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Out of the Mountain's Shadow
1939: War has broken out, and in Albania Bekim's family take in a Jewish family fleeing from Austria. The years of war will shape his life in unimaginable ways as Bekim grows to love Hannelore , doing everything in his power to protect her. But will he be enough to keep her safe? 2019 : Following a shock redundancy, Ruth is taking an extended holiday in southern Italy where she befriends local Zak . When Zak's dying father asks them to solve a mystery from his past, Ruth leaps at the chance. Journeying through his homeland of Albania, Ruth and Zak race to find the sacred artefacts hidden in the mountains during the war. A stunning and emotional novel of love and danger, perfect for fans of Lorna Cook and Rachel Hore.
330 pages, Paperback
Published June 10, 2021
27 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 22, 2021
This is a Women's Fiction/Historical Fiction. There is two timelines in this book. The first timeline is 2019 told by Ruth while in Italy on vacation and the second timeline is 1939 told from Bekim in Albania. I have to say this is one of the best World War II Historical Fiction books I have read. I have not read any others that takes place in Albania. I loved all the characters in the book, and I feel this book is really well written. I think the timelines was handle very well, and it was easy to follow each of the timelines. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher or author (Rose Alexander) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
April 23, 2021
Out of the Mountain's Shadow
Rose Alexander
Five Stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Another emotional, exhausting and facinatinting book. For much of the book, I felt like I was reading two books, albeit two gripping, and interesting stories, tie in together in the end in a beautiful way.
The story starts with Ruth, who is on holiday in Italy after being “let go” from her job as a news presenter in London. All she wants to do is rest and relax and figure out what to do next. She’s booked to spend two months in a seaside village in Southern Italy, her only plans are to relax. There she meets Zak, a friend of the family who lets out her cottage, his good looks and easygoing charm are plenty to keep her intrigued, and his fathers story of growing up in Albania, during the war, gets her investigative nature back up and running.
The secondary story takes place in Albania in 1939 and is written from Bekim’s point of view, starting from when he turned 11 years old. When Jewish immigrants move to his poor fishing village, him and his family go to extraordinary lengths to protect them from the war.
These stories are powerful, gripping, and emotional. It’s another look at the horrors of World War II and how simple ordinary people went to great lengths to protect those that were being persecuted.
The characters are unique and well developed. The writing is descriptive, but with good pacing to move the story along and kept me turning the pages.
About the Author: Rose Alexander has had more careers than she cares to mention and is currently a secondary school English teacher. She writes in the holidays, weekends and evenings, whenever she has a chance, although with three children, a husband, a lodger and a cat, this isn’t always as often as she’d like. She’s a keen sewist and is on a mission to make all her own clothes.
I highly recommend this book for a look into the horrors of war, and the comfort of those that help and protect those that are under persecution.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rose Alexander
Five Stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Another emotional, exhausting and facinatinting book. For much of the book, I felt like I was reading two books, albeit two gripping, and interesting stories, tie in together in the end in a beautiful way.
The story starts with Ruth, who is on holiday in Italy after being “let go” from her job as a news presenter in London. All she wants to do is rest and relax and figure out what to do next. She’s booked to spend two months in a seaside village in Southern Italy, her only plans are to relax. There she meets Zak, a friend of the family who lets out her cottage, his good looks and easygoing charm are plenty to keep her intrigued, and his fathers story of growing up in Albania, during the war, gets her investigative nature back up and running.
The secondary story takes place in Albania in 1939 and is written from Bekim’s point of view, starting from when he turned 11 years old. When Jewish immigrants move to his poor fishing village, him and his family go to extraordinary lengths to protect them from the war.
These stories are powerful, gripping, and emotional. It’s another look at the horrors of World War II and how simple ordinary people went to great lengths to protect those that were being persecuted.
The characters are unique and well developed. The writing is descriptive, but with good pacing to move the story along and kept me turning the pages.
About the Author: Rose Alexander has had more careers than she cares to mention and is currently a secondary school English teacher. She writes in the holidays, weekends and evenings, whenever she has a chance, although with three children, a husband, a lodger and a cat, this isn’t always as often as she’d like. She’s a keen sewist and is on a mission to make all her own clothes.
I highly recommend this book for a look into the horrors of war, and the comfort of those that help and protect those that are under persecution.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 14, 2021
I love historical fiction and this book was fantastic. I actually had to google Albanians helping Jewish refugees as it is a part of WW2 that I had never heard before.
The story goes back and forth between 1942 and the lives of hannelore and bekim and 2019 between Zak( Bekims son) and Ruth.
I was absolutely fascinated with hannelore and bekim and the lengths at which the Albanians went to keep their Jewish friends safe. I was on edge the whole time hoping they would be kept safe.
A brilliant emotional read which also thought me a part of history that I never knew- highly recommend
This was my first read from this author and I’ll definitely be looking into her other work after finishing this book.
The story goes back and forth between 1942 and the lives of hannelore and bekim and 2019 between Zak( Bekims son) and Ruth.
I was absolutely fascinated with hannelore and bekim and the lengths at which the Albanians went to keep their Jewish friends safe. I was on edge the whole time hoping they would be kept safe.
A brilliant emotional read which also thought me a part of history that I never knew- highly recommend
This was my first read from this author and I’ll definitely be looking into her other work after finishing this book.
April 23, 2022
A beautifully written historical novel covering life in Albania 1939 and 2019. Extremely emotional heartfelt stories of Bekim and Hannelore and Ruth and Zak. This was the first Rose Alexander book I had read and thoroughly enjoyed her descriptive style of writing.
May 10, 2021
Another FANTASTIC dual timeline historical fiction!
This one is unique because it is set in Albania in the 1939 timeline and Italy in the 2019 timeline. I’ve never read a book set in Albania before and I learned so much about their customs and how war affected this country and its citizens. The author’s meticulous research is deftly incorporated into the story and it never feels like an info dump. She is able to teach us about Albania through the protagonist as he helps his refugee friend blend and fit in to her strange, new surroundings. Her rich, detailed descriptions will enable readers to experience a new country as if they were travelling with the characters.
