i don't believe i will ever get enough of learning peoples stories from the time of the war. from the every day people at home trying to live or survive to the ones that go that one step further with extraordinary stories.
i have learnt a few bits about what happened in the art world during the war so was pleased to see it featured a bit more here. its amazing just how much is effected by this times. in places we never thought or didnt think we needed to think about! nothing seemingly was left untouched by the evil of that time.
the mothers loves in this story is told beautifully. you feel it in all its hugeness. and i was taken aback by just what these families went through. i cannot bear to think what a mother must go through to both help her child survive then be separated. and then never to know whether you will see them again...or if alive.
and for the child? what must go through children minds at that time as they are on that platform saying goodbye!? i cant fathom it. when i was their age i would not have just been standing there and letting it happen. but i suppose what we do know by now after reading many a story is that time itself dictates how you react. what you would succumb to and what you could brave. and to all at this time in our history all were brave beyond belief.
i loved this book. and once again feel hugely honored to read peoples stories be it fact or fiction from this time. and would implore anyone interested in historical fiction or ww2 to read this.

Esther Spielmann has to let her son go alone to England. In Berlin, 1948, Esther’s husband and father have been murdered, and she knows she has to get her son, Sacha out of Germany.

The Nazis take Esther’s art gallery away from her, and she eventually ends up in a concentration camp.

After the war, she tries everything to find Sacha, but no one can help her.

Amalie is an art expert, who, during the war helped to protect and hide artwork from the Nazis. She was made to return to England, but went back to Berlin once the war had ended.

Becoming friends with Esther, she is determined to do all she can to help her find her son again.

I found this to be an emotional story, as well as an informative one.

It was astonishing to read about just what happened to many pieces of art. So much art lost forever, and many hidden away.

I liked the characters of both Amalie and Esther, they were both strong women but in different ways.

It is a story that left me thinking about it long after I finished reading it.

I found this to be a story of strength and bravery, of determination and love.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Train That Took You Away by Catherine Hokin is a powerful historical novel that I read in just two sittings.
The novel is set from 1936-1946 in Berlin, the seat of the Nazis power. There are also a few scenes in Blitz-ravaged London.
We follow three main characters all connected with the art world – a young female art restorer from England; a young artist; and a young mother who runs an art gallery in Berlin. The latter two are Jewish and their war is beyond horrendous.
Germany seems to be a civilized nation in 1936 as it welcomes people to the Olympics. The young art restorer declares in 1936; “The German people are too kind and too good to let hatred and prejudice swallow it.” Unfortunately, the German people were governed by fear and/or blind adoration as they believed the lies they were told.
Bit by bit the lives of the Jewish people were eroded until all their liberties and freedoms were gone. Those who remained in Berlin were said to be “invisible and we’re targets, and we’ve nothing to live on but bad food, fear and rumor.”
There is much heartache and sacrificial love as a character makes the decision to put her eight-year-old son on the kinder transport to England for safety. It is an emotional wrench and only the hope that she will see him again, keeps her going.
The young boy’s war in England is very different to his mother’s. He experiences the Blitz, is subject to bullying and is evacuated. A personal decision is made to change his name, become more English and blend in.
We also see the young art restorers was in London. “Time… worked differently when bombs were falling and battles were raging.” Love and friendship happened today for tomorrow was not guaranteed.
Life in the Plaszow camp (as seen in the movie Schindler’s List) under Amon Goth was horrendous. Life was a lottery but “if we live, we have a duty to bear witness.” The world must know of the horrors of the cruel Nazi regime.
Survival was pure luck. As war ended, a Berlin character “forced herself to believe that the better parts of the human spirit had survived what the worst parts had done to it.” The perpetrators of evil must be brought to justice. There were the Nuremberg trials but some old Nazis shed their party allegiance and hid in plain sight by blending in.
There were so many painful losses. “I’ve learned to live with that pain because it reminds me how deeply I loved her.” Lives and cities needed to be re-built. There were “the pains of the past and the uncertainties of the future.”
All the characters were wonderfully and realistically drawn. They were easy to empathise with. The pain of sending your child away so that he lives – wow, that is so brave.
We see war on from many points of view in both England and Germany.
The Train That Took You Away is such a powerful and emotional read.
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

What a heartbreaking and powerful story. My first time reading @cathokinauthor and I really enjoyed it.
I was captivated from the start and couldn’t put it down.
A story about stolen and recovered art during and after WWII. It’s full of sorrow, hope, love, family, friendships, second chances and so much more.
It’s beautifully written and follows the story of two women, Esther and Amalie. I liked how the stories weaved together. It’s realistic and emotional with good interesting characters that had depth.
I liked the authors writing style and look forward to reading more.
Definitely recommend this emotional, entertaining thought provoking read.
With thanks to #NetGallery @bookouture for an arc of #TheTrainThatTookYouAway in exchange for a honest review.
Book publishes 20 January 2025.

This book begins just as Hitler was gaining force in Germany. And it finishes a.few years after the end of the war. It covers major historical facts that happened: Nazi party looting Jewish arts, Masterpieces, the Kindertransport and the Russian rule over half of Berlin.
There are two main characters: Esther, a rich Jewish lady who ends up in a Concentration Camp. This is after she sent her only son Sascha to London on the Kindertransport.
Amalie, is half British but works in the National Gallery. She comes face to face with corrupt Nazi members.
The pages go through each of the ladies struggles, mostly to fight for their rights and beliefs.
A great read, that captured me from the start. I thought using another concentration camp, was an interesting take.

An emotional WWII tale about two women - Esther and Amalie. Esther survives the camps because she's got to not only for herself but also to find her son Sascha who she sent to safety on the Kindertransport, Amalie is meant to be saving art but she saves so much more. Good characters and fine storytelling make this a very good read.

Wow what an amazing stunning book! Couldn’t put it down and have talked non stop about it! Absolutly heartbreaking

Firstly i would thank netgalley and Bookoutune and the author Catherine Hokin for an early copy of her book.

This is my first read from this author. A Historical book.Esther Speilman whos husband and father was murdered.shes concerned for her son Sasha she gets him to safety...this book is about strength..survival..heartbreak.a good read

This book will be reviewed on goodreads and Amazon.

(ad pr) Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture & Catherine Hokin

Historical fiction is hitting so good lately, I was captured from the beginning of this book, with the stories that weaved together, love & heartbreak for many in the book, and the age ranges between all was a great dynamic to see this time in life portrayed

Publication date: 20th January 2025
Read dates: 18th December 2024 – 19th December 2024

The Train That Took You Away by Catherine Hokin is an emotional and beautifully crafted WWII historical novel that intertwines the lives of two women navigating unimaginable loss, love, and resilience in the shadow of war.

Esther Spielmann, a Jewish gallery owner in Berlin, sees her once-thriving world crumble as the Nazis rise to power. Her gallery is looted, her family is torn apart, and she faces an agonizing choice—to send her young son, Sascha, to England on the Kindertransport, knowing she may never see him again. Esther’s story is a heart-wrenching journey of survival, motherhood, and unrelenting hope.

In parallel, we meet Amalie Eden, a British art conservator drawn to Berlin to protect the city’s artistic treasures from Nazi looters. Against her family’s wishes, Amalie remains in Berlin until the worsening political climate forces her back to England, where she continues her fight to reclaim stolen art. Amalie’s perspective sheds light on the often-overlooked story of cultural theft during WWII and the resilience of those who sought to preserve beauty amid devastation.

Hokin’s meticulous research is evident in every detail, from the plundering of Jewish-owned businesses to the clandestine operations to recover stolen art. The horrors of war are laid bare, but the narrative is balanced with moments of love, courage, and the enduring power of human connection.

Though Esther and Amalie’s lives initially seem disparate, their paths eventually intersect in a deeply moving way, uniting their shared love for art and their determination to rebuild in the aftermath of loss. The emotional toll of their journeys is profound, but Hokin’s lyrical prose and compassionate storytelling leave readers with a sense of hope and restoration.

This novel is more than a tale of war; it’s a testament to the strength of the human spirit. The Train That Took You Away is an unforgettable story that will resonate with readers long after the final page. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction that delves into the personal and cultural impact of WWII.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this remarkable book.

What a heartbreaking story, it tells the dealings of a Jewish family and a German-English young woman. They have to survive terribly years during the war and after that their heartache isn’t over. Now the need time and opportunity to start living a happy life again.
This story leaves me with the question what I would do in this situation. This is my first story by this author but I’m looking for more of her stories.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this, this review is my honest opinion.

Hauntingly human. Hokin's writing is captivating. This story begins in Berlin during the beginning of the dehumanization of the Jewish people in Berlin. There is a sense of optimism between the characters, all of whom are living separate lives in the artistic confines of Berlin. That optimism is quickly erodes as the intentions of the Nazis become increasingly clear. Esther makes a difficult decision to send her son off on the kindertransport after losing her husband and her father. Amalie fights against the truths her family has tried to impress upon her and eventually fights against the greater forces at work in Berlin. Laurenz moves through the book with a careful and cautious tale, reflective of his experiences as a Jewish artist, a husband, and a survivor. With careful and thoughtful movements forward for each character, Hokin manages to provide a story that is both realistic and engrossing. Hokin captures the resilience of the human condition and spirit without unnecessary gory details and overzealous optimism, leaving the reader with a feeling of hope in spite of the horrors of humanity. This story is engrossing without illogical leaps about the connection between the characters. While the ending is expected, it is not trite. It captures the complicated relationships that exist between people who must confront the difficult decisions made during exceptional times.

This story was so brilliantly written that it took my breath away. I can't stop telling people about this one.

Two different women, both facing the hardships of German life before, during and after WW2 follow the political climate surrounding art, life, love and things that are out of their hands. Its a beautiful and enriching storyline involving things that are rarely spoken about or explored.

There are tough moments that pull on your heartstrings. Especially with one of our Jewish main characters and her son who is separated from her during the war.

This is a 5 star read for me. I will now search out all of Catherine Hokin's novels. I'm so glad I received this ARC from netgalley.

When I read a book centered around the Holocaust I am very aware and often critical of how the author handles the details within the context of horror. Catherine Hokin does a commendable job of extracting the personal loss and societal upheaval of the time while creating believable characters who lived through that nightmare.

Esther, a Jewish woman living in Berlin, comes from an affluent and educated family. She owns and operates a notable art gallery containing valuable works of renowned artists. She is married and has an eight year old son, Sascha. With Hitler’s slow and steady rise to power, Esther’s life changes bit by bit , day by day, and by the time it becomes apparent that the family must leave Berlin , there is no way out. Finally Esther understands that she is unlikely to save herself, but Sascha can leave for Britain on a kinder transport. My heart was torn in half as Esther labored over a decision that no mother anywhere, for any reason, should ever have to make. So much to think about. What would be the likelihood of survivors actually locating their beloved hidden children.? What would a mother do if her hidden child has moved on to a new life ? This was all unimaginable for me.

Concurrently, Amalie, a British citizen, takes a job in Berlin’s National Gallery. Her family sees war approaching and wants her to remain in England but Amalie is determined to keep the world’s art treasures safe from Nazi looters who would profit from their sale. When remaining in Berlin becomes untenable, Amalie must return home. What she leaves behind has a long lasting grip on her need to do the right thing.

Although the two stories seem related tangentially only through the art world , I was aware that eventually the paths of the women would cross. Ms Hokin did a bounty of research. Her details regarding tie plundering of art museums was mind boggling and although I was aware that Nazi looting was widespread I never understood the details of this travesty. Through Amalie and Esther, the author shows how looting became a backbone to finance the Nazi war machine.

Ms Hokin also took great care describing the ever worsening conditions of life for European Jews, including Kristallnacht, deportation and death vs survival in concentration camps. Nothing was sugar coated. This was a very emotional read.

Five stars for a book that needs to be read and a story that needs to be told. Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my review. Publication date is January 20, 2025. Get ready for an important, disturbing and very engaging story.

A beautifully written, emotional read. I was gripped from the start by this tale of courage, loss and resilience. The two central female characters were interesting and had depth. Their dilemmas made them relatable and their stories were ultimately satisfying.
I felt the title of this book didn’t do it justice. It took a fresh angle on Nazi Germany and the Holocaust, and seemed very well researched. The quality of the writing was first rate and I will definitely seek out more of Catherine Hokin’s work as it’s always a joy to discover an author of historical fiction who writes with such depth of insight and expression.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is an interesting read. Set in the days leading up to war being declared between Britain and Germany, German Jews must make important decisions.
Many wealthier Jews sold out and immigrated to other countries. Some Jews were convinced the troubles would settle down. At some point, their choices were taken away.
The heart wrenching decision to send a child to England is the theme of this story. Many parents believed it would only be for a short time.
While records were kept, years passed and while parents were imprisoned or died, their children were becoming English.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

I’m a huge fan of Catherine Hokin, I’ve read many of her books. The Train That Took You Away was an interesting read about art work before, during and after WW2. I enjoyed learning about the history of what happened to many valuable pieces, and the search to locate many of them. Regrettably, I didn’t feel the love stories had enough depth to them, the search for Sacha I don’t think bought anything to it and the title to me has little to do with what happens in the book. It’s really hard to write this review loving many of the authors previous releases. The novel ended beautifully. 3 stars
I would like to thank the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for my free copy of this novel, in exchange for my honest review.
#TheTrainThatTookYouAway #NetGalley.

This chilling and utterly compelling story is one of those books which grabs your attention from the very beginning. The author has really got into her characters minds and explored the different emotions.
I love this genre and found this to be one of the best books I have read in a while. I was kept guessing throughout, never quite sure which way the story would go until the end. Absolutely brilliant read

WWII - I cannot imagine the gut wrenching and heartbreaking feeling of putting your child on a train knowing you may never see them again, and still knowing you may be saving their life. This story was well written.

I read this book over a few days and enjoyed it. It tells the story of two young women during the war. Esther who is Jewish had no choice but to send her son to another country where he would be safe. It tells her story and the heartache she had to go through.
Amalie is an art expert and tried to save and hide art that the Germans were after. These two women's paths cross which leads to quite a journey.
Lovely book, look forward to reading more..