The Days Before Tomorrow: An Epic Tale of War, Family and the Enduring Power of the Human Spirit

by Mark Hass

In this moving, coming-of-age novel set in the heart of Eastern Europe during the years between the World Wars, a random act of violence by local anti-Semitic thugs casts Wolchi, a trusting and superstitious teenage boy, and Leja, his bookish but independent older sister, on a life-changing journey through a world gone mad.

The story unfolds over 15 years in the small towns of Western Ukraine, the urban sophistication of 1930s Krakow, and a wartime Soviet Union. A flawed, but loving Jewish family struggles with daily indignities — and its own betrayals and secrets — until WW II begins and they are shattered. To survive, Wolchi goes to work in a Russian war factory, and Leja joins partisans fighting the Nazis. When they return home at war’s end, hardened and pragmatic, the evil that murdered their family members was still walking the streets. That’s when they Vengeance was the key to their future.

With crisp prose and an eye for unique detail, The Days Before Tomorrow captures untold history and human complexity in a way that will linger long after the last page is read.

Genres: Historical Fiction

406 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2024

Reviews

[Charla Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story that began between WW1 and WW2 in UKraine and Russia. It is the story of a Jewish family from a small Ukrainian town and their fight for survival. The oppression of the Jewish people in the village began before WW2 and was fueled mostly by one evil family within the small town. While reading this book it’s impossible to not think about the war taking place in the Ukraine today. The story takes you from Ukraine to Russia and back again and the family is almost wiped out. But through determination, perseverance, and intelligence, the family isn’t totally destroyed even though they are caught between the hatred of the Germans and the hatred from within their own town.

[Kristin]

This is the best kind of historical fiction -- deeply realistic and with characters that do justice to the story. I'd love to meet Wolchi, an endearing, provincial boy who learns what it takes to survive in a world of inexplicable violence and hate. And I'd love to meet his family, who are both flawed and deeply admirable.
The setting of the book, in Russia and the Ukraine between the two World Wars, offers a new perspective on the war that is happening between those two countries today and is a powerful reminder that old hates and old hurts define our future as much as our past.

[Jon Pepper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Hass's story focuses on a family in Eastern Europe in the mid-Twentieth Century, but its themes are deeply resonant today. Anyone who reads "The Days Before Tomorrow" will come away with a greater understanding of the current war in Ukraine, the continuing scourge of antisemitism, and the senseless bullying of ethnic minorities. They will also appreciate the endurance of the human spirit, and its ability to rise against all odds and over all obstacles to find love and peace in a tumultuous world.

Mark displays an impressive eye for detail, a faithfulness to history, and a knack for using small stories and fictional characters to bring larger issues and real historical figures to life. The story is from long ago, yet it feels like it's personal, as if the author knew these people well and cared for them deeply. Perhaps, in a way, he did.

Watch for cameo appearances by notable people. There's a particularly interesting passage about an earnest young Pole, Karol Wojtyla, whom you will know by another name he acquired later in life. 

Kudos to Mark for an interesting and engaging first novel. I look forward to more.

[Nicole Adkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Yet Heart Wrenching -

When I read the blurb for this book, author Mark Hass debut novel, I quickly added it to my TBR. All the uncertainty in the world in the 1930s and 40s. This beautiful yet heart wrenching tail, brings to life what it was like leading up to and during WWII for Jewish people in Poland. growing up with such hatred thrown at you constantly, yet working hard and having a skillset that made you desirable to many. We get to see the similarities of propaganda back then and now. How some tried to start a revolution years before WWII began. Once WWII was underway, people weren’t sure if it was better to have the USSR support or the Germans.

This historical novel includes romance, culture, the love of family, found family, and fighting for what you believe in. It will make you think. It will make you cry. It will make you appreciate the things you have now and the hardships those that fought for you to have those things/freedoms had to endure. But most of all, this beautiful story will reinforce that we cannot let history repeat itself. I look forward to any future novels Mark Hass creates.

** I received a copy of this novel as part of the Goodreads giveaway. This is my honest opinion.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Days Before Tomorrow

A beautiful yet painful story of life as a Jewish person fearing for their lives. Told from the point of view of Wolchi, the youngest of three siblings. As the war starts, the Jewish people of the town are being attacked and persecuted by their neighbors. One man, Igor and his son are the worst offenders. Wolchi’s family stands up to the bullies but end up having to pay for that. Not ones to give up so easily, they decide to burn Igor’s property and buildings. His son tries to fight back but loses. There is a back and forth throughout the story as the family attempts to stay together. The Russians fight and gain control of the town and Igor is sent away for his crimes. But Wolchi is also sent away and forced to work to keep the war machine rolling. Through good luck he makes it out, but life will never be the same again.

#GoodreadsGiveaway

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this title from Goodreads Giveaway. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning about this time period. The point of view story was powerful and impactful. I can’t help but overlaying this story with Henry Reiss’ Engineers. These writings should be incorporated into high school curriculum. My fear is history repeating. The author is applauded for writing such a powerful book that is relatable to anyone.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brings us a wider view of the horrors of WWll, the impact and cost of so many innocent lives throughout Europe. History cannot be changed and should be a reminder to all generations that we can do better

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. I have a better understanding of the German and Russian occupation of Galicia. Never boring.