In 1939, Hannelore and her Jewish family had fled Austria and arrived as refugees in Albania. While she’s out playing one day, she meets 11-year-old Bekim, who is instantly enamored with her.
In Albania, it is customary to offer guests loyalty and hospitality and guarantee their safety. Once an Albanian has given a guest his word, his ‘besa,’ he must live up to it. It’s this tradition that contributed to giving Jews from throughout Europe safe refuge during WW2. What starts out as Bekim’s besa towards Hannelore’s family, develops into love as he does everything in his power to keep them safe.
This dovetails expertly with the 2019 timeline. Ruth is on holiday in Italy and meets Zak and learns about his father’s experience during the war. In the process of getting him closure, a romance blossoms as Zak takes her to his Albanian homeland. In both stories, characters were enriched by putting other’s needs first.
I had read Under an Amber Sky by the same author and loved her writing style so much that I couldn’t wait to read this unique historical fiction. It did not disappoint. You’ll want to broaden your perspective on WW2 historical fiction and add to your knowledge of Albania with this easy, informative read.
This one is unique because it is set in Albania in the 1939 timeline and Italy in the 2019 timeline. I’ve never read a book set in Albania before and I learned so much about their customs and how war affected this country and its citizens. The author’s meticulous research is deftly incorporated into the story and it never feels like an info dump. She is able to teach us about Albania through the protagonist as he helps his refugee friend blend and fit in to her strange, new surroundings. Her rich, detailed descriptions will enable readers to experience a new country as if they were travelling with the characters.
In 1939, Hannelore and her Jewish family had fled Austria and arrived as refugees in Albania. While she’s out playing one day, she meets 11-year-old Bekim, who is instantly enamored with her.
In Albania, it is customary to offer guests loyalty and hospitality and guarantee their safety. Once an Albanian has given a guest his word, his ‘besa,’ he must live up to it. It’s this tradition that contributed to giving Jews from throughout Europe safe refuge during WW2. What starts out as Bekim’s besa towards Hannelore’s family, develops into love as he does everything in his power to keep them safe.
This dovetails expertly with the 2019 timeline. Ruth is on holiday in Italy and meets Zak and learns about his father’s experience during the war. In the process of getting him closure, a romance blossoms as Zak takes her to his Albanian homeland. In both stories, characters were enriched by putting other’s needs first.
I had read Under an Amber Sky by the same author and loved her writing style so much that I couldn’t wait to read this unique historical fiction. It did not disappoint. You’ll want to broaden your perspective on WW2 historical fiction and add to your knowledge of Albania with this easy, informative read.
June 10, 2021
Ruth’s successful job as a news presenter on British television has suddenly been terminated. She is sure this is because as a woman of 45 she no longer fits the media image. A generous redundancy package has given her the opportunity to spend several weeks by the sea in Italy. Her friendly hosts help her to relax and introduce her to Zak, a pleasant local businessman who originates from Albania. Soon she is learning the story of his family, particularly during World War Two. Despite poverty, Albanians feel it is their duty to care for guests in their country and so when Jewish families fled from the Nazis the local people hid them from the advancing German army.
We move from 2019 to 1939 through the journal of Zak’s father Bekim. Reading of friendship and romance between Bekim and Hannah, one of the Jewish refugees, Ruth learns a great deal about Albania and she welcomes Zak’s invitation to visit the country. She loves the countryside and meets Zak’s family, but she is not sure if this will be anything more than a casual holiday flirtation since both she and Zak have had failed relationships in the pasts. When Zak and his sister rush off to see Bekim, who is dying, Ruth is happy to stay on her own looking after the chickens but there are criminals in the area and soon she fears for her safety.
The story of Bekim and Hannah is distressing and emotional and I was fascinated to read about the history of Albania both during the war and afterwards. The relationship between Zak and Ruth grows slowly into trust and affection and the reader wants them to find the happiness which Bekim and Hannah lost.
We move from 2019 to 1939 through the journal of Zak’s father Bekim. Reading of friendship and romance between Bekim and Hannah, one of the Jewish refugees, Ruth learns a great deal about Albania and she welcomes Zak’s invitation to visit the country. She loves the countryside and meets Zak’s family, but she is not sure if this will be anything more than a casual holiday flirtation since both she and Zak have had failed relationships in the pasts. When Zak and his sister rush off to see Bekim, who is dying, Ruth is happy to stay on her own looking after the chickens but there are criminals in the area and soon she fears for her safety.
The story of Bekim and Hannah is distressing and emotional and I was fascinated to read about the history of Albania both during the war and afterwards. The relationship between Zak and Ruth grows slowly into trust and affection and the reader wants them to find the happiness which Bekim and Hannah lost.
April 13, 2021
NetGalley
Member Review
Cover Image: Out of the Mountain's Shadow
Out of the Mountain's Shadow
by Rose Alexander
Pub Date: 10 Jun 2021
Review by
jeanie m, Reviewer
Last updated on 13 Apr 2021
My Recommendation
With grateful thanks to netgalley and Rose Alexander for an arc in return for an honest opinion.
Firstly I have to say my first book by this author and what a revelation.
Out of the mountains shadow is a tale of courage hope and love its quite a Harrowing journey, and I'm do delighted to have had the privilege to be on it Albania always mesmerized me growing up, as so little was known in Scotland about it and by reading this beautifully written story I actually understand so much more.
This book has been exacuted with such fine detail and the characters play there parts so well I have absolutely nothing but 5⭐ praise for this book
Thank you❤
Member Review
Cover Image: Out of the Mountain's Shadow
Out of the Mountain's Shadow
by Rose Alexander
Pub Date: 10 Jun 2021
Review by
jeanie m, Reviewer
Last updated on 13 Apr 2021
My Recommendation
With grateful thanks to netgalley and Rose Alexander for an arc in return for an honest opinion.
Firstly I have to say my first book by this author and what a revelation.
