Always an emotional read when you read about the Holocaust. This story targets the art scene and the looting lost art as well as the perspective of mothers/children and all that the survivors lost and dealt with in the aftermath. The author and narrator did a good job conveying the emotions that spanned almost a decade. Thank you Net Galley for the advanced copy of this audiobook that comes out on January 20. It’s a solid read.

I have been reading/listening to a lot of ww2 historical novels. This one concentrated more on the relationships and hard decisions that were need to be made. I had to keep listening to see how it resolved.
The introduction of the arts and museums and the plunder by the nazis was very well explored. For some reason I never even thought that museum island was in the soviet sector and the explanations fo that worked very well.
The elements re the kinder transport and the impacts on the children were well explained.

The narration worked well and fitted in with the setting.

The Train That Took You Away by Catherine Hokin

First of all, a big thank you to #NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for sending me this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

This book is a very beautiful and emotional read based during the time of Hilter’s rise in Germany. It interlaces the life’s of two different women, Esther and Amalie.

Esther Speilman is a Jewish woman that owns an art gallery in Berlin. As the Nazis rise to power her once flourishing life begins to fall apart. Tragedy after tragedy leads Esther to make the heartbreaking decision to send her son, Sascha, to England on train, in order to protect him and save his life, even though she may never see him again.

Amalie Eden is an English woman who takes a job in Berlin at the National Art Gallery, despite her family concerns. The war is approaching and her family wants her to stay in England where she will be safe but Amalia is intent on helping to keep the art treasures safe from looting Nazis. Eventually staying in Germany becomes too dangerous and Amalie has to return to England.

Eventually the lives of these two women do cross. I won’t get into too much detail here, in case of spoilers.

Grab the tissues before you start to read this book! Such an emotional read. Catherine Hokin does an amazing job making these characters come to life. As a mother myself, I just wanted to grab Esther and hold her tight. The incredibly difficult decision she made to send her 8 year old son away to help save his life was incredibly heartbreaking! She made that decision out of absolute pure love.

I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it, especially to those that enjoy historical fiction. The narrator, Sarah Durham, does a phenomenal job helping to make each of these characters come to life!

I rate this book 4/5 stars.

This book releases January 20, 2025

The Train That Took You Away by Catherine Hokin is a gripping and emotional read, but what stood out most to me was its focus on the post-war period. So often, books about this era end when the war does, but Hokin delves into the harsh realities of life after the fighting stopped—the rebuilding, the struggles, and the human cost that lingered.

The story is beautifully written, with vivid characters and an immersive setting. It’s a poignant reminder that the war’s impact didn’t end with victory. A compelling and thoughtful read that I highly recommend to fans of historical fiction.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Sarah Durham does a fantastic job as the narrator! I highly recommend the audiobook if that is of interest!

Esther and her jewish family suffer amazing loss during the war. Despite being a wealthy and educated woman who owns her own art gallery, Ether slowly begins to lose everything. Like many jews, Esther makes the courageous decision to send her son, Sasha, to England and escape the war in Germany. Sasha learns quickly to acclimate to life in England and become English. At the end of the war, Esther and Sasha reunite and try to regain a relationship.

I really enjoyed this story as it was a different take on the atrocities of WWII at the hands of Hitler and his evil minions. The characters are very strong and likable. I enjoyed the art aspect of the plot as well. This is a very well written historical fiction about survival, family, art and WWII. Highly recommend!

An important look at resilience during the Holocaust. Beautifully written, spanning years and parallel stories of otherwise unrelated characters-the author brought them all togethers in this emotional story.

Very sad novel about a woman (Esther) and her son (Sascha). Esther is from an elite family during the height of war, and at the very beginning of Hitler’s rule…before anyone had any idea what was ahead for them…

Her father runs a bank and has made a lot of money, and a name for himself, so her family never had to ‘want’ for anything. Her husband has made a name for himself as well. And her mother is very involved in the family.

One night when they are out eating, celebrating two birthdays, her young son is excited, and when a soldier comes over to speak with them he blurbs that they are going to a game…and have the best seats in the house!

This is the beginning of their downfall…as the soldier is NOT happy to hear that these ‘Jews’ are having fun…

I’ll 🛑 stop 🛑 there with the story, but will say that as things begin to unfurl, Esther realizes that the ONLY HOPE she has for Sascha is to get him on a KinderTransport out of Berlin….although it is BREAKING her heart ❤️ and soul….

At the same time, Amalie is working at an art gallery. She is English and her family does NOT want her in Berlin, but she is young and foolish…and headstrong!
We follow her life as well, and see her ups and downs…until she is forced out of Berlin.

At some point the two women meet up…and history is made.

Warning: ⚠️ As with many books revolving around the Holocaust, there are some very disturbing sections and descriptions. If you are ok with this, don’t pass this one up. It will grab a hold of your heart and keep tugging….

#TheTrainThatTookYouAway by #CatherineHokin and narrated nicely by #SarahDurham.

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!!

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #BookoutureAudio for an ARC of the audiobook which is being released in about ONE WEEK!
**** LOOK 👀 FOR IT ON JANUARY 20, 2025! ****

You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @ #BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️