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Memories of Glass
Reminiscent of Diane Ackerman’s The Zookeeper’s Wife, this stunning novel draws from true accounts to shine a light on a period of Holland’s darkest history and bravest heroes.1942. As war rips through the heart of Holland, childhood friends Josie van Rees and Eliese Linden partner with a few daring citizens to rescue Eliese’s son and hundreds of other Jewish children who await deportation in a converted theater in Amsterdam. But amid their resistance work, Josie and Eliese’s dangerous secrets could derail their friendship and their entire mission. When the enemy finds these women, only one will escape.Seventy-five years later, Ava Drake begins to suspect that her great-grandfather William Kingston was not the World War II hero he claimed to be. Her work as director of the prestigious Kingston Family Foundation leads her to Landon West’s Ugandan coffee plantation, and Ava and Landon soon discover a connection between their families. As Landon’s great-grandmother shares the broken pieces of her story, Ava must confront the greatest loss in her own life—and powerful members of the Kingston family who will do anything to keep the truth buried.Illuminating the story and strength of these women, award-winning author Melanie Dobson transports readers through time and place, from World War II Holland to contemporary Uganda, in this rich and inspiring novel.
425 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2019
498 people are currently reading
7027 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Dobson
50 books1,752 followersWriting fiction is a fun excuse for Melanie to explore ghost towns and old houses, travel to unusual places, and spend hours reading dusty books and journals. She writes both contemporary and historical fiction with threads of romance and suspense.
Melanie is the award-winning author of almost thirty time-slip, historical romance, suspense, and contemporary novels including Catching the Wind, The Winter Rose, and The Wings of Poppy Pendleton. Five of her novels including Chateau of Secrets have won Carol Awards, Catching the Wind won the Audie 2018 Inspirational Fiction award, and Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana won Best Novel of Indiana. Catching the Wind and Memories of Glass were both finalists for Christy Awards in historical fiction.
Melanie and her husband, Jon, have two daughters. After moving numerous times with Jon's work, the Dobsons have finally settled near Portland, Oregon, and they love to travel and hike in both the mountains and the cliffs above the Pacific. When Melanie isn't writing or researching, she enjoys line dancing, biking, and making up stories with her kids.
More information about her and her books is available on her website at www.melaniedobson.com. You can also connect with Melanie at www.facebook.com/melaniedobsonfiction.
Melanie is the award-winning author of almost thirty time-slip, historical romance, suspense, and contemporary novels including Catching the Wind, The Winter Rose, and The Wings of Poppy Pendleton. Five of her novels including Chateau of Secrets have won Carol Awards, Catching the Wind won the Audie 2018 Inspirational Fiction award, and Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana won Best Novel of Indiana. Catching the Wind and Memories of Glass were both finalists for Christy Awards in historical fiction.
Melanie and her husband, Jon, have two daughters. After moving numerous times with Jon's work, the Dobsons have finally settled near Portland, Oregon, and they love to travel and hike in both the mountains and the cliffs above the Pacific. When Melanie isn't writing or researching, she enjoys line dancing, biking, and making up stories with her kids.
More information about her and her books is available on her website at www.melaniedobson.com. You can also connect with Melanie at www.facebook.com/melaniedobsonfiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 431 reviews
September 4, 2019
Breathtaking, heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting. Memories of Glass shows the beauty when people do anything to help others, the ugliness when people do anything to help only themselves, and the destructive power of secrets through the generations. Melanie Dobson’s memorable characters and fine eye for detail bring the danger of the Netherlands under Nazi occupation to life. This novel will stay with you.
May 8, 2020
Nazi occupied Holland in 1942, childhood friends Josie van Rees and Eliese Linden along with a few brave Dutch citizens manage to hide Eliese’s son Hein and 600 other Jewish children. The children along with their parents could be deported at anytime to Auschwitz and no one is safe!
Josie works as a child minder in the creche where Jewish children are living, some are orphans and others are being kept separate from their parents. Eliese works as a clerk, she's in charge of typing up the identity cards of the families who are being detained in a near by converted theater and she hates her job.
Is she a traitor, is she safe and is her son Hein still safe?
Seventy-five years later, Ava Drake begins to suspect that her great-grandfather William Kingston wasn't the World War II hero he claimed to be. Her work as director of the prestigious Kingston Family Foundation leads her to Landon West’s Ugandan coffee plantation, and Ava and Landon soon discover a connection between both families. As Landon’s great-grandmother shares her tragic story, Ava must confront the greatest loss in her own life? Powerful members of the Kingston family will do anything to keep the truth buried and will they succeed?
Memories Of Glass is a story about good versus evil, greed, betrayal, danger, war, secrets, sacrifice and a mothers love.
The book has a dual timeline that perfectly blends the past with the present and it's a real page turner.
