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Daughters of the Occupation: A Novel of WWII – An Unforgettable Story of Three Generations, Holocaust Survival, and Family Secrets
Inspired by true events in World War II Latvia, an emotionally charged novel of sacrifice, trauma, resilience, and survival, as witnessed by three generations of women.
On one extraordinary day in 1940, Miriam Talan’s comfortable life is shattered. While she gives birth to her second child, a son she and her husband, Max, name Monya, the Soviets invade the Baltic state of Latvia and occupy the capital city of Riga, her home. Because the Talans are Jewish, the Soviets confiscate Max’s business and the family’s house and bank accounts, leaving them with nothing.
Then, the Nazis arrive. They kill Max and begin to round up Jews. Fearing for her newborn son and her young daughter, Ilana, Miriam asks her loyal housekeeper to hide them and conceal their Jewish roots to keep them safe until the savagery ends.
Three decades later, in Chicago, 24-year-old Sarah Byrne is mourning the untimely death of her mother, Ilana. Sarah’s estranged grandmother, Miriam, attends the funeral, opening the door to shocking family secrets. Sarah probes Miriam for information about the past, but it is only when Miriam is in the hospital, delirious with fever, that she begs Sarah to find the son she left behind in Latvia.
Traveling to the Soviet satellite state, Sarah begins her search with the help of Roger, a charismatic Russian-speaking professor. But as they come closer to the truth, she realizes her quest may have disastrous consequences.
A magnificent, emotionally powerful story of family and the lingering devastation of war, The Daughters of the Occupation explores how trauma is passed down in families and illuminates the strength and grace that can be shared by generations.
On one extraordinary day in 1940, Miriam Talan’s comfortable life is shattered. While she gives birth to her second child, a son she and her husband, Max, name Monya, the Soviets invade the Baltic state of Latvia and occupy the capital city of Riga, her home. Because the Talans are Jewish, the Soviets confiscate Max’s business and the family’s house and bank accounts, leaving them with nothing.
Then, the Nazis arrive. They kill Max and begin to round up Jews. Fearing for her newborn son and her young daughter, Ilana, Miriam asks her loyal housekeeper to hide them and conceal their Jewish roots to keep them safe until the savagery ends.
Three decades later, in Chicago, 24-year-old Sarah Byrne is mourning the untimely death of her mother, Ilana. Sarah’s estranged grandmother, Miriam, attends the funeral, opening the door to shocking family secrets. Sarah probes Miriam for information about the past, but it is only when Miriam is in the hospital, delirious with fever, that she begs Sarah to find the son she left behind in Latvia.
Traveling to the Soviet satellite state, Sarah begins her search with the help of Roger, a charismatic Russian-speaking professor. But as they come closer to the truth, she realizes her quest may have disastrous consequences.
A magnificent, emotionally powerful story of family and the lingering devastation of war, The Daughters of the Occupation explores how trauma is passed down in families and illuminates the strength and grace that can be shared by generations.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 5, 2022
428 people are currently reading
11069 people want to read
About the author
Shelly Sanders
6 books196 followersTHE NIGHT SPARROW April 1 2025/Canada
July 1 2025/UK, Australia, New Zealand
For fans of Kate Quinn and The Nightingale, a gripping story of a young Jewish girl who joins an elite Russian sniper unit and embarks on a mission targeting the highest prize of World War II: Adolph Hitler.
The Night Sparrow is a tense, engrossing tale of WW2. Based on true events, this is an improbably beautiful novel about a brutal episode in history."
— Janie Chang, author of The Phoenix Crown
https://www.harpercollins.com/product...
Daughters of the Occupation, HarperCollins, 2022, is a Canadian Bestseller, and received a Starred Review from Kirkus: “A gripping historical saga that skilfully addresses the trauma of the Holocaust.”
This historical fiction explores intergenerational trauma from the Latvian Holocaust, and was spurred by ancestors, as well as the discovery of my Jewish roots as an adult.
The Washington Post says, “The title of this haunting novel refers not only to the victims of Latvia’s Holocaust but also to their descendants, who carry the trauma of their ancestors.”
“…this is a read that will stay in the minds of those lucky enough to read it.”—New York Journal of Books
Here's a review from New York Times bestselling author Lucy Adlington (The Dressmakers of Auschwitz):
"Daughters of the Occupation is a neatly crafted saga of personal and national trauma, a story of tentative hope in a world of menace, as three generations of women strive to understand who they are, where they came from and how they can feel free."
