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Escape de Viena
1938. El Dr. Ho Fengshan, cónsul general de China, es destinado a Viena junto a su esposa estadounidense, Grace. Tímida e incómoda con las obligaciones sociales, Grace se siente como una forastera en una ciudad que comienza a sucumbir al control nazi. Contra las instrucciones de su esposo de mantener relaciones amistosas con el Tercer Reich y evitar cualquier asociación con judíos, Grace encuentra en su profesora de alemán, Lola Schnitzler, su primera amiga verdadera.
Desafiando las órdenes del Dr. Ho, Grace sigue viendo a Lola en secreto. La situación se vuelve crítica cuando la familia de Lola sufre una brutal golpiza. En un acto de valentía, el Dr. Ho decide firmarles visas para Shanghái. A medida que la violencia contra los judíos se intensifica, el Dr. Ho se enfrenta a la difícil tarea de emitir miles de visas más para ayudar a los judíos a escapar de Viena antes de que sean deportados a los campos de concentración, de donde difícilmente saldrán con vida.
Basada en una historia real extraordinaria, Escape de Viena narra los riesgos asumidos por almas valientes, y el amor y la amistad que construyeron y perdieron en su lucha contra un mal incalculable.
Desafiando las órdenes del Dr. Ho, Grace sigue viendo a Lola en secreto. La situación se vuelve crítica cuando la familia de Lola sufre una brutal golpiza. En un acto de valentía, el Dr. Ho decide firmarles visas para Shanghái. A medida que la violencia contra los judíos se intensifica, el Dr. Ho se enfrenta a la difícil tarea de emitir miles de visas más para ayudar a los judíos a escapar de Viena antes de que sean deportados a los campos de concentración, de donde difícilmente saldrán con vida.
Basada en una historia real extraordinaria, Escape de Viena narra los riesgos asumidos por almas valientes, y el amor y la amistad que construyeron y perdieron en su lucha contra un mal incalculable.
417 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2023
8199 people are currently reading
14221 people want to read
About the author
Weina Dai Randel
7 books1,008 followersWeina Dai Randel is the critically acclaimed, award-winning author of five novels, including The Master Jeweler (June, 2025); The Last Rose of Shanghai, a Wall Street Journal bestseller; and Night Angels, longlisted for the Massachusettes Book Awards.
Weina is the winner of the RWA RITA® Award, a National Jewish Book Awards finalist, and a two-time Goodreads Choice Award Best Historical Fiction nominee. Her books have been translated into seventeen languages, including French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and Hebrew. Her novels have received starred reviews from Booklist, Library Journal, and Shelf Awareness and rave reviews from other publications such as RT Book Reviews, Bookbub, and Book Reporter. Her debut was also recommended by Texas Library Association’s 2017 Lariat Reading List and was a San Francisco Book Festival Honorable Mention.
Born in China, Weina came to the United States at twenty-four. She holds an MA in English from Texas Woman’s University; she has worked as the subject-matter expert for Southern New Hampshire University’s MFA program and as an adjunct professor. Interviews with Weina have appeared on WFAA’s Good Morning Texas and in such publications as World Literature Today, Texas Jewish Post, The Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, Los Angeles Review of Books, and RT Book Reviews. Weina resides in Massachusetts with her family.
Find more about Weina and her writing career on her website: www.weinarandel.com.
From Weina: "I love to see how words form an image that transcends the banal reality or how words join together to create a morsel of wisdom that tickles your mind."
Connect with Weina on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/weinadairandel
Weina is the winner of the RWA RITA® Award, a National Jewish Book Awards finalist, and a two-time Goodreads Choice Award Best Historical Fiction nominee. Her books have been translated into seventeen languages, including French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and Hebrew. Her novels have received starred reviews from Booklist, Library Journal, and Shelf Awareness and rave reviews from other publications such as RT Book Reviews, Bookbub, and Book Reporter. Her debut was also recommended by Texas Library Association’s 2017 Lariat Reading List and was a San Francisco Book Festival Honorable Mention.
Born in China, Weina came to the United States at twenty-four. She holds an MA in English from Texas Woman’s University; she has worked as the subject-matter expert for Southern New Hampshire University’s MFA program and as an adjunct professor. Interviews with Weina have appeared on WFAA’s Good Morning Texas and in such publications as World Literature Today, Texas Jewish Post, The Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, Los Angeles Review of Books, and RT Book Reviews. Weina resides in Massachusetts with her family.
Find more about Weina and her writing career on her website: www.weinarandel.com.
From Weina: "I love to see how words form an image that transcends the banal reality or how words join together to create a morsel of wisdom that tickles your mind."
Connect with Weina on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/weinadairandel
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 911 reviews
January 15, 2023
I have read so many books about World War II but Night Angels is certainly one of the books I will carry in my heart always. The chapters alternate between diplomat Dr. Ho Fengshan and his wife, Grace. Of course, the author reveals in her notes that while the doctor was an actual person and his storyline is fact. The Lola and Grace storyline was imagined.
Regardless of that fact,I cried so many times in this novel. Especially in the last 1/3 of the book. I had never heard the story of Dr. Fengshan but I did some reading on the internet after finishing this book. Such a fascinating person.
I selected this title as it was among Amazon First Reads for January. It arrives in bookstores in February.
Goodreads review published 14/01/23
Regardless of that fact,I cried so many times in this novel. Especially in the last 1/3 of the book. I had never heard the story of Dr. Fengshan but I did some reading on the internet after finishing this book. Such a fascinating person.
I selected this title as it was among Amazon First Reads for January. It arrives in bookstores in February.
Goodreads review published 14/01/23
September 3, 2023
This is a shameless exploitation of my father's story and a gross distortion of Holocaust history under the guise of "historical fiction". For a detailed explanation, see attached link.
https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/20...
For further reading about this topic, please read. "Novel about Chinese Rescuer Of Jews Raises Questions About Fact vs Fiction in Holocaust Stories" by Jordyn Haime of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Link below:
https://www.jta.org/2023/02/14/global...
Ho Manli, daughter of Dr. Ho Feng Shan
https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/20...
For further reading about this topic, please read. "Novel about Chinese Rescuer Of Jews Raises Questions About Fact vs Fiction in Holocaust Stories" by Jordyn Haime of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Link below:
https://www.jta.org/2023/02/14/global...
Ho Manli, daughter of Dr. Ho Feng Shan
January 19, 2023
In many ways, this is a prequel to The Last Rose of Shanghai which follows the fate of Jewish refugees in World War II. This book imagines the life of Dr Ho Fenshan, a Chinese Consul in Vienna, who saved many thousands of lives by providing visas to Jews when many other countries had stopped.
It took me a while to get into this. In order to fully understand the circumstances under which Dr Ho was operating, the reader has to wade through a great deal of detail about the political situation in Europe and China, at that time partly occupied by and at war with Japan. The chapters are short, alternating between Dr Ho, his wife, and a Jewish woman. I didn’t like this format as there was no flow and the ‘voices’ of the characters felt very impersonal. It’s an important story to tell though and no one can read it without being reminded, if anyone needs to be, of the horrific treatment of Jews by the Germans at that time.
It always annoys me when I find out at the end of a book that very little has been based in fact. The fundamentals are in this case but most of the characters are fictional or only loosely based on real people. I’d rather know that before I start reading to keep things in perspective but perhaps that’s just me. It annoyed me that ‘immigrate’ was used instead of ‘emigrate’ throughout but I’m unsure if perhaps that’s an Americanism. I’m sure a fellow reader can put me right on that one!
Overall, I was pleased to learn about Dr Ho and mostly enjoyed the last third of the book because the pace picked up. It’s not nearly as good as The Last Rose of Shanghai in my opinion, however, and that disappointed me.
It took me a while to get into this. In order to fully understand the circumstances under which Dr Ho was operating, the reader has to wade through a great deal of detail about the political situation in Europe and China, at that time partly occupied by and at war with Japan. The chapters are short, alternating between Dr Ho, his wife, and a Jewish woman. I didn’t like this format as there was no flow and the ‘voices’ of the characters felt very impersonal. It’s an important story to tell though and no one can read it without being reminded, if anyone needs to be, of the horrific treatment of Jews by the Germans at that time.
It always annoys me when I find out at the end of a book that very little has been based in fact. The fundamentals are in this case but most of the characters are fictional or only loosely based on real people. I’d rather know that before I start reading to keep things in perspective but perhaps that’s just me. It annoyed me that ‘immigrate’ was used instead of ‘emigrate’ throughout but I’m unsure if perhaps that’s an Americanism. I’m sure a fellow reader can put me right on that one!
Overall, I was pleased to learn about Dr Ho and mostly enjoyed the last third of the book because the pace picked up. It’s not nearly as good as The Last Rose of Shanghai in my opinion, however, and that disappointed me.
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February 25, 2023The story of Dr. Ho Fengshan, the diplomat who issued thousands of visas to save Jews in Vienna, came to me while I was writing The Last Rose of Shanghai. In fact, it was brought to my attention by the same friend who urged me to write The Last Rose of Shanghai.
Why did I write Night Angels?
It’s not popular to perceive a Chinese diplomat as a hero; it hurts me to say this -- novels about Chinese people are not often considered mainstream in the US. But I believe it’s important to pay homage to this brave man whose action has changed many people’s lives.
I wrote this novel because when it comes to WWII, Chinese and Asian involvement often stays on the periphery of history. But in reality, Chinese people and Asians partook in that part of history, but their role remains unknown to many.
I wrote this novel because I wanted people to look deeper into the reign of the Nazis. The Holocaust was the result of the Nazi’s tyranny, but it was also the result of people’s blind loyalty, the silence of the outsiders, and the aloofness of the world. This must never happen again.
I wrote this novel because I wanted to give women a voice. Historically, women’s stories are overlooked, overshadowed, and ignored. But we know there were heroines who quietly and bravely risked their lives to save the desperate during that difficult time. Take Irena Wiley, the wife of the American consul general John C. Wiley in Vienna, for instance. She, in fact, was actively involved in shielding Dr. Freud from the Gestapo, which was told in her memoir, but she was never acknowledged or granted any honors, and her story remains unknown to many readers. I couldn’t use Irena’s story in Night Angels, but with Grace, I hope readers will get this idea.
I wrote this novel because I wanted readers to know that a hero has many faces, he can be someone you have never heard of, and he can be a she, and most importantly, there is a hero inside every one of us if we choose to care.
Thank you for reading Night Angels!
Why did I write Night Angels?
It’s not popular to perceive a Chinese diplomat as a hero; it hurts me to say this -- novels about Chinese people are not often considered mainstream in the US. But I believe it’s important to pay homage to this brave man whose action has changed many people’s lives.
I wrote this novel because when it comes to WWII, Chinese and Asian involvement often stays on the periphery of history. But in reality, Chinese people and Asians partook in that part of history, but their role remains unknown to many.
I wrote this novel because I wanted people to look deeper into the reign of the Nazis. The Holocaust was the result of the Nazi’s tyranny, but it was also the result of people’s blind loyalty, the silence of the outsiders, and the aloofness of the world. This must never happen again.
I wrote this novel because I wanted to give women a voice. Historically, women’s stories are overlooked, overshadowed, and ignored. But we know there were heroines who quietly and bravely risked their lives to save the desperate during that difficult time. Take Irena Wiley, the wife of the American consul general John C. Wiley in Vienna, for instance. She, in fact, was actively involved in shielding Dr. Freud from the Gestapo, which was told in her memoir, but she was never acknowledged or granted any honors, and her story remains unknown to many readers. I couldn’t use Irena’s story in Night Angels, but with Grace, I hope readers will get this idea.
I wrote this novel because I wanted readers to know that a hero has many faces, he can be someone you have never heard of, and he can be a she, and most importantly, there is a hero inside every one of us if we choose to care.
Thank you for reading Night Angels!
January 8, 2023
My January Amazon first read, and quite the disappointment if I’m being honest. A promising topic and point in history, this book was disappointing. Poor, lacklustre character development, rushed plots/events, and dismal flow. I hate rating books based on true events poorly, and although the topic was good, the writing left me bored. I’d really hoped it was just a “slow start” type of book, but it is just slow and dull throughout.
February 21, 2023
3.5 ⭐rounded up
Author Weina Dai Randel’s story, inspired by true events, explores the risks courageous people took to protect the vulnerable from the grasp of the Nazis. What makes her book stand out is the unique perspective - China’s position during wartime. While many authors concentrate on European or American perspectives, Randel focuses on a Chinese man and his American wife.
Dr. Ho Fengshan, a consul general of China in Vienna, and his American wife, Grace, risk it all to help Viennese Jews escape. Grace’s friendship with her Jewish tutor is tested when violence against the Jews escalates. Aware of her husband’s power, Grace encourages him to secure safe passage for Lola and her family, showing that love and friendship can transcend boundaries.
In addition to the unique perspective, amazing characterization and fantastic portrayal of the effects of Anschluss on ordinary citizens, I appreciated seeing how the pogroms and strict rules forced Dr. Ho Fengshan to evaluate his personal beliefs and work to repair the damage to his marriage. When authors can increase my understanding of the wartime experience through fiction, it makes for a winning combination - one that makes me continually reach for their books. Randel’s exploration of politics and history is eye-opening.
I was gifted this copy by Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Author Weina Dai Randel’s story, inspired by true events, explores the risks courageous people took to protect the vulnerable from the grasp of the Nazis. What makes her book stand out is the unique perspective - China’s position during wartime. While many authors concentrate on European or American perspectives, Randel focuses on a Chinese man and his American wife.
Dr. Ho Fengshan, a consul general of China in Vienna, and his American wife, Grace, risk it all to help Viennese Jews escape. Grace’s friendship with her Jewish tutor is tested when violence against the Jews escalates. Aware of her husband’s power, Grace encourages him to secure safe passage for Lola and her family, showing that love and friendship can transcend boundaries.
In addition to the unique perspective, amazing characterization and fantastic portrayal of the effects of Anschluss on ordinary citizens, I appreciated seeing how the pogroms and strict rules forced Dr. Ho Fengshan to evaluate his personal beliefs and work to repair the damage to his marriage. When authors can increase my understanding of the wartime experience through fiction, it makes for a winning combination - one that makes me continually reach for their books. Randel’s exploration of politics and history is eye-opening.
I was gifted this copy by Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
January 5, 2023
Got this free through Amazon Prime first reads.
Wasn't taken by the style of writing at first but once you get over that, it's a great story. I enjoy historical WW2 fiction and to find one on a story I knew little to nothing about was great. If had me Google the the people and that's always a sign of a good book.
Wasn't taken by the style of writing at first but once you get over that, it's a great story. I enjoy historical WW2 fiction and to find one on a story I knew little to nothing about was great. If had me Google the the people and that's always a sign of a good book.
February 3, 2023
I tried. I really did. Historical fiction based on the life of
Dr. Ho Fengshan, the consul general of China, who was posted in Vienna with his American wife, Grace and their efforts to help Jewish people leave Austria rather than be deported to concentration camps. It should have been a wonderful book - a lot of readers think so - but I couldn’t get past the writing (things that didn’t make sense, no “soul” or depth to the writing) or the very poor character development. Grace, who seemed to be the main protagonist, when really her husband should have been, was shallow, stupid, and not at all likable in my opinion. Fengshan, the hero in real life, came across as very one-dimensional. I gave up at around the 25% mark because there are so many good books out there just waiting for me to read them.
Dr. Ho Fengshan, the consul general of China, who was posted in Vienna with his American wife, Grace and their efforts to help Jewish people leave Austria rather than be deported to concentration camps. It should have been a wonderful book - a lot of readers think so - but I couldn’t get past the writing (things that didn’t make sense, no “soul” or depth to the writing) or the very poor character development. Grace, who seemed to be the main protagonist, when really her husband should have been, was shallow, stupid, and not at all likable in my opinion. Fengshan, the hero in real life, came across as very one-dimensional. I gave up at around the 25% mark because there are so many good books out there just waiting for me to read them.
January 5, 2023
This was such an engrossing read based on the true story of a Chinese diplomat in Vienna that issues thousands of visas to Jewish people when all other Western countries had closed their doors or turned a blind eye to what was happening under Hitler's rule during the Holocaust. I couldn't put it down.
The ending left a slightly bitter taste in my mouth (artistic license and all), but I am glad to have learned about the legacy of Dr. Ho Fengshan.
The ending left a slightly bitter taste in my mouth (artistic license and all), but I am glad to have learned about the legacy of Dr. Ho Fengshan.
February 17, 2023
Inspiriting, heartbreaking, and bittersweet, NIGHT ANGELS tells yet another story of heroes in the shadows of WWII, in Vienna. The agonizing decisions women and men faced during that time, and their staggering courage, will challenge the reader again and again, asking: Could you do what they did? Weina Dai Randel writes from the heart. Her novels are a perfect balance of poetic prose and propulsive writing. Highly recommended.
November 16, 2025
An interesting look at Austria at the start of WWII. Grace is married to Dr. Ho Fengshan, a diplomat from China to Austria. They met when he was in the United States. Grace is half Chinese but never knew her Asian father. She had a tough upbringing but now is traveling to her husbands's different posts finding it difficult to assimilate. She hires a tutor named Lola to teacher her German but her tutor is Jewish. Grace befriends Lola and tries to do whatever she can to help her as the persecution of Jews intensifies. Fenghsan is also trying to do what he can to help Jewish people when witnessing horrible actions from those in charge. This is a powerful story and to know it is based on real events makes it even more powerful.
February 21, 2023
I wish the blurb would stop saying that this book is based on a true story. This book is not based on a true story. This is a fictional, mangled take on the events of a real person Dr. Ho Fengshan.
There are some interesting articles regarding this including some of the inaccuracies from this own daughter
https://www.jta.org/2023/02/14/global...
https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/20...
The author does say in the author's note at the end of the book that this is fictionalized, but I am unsure when that was added. I'm going by the fact that this book is marketed as - based on a true story.
On that note, let's talk about the book.
It's 1938 and Dr. Ho Fengshan, consul general of China, and his American wife Grace are posted in Vienna around the time that the Nazis are sweeping the city. Grace makes friends with a half-Jewish woman named Lola and the events that follow and how Dr. Ho decides to issue visas to Shanghai to help a lot of people.
I didn't know how to feel about the book. It was okay. The heart of the story here is Dr. Ho Fengshan, who really was a remarkable person. Something that I felt was completely overshadowed by the fictional take on his wife Grace - who was actually never with him in Vienna during this time period.
The story made it sound like Dr. Ho Fengshan was heavily influenced to issue the visas by his wife. How the author went about her doing it didn't sit well with me either. Grace continually throughout the book tries to use sex to get her way out of her husband and when she doesn't, she pouts and walks away. I hated her character, she was selfish and annoying.
I didn't like the liberties that the author took with his character or the unnecessary drama. I felt like she could have had a better solid story if she had just made up a character during the time period instead of using a real person and kind of discrediting his work a bit here. What Dr. Ho Fengshan did was truly amazing, and the outcome of that should have been told - but he deserved way better than this. There should have been more accurate research done, but the author did not do him nor his life work justice. It was very unfortunate.
Also, the author's strange behavior towards the family after she wrote the book, was odd and does not sit well.
Overall.. It was eh. I liked Dr. Ho Fengshan chapters. I admire the strength and resilience of the real Dr. Ho Fengshan and everything he did with the limited power he had. His story should have been told, but not like this.
There are some interesting articles regarding this including some of the inaccuracies from this own daughter
https://www.jta.org/2023/02/14/global...
https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/20...
The author does say in the author's note at the end of the book that this is fictionalized, but I am unsure when that was added. I'm going by the fact that this book is marketed as - based on a true story.
On that note, let's talk about the book.
It's 1938 and Dr. Ho Fengshan, consul general of China, and his American wife Grace are posted in Vienna around the time that the Nazis are sweeping the city. Grace makes friends with a half-Jewish woman named Lola and the events that follow and how Dr. Ho decides to issue visas to Shanghai to help a lot of people.
I didn't know how to feel about the book. It was okay. The heart of the story here is Dr. Ho Fengshan, who really was a remarkable person. Something that I felt was completely overshadowed by the fictional take on his wife Grace - who was actually never with him in Vienna during this time period.
The story made it sound like Dr. Ho Fengshan was heavily influenced to issue the visas by his wife. How the author went about her doing it didn't sit well with me either. Grace continually throughout the book tries to use sex to get her way out of her husband and when she doesn't, she pouts and walks away. I hated her character, she was selfish and annoying.
I didn't like the liberties that the author took with his character or the unnecessary drama. I felt like she could have had a better solid story if she had just made up a character during the time period instead of using a real person and kind of discrediting his work a bit here. What Dr. Ho Fengshan did was truly amazing, and the outcome of that should have been told - but he deserved way better than this. There should have been more accurate research done, but the author did not do him nor his life work justice. It was very unfortunate.
Also, the author's strange behavior towards the family after she wrote the book, was odd and does not sit well.
Overall.. It was eh. I liked Dr. Ho Fengshan chapters. I admire the strength and resilience of the real Dr. Ho Fengshan and everything he did with the limited power he had. His story should have been told, but not like this.
January 24, 2023
I've been a bit tired of the abundance of WWII fiction lately, but when I heard Weina Dai Randel was releasing another novel, I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. And I wasn't. Night Angels is a fascinating story of the war from the viewpoint of a Chinese Consul in Vienna, Doctor Ho Fenshan, and his wife, Grace. Dr. Ho saved the lives of thousands of Jews by issuing them travel visas to China. Randel's characters are exquisitely rendered on the page, drawing you in and making it impossible to put the book aside. Every time I read one of Weina's books my knowledge of the historical elements of the war expands, and so does my understanding of the human experience--two markers of a truly exceptional novel.
January 29, 2023
I've read many books about World War II but this is the first book that I've read about the bravery of a Chinese diplomat and his American wife who defied orders from the Chinese government and wrote visas that helped thousands of Jewish people get out of Austria to safety in China and other countries.
1938 - Dr. Ho Fengshan, consul general of China, is posted in Vienna with his American wife, Grace. Grace is very introverted and feels like an outsider. At her husband's urging, she decides to hire a tutor to teach her German. The day that she interviews Lola, they end up in trouble for sitting on a park bench - something that Jewish people were no longer allowed to do in occupied Austria. Grace and Lola become friends despite Dr. Ho's request that Grace keep her distance from Lola and her Jewish family. Grace may be a quiet woman but when she made up her mind, nothing and no one will deter her from moving ahead. When Lola's family becomes a part of the cruelty that is being shown to the Jewish people, Grace is upset and Dr. Ho decides to give the family a visa to leave for Shanghai. As the violence becomes part of everyday life in Vienna, Dr Ho decided to write thousands of visa's for people to escape from Austria - either to Shanghai or to other countries that still had open borders to accept the Jews. Dr Ho defied his direct supervisor and also had to deal with the cruelty of the German leaders in Austria. Dr Ho and his wife Grace were true humanitarians who worried about the plight of others more than their own safety. This book is an emotional look at a brave man and woman who have been forgotten over the years who risked their lives to help others.
1938 - Dr. Ho Fengshan, consul general of China, is posted in Vienna with his American wife, Grace. Grace is very introverted and feels like an outsider. At her husband's urging, she decides to hire a tutor to teach her German. The day that she interviews Lola, they end up in trouble for sitting on a park bench - something that Jewish people were no longer allowed to do in occupied Austria. Grace and Lola become friends despite Dr. Ho's request that Grace keep her distance from Lola and her Jewish family. Grace may be a quiet woman but when she made up her mind, nothing and no one will deter her from moving ahead. When Lola's family becomes a part of the cruelty that is being shown to the Jewish people, Grace is upset and Dr. Ho decides to give the family a visa to leave for Shanghai. As the violence becomes part of everyday life in Vienna, Dr Ho decided to write thousands of visa's for people to escape from Austria - either to Shanghai or to other countries that still had open borders to accept the Jews. Dr Ho defied his direct supervisor and also had to deal with the cruelty of the German leaders in Austria. Dr Ho and his wife Grace were true humanitarians who worried about the plight of others more than their own safety. This book is an emotional look at a brave man and woman who have been forgotten over the years who risked their lives to help others.
April 11, 2023
It took me a while to sit down and write a review on this one.
Dr Ho was a name not normally found on a list of being a hero. But a hero he definitely was! As with Schindler, he saved an uncounted thousands of people from certain death at the hands of the Nazi's. Granted there were several thousand who actually took the freighter ships to Shanghai and certain poverty trodden livelihood(as Shanghai was experiencing severe poverty due to China's war with Japan) but when Dr Ho discovered that not all those receiving the visas were actually going to China, he wrote many, many more.
After immigrating to America with his wife, he finds a job that pay only a pittance. After a year, with much debate and heart wrenching truths, he returns to China but without Grace, but with just his son (from 1st wife) and a suitcase. Time travels on, Dr Ho rebuilds his Ambassadorship, Embassy reputation, remarries and creates many wonderful, astonishing things. It is around this time it is discovered exactly what miracles and life saving feats he had accomplished while in Vienna.
I found this a beautiful story..And I believe you will too. And if you must, please go ahead research Dr Fengshan Ho...And find his story.
I liked the story, and am sure you will too....P/
Dr Ho was a name not normally found on a list of being a hero. But a hero he definitely was! As with Schindler, he saved an uncounted thousands of people from certain death at the hands of the Nazi's. Granted there were several thousand who actually took the freighter ships to Shanghai and certain poverty trodden livelihood(as Shanghai was experiencing severe poverty due to China's war with Japan) but when Dr Ho discovered that not all those receiving the visas were actually going to China, he wrote many, many more.
After immigrating to America with his wife, he finds a job that pay only a pittance. After a year, with much debate and heart wrenching truths, he returns to China but without Grace, but with just his son (from 1st wife) and a suitcase. Time travels on, Dr Ho rebuilds his Ambassadorship, Embassy reputation, remarries and creates many wonderful, astonishing things. It is around this time it is discovered exactly what miracles and life saving feats he had accomplished while in Vienna.
I found this a beautiful story..And I believe you will too. And if you must, please go ahead research Dr Fengshan Ho...And find his story.
I liked the story, and am sure you will too....P/
January 4, 2023
This book was beautiful and very well written.
I think fans of The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah would enjoy this book a lot.
It really shows the struggles Fengshan went through while making decisions that could affect his life and his family's life. While he definitely seemed selfish at times (to me at least), the work he was doing to issue visas to Jewish residents of Vienna was important.
Grace showed good character growth, and I felt sorry for her often through this book. She was expected to just go along with whatever her husband wanted, but also show some backbone, and I just don't see how that's fair to ask her to do both. I was so excited to see her finally have a happy ending and reunite with her loved ones.
I think Monto definitely showed the most character growth, and he actually became one of my favorite characters in the book.
Lola's story was heartbreaking. I wish she had a better ending, but it just shows you how hard times really were for the Jews during WW2.
I'm glad I picked this for one of my Amazon "first reads" choices this month. It was a great pick, and one I MOST DEFINITELY would recommend to a friend!!
I think fans of The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah would enjoy this book a lot.
It really shows the struggles Fengshan went through while making decisions that could affect his life and his family's life. While he definitely seemed selfish at times (to me at least), the work he was doing to issue visas to Jewish residents of Vienna was important.
Grace showed good character growth, and I felt sorry for her often through this book. She was expected to just go along with whatever her husband wanted, but also show some backbone, and I just don't see how that's fair to ask her to do both. I was so excited to see her finally have a happy ending and reunite with her loved ones.
I think Monto definitely showed the most character growth, and he actually became one of my favorite characters in the book.
Lola's story was heartbreaking. I wish she had a better ending, but it just shows you how hard times really were for the Jews during WW2.
I'm glad I picked this for one of my Amazon "first reads" choices this month. It was a great pick, and one I MOST DEFINITELY would recommend to a friend!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2023
Dr Ho Fengshan is a hero and deserved a better book than this
Dr. Ho Fengshan is a Chinese diplomat and scholar. He is a hero who saved tens of thousands of Jews from the Holocaust. However the author described Dr Ho as traditionally Chinese and portrayed him as stoic to the point of being robotic.
Dr. Ho's first wife, Grace Lee, is a Chinese/Irish American. Grace is raised in an abusive single parent home. Because of her Asian features, she is ostracized at school and an embarrassment to her mother. She grew up damaged, with low self esteem.
Their marriage is doomed from the start. Grace saw Ho as her savior; he was the only person to provide her with any positive support. Ho mistakenly saw Grace as childlike and innocent when she was actually pathologically shy.
I don't understand why this book spent so much time on fictional marriage instead of focusing on Dr Ho Fengshan's selfless acts of heroism
Dr. Ho Fengshan is a Chinese diplomat and scholar. He is a hero who saved tens of thousands of Jews from the Holocaust. However the author described Dr Ho as traditionally Chinese and portrayed him as stoic to the point of being robotic.
Dr. Ho's first wife, Grace Lee, is a Chinese/Irish American. Grace is raised in an abusive single parent home. Because of her Asian features, she is ostracized at school and an embarrassment to her mother. She grew up damaged, with low self esteem.
Their marriage is doomed from the start. Grace saw Ho as her savior; he was the only person to provide her with any positive support. Ho mistakenly saw Grace as childlike and innocent when she was actually pathologically shy.
I don't understand why this book spent so much time on fictional marriage instead of focusing on Dr Ho Fengshan's selfless acts of heroism
February 7, 2023
I found the story lacking but very glad to learn about Dr Ho Fengshan. Dr Ho was the Ambassador to the Republic of China stationed in Vienna during the German occupation in 1938. His brave attempt to save the Viennese Jews by issuing visas to Shanghai against the orders of his superior was inspiring.
January 7, 2023
The premise was interesting introducing us to Dr Ho Fenfshang, who rescued thousands of Jews between 1938 and 1940, by issuing visas to China from Vienna when all other borders were closed to them, including the United States. I knew nothing about Jews fleeing to China when the threat of the Nazis took over Vienna.
Unfortunately, I found the writing dull and the character development shallow.
Unfortunately, I found the writing dull and the character development shallow.
January 14, 2023
Night Angels is a World War Two historical fiction tale based on the real life of Dr. Ho, Consul General of the Chinese Embassy in Vienna.
The book begins in 1938; much of Dr. Ho’s work involves developing good international relations, as the Chinese are currently at war with Japan. The Chinese diplomats are keen to negotiate promises of weaponry from the Germans, but they are led on a long political dance.
Meanwhile Dr. Ho witnesses the horrors as Vienna’s Jewish community is terrorised; money and businesses stolen and the people forced to leave or are taken prisoner. Dr. Ho’s wife Grace was even arrested for sitting on a park bench. As tensions rise, Ho might not be able to stop the madness, but he can try to save lives; he begins issuing travel visas to China.
I had not heard of this aspect of the war and the complexities around travel visas was interesting to read about. My historical knowledge was also lacking about the war between China and Japan, I hadn’t realised that they were already fighting before Pearl Harbor. I’m glad that I read this and got a glimpse into the life of a humble diplomat who made a difference to thousands of lives.
The book begins in 1938; much of Dr. Ho’s work involves developing good international relations, as the Chinese are currently at war with Japan. The Chinese diplomats are keen to negotiate promises of weaponry from the Germans, but they are led on a long political dance.
Meanwhile Dr. Ho witnesses the horrors as Vienna’s Jewish community is terrorised; money and businesses stolen and the people forced to leave or are taken prisoner. Dr. Ho’s wife Grace was even arrested for sitting on a park bench. As tensions rise, Ho might not be able to stop the madness, but he can try to save lives; he begins issuing travel visas to China.
I had not heard of this aspect of the war and the complexities around travel visas was interesting to read about. My historical knowledge was also lacking about the war between China and Japan, I hadn’t realised that they were already fighting before Pearl Harbor. I’m glad that I read this and got a glimpse into the life of a humble diplomat who made a difference to thousands of lives.
January 12, 2023
Devastating. Interspersed with both real and fictional characters, the beautifully yet hauntingly written story reveals the quiet heroism of an actual Chinese consul in charge. He, his wife and son knew not what would totally transform their world when they began their assignment in 1938 in Vienna. Though numerous books have been written with WWII as their center, this one stands out for its gradual, graphic depiction of the beginning of the horror that would eventually engulf the world.
March 3, 2023
WWII and a story I promise you’ve never heard. Dr. Fengshan, a Chinese diplomat stationed in Vienna who saved THOUSANDS from the Nazis.
I highly recommend it for the history, but also the gorgeous depiction of the cost to a family. Well done, Weina. Well done.
I highly recommend it for the history, but also the gorgeous depiction of the cost to a family. Well done, Weina. Well done.
February 12, 2023
The story was lacking in action and content. There is constant repetition of the same thing and it felt like a good half of the book was the same thing dragged out.
September 6, 2023
I am DNF'ing this due to the author's lack of care. https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/20...
January 31, 2023
An extraordinary book about an extraordinary man who I grew to admire enormously as the book progressed. "His mind could switch effortlessly between four languages, but his stomach remained Chinese."
Faction, I suppose, a mix of fiction and facts based on the true and incredibly moving story of Dr. HO Fengshan "Righteous among nations" who battled with his own unwilling government to issue life-saving visas - thousands to save Jews in Vienna and Germany. "The time to win his superiors' approval and care for personal glory had passed; this was the time to save lives."China, after all, was not a popular destination for foreigners"but he supported the "illegal" transportation of terrified and fleeing persecuted Jews desperate to escape the regime who wanted their destruction. The scenes describing "Kristallnacht" are harrowing to read
The book opens in May 1938. Dr. Fengshan became incredibly real and dear to me, his wife Grace was less easy to visualise and understand, but the stress and strain on their marriage for understandable reasons is explored with skill.
I haven't read any books before by this writer, but she writes beautifully and eloquently, and I found the book moving and a tribute to both Dr. Fengshan and the thousands of people he saved. It was so moving, and I cried at the book's bittersweet conclusion, which took me a little by surprise. It was so touching. A wonderful read.
Faction, I suppose, a mix of fiction and facts based on the true and incredibly moving story of Dr. HO Fengshan "Righteous among nations" who battled with his own unwilling government to issue life-saving visas - thousands to save Jews in Vienna and Germany. "The time to win his superiors' approval and care for personal glory had passed; this was the time to save lives."China, after all, was not a popular destination for foreigners"but he supported the "illegal" transportation of terrified and fleeing persecuted Jews desperate to escape the regime who wanted their destruction. The scenes describing "Kristallnacht" are harrowing to read
The book opens in May 1938. Dr. Fengshan became incredibly real and dear to me, his wife Grace was less easy to visualise and understand, but the stress and strain on their marriage for understandable reasons is explored with skill.
I haven't read any books before by this writer, but she writes beautifully and eloquently, and I found the book moving and a tribute to both Dr. Fengshan and the thousands of people he saved. It was so moving, and I cried at the book's bittersweet conclusion, which took me a little by surprise. It was so touching. A wonderful read.
June 11, 2024
Historical novel about an important but little known piece of WWII history and the Jews of Vienna. Based on the diplomatic assignment of Dr. Ho Fengshan of China to Vienna, Austria in the 1930’s. While trying to get along with German policies, Dr. Fengshan finds he must go with his conscious. He opens the embassy to issuing visas to the Jewish population when all other embassies shut down. Responsible for saving the lives of thousands of Jews with visas to Shanghai. China was in a war with Japan at the time, so this move would end up being costly. Viennese Jews are rarely discussed let alone written about. Well done.
April 13, 2025
This was good. It was more of the political side of ww2 and that made it drag a bit for me. But it was still a good story.
January 17, 2023
A historical novel about the Chinese diplomat Dr. Ho Fengshan, who saved thousands of Austrian Jews by granting them visas from 1939-1940. The book focuses more on the fictional story his American wife Grace and her Jewish tutor Lola, trying to get out of the country. It's a tough read, which is to be expected given the subject, but I found the author's characterization of Grace made little sense. She was supposedly extremely shy, nearly to the point of agoraphobia, and refused to learn new languages, but gets slapped around once with her new tutor. Then she suddenly becomes obsessed with helping Lola and her family.
February 3, 2023
Well. I'm glad that is over. Yes, Dr. Ho was a hero for all the actions he took to help save Jews in Vienna from German death camps. And yes, his story deserves to be told. But not by this author in this way. I found the descriptions to be cloying at times, as if the author was just trying to use more words. The characters did not resonate with me in a meaningful way, and some of the situations just seemed ridiculous. How, for example, would Dr. Ho, who was so intent on his career in diplomacy, find himself married to a woman from an extremely impoverished background with very limited ability to learn foreign languages. I understand that the details behind much of Dr. Ho's life is not documented, but surely a better history could have been created for him.
January 20, 2023
I struggled with this one. The story of Ho Fengshan, which apparently didn't come to light until after his death, was fascinating. I didn't know that China was a poor country at that time, being attacked by the Japanese, and begging for funds from wealthier nations. Lots to learn for sure! But the book itself was tedious and slow. The weird switch from first person Grace to third person Fengshan was challenging. And Grace was a terrible character. Stupid and stubborn and ignorant. And there were some strange things like Lola LOSING the train tickets? What? And on one page Grace said she never heard from Fengshan, two pages later that she heard from him after two or three years. And why was Grace in a wheelchair for so so long after her hospitalization? And why was Lola so oblivious to her surroundings despite her deafness? It took me a very long time to get through this because I kept finding better things to do, like folding laundry or cleaning the bathroom. It's a shame because the story of Fengshan deserves to be known.
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