I really enjoyed reading Memories Of Glass and I gave it 5 big stars.
I have shared my review on Goodreads, Twitter, Barnes & Noble, Australian Amazon, Kobo and my blog.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
Josie works as a child minder in the creche where Jewish children are living, some are orphans and others are being kept separate from their parents. Eliese works as a clerk, she's in charge of typing up the identity cards of the families who are being detained in a near by converted theater and she hates her job.
Is she a traitor, is she safe and is her son Hein still safe?
Seventy-five years later, Ava Drake begins to suspect that her great-grandfather William Kingston wasn't the World War II hero he claimed to be. Her work as director of the prestigious Kingston Family Foundation leads her to Landon West’s Ugandan coffee plantation, and Ava and Landon soon discover a connection between both families. As Landon’s great-grandmother shares her tragic story, Ava must confront the greatest loss in her own life? Powerful members of the Kingston family will do anything to keep the truth buried and will they succeed?
Memories Of Glass is a story about good versus evil, greed, betrayal, danger, war, secrets, sacrifice and a mothers love.
The book has a dual timeline that perfectly blends the past with the present and it's a real page turner.
I really enjoyed reading Memories Of Glass and I gave it 5 big stars.
I have shared my review on Goodreads, Twitter, Barnes & Noble, Australian Amazon, Kobo and my blog.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
September 1, 2019
This time-slip novel draws from Holland's darkest period of history to create a stunning true story novel that captured my attention from start to finish. It's 1942, and Josie Van Reese and her best friend Eliese Linden partner to rescue hundreds of Jewish children who were set for deportation to Nazi death camps. In current time, Ava Drake begins to suspect that her great-grandfather, William Kingston, was not the wonderful philanthropist he seemed to be but instead had hidden secrets that would blow their family apart.
Heartbreaking, yet uplifting, both Josie and Eliese played a critical role in saving hundreds of Jewish children from extermination. Multi-layered with its time slip threads each revealing roles that the main and secondary characters played during this atrocious time period. Choices were made that would affect not only their own lives but the lives of those who surrounded them. It also highlighted the fact that these choices have consequences that can affect further generations. Friendship and faith were what allowed the Dutch people to help one another throughout this devastating period. Written with a pace that gained momentum with each page carrying me through til the very end. This is a book that will long stay in any reader's mind.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.
Heartbreaking, yet uplifting, both Josie and Eliese played a critical role in saving hundreds of Jewish children from extermination. Multi-layered with its time slip threads each revealing roles that the main and secondary characters played during this atrocious time period. Choices were made that would affect not only their own lives but the lives of those who surrounded them. It also highlighted the fact that these choices have consequences that can affect further generations. Friendship and faith were what allowed the Dutch people to help one another throughout this devastating period. Written with a pace that gained momentum with each page carrying me through til the very end. This is a book that will long stay in any reader's mind.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.
November 11, 2020
This World War 2/present day timeslip novel held me captive the whole way through. The characters are distinctly drawn, the settings immersive from Holland to Uganda, and the theme of sacrifice vs. self-preservation is one that will always be timely. The storytelling is elegant and beautiful. This is the first book I've read by Melanie Dobson (I know! Where have I been?) so I'm excited to read her backlist!
May 4, 2019
I did ultimately find this book extremely interesting, and though I certainly learned much about Dutch resistance and the Nazi occupation, I found the book difficult to read. The characters were interwoven through the generations, the setting moved from Holland to South Carolina to Africa to Portland Oregon and back to New York, and the setting and year did not appear at the beginning of every chapter. When I was at about the halfway point in the book, I had to start over, making copious notes of family trees and connectedness. What, after all, does a coffee plantation in Uganda have to do with the Jews who were "shipped East" during WWII? "One hundred twelve thousand Dutch Jews were deported during the Holocaust. Five thousand survived, but nothing was ever the same for those men and women who came home."
This book is a testament to the fact that, before you start digging into your family's past, you'd better be prepared to confront all the information.
Published by Tyndale Press, pub date September 3, 2019
This book is a testament to the fact that, before you start digging into your family's past, you'd better be prepared to confront all the information.
Published by Tyndale Press, pub date September 3, 2019
January 10, 2020
I listened to this on Audible, like I do many other fiction books. While I appreciated the story and learning about Holland's history during WWII, I found myself confused about which character was who and doing what, when, and where. Also, I did not realize this was a Christian book when I selected it. The Christian adgenda adds no value to the story and I found it incredibly frustrating and unnecessary. Though, if you like books with Christian agenda's then this book could be a good selection.
July 16, 2019
A compelling, complex story based on real people and events of WW2. Amid the onslaught of Nazi occupation, the brave Dutch people shine as stars as they use their resources to quietly fight the Jewish Holocaust. Digging into the past reveals a mystery that might just unravel more than one prominent family's reputation.
"The truth will set us free."
This book had me holding my breath sometimes, and brought me to tears more than once. It was very well done, bringing all the characters' stories together and creating a moving drama with some suspense, and a complicated mystery. The dual timeline worked well in bringing Ava's family history to light, and in telling the story of Dutch heroes who bravely worked in the resistance, saving children especially. They used their gifts for good instead of evil. It was quite inspirational! The legacy of love and faith, self-sacrifice and courage was a direct contrast to the evil and greed in both past and present. It all came together perfectly in the end, leaving a hopeful message.
"The darker the evil, I think, the more brilliant are the flickers of light."
If readers like stories that are well researched historicals with complex characters, they should enjoy this book.
Highly recommend! 5 stars!
(An ebook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.)
"The truth will set us free."
This book had me holding my breath sometimes, and brought me to tears more than once. It was very well done, bringing all the characters' stories together and creating a moving drama with some suspense, and a complicated mystery. The dual timeline worked well in bringing Ava's family history to light, and in telling the story of Dutch heroes who bravely worked in the resistance, saving children especially. They used their gifts for good instead of evil. It was quite inspirational! The legacy of love and faith, self-sacrifice and courage was a direct contrast to the evil and greed in both past and present. It all came together perfectly in the end, leaving a hopeful message.
"The darker the evil, I think, the more brilliant are the flickers of light."
If readers like stories that are well researched historicals with complex characters, they should enjoy this book.
Highly recommend! 5 stars!
(An ebook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.)
October 1, 2019
My brain is muddled and my heart is fractured. What an emotional read! I was gulping down great heaving sobs by the end. Pretty much teary for the last quarter of the book. Luckily I listened to the audible version so an innocent paperback wasn't water damaged. :-)
This is one of those reviews that should be wordless because there simply aren't any that can adequately describe the power of this story. The magic is in the details -- so many details! -- and the way the author blends the two timelines is amazing and incredible and utterly clever! I could see some of the pieces coming together early on and my imagination went rampant with possible scenarios. Love it when a story excites me so much that I have to take pauses so I can do some creative thinking of my own!
Nancy Peterson's narration was exquisite and added so much to my 'reading' pleasure. She brought the characters to life and into my heart and I don't know how she managed to get through some of the scenes without crying! I really was a weepy mess by the conclusion of this read, A shuddering mix of sad and happy tears, left basking in a stupor of awe and hope and the certainty that every life is precious.
This is one of those reviews that should be wordless because there simply aren't any that can adequately describe the power of this story. The magic is in the details -- so many details! -- and the way the author blends the two timelines is amazing and incredible and utterly clever! I could see some of the pieces coming together early on and my imagination went rampant with possible scenarios. Love it when a story excites me so much that I have to take pauses so I can do some creative thinking of my own!
Nancy Peterson's narration was exquisite and added so much to my 'reading' pleasure. She brought the characters to life and into my heart and I don't know how she managed to get through some of the scenes without crying! I really was a weepy mess by the conclusion of this read, A shuddering mix of sad and happy tears, left basking in a stupor of awe and hope and the certainty that every life is precious.
January 11, 2021
Full review (plus author q&a) on FaithfullyBookish.com
Melanie Dobson is a masterful storyteller. She weaves past and present, ordinary and extraordinary, love and loss, fears and faith in an intricate tapestry of experience and emotion. My words can't even begin to scratch the surface of Dobson’s exquisite art.
The richness and depth of not only faith and emotion but also fascinating historical detail captivated my heart, mind, and spirit. The characters (and real people who inspired them) speak truth to us and our lives today. Despite their grave circumstances, these people made a difference in the lives of others by loving and acting sacrificially.
Memories of Glass tore my heart out, engaged my mind, and challenged my spirit in such a way that I am grateful for and changed by the experience. I highly recommend this book and I will definitely be purchasing a print copy for my all-time favorites shelf.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Melanie Dobson is a masterful storyteller. She weaves past and present, ordinary and extraordinary, love and loss, fears and faith in an intricate tapestry of experience and emotion. My words can't even begin to scratch the surface of Dobson’s exquisite art.
The richness and depth of not only faith and emotion but also fascinating historical detail captivated my heart, mind, and spirit. The characters (and real people who inspired them) speak truth to us and our lives today. Despite their grave circumstances, these people made a difference in the lives of others by loving and acting sacrificially.
Memories of Glass tore my heart out, engaged my mind, and challenged my spirit in such a way that I am grateful for and changed by the experience. I highly recommend this book and I will definitely be purchasing a print copy for my all-time favorites shelf.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
December 10, 2019
This was an excellent story. I have absolutely no complaints about it, everything flowed, the characters, the plot, the setting, like I said I cannot complain. It almost seems like a bit of a mystery about how everything was eventually revealed. Definitely, one of my favorites this year.
November 10, 2019
Memories of Glass by Melanie Dobson pulled me in right from the start. I loved the format of this book switching back and forth from Holland during the Nazi occupation to seventy-five years later in the present day. In the present time Memories of Glass transported us to New York, Amsterdam, Uganda, Africa and Oregon. The characters were complex, intriguing and believable. I listened to this book on audio CD read by Nancy Peterson. I never wanted to turn it off. The story captured my heart right from the start to the very last sentence. It instilled feelings of hope, love, bravery, desperation, greed and deception, loss, strength and friendship.
Memories of Glass by Melanie Dobson explored how childhood friends Josie van Rees and Eliese Linden found themselves linked through the act of saving Holland's children from the Nazis. Growing up Josie and Eliese became best friends. They often played on Holland's waterways with Josie's brother and another friend. Josie's brother fell instantly in love with Eliese and never forgot her even when Eliese fell in love with an American man, William Kingston. Eliese and William had a son but William never knew. He left Eliese to go back to America before she discovered she was pregnant. Eliese held on to the hope of reuniting with William and marrying him someday but she received no communication from him ever again. When Josie discovered Eliese's secret about William she was so devastated for her brother who worshiped Eliese and still loved her. Josie felt that Eliese betrayed her brother's love for her. At the same time, around 1942, when the girls rediscovered each other, the Nazis began to deport hundreds of Jewish children from Amsterdam. Eliese, who had moved to Holland from Germany as a young girl with her father, was Jewish, making her son Jewish. She knew that she had to get her son out of Amsterdam any way she could. Eliese begged for Josie's help with this endeavor. Josie, with her brother who was active in the resistance, was able to find a hiding place for Eliese's son. Eliese at this time was being forced to work in the converted theater in Amsterdam where all Jewish people left in Amsterdam awaited deportation. Her job was processing each person by typing their names and addresses. Since the theater was becoming so overcrowded, the Germans gave permission to house the children across the way in a children's home where Josie was helping to care for the children. It was there that the two friends rediscovered each other and formed a partnership that would end up saving hundreds of Jewish children from deportation. The two girls risked their lives everyday but they tirelessly tried to help save as many children as they could.
Seventy-five years later Ava Drake was working for her grandmother as the director of the prestigious Kingston Family Foundation. Years before, Ava's mother and almost two-year old brother were killed when their house was consumed in flames. Ava still had a hard time forgiving herself for not being able to save her brother, Andrew. She continued to have nightmares about that night and they lasted for many years. Finally, after being placed in foster care, Ava was reunited with her mother's family. Ava felt a sense of belonging. Her mother had cut all ties with her family a long time ago but never shared her reasons with Ava. Ava didn't know a lot about her new family but she was grateful to her grandmother for providing a safe and somewhat loving environment. Her two uncles and her cousins, though, seemed to dislike her and she felt that they wanted her gone from their family. At about this time, Ava began to become curious about the Kingston's and their past. The more she dug and discovered the more she began to question what secrets her new family, the Kingston's, were trying to hide from her. One afternoon, Ava's grandmother told her to go to Uganda, Africa to check on the validity of a grant Ava had proposed for Landon West's Uganda's coffee plantation. That trip and meeting Landon was about to change Ava's life. Ava also visited their facilities in Oregon and met Landon's sister and elderly great-grandmother. Ava soon discovered after many conversations, tears, and smiles, the connection between Landon's family and her own as Landon's great- grandmother revealed her story about Holland, World War II and its children.
This was one of the best books I have read in a while. It kept me guessing and hoping. Melanie Dobson's writing and character creations were brilliant. I so admired the strength of the women in Memories of Glass. It was disappointing when I was actually finished listening to this story. I wanted it to go on and on. I loved how the past and the present collided and yet found their way to inspire happiness. Please read this book. I highly recommend it.
Memories of Glass by Melanie Dobson explored how childhood friends Josie van Rees and Eliese Linden found themselves linked through the act of saving Holland's children from the Nazis. Growing up Josie and Eliese became best friends. They often played on Holland's waterways with Josie's brother and another friend. Josie's brother fell instantly in love with Eliese and never forgot her even when Eliese fell in love with an American man, William Kingston. Eliese and William had a son but William never knew. He left Eliese to go back to America before she discovered she was pregnant. Eliese held on to the hope of reuniting with William and marrying him someday but she received no communication from him ever again. When Josie discovered Eliese's secret about William she was so devastated for her brother who worshiped Eliese and still loved her. Josie felt that Eliese betrayed her brother's love for her. At the same time, around 1942, when the girls rediscovered each other, the Nazis began to deport hundreds of Jewish children from Amsterdam. Eliese, who had moved to Holland from Germany as a young girl with her father, was Jewish, making her son Jewish. She knew that she had to get her son out of Amsterdam any way she could. Eliese begged for Josie's help with this endeavor. Josie, with her brother who was active in the resistance, was able to find a hiding place for Eliese's son. Eliese at this time was being forced to work in the converted theater in Amsterdam where all Jewish people left in Amsterdam awaited deportation. Her job was processing each person by typing their names and addresses. Since the theater was becoming so overcrowded, the Germans gave permission to house the children across the way in a children's home where Josie was helping to care for the children. It was there that the two friends rediscovered each other and formed a partnership that would end up saving hundreds of Jewish children from deportation. The two girls risked their lives everyday but they tirelessly tried to help save as many children as they could.
Seventy-five years later Ava Drake was working for her grandmother as the director of the prestigious Kingston Family Foundation. Years before, Ava's mother and almost two-year old brother were killed when their house was consumed in flames. Ava still had a hard time forgiving herself for not being able to save her brother, Andrew. She continued to have nightmares about that night and they lasted for many years. Finally, after being placed in foster care, Ava was reunited with her mother's family. Ava felt a sense of belonging. Her mother had cut all ties with her family a long time ago but never shared her reasons with Ava. Ava didn't know a lot about her new family but she was grateful to her grandmother for providing a safe and somewhat loving environment. Her two uncles and her cousins, though, seemed to dislike her and she felt that they wanted her gone from their family. At about this time, Ava began to become curious about the Kingston's and their past. The more she dug and discovered the more she began to question what secrets her new family, the Kingston's, were trying to hide from her. One afternoon, Ava's grandmother told her to go to Uganda, Africa to check on the validity of a grant Ava had proposed for Landon West's Uganda's coffee plantation. That trip and meeting Landon was about to change Ava's life. Ava also visited their facilities in Oregon and met Landon's sister and elderly great-grandmother. Ava soon discovered after many conversations, tears, and smiles, the connection between Landon's family and her own as Landon's great- grandmother revealed her story about Holland, World War II and its children.
This was one of the best books I have read in a while. It kept me guessing and hoping. Melanie Dobson's writing and character creations were brilliant. I so admired the strength of the women in Memories of Glass. It was disappointing when I was actually finished listening to this story. I wanted it to go on and on. I loved how the past and the present collided and yet found their way to inspire happiness. Please read this book. I highly recommend it.
November 3, 2019
Lovely time slip novel set in Amsterdam, U.S. and Africa with intertwining story lines in present day and WWII. It was a moving novel primarily about saving children from harm. I am rarely moved to tears while reading and this is one of those rare novels. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction.
October 7, 2019
I'm not sure what to say here that doesn't end up in a criticism of Holocaust plotlines and offend fellow readers, so I'll stick to the writing. This is the third book in a row I've picked up that switches voice and perspective every chapter. It must be chance because they were written in different decades, but it's somewhat tiring. Need to be more careful on the next selection. The style was not well executed and wandered...endlessly.
I did not complete due diligence on the author. Around page 130 I realized that there was a Christian undertone (more than undertone) to the story, specifically leaving out a Jewish perspective which is absolutely required here. I also clicked on the author's last name (full disclosure, I am not a fan of the Dobson family political activities) and all was explained.
I did not complete due diligence on the author. Around page 130 I realized that there was a Christian undertone (more than undertone) to the story, specifically leaving out a Jewish perspective which is absolutely required here. I also clicked on the author's last name (full disclosure, I am not a fan of the Dobson family political activities) and all was explained.
September 1, 2019
Originally posted on Inkwell Inspirations
“The past often has a way of creeping into our present.”
With a powerful and compelling style, award-winning author Melanie Dobson creates an extraordinary time-slip novel that demonstrates the strength and determination of the human spirit. In Memories of Glass, Melanie Dobson shares the courageous story of the heroic men and women who risked their lives during World War II to rescue countless Jewish children from the Nazis. During this time of extreme evil in the world, countless lives were lost as the Nazis began to carry out Hitler’s Final Solution, while many brave Dutch citizens joined together in the resistance.Memories of Glass weaves the historical and contemporary storylines together as Ava Drake’s present-day work as director of the Kingston Family Foundation leads her to a coffee plantation in Uganda and, ultimately, the dangerous search for answers about her family’s history during World War II in Holland. The stunning conclusion to this novel leaves the readers filled with compassion and hope for the future.
Memories of Glass is a story of forgiveness, resilience, and the silent heroes who fought against the Nazis. The author shares the message of God’s forgiveness and grace and the “reminder of God’s love no matter the wickedness of man.” Melanie Dobson is a favorite author of many World War II historical fiction readers because of the incredible way she ties her contemporary and historical storylines together, her strong and courageous heroes and heroines, and her ability to weave the characters’ faith seamlessly into her novels. Memories of Glass is highly recommended for fans of World War II fiction, and readers who enjoy time-slip novels by authors such as Heidi Chiavaroli, Rachel Hauck, and Sarah Monzon.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine.
Additional Quotes:
“Books, she once said, are the best legacy. They outlast one’s life and shed light on the past when truth is hard to find.”
“God is going to use you to bring people together instead of tear them apart.”
“He desires redemption, not pain, for His children.”
“The past often has a way of creeping into our present.”
With a powerful and compelling style, award-winning author Melanie Dobson creates an extraordinary time-slip novel that demonstrates the strength and determination of the human spirit. In Memories of Glass, Melanie Dobson shares the courageous story of the heroic men and women who risked their lives during World War II to rescue countless Jewish children from the Nazis. During this time of extreme evil in the world, countless lives were lost as the Nazis began to carry out Hitler’s Final Solution, while many brave Dutch citizens joined together in the resistance.Memories of Glass weaves the historical and contemporary storylines together as Ava Drake’s present-day work as director of the Kingston Family Foundation leads her to a coffee plantation in Uganda and, ultimately, the dangerous search for answers about her family’s history during World War II in Holland. The stunning conclusion to this novel leaves the readers filled with compassion and hope for the future.
Memories of Glass is a story of forgiveness, resilience, and the silent heroes who fought against the Nazis. The author shares the message of God’s forgiveness and grace and the “reminder of God’s love no matter the wickedness of man.” Melanie Dobson is a favorite author of many World War II historical fiction readers because of the incredible way she ties her contemporary and historical storylines together, her strong and courageous heroes and heroines, and her ability to weave the characters’ faith seamlessly into her novels. Memories of Glass is highly recommended for fans of World War II fiction, and readers who enjoy time-slip novels by authors such as Heidi Chiavaroli, Rachel Hauck, and Sarah Monzon.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine.
Additional Quotes:
“Books, she once said, are the best legacy. They outlast one’s life and shed light on the past when truth is hard to find.”
“God is going to use you to bring people together instead of tear them apart.”
“He desires redemption, not pain, for His children.”
January 9, 2022
Heartbreakingly beautiful!
I literally read in one sitting... I have loved every book by this author that I have read, even though I'm always crying at the end. Dobson's WWII books are among the best in my opinion. Historical accuracy and beautifully written.
I borrowed this from my library but will definitely be buying for my keeper shelf.
Highly recommend!!
I literally read in one sitting... I have loved every book by this author that I have read, even though I'm always crying at the end. Dobson's WWII books are among the best in my opinion. Historical accuracy and beautifully written.
I borrowed this from my library but will definitely be buying for my keeper shelf.
Highly recommend!!
December 5, 2020
Just finished...wow is all i have for now. Amazing read.
November 6, 2019
Reading this novel will take you on a journey to Holland during WWII. You will meet ordinary citizens, brave resistance workers and the oppressive enemies who were part of the German occupation. During this dark time in history, so many lives were lost due to unbridled, rampant evil spreading throughout Europe. Amidst all of this brutality, brave souls took steps to thwart the enemy and save the lives of innocent children...642 precious children.
A present day storyline is also taking place. The connections between the two timelines are well done and seamless.
This book is filled with memories, secrets, many characters and complex relationships. Memories were evoked by various trinkets...colorful glass bottles, carefully chosen seashells and old index cards. As secrets were finally uncovered and shared, much needed changes could begin. Relationships were restored, justice was served and healing had begun.
Faith and forgiveness were woven throughout the story. I especially loved the end of the book, where everything was connected and it all came together in such a beautiful way. I shed many tears. Well done!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
A present day storyline is also taking place. The connections between the two timelines are well done and seamless.
This book is filled with memories, secrets, many characters and complex relationships. Memories were evoked by various trinkets...colorful glass bottles, carefully chosen seashells and old index cards. As secrets were finally uncovered and shared, much needed changes could begin. Relationships were restored, justice was served and healing had begun.
Faith and forgiveness were woven throughout the story. I especially loved the end of the book, where everything was connected and it all came together in such a beautiful way. I shed many tears. Well done!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
September 18, 2019
Once again author Melanie Dobson writes an elegantly complex and gripping dual-time tale that kept me enthralled until the very last page! Her beautiful writing immediately dropped me into the story, and as the past slowly revealed the many hidden terrors of the Netherlands during WWII, I became completely absorbed with the characters and one woman's struggle to discover her family's darkest secrets. Memories of Glass is a slice of remarkable history and one not to be missed!
October 27, 2019
Oh my. I'm still reeling from this book, which I finished a couple days ago. Equally compelling present and historical chapters drew me in, Melanie Dobson's enticing characters and brilliant plot kept me turning the pages. This was a tear-jerker that broke my heart but did not leave me without satisfying hope. I love how she takes real history and blends it into fiction in such a seamless manner. Beautiful and masterful.
January 25, 2020
I was TRICKED! This is Christian fiction, which I was not expecting. I lost track of all the characters and their relationships, and found most of their interactions to be flat. Not sure why I even finished it.
December 6, 2019
Enjoyed the story, but as it went on, it started referencing Christianity more and more. Which isn't bad - except it just felt very forced.
September 28, 2022
I am bawling my eyes out. I am undone! What a story! Beautifully written and wonderfully narrated. I'll have a book hangover for quite a while. (Why is this not a major motion picture?) History lovers and all historical fiction lovers you need this in your life. There are so many takeaways here. Good. Evil. How does one react in these situations? How will one's life (mine) make a difference in generations to come? Lots to ponder.
September 20, 2019
4.5 stars
"If only I could ask questions about my family and get straight answers. If only people would share their stories instead of locking them away. "
If only. It's the story of Ava Drake's life. So much of her family history is shrouded in secrecy, facts hidden in the shadows and the truth anything but clear. Along the fault lines are stories dating back to World War II, when there fortunes to be made upon the sacrifice of the innocent. As Ava digs deeper into her grandfather's past, her present occupation as the director of the famed Kingston Family Foundation leads her straight to Uganda, where she meets the kind of man who insists that the truth can set her free.
"Windows are a curious thing. . . . the stained ones transform the light but not the transparent glass."
Rich in history, this lovely story paints a mural of love, loss, and bravery using colors bold enough to cover the ugliness that begs to raise its hideous voice among the shattered "memories of glass". It's a complex story, especially in the beginning, when layer after layer of family connections and deceit threaten to snuff out the souls who rose to an occasion that they never would have chosen for themselves. And yet they did; they certainly did.
I received a copy of this book from the author. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
"If only I could ask questions about my family and get straight answers. If only people would share their stories instead of locking them away. "
If only. It's the story of Ava Drake's life. So much of her family history is shrouded in secrecy, facts hidden in the shadows and the truth anything but clear. Along the fault lines are stories dating back to World War II, when there fortunes to be made upon the sacrifice of the innocent. As Ava digs deeper into her grandfather's past, her present occupation as the director of the famed Kingston Family Foundation leads her straight to Uganda, where she meets the kind of man who insists that the truth can set her free.
"Windows are a curious thing. . . . the stained ones transform the light but not the transparent glass."
Rich in history, this lovely story paints a mural of love, loss, and bravery using colors bold enough to cover the ugliness that begs to raise its hideous voice among the shattered "memories of glass". It's a complex story, especially in the beginning, when layer after layer of family connections and deceit threaten to snuff out the souls who rose to an occasion that they never would have chosen for themselves. And yet they did; they certainly did.
I received a copy of this book from the author. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
March 24, 2019
I'm totally impressed by this beautiful story that captivated me from page one and stole my sleep, because I couldn't stop reading.
Wow, just wow!
Wow, just wow!
November 12, 2019
What a spellbinding read! My favorite split time novel of Melanie Dobson's so far!
The author drew me in immediately with the past and present storylines. I even had a slight preference for the modern day heroine, Ava - though I usually lean to loving the historical heroine/s a tad bit more. Ava had such an intriguing storyline. And, swoon, I loved Landon!
The writing was fantastic. The storyline was unique. The pacing was perfect. I love learning about history that I had no idea about. LOVE!!
This story is one I'll not be quick to forget! And the ending has stayed with many days after finishing the book. Beautiful story, inspiring, encouraging and uplifting. That's the kind of novels I love to read.
The author drew me in immediately with the past and present storylines. I even had a slight preference for the modern day heroine, Ava - though I usually lean to loving the historical heroine/s a tad bit more. Ava had such an intriguing storyline. And, swoon, I loved Landon!
The writing was fantastic. The storyline was unique. The pacing was perfect. I love learning about history that I had no idea about. LOVE!!
This story is one I'll not be quick to forget! And the ending has stayed with many days after finishing the book. Beautiful story, inspiring, encouraging and uplifting. That's the kind of novels I love to read.
August 4, 2019
I enjoy books about WWII, and I enjoy Melanie Dobson’s books, so I’m not surprised that I loved this book. It's a story that will stick with me for some time, and it should, as this is about a part of history that shouldn't be forgotten.
Dobson has crafted a powerful time-slip novel with well-developed characters who show strength and determination when faced with unbelievable circumstances. This book is a testament to the numerous men and women who risked their lives during WWII to help save others (in the case of Memories of Glass, children). While many people have heard horrific details about the Holocaust, this side of the Holocaust is not as widely known.
The story weaves together Ava Drake’s present-day story, as director of the Kingston Family Foundation, with the historical angle, where she uncovers secrets about her family’s history in Holland during WWII. The conclusion is one that will likely leave the reader feeling a bit more hopeful.
Themes of forgiveness and resilience are key, as well as the message that God’s grace is always present. Faith is woven throughout. It’s obvious that Dobson did an extensive amount of research for this book. I also enjoyed the Author’s Note, which gave some insight on how the story came to be written.
Some of my favorite quotes:
“God is going to use you to bring people together instead of tear them apart.”
“We’ll never be satisfied in here … by relying on someone other than God to heal us.”
“Hatred stops at nothing to destroy, but love can break through the root of evil.”
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.
Dobson has crafted a powerful time-slip novel with well-developed characters who show strength and determination when faced with unbelievable circumstances. This book is a testament to the numerous men and women who risked their lives during WWII to help save others (in the case of Memories of Glass, children). While many people have heard horrific details about the Holocaust, this side of the Holocaust is not as widely known.
The story weaves together Ava Drake’s present-day story, as director of the Kingston Family Foundation, with the historical angle, where she uncovers secrets about her family’s history in Holland during WWII. The conclusion is one that will likely leave the reader feeling a bit more hopeful.
Themes of forgiveness and resilience are key, as well as the message that God’s grace is always present. Faith is woven throughout. It’s obvious that Dobson did an extensive amount of research for this book. I also enjoyed the Author’s Note, which gave some insight on how the story came to be written.
Some of my favorite quotes:
“God is going to use you to bring people together instead of tear them apart.”
“We’ll never be satisfied in here … by relying on someone other than God to heal us.”
“Hatred stops at nothing to destroy, but love can break through the root of evil.”
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.
September 29, 2019
With decades comes perspective but what if you were on the other side of WWII and the Nazi regime? What if you didn’t realize what would happen to the families you helped register before they were loaded on trains to a German concentration camp? Melanie Dobson puts you in those shoes and others in the Dutch resistance group in Memories of Glass.
I was immediately drawn into this tale of three women. Josie and Eliese met and became friends as young girls in Holland. The war brings them together years later and together they work together to save children from the camps.
Ava Drake longs for a family that’s not motivated by greed like those surrounding her. When she discovers some new information about the Kingston family, she sets out on a journey to uncover the truth with no idea of what she will uncover.
From Holland to Portland to Uganda, Dobson paints portraits of a life lived in selfishness versus a life lived in selflessness with beautiful prose and a story of sacrifice that will stay with the reader long after the final word is read.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
I was immediately drawn into this tale of three women. Josie and Eliese met and became friends as young girls in Holland. The war brings them together years later and together they work together to save children from the camps.
Ava Drake longs for a family that’s not motivated by greed like those surrounding her. When she discovers some new information about the Kingston family, she sets out on a journey to uncover the truth with no idea of what she will uncover.
From Holland to Portland to Uganda, Dobson paints portraits of a life lived in selfishness versus a life lived in selflessness with beautiful prose and a story of sacrifice that will stay with the reader long after the final word is read.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
July 12, 2019
'Hatred stops at nothing to destroy, but love can break through the root of evil.'
Melanie Dobson is a master at this type of story: dual time line, one period set in a very dark period of history during the Nazi invasion of Holland, and another in the present day when a young woman stumbles upon her family history and has a great deal to learn about those dark days.
This one reminds me some of The Zookeeper's Wife, with characters determined to do their part in the middle of all the atrocities and hatred spreading through their beloved country. Dobson knows her way around this. Her research is impeccable and it's a story that needed to be told, based on fact.
*My thanks to Tyndale House Publishers for a preview copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.
Melanie Dobson is a master at this type of story: dual time line, one period set in a very dark period of history during the Nazi invasion of Holland, and another in the present day when a young woman stumbles upon her family history and has a great deal to learn about those dark days.
This one reminds me some of The Zookeeper's Wife, with characters determined to do their part in the middle of all the atrocities and hatred spreading through their beloved country. Dobson knows her way around this. Her research is impeccable and it's a story that needed to be told, based on fact.
*My thanks to Tyndale House Publishers for a preview copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.
October 14, 2019
Gonna DNF for the first time in awhile. I don’t like the way this author writes. There are so many characters to keep track of, and that’s challenging enough, but she complicates matters by introducing a new person and then diving into pages and pages of back story on the character. Very difficult to absorb the information that way, and the relationships between characters are already somewhat convoluted. The plot is also getting Jesus-y. I didn’t know this author writes Christian fiction, but there it is. Just very surprising (or dare I say inappropriate) for a book about the Holocaust to go in that direction. I don’t think this one’s for me.
June 12, 2020
I really enjoyed both of the story lines in this book, especially the historical side. However, I feel like it jumped around a little too much which made it difficult to really see and enjoy how all the little details fit together. Also, I feel like there were way too many coincidences and overlaps to be even a little bit believable and I really like it when a book seems so real you have to remind yourself it's just a book! 😁 Overall, it was an enjoyable read.
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