My first three novels, Rachel’s Secret, Rachel’s Promise, and Rachel’s Hope (Second Story Press) were inspired by my grandmother’s escape from a Russian pogrom and subsequent journey to Shanghai. They received starred reviews, including Booklist and VOYA, and two were named Notable Books by the Sydney Taylor Book Awards announced by the Association of Jewish Libraries.
Before I started weaving my family through historical narratives, I was a journalist, writing about everything from green architecture to Tourette’s Syndrome for the Toronto Star, National Post, Canadian Jewish News, Maclean’s magazine, Canadian Living, and Reader’s Digest. (I did write about family in a few pieces; it was impossible to resist when all three of my children got lice at the same time, or when we hosted a Chernobyl child.)
July 1 2025/UK, Australia, New Zealand
For fans of Kate Quinn and The Nightingale, a gripping story of a young Jewish girl who joins an elite Russian sniper unit and embarks on a mission targeting the highest prize of World War II: Adolph Hitler.
The Night Sparrow is a tense, engrossing tale of WW2. Based on true events, this is an improbably beautiful novel about a brutal episode in history."
— Janie Chang, author of The Phoenix Crown
https://www.harpercollins.com/product...
Daughters of the Occupation, HarperCollins, 2022, is a Canadian Bestseller, and received a Starred Review from Kirkus: “A gripping historical saga that skilfully addresses the trauma of the Holocaust.”
This historical fiction explores intergenerational trauma from the Latvian Holocaust, and was spurred by ancestors, as well as the discovery of my Jewish roots as an adult.
The Washington Post says, “The title of this haunting novel refers not only to the victims of Latvia’s Holocaust but also to their descendants, who carry the trauma of their ancestors.”
“…this is a read that will stay in the minds of those lucky enough to read it.”—New York Journal of Books
Here's a review from New York Times bestselling author Lucy Adlington (The Dressmakers of Auschwitz):
"Daughters of the Occupation is a neatly crafted saga of personal and national trauma, a story of tentative hope in a world of menace, as three generations of women strive to understand who they are, where they came from and how they can feel free."
My first three novels, Rachel’s Secret, Rachel’s Promise, and Rachel’s Hope (Second Story Press) were inspired by my grandmother’s escape from a Russian pogrom and subsequent journey to Shanghai. They received starred reviews, including Booklist and VOYA, and two were named Notable Books by the Sydney Taylor Book Awards announced by the Association of Jewish Libraries.
Before I started weaving my family through historical narratives, I was a journalist, writing about everything from green architecture to Tourette’s Syndrome for the Toronto Star, National Post, Canadian Jewish News, Maclean’s magazine, Canadian Living, and Reader’s Digest. (I did write about family in a few pieces; it was impossible to resist when all three of my children got lice at the same time, or when we hosted a Chernobyl child.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 397 reviews
July 17, 2022
I had no perspective on this occupation during WWll. This is the disturbing and unknown story of the massacre of Rumbala forest in Riga, Latvia, where 26,000 Jews were killed in 2 nights. The Germans invading, then the soviets.
The trauma passed on through 3 generations of women. What war does to a person and how it feeds generations until it reaches a generation who can understand who their mothers and grandmothers were. Even though their secrets to protect did more harm than good by creating distance only to be bridged with the truth. As horrifying as it was.
This is the story of Miriam, the matriarch of the family. Her estrangement with her daughter who has passed and granddaughter, Sarah, who is interested in the past that was kept silent.
These stories are always disturbing and tragic. Humanity vanished. Shameful history that will resound for centuries.
And shockingly, it wasn’t until 1990 that Latvia became Soviet Free. We can only hope they remain that way as the soviets bombard the Ukraine in its quest for power and control.
We must never forget 💔
4⭐️
The trauma passed on through 3 generations of women. What war does to a person and how it feeds generations until it reaches a generation who can understand who their mothers and grandmothers were. Even though their secrets to protect did more harm than good by creating distance only to be bridged with the truth. As horrifying as it was.
This is the story of Miriam, the matriarch of the family. Her estrangement with her daughter who has passed and granddaughter, Sarah, who is interested in the past that was kept silent.
These stories are always disturbing and tragic. Humanity vanished. Shameful history that will resound for centuries.
And shockingly, it wasn’t until 1990 that Latvia became Soviet Free. We can only hope they remain that way as the soviets bombard the Ukraine in its quest for power and control.
We must never forget 💔
4⭐️
June 21, 2022
4.5 stars!
The Soviet invasion of the Baltic states, including Latvia, changes Miriam’s life forever. She is giving birth to her second child, Monya, when the invasion happens, and the Soviets now occupy Riga, the capital. Miriam and her husband are Jewish, and the Soviets take their business and bank accounts, leaving them destitute.
