Tears of Amber: a haunting story of two families during World War II

Tears of Amber by Sofia Segovia and translated by Simon Bruni is the story of two families uprooted by war and united by the bonds of love and courage. The Hahlbrock and the Schippers families are living quiet lives on their respective farms. As war breaks out, they shout in support of the Fuhrer and the Fatherland. But as war looms close to home, they must learn the hard lessons of survival. In the harshness of winter, the Hahlbrock join the massive exodus as the Russian army is closing in, leaving their future full of more uncertainty. Ilse Hahlbrock listens to the enchanting stories of the family’s young Polish laborer, Janusz. His stories of the besieged kingdom in the Baltic Sea keeps her mind off the cold, the hunger and the horrors surrounding them. Not far away, the Schippers  family is also trying to flee from the Russian army while hiding out in the ruins of a mansion, holding onto the hope that their fractured family would be together again. Arno and his mother find themselves dodging bombs and scavenging in the rubble. Caught in the crosshairs of two warring enemies, hope is the only thing that carries Ilse and Arno as they learn resilience against extraordinary odds. 

Tears of Amber is the type of book that you need to take your time on, stopping at moments when you need a break and picking it back up. Told in an epic style, Tears of Amber is the story of two families and their wartime experiences. The connection between the two families isn’t made clear until the end. It is heartbreaking at times but a story that needs to be told and read. I had read a lot of reviews that knocked down their rating based on the depressive moments. To me, that is not a good enough reason to knock down a rating. War is depressing and destructive with women, children and families torn apart by the actions of those in power. Tears of Amber serves as a reminder that while governments can claim victory, it is the people who suffer and survive to tell their stories are the true victors. It is a bit slow at times but it is a satisfying story of the resiliency of the human spirit and their ability to survive when times seem their bleakest. The details that Ms. Segovia describes is breathtaking and heartbreaking at times but she captures the horrors these people witnessed and survived. I highly recommend Tears of Amber. 

Tears of Amber is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook.