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The Painter of Hidden Children: An Emotional WW2 Historical Novel of the French Resistance, Inspired by True Stories of Courage
277 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 24, 2026
About the author
Uri Dushy
6 books6 followersNo. 1 Amazon Bestselling Author. Uri Dushy writes sweeping World War II historical fiction about extraordinary women who risked everything. His Art of Resistance series, including The Girl in the Oil Painting, The Librarian of Amsterdam, and The Painter of Hidden Children, follows women who used art, forgery, and courage to save lives under Nazi occupation. Inspired by true stories of resistance, his novels are for readers who love Kristin Hannah, Pam Jenoff, and Kate Quinn.
An internationally exhibited artist for over 40 years, Uri brings a visual artist's eye to his storytelling, weaving art, identity, and survival into every page.
An internationally exhibited artist for over 40 years, Uri brings a visual artist's eye to his storytelling, weaving art, identity, and survival into every page.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 30, 2026
Emotional and touching story of a resistance heroine during WWII who sacrifice her life saving Jewish children.
Claire was the family member not mentioned or talked about, she was thought of as a traitor, one who mingled and embedded with the Nazis for her own good and survival, but when her niece and nephew dig into the past decades after her passing they discovered quite a story that flipped over completely the perception and understanding of this extraordinary woman.
This is a story of courage, valor, selflessness and in doing what is right even if it puts your life in danger.
As with the other books in this series you find yourself drawn by the story but also by the descriptions of places and circumstances, thanks to the very good writing of Mr. Dushy.
I'm a fan of his writing now, and I'll read everything and anything that he'll write.
Claire was the family member not mentioned or talked about, she was thought of as a traitor, one who mingled and embedded with the Nazis for her own good and survival, but when her niece and nephew dig into the past decades after her passing they discovered quite a story that flipped over completely the perception and understanding of this extraordinary woman.
This is a story of courage, valor, selflessness and in doing what is right even if it puts your life in danger.
As with the other books in this series you find yourself drawn by the story but also by the descriptions of places and circumstances, thanks to the very good writing of Mr. Dushy.
I'm a fan of his writing now, and I'll read everything and anything that he'll write.
Review of advance copy received from Author
WW2 Exceptional Courage
This book is written in 2 time periods, during WW2 and in 1998, with Madeleine, granddaughter of Margot trying to find out the truth why her aunt Claire was thought to be a traitor. It is an excellent well written book.
Claire, a Jewish girl, is in Paris, at an art school, when WW2 breaks out. When things become dangerous, Valerie, a friend, puts her on the last train, for her to go back home, to Saint-Amour to her parents and her sister, Margot. Claire stays at a manor, and becomes involved with the resistance hiding Jewish children, one of them being Leo who forms an obsessive attachment to her, who stays behind to help her. Other members then help to smuggle the children into Switzerland with forged papers.
She also meets Thomas, an SOE agent, sent to help them, maintain the escape line but things heat up when German army under command of Klein, a sadistic German take over the town.
I highly recommend this book. Tears ran down my face towards the end. Uri writes about strong brave women and other members of the Resistance, many of them, gave up their lives to save others.
I also read his other book, The Librarian of Amsterdam, about the lady forger who falsified the children's documents. She gets mentioned in this book. I highly recommend that book too.
I look forward to reading his next book.
I received an ARC but this in no way influenced my opinion.
This book is written in 2 time periods, during WW2 and in 1998, with Madeleine, granddaughter of Margot trying to find out the truth why her aunt Claire was thought to be a traitor. It is an excellent well written book.
Claire, a Jewish girl, is in Paris, at an art school, when WW2 breaks out. When things become dangerous, Valerie, a friend, puts her on the last train, for her to go back home, to Saint-Amour to her parents and her sister, Margot. Claire stays at a manor, and becomes involved with the resistance hiding Jewish children, one of them being Leo who forms an obsessive attachment to her, who stays behind to help her. Other members then help to smuggle the children into Switzerland with forged papers.
She also meets Thomas, an SOE agent, sent to help them, maintain the escape line but things heat up when German army under command of Klein, a sadistic German take over the town.
I highly recommend this book. Tears ran down my face towards the end. Uri writes about strong brave women and other members of the Resistance, many of them, gave up their lives to save others.
I also read his other book, The Librarian of Amsterdam, about the lady forger who falsified the children's documents. She gets mentioned in this book. I highly recommend that book too.
I look forward to reading his next book.
I received an ARC but this in no way influenced my opinion.
Review of advance copy
The Painter of Hidden Children is a unique WWII courageous hero or (heroine in this case) novel and the kind of story I am always drawn to read. Watching Claire find her purpose and drive as she sacrificed everything for the resistance was inspiring with such a devastating twist.
The narrator and retelling of the war brought the story to the present and gave it a relevant place in the lives of her niece and nephew. Family drama, fierce friendships, a little love and so much tragedy wrap up this beautiful story of one woman’s bravery and determination and the great impact she had on many lives reminding the reader of how many real stories like this exist that ma never be heard. A quick read and definitely recommend for anyone looking for a similar theme and feel to The Lost Book of Names and other Kristin Harmel and inspiring WWII novels.