Even worse, the Nazis arrive next and begin rounding up the Jews. Miriam’s housekeeper bravely hides her and the children.
Decades later, Sarah’s mother Ilana dies, and her grandmother, Miriam, attends the funeral. Miriam becomes ill and begins speaking of the son she left behind. Sarah searches for her uncle.
This was such a fascinating and heartrending story. It’s well-told and emotional all throughout. It shines a light on how families can be separated in times of war, and they aren’t always made whole again. I know this atrocity is happening right now in Ukraine.
I enjoyed how the dual timeline added richness to the story. Intergenerational trauma is being highlighted more and more these days, and this book illuminates its importance and validity well. Overall, this is quite the page-turner with immersive storytelling.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
The Soviet invasion of the Baltic states, including Latvia, changes Miriam’s life forever. She is giving birth to her second child, Monya, when the invasion happens, and the Soviets now occupy Riga, the capital. Miriam and her husband are Jewish, and the Soviets take their business and bank accounts, leaving them destitute.
Even worse, the Nazis arrive next and begin rounding up the Jews. Miriam’s housekeeper bravely hides her and the children.
Decades later, Sarah’s mother Ilana dies, and her grandmother, Miriam, attends the funeral. Miriam becomes ill and begins speaking of the son she left behind. Sarah searches for her uncle.
This was such a fascinating and heartrending story. It’s well-told and emotional all throughout. It shines a light on how families can be separated in times of war, and they aren’t always made whole again. I know this atrocity is happening right now in Ukraine.
I enjoyed how the dual timeline added richness to the story. Intergenerational trauma is being highlighted more and more these days, and this book illuminates its importance and validity well. Overall, this is quite the page-turner with immersive storytelling.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
January 3, 2025
Note: I received a free copy of this book. In exchange here is my honest review.
As sad as you’d expect it to be. 😢 Told on two timelines, the 70’s (current time) and 40’s (wartime). ⏰ It feels unfinished in a way- but I guess that’s how a lot of families felt at the time.
As sad as you’d expect it to be. 😢 Told on two timelines, the 70’s (current time) and 40’s (wartime). ⏰ It feels unfinished in a way- but I guess that’s how a lot of families felt at the time.
June 7, 2022
This is a story based on what happened to the Jews during WWII in Latvia. Very difficult to read all the gruesome details, but I realise we need to know what people went through during that time, especially when it's based on truth. It must have been a difficult book to write too, but I think it's very well done.
August 28, 2022
This is an entertaining, well-written, informative WWII historical fiction novel. It depicts the horrors, heartbreak, and deprivation of the Holocaust, but also the resilience, bravery, courage, hope and love of the survivors. The author's notes and personal insight at the end of the novel are truly appreciated.
April 19, 2022
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: May 3, 2022
Miriam Talan’s life is completely turned upside down one day in 1940, when the Soviet Union invades Latvia. Her husband, Max, is shot dead in front of her and her children and her parents are shot for simply walking too slowly on the street. Now alone, with two young mouths to feed, Miriam sees no choice but to abandon her children to her close neighbours who can raise them as non-Jews, sacrificing their religion in exchange for their lives. Miriam hopes to return to them one day, and instead sets out on her own, searching for freedom…..
In 1970s Chicago, Sarah is mourning the death of her mother, Illana. Illana kept many secrets, including the fact that Sarah had a grandmother she never knew about. When Sarah seeks out Miriam, she is rejected and it is only through constant persistence that she is able to meet her grandmother, face-to-face. But Miriam, too, is secretive, and soon Sarah is traveling to the Latvian city of Riva, in order to unearth family secrets that may put her life at risk.
Shelly Sanders is a Canadian journalist and author, and “Daughters of the Occupation” is not her first novel about the Holocaust and the enslavement of Jews. It is however, a terrifyingly realistic view of intergenerational trauma, and the devastating effects of war and displacement.
Perhaps this novel affected me more now, given current events, but I was completely pulled into this novel right from the first page. Miriam and Sarah are powerful and brave characters, each with their own history that has forever changed their lives, and I rooted for both of them.
The novel is told in two time frames (1940s and 1970s), across two countries (generally) and from the perspective of two characters (Sarah and Miriam). The novel written in this way helped to form a strong bond with both characters right away, and built up the tension for the plot, as the devastating events from the 1940s affected Sarah’s life in the 1970s.
“Daughters of the Occupation” is based on true events, but what makes it unique is the description of World War Two from Latvia’s perspective. A country completely overcome by Soviet rule, yet it is often not discussed prominently in literature. Sanders’ depiction of a Soviet-ruled, Communist country was well-researched and devastatingly honest, making me grateful for all of my small freedoms.
I felt every range of emotion in “Daughters”, and although it isn’t a light read, it pulled me in. This is one of those novels that I would recommend to any World War Two fiction reader, with its combination of reality and emotionally heartbreaking events, it won’t easily be forgotten.
Expected publication date: May 3, 2022
Miriam Talan’s life is completely turned upside down one day in 1940, when the Soviet Union invades Latvia. Her husband, Max, is shot dead in front of her and her children and her parents are shot for simply walking too slowly on the street. Now alone, with two young mouths to feed, Miriam sees no choice but to abandon her children to her close neighbours who can raise them as non-Jews, sacrificing their religion in exchange for their lives. Miriam hopes to return to them one day, and instead sets out on her own, searching for freedom…..
In 1970s Chicago, Sarah is mourning the death of her mother, Illana. Illana kept many secrets, including the fact that Sarah had a grandmother she never knew about. When Sarah seeks out Miriam, she is rejected and it is only through constant persistence that she is able to meet her grandmother, face-to-face. But Miriam, too, is secretive, and soon Sarah is traveling to the Latvian city of Riva, in order to unearth family secrets that may put her life at risk.
Shelly Sanders is a Canadian journalist and author, and “Daughters of the Occupation” is not her first novel about the Holocaust and the enslavement of Jews. It is however, a terrifyingly realistic view of intergenerational trauma, and the devastating effects of war and displacement.
Perhaps this novel affected me more now, given current events, but I was completely pulled into this novel right from the first page. Miriam and Sarah are powerful and brave characters, each with their own history that has forever changed their lives, and I rooted for both of them.
The novel is told in two time frames (1940s and 1970s), across two countries (generally) and from the perspective of two characters (Sarah and Miriam). The novel written in this way helped to form a strong bond with both characters right away, and built up the tension for the plot, as the devastating events from the 1940s affected Sarah’s life in the 1970s.
“Daughters of the Occupation” is based on true events, but what makes it unique is the description of World War Two from Latvia’s perspective. A country completely overcome by Soviet rule, yet it is often not discussed prominently in literature. Sanders’ depiction of a Soviet-ruled, Communist country was well-researched and devastatingly honest, making me grateful for all of my small freedoms.
I felt every range of emotion in “Daughters”, and although it isn’t a light read, it pulled me in. This is one of those novels that I would recommend to any World War Two fiction reader, with its combination of reality and emotionally heartbreaking events, it won’t easily be forgotten.
April 15, 2022
Dangerous Times
A heartbreaking story of the occupation of Latvia first by the Soviets, then by the German Nazi's. How the Jewish people were treated horribly by both regimes. The mass murders the concentration camps and the ghettos. Much is written about Poland and Germany but this is the first book I have read about the genocide in Latvia. To tell you the truth I never knew this country existed before reading this book. Although it is a book of historical fiction, the events written about actually happened.
This is a dual timeline story telling the story of Miriam a young Jewish woman in Latvia under first Soviet, then German occupation. It was not a good time to be Jewish, but Miriam was on her way to the hospital for the birth of her second child a son, Monya. They already have a daughter Ilana.
It is also the story of Sarah the daughter of Ilana and granddaughter of Miriam. How she struggles with the loss of her mother and reconnects with her grandmother at her mother's funeral.
Alternating back and forth the story is told of Miriam's time in Latvia under both occupations. The cruel treatment of the Jewish under both regimes. It tells how one woman must give up her children to keep them safe and her quest to find them after she miraculously survives sudden death at the hands of the Nazi's. How one child is lost to her and she never forgets him. It goes then to the story of Sarah, reconnecting with her Grandmother after her mother's death and how she goes on a dangerous quest to the Soviet Union to find Monya for her Grandmother and may not make it out alive.
The story is interesting, historical, very very sad and heartbreaking and sometimes hard to read. It was interesting to me to know that the facts of this genocide of the Jewish in Latvia is not well known and as far as I know not well published at all. A part of history lost forever and forgotten but should never be. It should never have happened and it must never happen again.
Thanks to Shelly Sanders for writing a story bringing this part of history alive, to Harper Perennial and paperbacks for publishing it and to NetGalley for making it available to me.