Out of the mountains shadow is a tale of courage hope and love its quite a Harrowing journey, and I'm do delighted to have had the privilege to be on it Albania always mesmerized me growing up, as so little was known in Scotland about it and by reading this beautifully written story I actually understand so much more.
This book has been exacuted with such fine detail and the characters play there parts so well I have absolutely nothing but 5⭐ praise for this book
Thank you❤
July 27, 2021
Sheer enjoyment from beginning to end… and isn’t it lovely when you feel you can start a review with words like that? I always think there’s a particular skill in writing the perfect dual time novel – both storylines equally engaging, characters you connect with, none of that painful wrenching when you move from one thread to the other – and everything about this book was quite perfectly managed. I sat down to read it late one morning, planning to just make a start, get on with other things in the afternoon – instead I found it totally impossible to put down, read it in one glorious sitting, and knew I’d read something very special indeed.
I knew absolutely nothing about Albania’s history during the Second World War (or, indeed, about the country and its people in the present day – I’m not sure I’ve ever read a novel set there before), and the fact that the historical story is based on well researched real-life stories of exceptional bravery and kindness made this book all the more enthralling. I was as intrigued as young Bekim seeing the strangely dressed people arriving on the quayside at Durrësi, until then largely untouched by the approach of war – they are Austrian Jewish refugees, fleeing in the wake of Kristallnacht, hoping Albania might be a stepping stone to a life of safety in America.
Bekim’s family have very little, but live by the lore of the Kanun which instructs that guests are next to God and must be protected at all costs, together with the paramount importance of “besa” (to keep the promise). He’s enchanted by young Hannelore, with her chestnut curls, and vows he’ll make her his wife – but as he’s only ten, that will have to wait a while. As the years pass, there are dramatic changes to his life and country – first the Italians, but then the occupation by the Nazis, bringing a massively increased level of threat for the Jewish guests and those who protect them. We learn about the partisans – Bekim particularly idolises his Uncle Altin, one of their number, who gave him his treasured knife – and as he grows and his affection for Hannelore deepens, he’s finally called upon to be a man and lead them on a journey fraught with danger to a place of greater safety.
In the contemporary thread, Ruth finds herself jobless and alone, taking an extended holiday in Southern Italy to lick her wounds and contemplate the future. She’s befriended by Zac, an Albanian businessman long resident in Italy, who shares his father Bekim’s story – and when he’s called home because of his father’s illness, she travels with him, drawn by the opportunity to see the country as well as trying to resolve the mystery of some significant missing “treasure” that his father is desperate to reunite with its rightful owner before he dies. Both storylines – historical and contemporary – are perfectly wrapped around each other, with Ruth’s adventures later taking centre stage as she finds herself in considerable danger when she stumbles across the darker elements of modern Albania.
Bekim tells his own story, and his voice is that of a child becoming a man – he’s exceptionally likeable (he certainly won my heart) and his voice is quite wonderfully consistent and sustained. But the compelling and all-consuming story and Bekim himself certainly aren’t the only reasons why I loved this book. It’s a perfect introduction to a country and people largely shrouded in mystery – the descriptions are quite wonderful, entirely transporting you to its unfamiliar surroundings while making you feel part of the twists and turns of the story, and the meticulous research that lies behind it all is amply evident and so well used to bring the settings and atmosphere to life.
I’m rarely a fan of the metronomic alternation of past and present, and the author doesn’t do that – the book’s construction is more fluid, following the separate threads for several chapters when the unfolding story demands it, and that was something I really enjoyed. The characterisation is really excellent, and the whole book perfectly paced – gentle at times (particularly in the present day), tense and gripping when danger escalates in either storyline – and the author’s emotional touch throughout is quite superb. I really didn’t want the book to end – but its conclusion was everything I wanted it to be, leaving me with both a tear in my eye and a smile on my face.
I really can’t praise this book enough – an extraordinary story of courage and bravery, of passion and loyalty, a tribute to the experience of a people about whom I knew shamefully little, and storytelling of the highest order. This will be one of my books of the year – and I recommend it very highly.
I knew absolutely nothing about Albania’s history during the Second World War (or, indeed, about the country and its people in the present day – I’m not sure I’ve ever read a novel set there before), and the fact that the historical story is based on well researched real-life stories of exceptional bravery and kindness made this book all the more enthralling. I was as intrigued as young Bekim seeing the strangely dressed people arriving on the quayside at Durrësi, until then largely untouched by the approach of war – they are Austrian Jewish refugees, fleeing in the wake of Kristallnacht, hoping Albania might be a stepping stone to a life of safety in America.
Bekim’s family have very little, but live by the lore of the Kanun which instructs that guests are next to God and must be protected at all costs, together with the paramount importance of “besa” (to keep the promise). He’s enchanted by young Hannelore, with her chestnut curls, and vows he’ll make her his wife – but as he’s only ten, that will have to wait a while. As the years pass, there are dramatic changes to his life and country – first the Italians, but then the occupation by the Nazis, bringing a massively increased level of threat for the Jewish guests and those who protect them. We learn about the partisans – Bekim particularly idolises his Uncle Altin, one of their number, who gave him his treasured knife – and as he grows and his affection for Hannelore deepens, he’s finally called upon to be a man and lead them on a journey fraught with danger to a place of greater safety.
In the contemporary thread, Ruth finds herself jobless and alone, taking an extended holiday in Southern Italy to lick her wounds and contemplate the future. She’s befriended by Zac, an Albanian businessman long resident in Italy, who shares his father Bekim’s story – and when he’s called home because of his father’s illness, she travels with him, drawn by the opportunity to see the country as well as trying to resolve the mystery of some significant missing “treasure” that his father is desperate to reunite with its rightful owner before he dies. Both storylines – historical and contemporary – are perfectly wrapped around each other, with Ruth’s adventures later taking centre stage as she finds herself in considerable danger when she stumbles across the darker elements of modern Albania.
Bekim tells his own story, and his voice is that of a child becoming a man – he’s exceptionally likeable (he certainly won my heart) and his voice is quite wonderfully consistent and sustained. But the compelling and all-consuming story and Bekim himself certainly aren’t the only reasons why I loved this book. It’s a perfect introduction to a country and people largely shrouded in mystery – the descriptions are quite wonderful, entirely transporting you to its unfamiliar surroundings while making you feel part of the twists and turns of the story, and the meticulous research that lies behind it all is amply evident and so well used to bring the settings and atmosphere to life.
I’m rarely a fan of the metronomic alternation of past and present, and the author doesn’t do that – the book’s construction is more fluid, following the separate threads for several chapters when the unfolding story demands it, and that was something I really enjoyed. The characterisation is really excellent, and the whole book perfectly paced – gentle at times (particularly in the present day), tense and gripping when danger escalates in either storyline – and the author’s emotional touch throughout is quite superb. I really didn’t want the book to end – but its conclusion was everything I wanted it to be, leaving me with both a tear in my eye and a smile on my face.
I really can’t praise this book enough – an extraordinary story of courage and bravery, of passion and loyalty, a tribute to the experience of a people about whom I knew shamefully little, and storytelling of the highest order. This will be one of my books of the year – and I recommend it very highly.
November 9, 2021
What a beautiful story. If you love historical fiction this is most definitely the book for you. Especially if you love books based around World War 2. I know there’s a few followers on here that adore reads based on this timeline.
There’s a unique timeline built in throughout the story time hopping between 2019 and 1939-1945 which made it an extremely capturing read. The extraordinary descriptions are so mesmerising especially the detail put into this book about Albania and Italy. They are two places I now want to add onto my travel list to explore.
The emotion around the characters pulls on your heart with the relationships you encounter along the way.
I found this book unique to anything I’ve read so far around World War 2. The author has done a great job in this book with the historical knowledge, that not a lot of people would know about. Because of this it’s a book that you endure and learn from and want to expand your knowledge to know more.
I found it quite a slow read, but that’s mainly because I’ve read a lot of books that have been fast paced lately. It doesn’t take anything away from how much thought has been put into this book. You can clearly tell the author had a lot of passion making this book.
There’s a unique timeline built in throughout the story time hopping between 2019 and 1939-1945 which made it an extremely capturing read. The extraordinary descriptions are so mesmerising especially the detail put into this book about Albania and Italy. They are two places I now want to add onto my travel list to explore.
The emotion around the characters pulls on your heart with the relationships you encounter along the way.
I found this book unique to anything I’ve read so far around World War 2. The author has done a great job in this book with the historical knowledge, that not a lot of people would know about. Because of this it’s a book that you endure and learn from and want to expand your knowledge to know more.
I found it quite a slow read, but that’s mainly because I’ve read a lot of books that have been fast paced lately. It doesn’t take anything away from how much thought has been put into this book. You can clearly tell the author had a lot of passion making this book.
June 9, 2021
4.5 stars
Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary digital copy of Out of the Mountain’s Shadow by Rose Alexander. I voluntarily agreed to read and review this book prior to publication. My opinions are my own, and nothing has influenced my rating.
Out of the Mountain’s Shadow is a well written novel with engaging characters and an emotionally charged plot. This book is written in dual timelines, one in 2019, and the other in WWII Albania. I thoroughly enjoyed this aspect of the book.
Ruth is the main character in the story set in 2019 in southern Italy. She’s on holiday where she meets Zak and agrees to help him solve a mystery for his dying father. I enjoyed her character a great deal. Her caring ways with her landlord’s young son stole my heart, and her determination to find Bekim’s first love made me love her even more.
Bekim is the main character in the story set in war-torn Albania and follows him from a young boy when he befriends Hannelore, a young Jewish child. As the war is fought around them, he falls in love while his family hides her family to keep them safe from the Natzi soldiers. He becomes a resistance fighter and fights to win his country’s freedom.
There are dual love stories in this book. Zak and Ruth are well matched, and I enjoyed their relationship a great deal. Then Bekim and Hannelore are wonderful. My heart wept for them when Hannelore leaves Albania bound for America.
This is a very emotional book, and it shows the stark reality of the brutal occupation of Albania by Natzi Germany. I loved learning about the resistance fighters and the fierce battle to protect their country.
If you enjoy historical fiction with amazing characters and an intriguing plot, then you will love Out of the Mountain’s Shadow. This is the first book I’ve read by Ms. Alexander but it will not be the last. Happy reading!
Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary digital copy of Out of the Mountain’s Shadow by Rose Alexander. I voluntarily agreed to read and review this book prior to publication. My opinions are my own, and nothing has influenced my rating.
Out of the Mountain’s Shadow is a well written novel with engaging characters and an emotionally charged plot. This book is written in dual timelines, one in 2019, and the other in WWII Albania. I thoroughly enjoyed this aspect of the book.
Ruth is the main character in the story set in 2019 in southern Italy. She’s on holiday where she meets Zak and agrees to help him solve a mystery for his dying father. I enjoyed her character a great deal. Her caring ways with her landlord’s young son stole my heart, and her determination to find Bekim’s first love made me love her even more.
Bekim is the main character in the story set in war-torn Albania and follows him from a young boy when he befriends Hannelore, a young Jewish child. As the war is fought around them, he falls in love while his family hides her family to keep them safe from the Natzi soldiers. He becomes a resistance fighter and fights to win his country’s freedom.
There are dual love stories in this book. Zak and Ruth are well matched, and I enjoyed their relationship a great deal. Then Bekim and Hannelore are wonderful. My heart wept for them when Hannelore leaves Albania bound for America.
This is a very emotional book, and it shows the stark reality of the brutal occupation of Albania by Natzi Germany. I loved learning about the resistance fighters and the fierce battle to protect their country.
If you enjoy historical fiction with amazing characters and an intriguing plot, then you will love Out of the Mountain’s Shadow. This is the first book I’ve read by Ms. Alexander but it will not be the last. Happy reading!
June 20, 2021
Out Of The Mountains Shadow is a fantastic historical fiction/contemporary fiction novel with a dual timeline. The first timeline, set in 1939 follows Bekim, a young Albanian boy who meets Hannelore, an Austrian Jew who has fled to Albania with her family to escape the Nazis. Over the next few years, Bekim and his family do everything in their power to keep Hannelore and her family safe as the Nazis invade Albania.
The second timelinefollows news presenter Ruth in 2019, who goes to Italy for an extended holiday after being made redundant and meets Zak, the handsome friend of her landlady and Bekim's son. Zak shares his father's memoirs with Ruth and as their relationship grows, he invites her to Albania to help solve a mystery from Bekim's past.
I loved everything about this novel. It was beautifully written and really well researched and the author perfectly captured Bekim's voice as he matured from a young boy to a young man, far wiser than his years. I've read a lot about WW2, but must confess to knowing nothing about Albania or the role they played in sheltering the Jewish people from the Nazis. This book gave me a fascinating insight into the history of Albania, its culture and the bravery of its people who would lay down their own lives to protect their visitors.
The story moved smoothly across the different timelines and I loved how we learned snippets of Bekim and Hannelore's story along with Ruth as she read Bekim's memoires.
The story is emotional and very moving in parts and it held my attention throughout. The characters were well written and I felt emotionally attached to them all. I was rooting for Ruth and Zak to get together and for Bekim and Hannelore to stay safe and get their happily ever after. It's a beautifully crafted novel and I'd thoroughly recommend this book to anyone.
The second timelinefollows news presenter Ruth in 2019, who goes to Italy for an extended holiday after being made redundant and meets Zak, the handsome friend of her landlady and Bekim's son. Zak shares his father's memoirs with Ruth and as their relationship grows, he invites her to Albania to help solve a mystery from Bekim's past.
I loved everything about this novel. It was beautifully written and really well researched and the author perfectly captured Bekim's voice as he matured from a young boy to a young man, far wiser than his years. I've read a lot about WW2, but must confess to knowing nothing about Albania or the role they played in sheltering the Jewish people from the Nazis. This book gave me a fascinating insight into the history of Albania, its culture and the bravery of its people who would lay down their own lives to protect their visitors.
The story moved smoothly across the different timelines and I loved how we learned snippets of Bekim and Hannelore's story along with Ruth as she read Bekim's memoires.
The story is emotional and very moving in parts and it held my attention throughout. The characters were well written and I felt emotionally attached to them all. I was rooting for Ruth and Zak to get together and for Bekim and Hannelore to stay safe and get their happily ever after. It's a beautifully crafted novel and I'd thoroughly recommend this book to anyone.
June 17, 2021
Out of the Mountain’s Shadow’ is poignant, extremely moving, beautifully written and an emotional account of a neglected period of history. I actually cried towards the end of this book - this is something I rarely do. This book touched me. I am a big historical fiction fan and this is an area I knew nothing about. I had studied the Balkans a bit but never into depth and this was certainly not a topic that was brought up. Once again a great piece of fiction has allowed the reader to be transported into another world. One which allows you to learn.
Ruth has just lost her job and decides that she needs and holiday and packs her bags to stay in Puglia, Italy for two months. As she begins to relax and look at her life she decides to help look after her landladies son, since she is heavily pregnant. Whilst at the beach they bump into a family friend Zak and unlikely friendship builds between them. Zak is Albanian and has a unique story to tell. That of his families fight to help shelter some Jews from firstly the Italians and then the Nazis. Zak’s father Bekim has written his memoirs and Ruth is privileged enough to be given the chance to read them.
The narrative swaps between the two timelines and I must say I was fascinated by them. Bekim is such a strong character from such an early age. Determined that he was going to marry Hannelore from the first time he saw her as a young boy. His ingrained sense of right and wrong shows a depth of character needed in this period. I do not know how people experienced thus for real. Its an eye-opening account of a group of people hunted because of their religion. Thankfully, Albania was a tad ‘safer’ than other countries but I think that is a testament to the Albanians and their determination to keep their guests safe. It's the besan - their duty.
This is a book you will not regret reading!
Ruth has just lost her job and decides that she needs and holiday and packs her bags to stay in Puglia, Italy for two months. As she begins to relax and look at her life she decides to help look after her landladies son, since she is heavily pregnant. Whilst at the beach they bump into a family friend Zak and unlikely friendship builds between them. Zak is Albanian and has a unique story to tell. That of his families fight to help shelter some Jews from firstly the Italians and then the Nazis. Zak’s father Bekim has written his memoirs and Ruth is privileged enough to be given the chance to read them.
The narrative swaps between the two timelines and I must say I was fascinated by them. Bekim is such a strong character from such an early age. Determined that he was going to marry Hannelore from the first time he saw her as a young boy. His ingrained sense of right and wrong shows a depth of character needed in this period. I do not know how people experienced thus for real. Its an eye-opening account of a group of people hunted because of their religion. Thankfully, Albania was a tad ‘safer’ than other countries but I think that is a testament to the Albanians and their determination to keep their guests safe. It's the besan - their duty.
This is a book you will not regret reading!
June 16, 2021
Firstly, I’d like to say thank you to the author and @lovebookstours (Instagram) for my gifted copy of this book as part of the book tour.
This book follows two timeline, Bekim through WWII in Albania, and Ruth in modern day Italy. I loved these two main characters. Bekim had my heart from the beginning. He’s sweet, earnest, and admirably protective. Ruth is interesting, and personally, I found her rather funny at times. The two main secondary characters on either side were also fascinating. Hannelore (an Austrian Jewish girl) and Zak (Bekim’s son and Ruth’s new friend in Italy) both have such interesting lives that are also very historically informative.
The context of the WWII story line is Jews hiding in Albania. This is something I knew nothing about and researched because of this book. I have an endless amount of respect for these families and branches of the Albanian government at the time for hiding and protecting the Jewish families in their country under threat. This book showed the lengths these people went to and highlighted an important part of history beautifully within the experiences of these two families in a way that got me very much invested in their lives and survival. I think I preferred this timeline out of the two as it was so historically rich and definitely original from all of the WWII fictions I have read.
I’m the modern timeline, I loved watching Ruth develop and regain her confidence and sense of purpose as an investigative journalist.
Not only is this book well written and original, the characters are worthy of investment and the contexts allowed me to become completely engrossed. Great read, definitely recommend!!
This book follows two timeline, Bekim through WWII in Albania, and Ruth in modern day Italy. I loved these two main characters. Bekim had my heart from the beginning. He’s sweet, earnest, and admirably protective. Ruth is interesting, and personally, I found her rather funny at times. The two main secondary characters on either side were also fascinating. Hannelore (an Austrian Jewish girl) and Zak (Bekim’s son and Ruth’s new friend in Italy) both have such interesting lives that are also very historically informative.
The context of the WWII story line is Jews hiding in Albania. This is something I knew nothing about and researched because of this book. I have an endless amount of respect for these families and branches of the Albanian government at the time for hiding and protecting the Jewish families in their country under threat. This book showed the lengths these people went to and highlighted an important part of history beautifully within the experiences of these two families in a way that got me very much invested in their lives and survival. I think I preferred this timeline out of the two as it was so historically rich and definitely original from all of the WWII fictions I have read.
I’m the modern timeline, I loved watching Ruth develop and regain her confidence and sense of purpose as an investigative journalist.
Not only is this book well written and original, the characters are worthy of investment and the contexts allowed me to become completely engrossed. Great read, definitely recommend!!
June 16, 2021
This book tells two stories, that of Ruth's Italian holiday in 2019 and Bekim's life in rural Albania in 1939. Ruth's redundancy from her job as a news presenter has lead to her taking a long holiday in Italy to reevaluate her life and career options. During this holiday she meets Zak, a friend of her hosts who originates from Albania. Zak's father is very ill and has recently begun sharing more of his past with his son, particularly his memories of the Second World War. These memories are soon shared with Ruth who uses her investigative journalism skills to help Zak solve a family mystery and track down people from his father's past.
Alongside Ruth we learn of Bekim’s past and his developing friendship with Hannelore, a young Jewish girl who has fled Austria with her family, relocating to Albania. Through these two young people we learn more about the dangers Jewish people faced during this time and the risks everyday Albanians were willing to take to protect them, including hiding them from the advancing Nazi armies.
The chapters in this books move easily between these two time periods and it is very well written and emotive. It is clear that the author has researched Albania and the Second World War thoroughly and I really like how she has included a reference to an online exhibition where the reader can learn more about the true stories of Albanians who rescued Jews during the Holocaust.
The characters are really well written and I was definitely hoping they would survive their trials and get their own happy endings. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.
Alongside Ruth we learn of Bekim’s past and his developing friendship with Hannelore, a young Jewish girl who has fled Austria with her family, relocating to Albania. Through these two young people we learn more about the dangers Jewish people faced during this time and the risks everyday Albanians were willing to take to protect them, including hiding them from the advancing Nazi armies.
The chapters in this books move easily between these two time periods and it is very well written and emotive. It is clear that the author has researched Albania and the Second World War thoroughly and I really like how she has included a reference to an online exhibition where the reader can learn more about the true stories of Albanians who rescued Jews during the Holocaust.
The characters are really well written and I was definitely hoping they would survive their trials and get their own happy endings. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2021
I love historical fiction, amongst my favourite authors are Diney Costeloe and I think this book by Rose Alexander is for sure a book for people loving Diney’s books. The story alternates between 2019 and the period between 1939 and 1945 in which we follow Bekim, his family and the Frankl’s, Hannelore’s family.
The tiny minus I can say is that I did not find it that logical that you give a book, or a stack of papers with a life-story, written by your dad to somebody you have just met. But that does not change how I felt when reading about this country, Albania, which has been closed to the rest of the world for so long. Albania helping a lot of Jews in WW2 and being very humble about this. Bekim’s story is a compilation of stories you can read on the website of Yad Vashem about BESA which is a code of honor the Albanians have.
Alternating between Bekim’s story and Ruth and Zak in the present is a perfect mix. Zak being Bekim’s son living in Italy for a mere thirty years, meeting Ruth who is staying in an apartment just up the road where he lives. Zak giving Ruth the life-story of his dad and Ruth, as a former investigation journalist, is totally engrossed in the story of Bekim and Hannelore. Of course she says yes to Zak when he asks Ruth to accompany him to Albania, where she also meets his parents.
I loved how the story ended and find the mix of fiction and facts perfectly done!
C = 9 | A = 8 | W = 8 | P = 8 | I = 9 | L = 8 | E = 9 | Score 8.43 = 4 stars
The tiny minus I can say is that I did not find it that logical that you give a book, or a stack of papers with a life-story, written by your dad to somebody you have just met. But that does not change how I felt when reading about this country, Albania, which has been closed to the rest of the world for so long. Albania helping a lot of Jews in WW2 and being very humble about this. Bekim’s story is a compilation of stories you can read on the website of Yad Vashem about BESA which is a code of honor the Albanians have.
Alternating between Bekim’s story and Ruth and Zak in the present is a perfect mix. Zak being Bekim’s son living in Italy for a mere thirty years, meeting Ruth who is staying in an apartment just up the road where he lives. Zak giving Ruth the life-story of his dad and Ruth, as a former investigation journalist, is totally engrossed in the story of Bekim and Hannelore. Of course she says yes to Zak when he asks Ruth to accompany him to Albania, where she also meets his parents.
I loved how the story ended and find the mix of fiction and facts perfectly done!
C = 9 | A = 8 | W = 8 | P = 8 | I = 9 | L = 8 | E = 9 | Score 8.43 = 4 stars
December 31, 2021
Out of the Mountain’s Shadow is a brilliant book set in Albania and Italy. It’s the double story of an English woman called Ruth, intertwined with a story of Jewish refugees in Albania. Ruth was a newsreader but recently lost her job. She chose to go on a long holiday to the south of Italy to recover and rethink her choices. She meets an Albanian man, Zak, who shares a manuscript with her, telling the story of his father as a young boy during the war.
Rose Alexander, the author, has done a brilliant job in connecting the two stories. The stories move along in a beautiful rhythm, which I enjoyed. I struggle a lot with double storylines, as I lose the plot of where I am! This one gave me no trouble at all. It starts in Albania just before the war, setting the tone and backdrop of the little town of Durrësi on the Albanian coast. Chapter one brings us to Ruth, arriving for her holiday in Italy.
I love the descriptions in Out of the Mountain’s Shadows. The way Rose Alexander describes the beach, the people, the mountains in Albania. As you know, I don’t like endless descriptions, but this book has a great balance. I loved the research that has gone into the book about life in Albania during the war. Rose explains that she had no idea about Albania’s involvement with Jewish refugees. I didn’t either, so it was good to read about this. This is the main reason that I love historical novels. You learn a lot, without having to do all the hard work.
I liked Ruth, although she did get on my nerves a bit! I could easily imagine her though, especially as she visits the Accursed Mountains in Albania. I did feel sorry for her then (No spoilers, I always do my best to keep spoilers away!). I liked Zak a lot, although I worried a few times along with Ruth. Was he too good to be true? A few times I wondered if he was going to confirm the stereotypical things we hear about Albania. Especially when Ruth finds some things in the Mountains (No, of course, I’m not going to tell you what she found in the forest!).
I loved the ending of the book, it was so beautiful and poignant, and it feels like it opened a door for the next book! I hope there is a next book, there just has to be! The story pulls you into the characters lives in a wonderful way, and I found it impossible to put the book down. The fears and hopes in young Bekim, Zak’s father, the Jewish refugees and the bravery of Bekim’s uncle were so well written, I couldn’t take my eyes off the pages.
Rose Alexander, the author, has done a brilliant job in connecting the two stories. The stories move along in a beautiful rhythm, which I enjoyed. I struggle a lot with double storylines, as I lose the plot of where I am! This one gave me no trouble at all. It starts in Albania just before the war, setting the tone and backdrop of the little town of Durrësi on the Albanian coast. Chapter one brings us to Ruth, arriving for her holiday in Italy.
I love the descriptions in Out of the Mountain’s Shadows. The way Rose Alexander describes the beach, the people, the mountains in Albania. As you know, I don’t like endless descriptions, but this book has a great balance. I loved the research that has gone into the book about life in Albania during the war. Rose explains that she had no idea about Albania’s involvement with Jewish refugees. I didn’t either, so it was good to read about this. This is the main reason that I love historical novels. You learn a lot, without having to do all the hard work.
I liked Ruth, although she did get on my nerves a bit! I could easily imagine her though, especially as she visits the Accursed Mountains in Albania. I did feel sorry for her then (No spoilers, I always do my best to keep spoilers away!). I liked Zak a lot, although I worried a few times along with Ruth. Was he too good to be true? A few times I wondered if he was going to confirm the stereotypical things we hear about Albania. Especially when Ruth finds some things in the Mountains (No, of course, I’m not going to tell you what she found in the forest!).
I loved the ending of the book, it was so beautiful and poignant, and it feels like it opened a door for the next book! I hope there is a next book, there just has to be! The story pulls you into the characters lives in a wonderful way, and I found it impossible to put the book down. The fears and hopes in young Bekim, Zak’s father, the Jewish refugees and the bravery of Bekim’s uncle were so well written, I couldn’t take my eyes off the pages.
January 20, 2022
Out Of The Mountain’s Shadow by Rose Alexander is a fabulous dual timeline novel that makes for compulsive reading. It is set in 2019 and World War II in Albania.
The stories run side by side as a present day journalist begins to unlock a story from the hidden past.
During World War II the Jewish people of Europe fled to Albania to escape the Nazi persecution. The novel focuses on one Austrian family hidden by an Albanian one. Bonds made in war, though parted by time and distance, remained unbroken in hearts.
The reader witnesses the bravery of even the very young, as they desire to do the right thing regardless of personal safety. We see the goodness of the characters in contrast to the evil Nazis.
Life is for living. Sometimes life deals us blows. We are never too old to have a fresh start.
I absolutely loved this book. Both the scenery and the characters come to life under Rose Alexander’s masterful pen. I cannot wait for more from her.
The stories run side by side as a present day journalist begins to unlock a story from the hidden past.
During World War II the Jewish people of Europe fled to Albania to escape the Nazi persecution. The novel focuses on one Austrian family hidden by an Albanian one. Bonds made in war, though parted by time and distance, remained unbroken in hearts.
The reader witnesses the bravery of even the very young, as they desire to do the right thing regardless of personal safety. We see the goodness of the characters in contrast to the evil Nazis.
Life is for living. Sometimes life deals us blows. We are never too old to have a fresh start.
I absolutely loved this book. Both the scenery and the characters come to life under Rose Alexander’s masterful pen. I cannot wait for more from her.
June 21, 2021
Honored and privileged to be gifted a copy of Out Of the Mountain’s Shadow by Rose Alexander.
This WWII Historical Fiction was emotionally gripping, engaging, and powerful.
I always enjoy a WW2 story outside of Western Europe, and one that takes place in Albania, opened a world of History that was left out of every textbook I read growing up. The story is told from two timelines and each one has me holding me breath as I turned the next page. One of the best Historical Fiction novels I have read in a long time. Rose Alexander honors the main characters in both timelines with the depth of their emotions in this novel. The hopes and fears of both the Jews and the Albanians helping them was raw, real, and full of mercy.
Out of the Shadows Mountain was released on June 10th and it’s a Perfect addition to your TBR list this summer.
This WWII Historical Fiction was emotionally gripping, engaging, and powerful.
I always enjoy a WW2 story outside of Western Europe, and one that takes place in Albania, opened a world of History that was left out of every textbook I read growing up. The story is told from two timelines and each one has me holding me breath as I turned the next page. One of the best Historical Fiction novels I have read in a long time. Rose Alexander honors the main characters in both timelines with the depth of their emotions in this novel. The hopes and fears of both the Jews and the Albanians helping them was raw, real, and full of mercy.
Out of the Shadows Mountain was released on June 10th and it’s a Perfect addition to your TBR list this summer.
September 20, 2021
This book is utterly captivating in every way. I love historical fiction, but I often find that authors jump timelines and characters without proper consideration for their readers, yet this was not the case here. There were seamless transitions every few chapters between 2019 and Ruth and Zak, and back to 1942 and Hannelore and Bekim.
There are stunningly beautiful descriptions of both Albania and Italy, that truly make you believe that you are there. These are interwoven throughout the action, and at no point are they overpowering or detracting from the overall story.
There are moments that are utterly heartwrenching, and others where you are on the edge of your seat, hoping that Hannelore and Bekim would be sage in the midst of WWII.
This is a rollercoaster read and I can't wait to read more from Rose Alexander!
There are stunningly beautiful descriptions of both Albania and Italy, that truly make you believe that you are there. These are interwoven throughout the action, and at no point are they overpowering or detracting from the overall story.
There are moments that are utterly heartwrenching, and others where you are on the edge of your seat, hoping that Hannelore and Bekim would be sage in the midst of WWII.
This is a rollercoaster read and I can't wait to read more from Rose Alexander!
May 15, 2022
This was a slow starter.
We meet Ruth who has come to Italy to recover from losing her job and to consider what she is going to do next. She meets Zak and as there friendship blooms, he gives her his Father's story about what happened in Albania during WW2. As she reads it she discovers things she never knew about the war and the effect it had on people in Albania. Zak asks her to go with him to Albania as his father needs him to do something, she agrees and becomes involved in the his families story.
This book is dual timeline and we get the story of Zak's father Bekim's story of his life during the 2nd world war and his friendship with a Jewish refugee called Hannelore.
The more I got into the story the more it hooked me. A well researched plot, good charaters and the situations the characters were in were very believeable.
We meet Ruth who has come to Italy to recover from losing her job and to consider what she is going to do next. She meets Zak and as there friendship blooms, he gives her his Father's story about what happened in Albania during WW2. As she reads it she discovers things she never knew about the war and the effect it had on people in Albania. Zak asks her to go with him to Albania as his father needs him to do something, she agrees and becomes involved in the his families story.
This book is dual timeline and we get the story of Zak's father Bekim's story of his life during the 2nd world war and his friendship with a Jewish refugee called Hannelore.
The more I got into the story the more it hooked me. A well researched plot, good charaters and the situations the characters were in were very believeable.
July 18, 2022
Yes, its a love story but look beyond that and its also a history book and it makes you want to travel too. I learned so much about Albania after reading this book. I was looking up all the places she mentions in Albania, on Google Earth. Apart from Tirana my knowledge of Albania is so sketchy. Rose has painted a very clear picture of the places-and she is good on descriptions. I had a few tears in all the right places and its certainly made me want to read another of her books. How she manages to find the time to write, astounds me as she is a teacher and they dont get much time to themselves. Thank-you Rose Alexander
December 30, 2024
Ruth, made redundant from her TV journalist job, travels to Italy to lick her wounds and review her future. She rents a holiday flat from an English woman, Caroline, and her Italian husband, Enzo. Through them she meets Zak, a mysterious Albanian business man. Zak provides Ruth with his father's story of helping Jews hide during WW2. Bekim, Zak's father, is dying and he wishes to reunite with the Jewish girl he fell in love with to return some property that he was asked to care for whilst Hannalore and her family escaped to America. Ruth helps to reunite them and she and Zak fall in love.
June 10, 2021
Thanks to Canelo Publishing and Lovebookstours for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Five emotional stars! I love dual timeline historical fiction, and Out of the Mountain's Shadow is right up my alley. The story moves smoothly between Bekim and Ruth's narration every few chapters, and the landscape of both Italy and Albania came alive in Rose Alexander's descriptions. This story is heartwrenching but oh so satisfying.
Five emotional stars! I love dual timeline historical fiction, and Out of the Mountain's Shadow is right up my alley. The story moves smoothly between Bekim and Ruth's narration every few chapters, and the landscape of both Italy and Albania came alive in Rose Alexander's descriptions. This story is heartwrenching but oh so satisfying.
June 18, 2021
This book is an historical fiction. It takes place during WWII. There are two different timelines happening and are link together. You get to experience but timeless. The research and information that is provided is very informative. There are various of historical moments that I didn’t even know happen and this book was great in giving light to that. It is easy to follow. Well written book and it just surprise me about the historical information. It is a great book.
August 4, 2024
This is possibly my favourite book of the year, I honestly couldn’t wait to pick it up every dime I put it down. I was very touched by the story of a young, brave Albanian protecting a young Jew from Vienna, essentially a love story and a beautiful one too. The afterword was equally interesting as I had no knowledge of Albania’s experience of WW2.
I enjoyed the dual timeline, both were engrossing. Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book.
I enjoyed the dual timeline, both were engrossing. Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2021
This is just a lovely book I enjoyed with great characters and great chemistry between them. This is the second book I’ve read by rose Alexandra and loved it. It’s historical fiction the author has well research this book a great story.
September 22, 2025
This book takes place in two different timelines that weave together. Born of them were great stories that spoke to me. The writing left me wanting, but the narratives were great and illuminated a part of history that deserves more airtime.
September 21, 2021
A parte de 2019 é chatinha, mas é foda ver a guerra pela perspectiva da albania
September 28, 2022
I knew very little about Albania - and even less about their role in WW2 - before reading this very absorbing book
Want to read
October 19, 2022I learned of this book via this post: https://jillsbookcafe.blog/2022/10/19...
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