edge, where everyone is pushed to extremes. I was floored by a lot in this novel. What a man!

With the horrors of the Jewish persecution ongoing, this novel shows one light in the darkness and it’s a homage to all that is good in the world. I think this novel will make you tear up when you realise it’s based on a very real story and very real man.

Humbling to read.

A really good book about the German occupation of Amsterdam during World War II. The story centers around a Dutch professor who hides a young Jewish man in his attic. He has a crush on a woman who works at the university, but he thinks she's married and unavailable.

I really enjoyed this book. It moves quickly and has many sweet moments.

This book took me on a rollercoaster of emotions- happiness, sadness, anger
This story made me cry and the writing style is amazing
An amazing book

I loved this book. It felt like it was privilege to read it. It is beautifully written historical fiction. It shows the bravery and strength and determination of the Resistance and other people who stood up to the Nazi Regime. It shows humanity at its best and also at its worst.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

A View Across The Rooftops by Suzanne Kelman is a story set in Holand during World War Two.
A university professor puts his life at risk by helping a student who is in danger of being arrested and he will do anything he can to keep him alive.
This is a heartbreaking story of bravery, hardship and survival.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Right up there with The Alice Network!

I have to say I wasn’t sure if I would like this book because I feel WWII has saturated the historical fiction genre. However, I am so glad I decided to give it a chance.
The book centers on university professor Josef but also follows the war experiences of Hannah, Michael, Ingrid and Elke. I ran the gauntlet of emotions while reading each character’s vastly different experience.
If you enjoy a well-written character driven story, then definitely read this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. It is a story of love and survival in Amsterdam during WWII. It is beautifully written. Thank you to netgalley for the ARC.

If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would. From the first moment I started reading the story, I could not stop. I was captured by the story and the characters. Descriptions made me feel like I was right there and surrounded by events and people. The dust, smells, pain and emotions were felt as I turned each page. This is a story of intense dedication of people who cared deeply for others. Amidst turmoil, death and fear of the unknown, friendships and love win out. Author Suzanne Kelman has written another great story. I received a complimentary copy of the book. No review was required.

5 stars ; l loved this book, couldn't turn the pages fast enough.

From the cover to the final page A View Across the Rooftops lives up to its description of "an epic, hear-wrenching and gripping story"

It is a story full of hope, determination , courage and love and survival. Evil as history has shown does not triumph but makes a road of destruction along its way.

I had to find out what would happen to Josef, Hannah, Michael and even Ingrid. At the same time I wonder how I would have coped or survived during this terrible time; would I be that brave as Josef and the others.

Pleas take the time to read the authors notes at the end of the book as they add so much to the story.

This book will stay with me a long time.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read A View from the Rooftops.

Oh my Goodness! What a wonderful book! There is so much love, hope,
and fear as well. This is a book I will put back to read again, I enjoyed it
so much. It is a book you can't put down, every chapter is so enticing to keep
reading, more and more.

Thank you so much, Suzanne Kelman, the Publisher, and Netgalley for the chance
to read and review this great book!

The subtitle calling this an "epic, heart-wrenching, and gripping WWII historical novel" is all true! It brought me to tears a couple of times and made it impossible for me to put it down. One of my best reads of 2019 for sure. If you love historical fiction as I do, then you will be moved by this book.

Oh my goodness! Evocatively unsettling yet hauntingly beautiful. That is what A View Across the Rooftops translates to me. The setting in this touching tale is that the Nazis have occupied Amsterdam. They are working feverishly at extinguishing any Jews, individually and collectively.

Professor Josef Held is struggling as a math professor. On a personal level, he has never gotten over the loss of his wife. With regards to his job, it is become more and more difficult. Some of his students are simply not interested, as the war is in full swing. Before long, any Jewish students that he was teaching are forever gone.

Josef is sympathetic and compassionate. One thing that soothes his soul is the nightly piano music that he hears his elderly neighbor Mrs. Epstein play. When she loses her life to the Nazis, Josef is more than devastated and even feels partially responsible. Right after this occurs someone comes banging on his door. Josef is concerned the Nazis are back, but why? The person at the door, however, is a terrified former student, Michael Blum, a Jew on the run for his life.

Josef doesn't think twice. He pulls Michael inside and offers him a place to hide. This is not just for the night either. Josef manages to hide Michael for years. Things are incredibly scary and dangerous for both Josef and Michael. This is especially so because Josef's niece Ingrid is dating a high-level SS officer and is seemingly overly concerned for her uncle's welfare.