Thank you BookSirens for the advanced ebook!
All of these thoughts and opinions are my own.
The narrator and retelling of the war brought the story to the present and gave it a relevant place in the lives of her niece and nephew. Family drama, fierce friendships, a little love and so much tragedy wrap up this beautiful story of one woman’s bravery and determination and the great impact she had on many lives reminding the reader of how many real stories like this exist that ma never be heard. A quick read and definitely recommend for anyone looking for a similar theme and feel to The Lost Book of Names and other Kristin Harmel and inspiring WWII novels.
Thank you BookSirens for the advanced ebook!
All of these thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 19, 2026
I gravitate to WWII historical fiction as it is one of my favorite literary genres but Painter fell short for me. The book is about a young Jewish girl who rescues children orphaned by the Nazi invasion of France. She provides them with shelter and food until they can be safely transferred to neutral nations.
The dual timeline narrative tells the story of an elderly man who carries great guilt about events of fifty years past and his vivid memories of his time in the Painter’s safe house.
In my opinion the story is long on relationship details and short on suspense. I don’t believe it adds much to the multitude of books with similar themes. And this - why so many book covers of women pictured from their backs? Sooo, many!
I would say that if you are looking for a light dusting of historical facts you might like this one. It has a little suspense, a little mystery and even a little romance.
I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest review.
The dual timeline narrative tells the story of an elderly man who carries great guilt about events of fifty years past and his vivid memories of his time in the Painter’s safe house.
In my opinion the story is long on relationship details and short on suspense. I don’t believe it adds much to the multitude of books with similar themes. And this - why so many book covers of women pictured from their backs? Sooo, many!
I would say that if you are looking for a light dusting of historical facts you might like this one. It has a little suspense, a little mystery and even a little romance.
I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest review.
March 24, 2026
This is a story set during WWII but also it is dual time line. Claire is a member of the resistance. But to start with, it feels like she is out of her dept but soon she finds her feet and all the elements of a resistance worker are seen - inspiring activity, heroism, sacrifice, determination, friendship, love, bravery and it all goes hand in hand with tragedy.
Watch out for the devastating twist which will reduce you to tears. Its a quick read because once you begin you won't be able to let go.
Thank you BookSirens for the advanced ebook! All of these thoughts and opinions are my own.
Watch out for the devastating twist which will reduce you to tears. Its a quick read because once you begin you won't be able to let go.
Thank you BookSirens for the advanced ebook! All of these thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 1, 2026
This book was given to me as an ARC BookSirens here is my honest and voluntarily review.
This book 📕 5⭐️ from the beginning it captures you completely. The story follows Claire who risk everything to protect children from the horrors of persecution. The sacrifice and the betrayal from the people she help was incredible. The raw of the war the fear and the courage this book has it all . This is my first book from this Author Uri Dushy but it won’t be the last . This is a must read it will keep you hooked and turning pages I couldn’t put it down.
This book 📕 5⭐️ from the beginning it captures you completely. The story follows Claire who risk everything to protect children from the horrors of persecution. The sacrifice and the betrayal from the people she help was incredible. The raw of the war the fear and the courage this book has it all . This is my first book from this Author Uri Dushy but it won’t be the last . This is a must read it will keep you hooked and turning pages I couldn’t put it down.
April 18, 2026
DEEPLY TOUCHING…
Emotional, involving, heart warming, family story, told in a war time that is hard to imagine. This book touched me in so many ways. Each person in it pulls, adds to the books to make it one that you will never forget….
Emotional, involving, heart warming, family story, told in a war time that is hard to imagine. This book touched me in so many ways. Each person in it pulls, adds to the books to make it one that you will never forget….
Review of advance copy
3.5 Stars. This is a good story. It kept my interest, but I wanted more. There was a lot going on and a lot of character relationships, but there was not as much development as I would have liked. It felt like a lot barely scratched the surface. There was a lot about the main character’s painting in the beginning, but that gets overshadowed later by music. I wanted her art to continue playing a major role.
This is a dual timeline book, and the two timelines relate nicely. It also provides some answers we may not have had otherwise.
Overall this is a good story about World War 2 resistance. I do wish it had either been longer to allow for more development or the same length with less going on. It does not dive as deep and is not as heavy to read as many other books on the same subject. This would be a good historical fiction option for someone new to the subject or for a more sensitive reader.
I received an advanced copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily
This is a dual timeline book, and the two timelines relate nicely. It also provides some answers we may not have had otherwise.
Overall this is a good story about World War 2 resistance. I do wish it had either been longer to allow for more development or the same length with less going on. It does not dive as deep and is not as heavy to read as many other books on the same subject. This would be a good historical fiction option for someone new to the subject or for a more sensitive reader.
I received an advanced copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews