The Living and the Lost

The Living and the Lost is a powerful, unsettling read. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, especially books set during WW2. This is one of the few books that I've read set just after the war ended. The descriptions are so real that I felt transported to post war Berlin. I liked the way the author alternated back in time to tell Millie's back story. This would make a great literature tie-in for a high school world history class, sparking lively class discussions.

Opening a book is always an adventure, this time it was a beautiful and inspiring one. Feldman explores Berlin during the era known as “de-nazification” when the allies were rebuilding Germany after WW II. The story is told with Mieke Mosbach at the center. She has come back to her native Berlin to work with the US army translating and rebuilding the news and publishing industries.

Mieke had escaped Germany at the start of the war with her brother David, who is serving there as well. They have returned not only to serve America but to search for information about their father, mother and sister. The group working on this fort are primarily Jews who had managed to escape with their lives, but not without pain, anger and trauma.

I must suggest reading this along with A RITCHIE BOY, Linda Kass, which will provide valuable insight into the young men who were part of this project.

The book also includes an element of romance which is lovely and brings hope for a future with it. Feldman has a few subplots, but she manages to provide closure and a very satisfying ending.

I enjoyed this book and will recommend it to both seminars and reading groups. Thank you Netgalley for this very special book.

Sometimes a book title captures perfectly the intent of a book. This title really hit the mark for me. It captured the story of two individuals still living, and reminded us of those that they had lost and the impact that such a loss made on their lives. I've read one other book by Ellen Feldman which I enjoyed, but this one gripped me from the very beginning and left me reading whenever I could find a spare moment until the story was done.

Set in post war Berlin, the main character of the book is Millie who along with her brother David grew up in Berlin, as part of a Jewish family. At the beginning of the story, Millie and David find themselves together again in Berlin , sharing a flat after being apart through most of the war. They had been lucky enough to escape Germany and move to America shortly before Kristallnacht. It is clear from early on that their story is not a simple one. The author gives the reader more and more details of what their experiences were as time goes by using flashbacks to give a clear picture of all the difficulties they faced both in Germany and in the United States. It was not easy being Jewish in either location.

Millie is back in Germany to try and help determine who would be suitable candidates to work in the publication business be it news or literature in post war Germany. One of her first jobs is to requisition a flat to live in and Millie does it even though it means she is sending a child and family out onto the street with almost no notice. She is torn between hating anything that has anything to do with Germany and the softer side of herself that recognizes things aren't as black and white as they first appear. Many of her co-workers have a similar background to hers. They have good reason to hate those they have to screen. In some characters that hatred bursts out explosively while in others it seems to have moved so far into the back of their lives that it seems almost non-existent.

I found both the postwar and flashback episodes equally mesmerizing. In the past Millie is called Meike, the name she grew up with, which helps to make the transition from present to past. Her story is a fictional one and yet I am sure that it represents the kind of situations that many Jewish people faced in their efforts to survive. Both Millie and her brother carried burdens but each was different even though they grew from the same beginnings. It was heartbreaking to read how damaging their experiences had been to their ability to develop a healthy sense of self esteem especially when they had so many questions about what had happened to those who were left behind. Little details gave me a visceral feeling of how awful things were. Millie offers a bar of soap to a woman who has been in the concentration camps where soap was an unheard of luxury but the woman leaves the soap behind. Why? They heard in the camps that the Germans used body fat from those they killed to make soap. This was a German bar of soap. I felt ill. Another moment that really moved me was when David took Millie to a Bar Mitzvah ceremony. All the synagogues were gone, so where was the ceremony held? In a cemetery because "Where else can you find family and community these days?" Those there to witness the event "saw themselves as celebrants. Standing in that desecrated graveyard, with hunger in their bellies and mourning in their hearts and scars that would never heal on their souls, they were celebrating this one child who had survived, one among millions who had not, but still one, and a cause for joy". This part of the story was a powerful homage to the resilience of those who had survived.

David and Millie were survivors, but their minds and bodies had paid a price for their survival. How does anyone move on from intense trauma? It certainly wasn't easy for either of them and at times I worried that Millie might not survive in the long run. It really emphasized for me how important mental health resources are for those who have lived through such horrendously difficult life experiences. The author summed it up in one scene between Millie and her boss as being like a festering wound eating at them from within. "Loss can be consoled. Pain can be solaced. But there is no comfort for shame. Because shame is not the result of a wrong suffered, but of a wrong committed. Nothing can breach the isolation of that. Not sympathy. Not sex. Not even love." By stories end, Millie was beginning to question that and look to the future and what it might be like.

Feldman began the book with two quotations one from General Dwight Eishenhower in a letter to his wife - "God I hate the Germans"; the other quotation comes from Gerda Weissmann Klein, survivor of a Nazi Slave Labor Camp and 350 mile forced march - "I can hate Germany and all things German with a passion, but I can't hate individuals." Having read the book and looking back on these quotes I can see how Millie moved from one stance to the other. Her road was full of roadblocks and bumps but she was a survivor. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I wish that all students in high school history classes could read it and learn from it.

Many thanks to @NetGalley, St. Martin's Press & Wednesday Books and the author for asking me to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

This was a WWII story that was haunting and hopeful at the same time. The Living and the Lost focused on the Occupation of Berlin following the war in a duel time line story of Millie who was able to escape Berlin and go the the United States and then return to find what she left behind. A very emotional story that shed a light on a part of the was that isn't often written about. A very good read.

Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy of this book. This is my honest review.

First, thank you to NetGalley and Ellen Feldman for allowing me to read this amazing story prior to its publication date. I found myself reading it every chance I got, whether it be in a parking lot or in the mine at the grocery store. This book, while fictional, gives the reader WWII from another perspective....

Millie and David made it out of Berlin just before the night of broken glass....leaving behind their parents and little sister. Life in America provided Millie with a college education and the possibility of a future in writing. David had a bit of a rougher time in boarding school where his lineage proved to be just as unwanted as it was in Germany. To prove to everyone and himself that he was not like other Germans, he enlisted in the military. After the war, the siblings returned to a very different Berlin. Millie wanted answers regarding their family, David wanted to help the displaced persons begin a new life. Will Millie be able to forgive herself for what she considered a betrayal? Will David make a difference? You’ll just have to read it to find out.

This story touches on so many aspects of WWII, from post traumatic stress disorder, to survivors guilt, to vengeance and more. It’s gripping from page one. It will make you think. It will make you mourn. It will make you hope. I highly recommend this book! It’s terrific

I enjoyed this book that explores the difficulties faced by the survivors of WWII . I thought the characters were well written and heartbreakingly beautiful.

This book was truly heart breaking. I cannot imagine myself in any of the characters positions, especially Millie or Anna. I get where Millie and David both are coming from, but really what choice did they have. Some sacrifices had to be made during this time in history. I don’t want to give anything away so sorry this is a short review, but readers really just need to pick up this book!!

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

The Living and the Lost by Ellen Feldman is an excellent WWII era historical fiction novel that weaved a story that kept me fascinated from beginning to end.

I have read Ms. Feldman’s Paris Never Leaves You last year which was stunning, so I knew I had to read this book, too.

This book focusses on not just WWII, but also post-war Berlin and it was fascinating to delve into this area as all of its citizens were trying to make sense of what just happened, the current situation, and what pieces to pick up to move forward. To see how people dealt with their lives and current circumstances after returning to their hometown was also intriguing.

Here we follow siblings Millie and David Mosbach whom are returning to Berlin from America after escaping the Nazis during the early years of the war. It is during the “de-Nazification” period and I have never read anything on this subject as of yet. They return trying to find information on their family that were left behind in Germany as well as in an official position employed by the US to help “clean” Berlin post-war in their assigned government positions.

The author interweaves the current story with flashbacks and memories to piece together what happened, what secrets were kept, what losses and sacrifices occurred, and to lead us to where Millie goes from here.

Here we confront not just post-war society and politics, but also the array of emotions that are experienced: survivor’s guilt, relief, fear, anger, resentment, shame, the battle between wanting to live her life and be happy with penance for perceived errors and faults. I enjoyed these fundamental character assessments and these glimpses into the human psyche. Amongst of this darkness was scattered hope, romance, life, and purpose. It all balanced nicely with the appropriate and satisfying ending.

A fabulous book that I highly recommend.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and St Martin’s Press for this arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR, Instagram, and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

The first thing I did after I read this book was buy Ellen Feldman's complete back catalog. The Living and the Lost takes up denazification in post-war Germany and the Allied men and women responsible for that effort. Feldman's protagonist, Millie, returns to Germany after having fled Nazi Germany as a child. Deeply traumatized by her experiences, she focuses on locating her missing younger sister. Set against the chaotic backdrop of a devastated Berlin, Millie gradually grapples with her trauma and much is revealed about its origins. This is true historical fiction and it incorporates not just setting but also the high emotions and complicated motives of its characters. Everyone feels authentically 1940s--Feldman is exceptional in that regard. Perhaps what I enjoyed most about the novel was that it didn't cut out with Millie leaving Germany. Instead, Feldman allowed us a broader glimpse of her life and a gentle ending. Highly recommended and a library must-have.

Beautifully written heartbreaking set right after Ww11 .The story the characters drew me in to this moving emotional book.I was drawn in to their lives the sadness at times I could not stop thinking about their lives even after I read the last page.

The Living and the Lost by Ellen Feldman was not easy to read. I want to be honest in this review. There is so much information concerning the Holocaust. From the beginning all the way through to the horrific events in the internment camps. Most of the information ends with the glorious rescue of the Jewish prisoners. But there is not a lot of information about what happened afterwards. How did the families that were affected manage to move on? What happened to the ones left behind? The Living and the Lost takes the reader to Berlin after World War 2 has ended. Programs have been established to weed out Nazi sympathizers and move the city to a peaceful future. Millie and her brother David escaped Germany but left behind their parents and little sister. While living a "normal" life in America, they await reuniting with the rest of the family. After the war is over, Millie and David return to Berlin to work in the rebuilding of the city. But each one has their own motives. As the story progresses, I found it harder and harder to read but I couldn't stop. With all Holocaust survival stories I so wanted it to end happily. I kept reading to try and get that happy ending. Without giving away too much of the story I will just tell you to be prepared. Historically, I learned so much that is not in history books. I really think people need to educate themselves completely so that we can avoid what could happen again. Prejudice and hatred are such powerful emotions and are still so dominant in today's society. If we could only learn from the past.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

The WWII subset of historical fiction is popular and possibly a bit saturated. This one stands out in that it explores forgiveness, but specifically self-forgiveness. Meike returns to Berlin seeking answers and a bit of atonement after the war. She and her brother managed to escape to America before that became impossible. But what happened to the rest of their family? And she blames herself for things that no teenage should have had to deal with in the first place. The book looks at racism across a wide spectrum, not just anti-Semitism. The author brings it to your attention in a way that makes it seem ridiculous, which it is, and I liked her approach. I definitely recommend this one.

A deeply moving multiple timeline novel that explores Post-war Germany. What does it mean to truly survive war? It may seem like a simple question, but Ellen Feldman deftly explores this topic. Please see my rave review more fully here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3874084186

Highly recommended!

What an incredibly difficult story to read. This is one of the most informative historical fiction novels I have ever read regarding the aftermath of WWII and occupation of Berlin by America and their allies. Ellen Feldman has written a book that the emotions are actually palpable. There are no words to describe how important this book is and how much it needs to be read by all.

In 2020, I read “Paris Never Leaves You” by Ellen Feldman, a book that remains at the top of my “best-loved book” list. The book still resonates with me and so I was eager to read Ms. Feldman’s latest book, “The Living and the Lost”, a World War 2 Historical Fiction and Jewish Literature book. Would this book have the same impact?

Yes. It’s truly another haunting and thought-provoking book.” The Living and the Lost” is not as haunting and beguiling as “Paris”, it is much rougher, sharper, cutting. But it leaves an even bigger impact and will have you pondering love and hate, cruelty and compassion, bravery and betrayal, and country and individuals.

The story begins in post-war Berlin, a devastated wreck in the midst of the rubble of Europe. The world is learning of the atrocities of the Nazis, but for main character Mieke “Mille” Mosbach, the insane Nazi extermination of Jewish citizens was part of her life. She and her brother have come to Berlin, to work with the American reconstruction of Berlin. David served in the Army during the war, and Millie is there as an adjunct to the Army.

Millie and David’s story emerges in flashback through the book. Their story, and the stories of other characters in the book, American and German, show us the horror and the search for hope in devastation. Should you hate Germany the country? Should you despise individual Germans? Should you condemn yourself for your actions? What is it like to be lost and still living?

This book is stark and piercing; so detailed and well-researched and well-written it reads like a nonfiction book or a memoir. I have read many historical novels about World War II and how the unfathomable could happen. “The Living and Lost” needs to be read by all. Highly recommend.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance review copy. This is my honest review

The Living and the Lost by Ellen Feldman was captivating from page one. This post war story with hints of wartime memories depicted the raw emotions and pain war causes to their every day life after war.

