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A Flicker of Light
As of 5/22/12 this entire book has been rewritten and reeditedIn 1935, the Nazis established a program called “The Lebensborn.” Their agenda, to genetically engineer perfect Aryan children.These children were to be the new master race, once HItler had cleared all undesirable elements out of Europe. Within a year the first institution was built.The year is 1943....The forests of Munich are crawling with danger under the rule of "The Third Reich," but in order to save the life of her unborn child Petra Jorgenson must escape from the Lebensborn Institute. Alone, seven months pregnant, and penniless avoiding the watchful eyes of the armed guards in the overhead tower, she waits until the dead of night. Then, Petra climbs under the flesh shredding barbed wire that surrounds the institute and at the risk of being captured and murdered she runs headlong into the terriying desolate woods.Even during one of the darkest periods in the history of mankind, when horrific acts of cruelty became commonplace and Germany seemed to have gone crazy following the direction of a madman, unexpected heros came to light. And although there were those who would try to destroy it, true love would prevail. Here, in this lost land ruled by human monsters, Petra will learn that even when one faces what appears to be the end of the world if one looks hard enough one will find that there is always "A Flicker Of Light."
396 pages, Paperback
First published January 15, 2012
657 people are currently reading
2071 people want to read
About the author
Roberta Kagan
64 books625 followersI’m an American writer of Jewish and Romany decent. I write Historical Fiction and Historical Romance, most of which is set during the holocaust. Although I never discount the horrors of the time period, the main focus of my work is on ordinary people who prove to be strong heroic characters in unfathomable circumstances.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 134 reviews
January 8, 2015
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. This book deals with Nazi Germany. Petra, a young Danish girl falls in love with a soldier in Hitler's army, becomes pregnant, leaves her family and goes to what she and her lover think is a safe place in Munich, Germany where she can have her baby, while he is away fulfilling his military obligations on the Russian front. She has second thoughts about this "safe haven" and flees into the woods, where she finds refuge on a farm, belonging to an elderly childless German couple, who also have a reason to fear the Nazis. They treat her and her child as one of the family. Meanwhile, she learns the child's father is dead.One day, an escaping Jewish student doctor, also arrives at the farm and also takes refuge there, when Petra's baby falls deathly ill. Petra falls in love with him and so begins a whole new set of trials for the two young lovers.
I have a real problem reviewing this book. Unfortunately, I have just read this novel after reading The Arms of Krupp for the second time, Michelangelo in Ravensbruck, an account by a Polish countess who was part of the Polish resistance, was captured and served time in various death camps, an autobiography, taking place during Hitler's rise to power and the war written by Golo Mann the son of the famous author German and half Jewish Thomas Mann, along with an autobiography of a French Jewish student, who did not survive the death camps, two novels by the Russian-French author Irene Nemirovsky, who along with her husband was also executed and a biography about Hitler's banker, who after falling out of favour with Hitler was imprisoned by him and after the war, was tried as a war criminal by the Allies. After reading these books, unfortunately this book, "A Flicker of Light" comes off as a light read and a romantic fairy tale, taking place during one of this planet's darkest moments in history. Compounding this impression is the cover, a picture of two young lovers in modern dress. I know this was not the author's intent. She was trying to write a story of something positive that was born from this darkness. In an attempt to be fair I am giving this book a 3 out of 5, but I hesitate to give it that high a rating. After a lot of thought I have given this book only a 1 out of 5. I am surprised that the author would write such a book and even series about this time period considering the hardships that her own family suffered through the war.
I have a real problem reviewing this book. Unfortunately, I have just read this novel after reading The Arms of Krupp for the second time, Michelangelo in Ravensbruck, an account by a Polish countess who was part of the Polish resistance, was captured and served time in various death camps, an autobiography, taking place during Hitler's rise to power and the war written by Golo Mann the son of the famous author German and half Jewish Thomas Mann, along with an autobiography of a French Jewish student, who did not survive the death camps, two novels by the Russian-French author Irene Nemirovsky, who along with her husband was also executed and a biography about Hitler's banker, who after falling out of favour with Hitler was imprisoned by him and after the war, was tried as a war criminal by the Allies. After reading these books, unfortunately this book, "A Flicker of Light" comes off as a light read and a romantic fairy tale, taking place during one of this planet's darkest moments in history. Compounding this impression is the cover, a picture of two young lovers in modern dress. I know this was not the author's intent. She was trying to write a story of something positive that was born from this darkness. In an attempt to be fair I am giving this book a 3 out of 5, but I hesitate to give it that high a rating. After a lot of thought I have given this book only a 1 out of 5. I am surprised that the author would write such a book and even series about this time period considering the hardships that her own family suffered through the war.
August 22, 2012
Alas, this was too bad to finish. I made it about three quarters of the way through, but the stilted dialogue finally got to me. Considering the setting (Nazi Germany during WWII), everything moved way too smoothly - Petra's escape from the Lebensborn program, Aaron's family/girlfriend fleeing to America, finding/living/being supported by Hans and Siegland... I could go on. It was just too glossy for a story that could have been gritty and real.
March 17, 2013
Another terrific read by this author. She goes into Germany and the Lebensborn Institutes, started by Heinrich Himmler in order to raise more Aryan children for the Nazi Reich. Many of the girls were not married and went there because they considered it to be a priveledge to bear a child for Hitler. Petra, however, realized that this might not be best for her, and she escapes from the Lebensborn house, and the rest is her story. This was another of Himmler's nutty ideas. He was also fascinated by the occult and even sent a group to Tibet to search for Shangri-La. It was quite evident he was several fries short of a Happy meal. But this book was wonderful and I highlt recommend it. Roberta, keep there great books coming. WE MUST NEVER FORGET!
July 10, 2016
I got this as a free download from BookBub and wish I hadn't wasted my time. If you are going to mine the deplorable horror of The Holocaust for a novel, at least write a good book. The characters in this one all sound the same. They talk incessantly. They recount information in lengthy expositions of which the reader is already aware. The "heroine" is a shallow floozy. The villains are stock Nazis from any pulp fiction. Move along. There's nothing good here to read.
December 15, 2012
I enjoy WW2 books but found this one to be one if the lesser well written ones. The storyline was good but parts were quite abrupt and I didn't feel a strong attachment to many if the characters. I feel this would have been better with some of the deaths drawn out a bit.
May 7, 2012
I downloaded this book as it was free for a day on Amazon and Nazi Germany is a subject that i am interested in. I had never heard of The Lebensborn program and to me this was really horrible thing to have ever happened.
This book is about Petra who escapes the Lebensborn programme despite being a fair few months pregnant. She goes through the German countryside in the hope of being able to find her way home, but ends up at a farmhouse where a couple have never been able to have children. They take her in and start to live as a family.
Meanwhile, a young doctors apprentice, finds his life falling apart when the persecution of the Jewish people began. He has to leave his home with the fear of being caught and he also has to try and find somewhere safe. He comes across the same farm that Petra is living and from here on in its when the trouble starts.
This book goes into detail of how cruel the SS officers were at times and one of the scenes in this book is very disturbing, it was very difficult reading but I'm sure that this kind of event actually happened. Also the scenes of the concentration camps were described in great detail which at times was quite difficult reading.
I did think that the book moved along a little too smoothly, for example when Petra turned up at the farm, she didnt really seem to be bothered about staying there and this was just accepted.
Overall a very good book, one for fans of historical fiction, this was good.
This book is about Petra who escapes the Lebensborn programme despite being a fair few months pregnant. She goes through the German countryside in the hope of being able to find her way home, but ends up at a farmhouse where a couple have never been able to have children. They take her in and start to live as a family.
Meanwhile, a young doctors apprentice, finds his life falling apart when the persecution of the Jewish people began. He has to leave his home with the fear of being caught and he also has to try and find somewhere safe. He comes across the same farm that Petra is living and from here on in its when the trouble starts.
This book goes into detail of how cruel the SS officers were at times and one of the scenes in this book is very disturbing, it was very difficult reading but I'm sure that this kind of event actually happened. Also the scenes of the concentration camps were described in great detail which at times was quite difficult reading.
I did think that the book moved along a little too smoothly, for example when Petra turned up at the farm, she didnt really seem to be bothered about staying there and this was just accepted.
Overall a very good book, one for fans of historical fiction, this was good.
December 18, 2016
The description of this book indicated it was about the Lebensborn program run by the Nazi's during WW2. It was not. I was disappointed because I thought it was a good premise for a WW2 novel. No, this was a Danielle Steeleified version of the horrors of the holocaust. Mildly entertaining story about beautiful people going through tough times. The story of a "good" girl who sleeps with, and has babies with any man that is nice to her and a childless couple who want a child so bad that they accept a young woman with loose morals into their lives. I gave it 2 stars because I was able to finish it. I actually listened to this book on Audible. The male reader was a bit off-putting. Very unemotional and flat narration. All in all, I would not recommend is book for someone who enjoys serious historical fiction but it would be just fine for someone who wants an accounting of the war that glosses over the real atrocities.