Meanwhile, the story has some romantic elements. Before Michael had to flee, he was in a passionate relationship with Elke, a young Dutch woman, and they were forced apart. Furthermore, there is Hannah Pender. She is a woman who works at the college. Josef is surprisingly drawn to her, but since he believes her to be a married woman, he fights his powerful attraction to her.

When you pull in all of these characters, Josef, Michael, Elke, Hannah, Ingrid, as well has her new fiance, Heinrich, the story is incredibly powerful - and increasingly dangerous. I read this book with bated breath. I cried, I grieved and I hoped. Josef's heroic actions were so powerful, as well as Michael's strength. After all of this, I was left both heartbroken and satisfied. Suzanne Kelman is a new name to me and she has floored me with this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Bookouture for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Poetry of the Heart

A story of the hearts of people in Nazi Occupied Amsterdam and how they are brought together to heal through love and poetry. The story of two young university students a young Dutch girl Elke and her Jewish boyfriend Michael. Josef a mathematics teacher at the university and his niece Ingrid and her Nazi boyfriend Heinrich. Hannah a teacher at the university and a resistance worker, her mother Greta and a young Jewish girl named Eva.

When the Nazi's come to Amsterdam Michael has to run and hide because he is Jewish so he hides in Joseph's attic and is separated from Elke. How they are reunited is both tragic and a wonderful ending to their story. Josef puts his life at risk to save Michael and is helped by Hannah. Hannah works for the resistance building bicycles in her late father's shop. Hannah and Josef become close but it takes a long time for them to acknowledge it. Michael becomes like Josef's son and writes poetry much like Josef's late wife that died early into their marriage over 20 years before. Michael helps Josef return to life and Josef helps Michael realize life is still worth living even if he is Jewish in a country ran by the Nazi's.

Hannah lives with her mother Greta who befriends a young Jewish girl named Eva and teaches her to knit. When the Nazi's take away Eva and her family Greta and Hannah are heartbroken. The story of Greta and Eva is sad but the love they shared was great. Hannah helps the resistance more and must help Josef and Michael when they become ill, even after the loss of her mother Greta.
Ingrid falls in love with Heinrich a Nazi officer. Her uncle visits her once a week so she won't visit him because of Michael. She brings Heinrich to meet Josef and it is a tense time for Josef, then when he is ill he must try and hide Michael when Ingrid and Heinrich visit. His cat Dante helps with hiding noises made by Michael in the attic. When Heinrich turns on Ingrid and she needs help after the war Josef helps her.

The horrible things the Nazi's did to the Jewish people and the Dutch people as well is mentioned in the book and written well but it is as a fact of the daily living and not over dramatized but stated as a person living through it would state it being Dutch at the time and living in Amsterdam.

This book was a wonderful book to read. I has so many personal feelings with the characters and just warmed the heart to feel the love and compassion contained within the book. The characters were very realistic and believable. The interaction between the characters was written very well and the book was interesting from the beginning to the end. I had a hard time putting it down until I could finish it. I would definitely recommend the book to anyone.



READING PROGRESS

A fabulous piece of historical fiction, engaging the reader right the from the beginning. The story kept me hooked the entire novel. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to review this!

This is a beautifully written book with love and hope and some heartbreak and fear in one of the most awful times in History. It's based in Amsterdam where the Nazi Army has just taken control of the city and it's a dangerous time for the occupants especially if they were Jewish. It tells the story of Michael and Elke, a young couple who are separated because Michael is Jewish. Josef who is their professor, Hannah who also works at the University and Ingrid who is Josef's niece and how they survived through the occupation. I was given this to read in exchange for my honest opinion and I would like to thank the publishers and netgalley for letting me have the book to review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own views and are completely unbiased.

The cover is gorgeous it attracted me then the story plus this is a new author for me and someone I plan on reading.
The roller coaster of emotions I went through while reading this book is amazing from sadness, joy, hate and anger. Rarely has a book made me cry/weepespacially when some informations that they were hoping came true.
For an author to make me literally cry, the story is just incredible. Plus, finding out at the end it is based on a true story that makes it more human.
I want to thank NetGalley for this free book for an exchange of a honest review and to Bookouture for accepting my first ever request.