Millie and David return to Germany for two different purposes, but both were there to serve their family who was taken by the Concentration Camps of World War 2.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for allowing me to have a pre-released e-book and fall in love with these characters.

Description copied from the publisher:

Millie (Meike) Mosbach and her brother David, manage to escape to the States just before Kristallnacht, leaving their parents and little sister in Berlin. Millie attends Bryn Mawr on a special scholarship for non-Aryan German girls and graduates to a magazine job in Philadelphia. David enlists in the army and is eventually posted to the top-secret Camp Ritchie in Maryland, which trains German-speaking men for intelligence work.

Now they are both back in their former hometown, haunted by ghosts and hoping against hope to find their family. Millie, works in the office responsible for rooting out the most dedicated Nazis from publishing; she is consumed with rage at her former country and its citizens, though she is finding it more difficult to hate in proximity. David works trying to help displaced persons build new lives, while hiding his more radical nighttime activities from his sister. Like most of their German-born American colleagues, they suffer from conflicts of rage and guilt at their own good fortune, except for Millie’s boss, Major Harry Sutton, who seems much too eager to be fair to the Germans.

Living and working in bombed-out Berlin, a latter day Wild West where drunken soldiers brawl; the desperate prey on the unsuspecting; spies ply their trade; werewolves, as unrepentant Nazis were called, scheme to rise again; black markets thrive, and forbidden fraternization is rampant, Millie must come to terms with a decision she made as a girl in a moment of crisis, and with the enigmatic sometimes infuriating Major Sutton who is mysteriously understanding of her demons.

I read this book in one sitting and was so good. In 1939 Millie and her brother David immigrate from Berlin to America. They live with the Bennett's who are family friends in Philadelphia and MIllie attends Bryn Mawr and her brother enlists in the Army. His reason is that he hates Germany and wants to take out Hitler at any cost. He is assigned to Camp Ritchie in Maryland which is a training ground for German Jewish army soldiers to become interrogators, interpreters and translators. I found this whole aspect of the book fascinating because I am from Maryland and it is a piece of history I did not know. He was sent to Berlin after his training to continue his intelligence work. His sister Millie is also sent to Berlin to help with denazification and has an agenda of her own. She has pure hatred in her heart for anyone she deems a Nazi whether they were or not. She also has quilt because she and her brother got out but not her parents and younger sister. Being sent to Berlin by the military was not a good idea as she is so closed minded and unforgiving.

She actually has a visitor to her office who turns out to be her older cousin who spent time in the concentration camps. Her cousin asks her to help find someone very special to her. Millie with the help of her boss Henry Sutton, are able to help Anna. After her brother tells Henry what really happened to their family, does Henry ask Millie about it. Millie remembers the details much differently than David because she has much quilt about a decision she made that changed the course of her family. It was a decision that her father drilled into her head as the whole family was fleeing on a train bound for the Netherlands. She finally comes to terms with her decision and a whole weight is lifted from she shoulders. I recommend this book to anyone interested in World War II,

If you're a fan of ww2 fiction than this book is definitely for you! The Living and The Lost is my first introduction to this author, and I'm well beyond impressed. I can't say enough how many times I was near tears reading about these characters' journies. These "people" will stick with me for a long time, I love when a I find new book friends 😁💕

Thanks netgalley for giving me the pdf so that I can share my thoughts and opinions with y'all 🧡

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

Excellent book! This book reads more as fact, than historical fiction. I was completely engrossed in what I was reading, and at times forgot that it was actually fiction. This book is at times, extremely heartbreaking, but also shows the resilience of the human spirit to carry on after it has suffered so much.

This is the second book that I have read by this author, Ellen Feldman. She definitely has wonderful skills of creating real life flawed characters, describing scene-setting descriptions, and developing plot lines.

It is difficult to say I “enjoyed” this book, since the story was not easy on my mind. I do appreciate the knowledge I gained from reading it and hope that the world does not come to a war as destructive as WWII again.

I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me the pleasure of reading the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.

I loved this one! Like a few other reviews have mentioned, it takes place in the period directly after the war which is a period that few WW2-era books address. I found the main characters' stories compelling and the descriptions of post-war Berlin grim but added context and background to the story.

I am avid fan (and reader of) WWII historical fiction, though I haven't read much post-WWII histfic, which I'm trying to rectify, and this novel is a good place to start. It was an engrossing & eye-opening read and I'm thankful the publisher invited me to read it. I'm not sure it would have come up on my 'book radar' otherwise.