February 5, 2013
I stumbled upon A Flicker of Light while going through my friends Kindle, and since we were at the beach, decided to read it. Firstly, I love love love the sketched cover art. (I truly do judge books by the cover, and this one passed!) We follow Petra and Aaron throughout this riveting, sometimes ‘edge-of-your-seat’ and romantic story set in 1943. Petra is pregnant, running from Germany (already so heart wrenching) and running towards what is hopefully freedom. It is so hard to find a good Nazi era book that doesn’t squander all hope of love and creation. Kagan writes a beautiful tale of two people who probably never would have been together had it not been for the bravery of Petra’s escape. I suggest this book to anyone that wants a different story than they have read before, and finally one with a happy ending.
July 26, 2015
A fictional WWII story about a unmarried couple (he's German, she's Norweigan) who get pregnant and since he's been drafted by the Nazi's and her family has thrown her out, they apply for and receive admittance to the "Lebersborn" project. This was Hitler's breeding program to make the prefect Aryan race. Since the father was German they would be allowed to adopt their baby as long as they followed strict Nazi doctrine in their home. Well, Hans, the father, dies at the Russian front which means that Petra, the mother, will not be able to keep the child. So she escapes. This is the story of what happens to her and to those that help her. A pretty good story. The "Lebersborn" project and the way it worked was all true as were most of the other war events used in the book.
August 7, 2013
It amazes me the atrocities that occurred during the holocaust. This is the second book From Roberta Kagan that I have read and again I am astounded at how well written her novels are. If you have been searching for an author that writes a great historical fiction book about the holocaust then you have found her! This particular book had a happy ending along with a few heartaches as well. Overall a thoroughly enjoyable read.
February 14, 2016
This is a light read principally about a girl who has babies with every man she meets. Of course she falls deeply in love and cannot help herself. It is described as a Holocaust novel but this is a bit of an over claim. The war is going on but most of the time it barely touches the protagonists. In the last quarter it becomes more real but, in my opinion, is still pretty superficial.
August 13, 2016
I was given this book free in exchange of an honest review. The story covers a period of almost 6 years following Petra and several others through the war and its atrocities of the Nazis. The story is well told and the author brings the various characters to life. At times I cried became angry or. . smiled. This is a great story and I highly recommend it to all who like stories of World War 2
January 20, 2018
I read this book in no time. I have always been drawn to stories of the war in Germany and what they did to the Jewish people there. This books takes a look at several several people first there is a couple who fall in love, although she is German and her man friend is a German who opposes the war but must serve. She gets pregnant and they decide to send her to a place where pregnant woman have babies that are perfect Aryan specimens that are given out for adoption. They had no idea what was really going on behind those doors. Petra receives news of her fiance's death in the war and she knows she must break out of this place in order to keep her baby. She waits until night time then she cuts her way through the fence and she runs and runs as much as she could being seven pregnant. She finds she can no longer run and lies down in the snow freezing and she is found by someone who helps her.
This book is how a romance can begin in the most unusual of places and can survive the most awful of times. The book is riveting and not easy to put down. There is a lot of true historical history included in the story although the couple's story isn't true. The characters in this book are fully fleshed out and the story line is well done, very well done. I would be happy to read anything else written by this author!
Description as found on Good Reads:
In 1935, the Nazis established a program called “The Lebensborn.”
Their agenda, to genetically engineer perfect Aryan children.
These children were to be the new master race, once Hitler had cleared all undesirable elements out of Europe. Within a year the first institution was built.
The year is 1943....
The forests of Munich are crawling with danger under the rule of "The Third Reich," but in order to save the life of her unborn child Petra Jorgenson must escape from the Lebensborn Institute. Alone, seven months pregnant, and penniless avoiding the watchful eyes of the armed guards in the overhead tower, she waits until the dead of night. Then, Petra climbs under the flesh shredding barbed wire that surrounds the institute and at the risk of being captured and murdered she runs headlong into the terriying desolate woods.
Even during one of the darkest periods in the history of mankind, when horrific acts of cruelty became commonplace and Germany seemed to have gone crazy following the direction of a madman, unexpected heros came to light. And although there were those who would try to destroy it, true love would prevail. Here, in this lost land ruled by human monsters, Petra will learn that even when one faces what appears to be the end of the world if one looks hard enough one will find that there is always "A Flicker Of Light." (less)
This book is how a romance can begin in the most unusual of places and can survive the most awful of times. The book is riveting and not easy to put down. There is a lot of true historical history included in the story although the couple's story isn't true. The characters in this book are fully fleshed out and the story line is well done, very well done. I would be happy to read anything else written by this author!
Description as found on Good Reads:
In 1935, the Nazis established a program called “The Lebensborn.”
Their agenda, to genetically engineer perfect Aryan children.
These children were to be the new master race, once Hitler had cleared all undesirable elements out of Europe. Within a year the first institution was built.
The year is 1943....
The forests of Munich are crawling with danger under the rule of "The Third Reich," but in order to save the life of her unborn child Petra Jorgenson must escape from the Lebensborn Institute. Alone, seven months pregnant, and penniless avoiding the watchful eyes of the armed guards in the overhead tower, she waits until the dead of night. Then, Petra climbs under the flesh shredding barbed wire that surrounds the institute and at the risk of being captured and murdered she runs headlong into the terriying desolate woods.
Even during one of the darkest periods in the history of mankind, when horrific acts of cruelty became commonplace and Germany seemed to have gone crazy following the direction of a madman, unexpected heros came to light. And although there were those who would try to destroy it, true love would prevail. Here, in this lost land ruled by human monsters, Petra will learn that even when one faces what appears to be the end of the world if one looks hard enough one will find that there is always "A Flicker Of Light." (less)
August 4, 2020
I tried really hard to get into this book, but this one, I was just unable to get into. I will ALWAYS finish a book that I start. Even though I was happy to see Aaron, Petra and Siegland survive the war, it was really hard to get past the fairytale vibe this book put off. When reading what is classified as historical fiction, I know enough about history to know WWII was not a fairytale for anyone that lived it — so to read a story that had so many fortunate things happen, it just doesn’t seem accurate. For being 50+ chapters, I felt as if the book was rushed. Maybe it was because at times a chapter would be half a page and than skip to a completely different storyline on the next page.
One of my biggest issues with the book is it’s rather misleading. It’s described as an historical fiction novel based around The Lebensborn Program, and it is not about it at all. I know what the program was, and have wanted to learn more about it, but this book has nothing to do with it. The VERY brief pages that actually touch on it, are so rushed and do not even shadow what it was like for those woman forced to be there.
I was disappointed because the description of the book sounded great, and it just wasn’t. Based off other reviews, this seems to be an opinion that is shared amongst many people. I hope the authors other books are not like this, I have a few downloaded in my Kindle library to still read.
One of my biggest issues with the book is it’s rather misleading. It’s described as an historical fiction novel based around The Lebensborn Program, and it is not about it at all. I know what the program was, and have wanted to learn more about it, but this book has nothing to do with it. The VERY brief pages that actually touch on it, are so rushed and do not even shadow what it was like for those woman forced to be there.
I was disappointed because the description of the book sounded great, and it just wasn’t. Based off other reviews, this seems to be an opinion that is shared amongst many people. I hope the authors other books are not like this, I have a few downloaded in my Kindle library to still read.
March 23, 2017
A young Norwegian girl gets pregnant by a Nazi occupying soldier and family rejects her. So she leaved her home and goes to a program called Lebensborn where she can live and have her child for the Reich, even though she's no Nazi, nor is her conscripted fiance. When he is killed at the Russian front Petra runs away from the Lebensborn house, fearing for her child and herself. She is obviously pregnant now but runs into the countryside, away from anything Nazi, though she is now in Germany. Finally finding comfort and security in a barn, she sleeps and is found by the farmer and his wife. They are an older childless couple that take Petra in, ignoring the danger if found out. Eventually, the couple accepts Petra as their own, along with her infant son. Now along comes another, hiding out, but he is a Jew who was studying medicine. And Petra's son is sick. The story takes off from here with many possible directions. Overall, a pleasant read. Not much suspense but a good story.
July 7, 2019
What did I just read?
I have read numerous books about WWII, this was by far the worst one.
The dialogue was completely unbelievable. The plot line was confused. It jumped around carelessly. Some scenes were completely rushed or glazed over. If I could give zero stars, I would.
*****SPOLER******
*
*
*
When little Hans died there was ZERO emotion from Petra. No falling to the floor in despair. But, no worries, she fell in love with Aaron really quickly and had another baby with the ACTUAL love of her life. Even though only less than 2 years before, before Hans was killed, Hans was truly the one.
I have read numerous books about WWII, this was by far the worst one.
The dialogue was completely unbelievable. The plot line was confused. It jumped around carelessly. Some scenes were completely rushed or glazed over. If I could give zero stars, I would.
*****SPOLER******
*
*
*
When little Hans died there was ZERO emotion from Petra. No falling to the floor in despair. But, no worries, she fell in love with Aaron really quickly and had another baby with the ACTUAL love of her life. Even though only less than 2 years before, before Hans was killed, Hans was truly the one.
