My Grandmother’s Shadow

by Devorah Shafrir Keret

One woman’s search for answers unfurls into a riveting multi-layered family saga, perfect for readers of Jean Grainger and Soraya Lane.

Winter, 1941: Watching the smoke rise over the burning synagogue of the Riga Ghetto, Johanna Friedman’s only concern is keeping her family safe. As she prepares to leave her home, clutching what little possessions she is allowed to carry, her thoughts meander to a simpler time before the war – and a secret name, one she rarely recites out loud, forever embedded in her heart.

Present day. Devorah was never allowed to ask about her mother’s repressed past, until her mother agreed to show her a hidden drawer containing her secret history. Devorah unravels the story of the amazing women who have shaped her the one who raised her mother as her own – and the one her mother never knew.

Inspired by the true story of her maternal lineage, Devorah Shafrir Keret weaves a haunting, unforgettable saga of brave, broken women spanning a century of secrets and triumphs, unfaltering love and incredible loss, and the generation-spanning power of family.

Genres: Historical, Nonfiction

270 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 4, 2024

Reviews

[Kathryn Spurgeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking

This tale, told so eloquently, carries weight because it’s based on a true story. However, I would like to know the fate of family members who disappeared. And so, the tragedy of not knowing.

[Nancy M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A MUST READ FOR WOMEN!

Since I was adopted, I completely understand one's need to find their roots, the chain of their ancestral history. This is a beautiful story about a family search that goes back prior to the holocaust in Germany and Israel. It is beautifully written, and can't be put down, once started. Take this beautiful journey. You won't regret one moment of it.

[Mary Cutter · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Grandmother's Shadow

It is an intriguing story of love and heartbreak from a family of very strong women. At times, it is difficult to figure out who is who. The ending of the book ties everything together.

[John Okerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding book. I didn't realize until the last chapter the author of the book is the granddaughter of the main character, Johanna. This is a story of marital infidelity, an unwanted child, persecution of the Jews by the Germans in WWII, and the ultimate survival and success of a family. I highly recommend this book. I just finished the book and it is the best book I've read in the past several years. The book is an enjoyable, intersting read with a very sober theme.

[Stacy Shawiak · Rating 5 out of 5]

intriguing and heart wrenching

This book was hard to put down. The characters draw you in from the start. The author creatively weaves the tale by switching between voices of the past and brings it all together in the end.

[LINDA MCCAULEY · Rating 4 out of 5]

A journey to find truth…..

It’s hard to imagine being an orphan. I had a big noisy family! And to try to imagine being born into the time when Europe has gone mad with the reign of Hitler is beyond my abilities. Betrayal comes in many forms and Johanna experiences many episodes of betrayal and abandonment.
Knowing who you are is a strength, not knowing is a challenge. Follow Johanna, her daughter and granddaughter through the story as their lives unfold.

[Pat OConnnor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating

I found this book by accident while surfing for something to read. It grabbed my attention from the start and held it until the end. I read it in one sitting. I just couldn't put it down. I cried. I smiled. I took the journey with the author and found myself grateful for being an American and the life I live.

I highly recommend this book from ages 17 thru adulthood.

[Marjorie Kollman]

There were parts that seemed a little out of place, but once I figured out the timeline and who the characters were, it all made sense. All in all it was very moving and heartfelt and I love how the author talks about her family story carrying through the generations. It was hard to keep from crying in parts. This will stay with me for a long time especially since it’s all true and the same things happened to so many families.

[Laura D Colburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful and heartbreaking

The people in this story are real as is the trauma caused by evil people in an evil time. It’s also a story of how good things can still happen even in a time of evil. That’s a lesson, even if humanity refuses to learn not to treat each other with terror and hate. Choose goodness people of the world! And resist evil!

[Donna Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking

The book was heartbreaking but also beautiful. It was about a baby, given up since the mother was unmarried, and followed her through her life. Her daughter later searched and found the history of her family.
The strength and resilience that Rennie showed throughout her life was amazing.

[jean figueron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your story

I think this was a wonderful book. I'm not Jewish, but it applies to all grandmothers, mothers and daughters!! I'm really glad she had closure. Beautifully written. I will recommend this book to my family and friends.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

How do I give half a star?
Enjoyed this book but due to unforeseen circumstances took too long to read & lost continuity, I would like to give 3.5 or more had I read it straight through. Based on true story it was heartbreaking

[Connie Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning book!

A beautiful story, heartbreaking and inspiring. Writing style of Ms. Keret was quirky and different and exceptional. I will be thinking about this book for a long time. Highly recommended.

[louise smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story in history. Too many people became disconnected due to politics, religion, wars and secrets and tried to live the best way they knew how in spite of it all. Thank goodness to those who persevered in digging up the truth many years later.

[Donna Rayborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

I so enjoyed this book. Searching for her grandmother was a journey that had so many twists and turns. Funny times, good times, sad times, and horrible times. Woven though out the story , the love and the hate of our world

[Yvette Tsiropoulos · Rating 3 out of 5]

The three stars are for the storyline but this book needs tweaking; I read the e-reader format on Kindle.
Its translation is more often than not in an archaic English or contains incorrect vocabulary.
There are a few instances that need fact checking: e.g. a character is described wearing pantyhose in 1920s Latvia.

[Theresa Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book..but sad.

[Blanca E. Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

Thanks for sharing this story it was very different from other books and I truly enjoyed the story. Great book.

[Kathy Church · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book

I had some trouble getting started on this book. But once I got into it I couldn’t put it down. Hope you find some family

[Lesley L Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having experienced an adoption journey of my own, I could relate to parts of the story. Well written!

[Kyla Schneyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on a true story.

The research and intense drive that went into writing this book is incredible! Yes, parts are hard to fathom as a true aspect of history. But the joyous parts are also creatively presented.

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the story in this book but it jumped around too much from character to character and time period to time period for me.

[Janice Howie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this true story….sad but wonderful read!

[Bea stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Lucia Tabacchiera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another story from the Holocaust and another perspective. A story of lost family, finding your roots and being content with life.

[Margaret Wray · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a heartbreaking read. The story of three women over the family generations. The rise of Nazism and the impact it had on the family. The horror of Riga and the brutality of it. A must read

[Sylvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting subject but it could have been written better.