Review: The World That We Knew

by Alice Hoffman (Simon & Schuster, 2019)

Alice Hoffman's sparkling prose and immersive descriptions of place summon readers into World War II. Chapters are place- and time-marked from 1941-1944, to guide readers through a suspenseful journey. Told by an omniscient narrator, the novel begins in Berlin, 1941, and swiftly moves to France, where Nazis control most of the territory including Paris. Typical of stories set during wartime, there is much death. Yet, the novel also flows with lyrical imagery, and flashes of magical realism are common. A few supporting characters—the Angel of Death, a heron, and a golem—reveal explicit magical powers, while the leads all have what I call "ordinary-super powers," exhibiting traits such as bravery under trying circumstances. As the plot unfolds Hoffman chronicles many forms of resistance and develops a vivid cast of characters, most of them teens; they are often separated, but reconnect in unexpected, memorable ways.

Despite the painful wartime setting, full of sorrow and family separations, the beauty of Hoffman's prose and themes deliver a sense of hope. Even if humanity continues to engage in war and atrocity, the novel suggests, perhaps art, stories, and love can endure. There are parallels between the protagonists' bravery and today's wave of teen activism, for example, those committed to #UnitedWeDream or #MarchForOurLives and other global movements. Juxtaposing historical fact with a well-crafted story, The World That We Knew is sure to appeal to readers new to Alice Hoffman's work as well as her longtime fans

According to the author’s note, this novel was inspired by briefly meeting a real-life woman who’d survived as a hidden child in WWII France. Read full review (including a special feature: Children's Art of the Holocaust) at BookBrowse.