March 31, 2021
In this historical fiction, Kagan creates a story of the love, loss, kindness, honor, bravery, grief, and hope among horrors of WWII. She tells of its impact on a variety of people in Germany and Poland (Jews, Germans, Poles, Romani, and others). Kagan does a remarkable job of moving between characters and settings throughout the book. She has created characters that are realistic and that the reader comes to care about. Several times in the book, Kagan uses heart wrenching cliffhangers as she moves between one setting to another. This keeps the reader guessing about what has happened and how it may affect other characters.
October 17, 2017
Good character development
Only reason I gave this 4 🌟 is the overly descriptive making love parts. I don't think it was necessary. Other than that I enjoyed the book. At one point in the book I got so angry about a characters actions I stopped reading for two days. I don't think I have done that before.
I appreciated way that all the characters were introduced in a rembered. I didn't have to think "ok now who is this person?" , because they were only mentioned once 4 chapters back.
Only reason I gave this 4 🌟 is the overly descriptive making love parts. I don't think it was necessary. Other than that I enjoyed the book. At one point in the book I got so angry about a characters actions I stopped reading for two days. I don't think I have done that before.
I appreciated way that all the characters were introduced in a rembered. I didn't have to think "ok now who is this person?" , because they were only mentioned once 4 chapters back.
November 16, 2023
Don't know how she does it
Roberta Kagan typically writes stories about a family families during WWII. They primarily focus on a Jewish and a German family and the impact the war had on them. I've read most of her books and even with this common thread I absorb her stories like it's the first time I've read one. Her characters are real and you will connect with them instantaneously. I just love this author!
Roberta Kagan typically writes stories about a family families during WWII. They primarily focus on a Jewish and a German family and the impact the war had on them. I've read most of her books and even with this common thread I absorb her stories like it's the first time I've read one. Her characters are real and you will connect with them instantaneously. I just love this author!
January 29, 2017
A Satisfactory Book
It does need some editing to clean up errors though.
If you are unfamiliar with what went on during WWII in Europe this book will provide a basic overview, it covers just about everything. There are lots of books which provide more depth.
It's not as depressing as most.
It does need some editing to clean up errors though.
If you are unfamiliar with what went on during WWII in Europe this book will provide a basic overview, it covers just about everything. There are lots of books which provide more depth.
It's not as depressing as most.
June 29, 2017
I love holocaust books. I am a straight history buff and think that the story is amazing. Especially when I read about survivors. I was so connected to the entire story from beginning to end and the characters were amazing. I loved watching them grow and although there were parts that were weird nothing about this book was what I was expecting. Excellent Read.
November 26, 2016
Interesting read
This story, although fictional could well be factual. The characters were very believable and their story well told. The historical significance of this time period should never be forgotten.
This story, although fictional could well be factual. The characters were very believable and their story well told. The historical significance of this time period should never be forgotten.
August 1, 2017
I stopped reading this because it seems to have been written for a third or fourth grader. I think the storyline would have been good if this were written from a first person viewpoint rather than telling it from a second person account.
February 17, 2018
I'd pass
The story line had such promise, but unfortunately it fell flat. I didn't care for the authors writing style and there were a few graphic borderline porn that I had to skip over. I'd pass.
The story line had such promise, but unfortunately it fell flat. I didn't care for the authors writing style and there were a few graphic borderline porn that I had to skip over. I'd pass.
March 3, 2018
Flicker of Light
I loved this book. It is the second time I have read it. I feel the book was very, very close to the truth. I've heard many stories like this first hand from my mom, grandmother and aunt firsthand.
I loved this book. It is the second time I have read it. I feel the book was very, very close to the truth. I've heard many stories like this first hand from my mom, grandmother and aunt firsthand.
March 7, 2018
Ms. Kagan did a wonderful job learning about the events of WWII and bringing them to life. She did a great job of integrating the events of the years with personal stories that you could easily relate to and see the war through their eyes.
May 13, 2020
This was such a sad book. So much loss. So much death. I don’t know what I was expecting when I started reading, but this wasn’t it. The writing was geared more to young adults, but the subject matter was very much for an adult. Some sex scenes, a couple of murders, acts of violence, etc.
September 15, 2020
Typically I don't like to read this type of book, but this one was different. I didn't want to put it down. Although there were the expected sad and difficult parts to read, the overall storyline was great and kept me in suspense until the very end.
January 16, 2022
Simple writing
Simple writing for simple characters. You do feel connected to them but is that due to the war or their own characteristics? Love during war is intense but seems too much in this story.
Simple writing for simple characters. You do feel connected to them but is that due to the war or their own characteristics? Love during war is intense but seems too much in this story.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 134 reviews