A heartbreaking story of the occupation of Latvia first by the Soviets, then by the German Nazi's. How the Jewish people were treated horribly by both regimes. The mass murders the concentration camps and the ghettos. Much is written about Poland and Germany but this is the first book I have read about the genocide in Latvia. To tell you the truth I never knew this country existed before reading this book. Although it is a book of historical fiction, the events written about actually happened.
This is a dual timeline story telling the story of Miriam a young Jewish woman in Latvia under first Soviet, then German occupation. It was not a good time to be Jewish, but Miriam was on her way to the hospital for the birth of her second child a son, Monya. They already have a daughter Ilana.
It is also the story of Sarah the daughter of Ilana and granddaughter of Miriam. How she struggles with the loss of her mother and reconnects with her grandmother at her mother's funeral.
Alternating back and forth the story is told of Miriam's time in Latvia under both occupations. The cruel treatment of the Jewish under both regimes. It tells how one woman must give up her children to keep them safe and her quest to find them after she miraculously survives sudden death at the hands of the Nazi's. How one child is lost to her and she never forgets him. It goes then to the story of Sarah, reconnecting with her Grandmother after her mother's death and how she goes on a dangerous quest to the Soviet Union to find Monya for her Grandmother and may not make it out alive.
The story is interesting, historical, very very sad and heartbreaking and sometimes hard to read. It was interesting to me to know that the facts of this genocide of the Jewish in Latvia is not well known and as far as I know not well published at all. A part of history lost forever and forgotten but should never be. It should never have happened and it must never happen again.
Thanks to Shelly Sanders for writing a story bringing this part of history alive, to Harper Perennial and paperbacks for publishing it and to NetGalley for making it available to me.
May 23, 2022
“Jews, write and record!”
The harrowing true story of the Latvian Holocaust and the lives forever changed. It must have been excruciating difficult to write! It’s just mind boggling and unbelievably sad. The author put her heart into this book and it’s shows! Must read!
The harrowing true story of the Latvian Holocaust and the lives forever changed. It must have been excruciating difficult to write! It’s just mind boggling and unbelievably sad. The author put her heart into this book and it’s shows! Must read!
June 9, 2022
I am heartbroken after reading this book. A story about family torn apart, and War. After reading this i looked more into Latvian Holocaust. I am happy with how it ended though, Miriam gets closure and Sarah finds herself after looking into her family history. This was an emotional book that gripped me from the first page in 1940. It was well written and had great detail.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2022
DAUGHTERS OF THE OCCUPATION is a dual timeline account of the Soviet and Nazi occupations of Latvia. It's an expectedly heartbreaking and complicated read. It's the first fictional account I've read (or heard of) of the occupation in Latvia. There are several scenes which were unusually gutting even for this seasoned reader of WWII fiction and readers should proceed with caution and expect some tears.
The writing is pretty straightforward. The author does an excellent job of bringing the landscape and characters to life. What made this book stand apart from other WWII novels was the way the author so poignantly depicted the complicated generational relationships between the women in Miriam's family as a result of the trauma and difficult decisions made during war time. I found it added a much more thought-provoking and likely realistic element that hasn't been presented in any other WWII novel I can recall.
The author's meticulous research is evident through the book. I loved the lengthy and thoughtful author's note which included maps and photos.
This book is perfect for connoisseurs of WWII fiction in search of something a little different in terms of geography and long-term familial effect.
Many thanks to Harper for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 4.25/5 stars
The writing is pretty straightforward. The author does an excellent job of bringing the landscape and characters to life. What made this book stand apart from other WWII novels was the way the author so poignantly depicted the complicated generational relationships between the women in Miriam's family as a result of the trauma and difficult decisions made during war time. I found it added a much more thought-provoking and likely realistic element that hasn't been presented in any other WWII novel I can recall.
The author's meticulous research is evident through the book. I loved the lengthy and thoughtful author's note which included maps and photos.
This book is perfect for connoisseurs of WWII fiction in search of something a little different in terms of geography and long-term familial effect.
Many thanks to Harper for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 4.25/5 stars
January 14, 2022
Daughters of the Occupation by Shelly Sanders is a wonderful dual timeline, WWII-era historical fiction novel that is inspired by true events surrounding the atrocities that occurred within Latvia during the war.
This is such a beautiful and descriptive, yet haunting and devastating novel.
The author takes us between the occupation of Latvia starting around 1940, and weaves that story line with the 1970s. This is not just a dual timeline, but also a generational story of one family’s collection of women (and well the family in general) and what they experienced, and how it shaped their existence for generations to come.
The strength, the courage, the fear, the loss, but within that, the hope and love exhibited by the full cast of characters: Miriam, Sarah, Ilana, Monya, Roger, etc. Their respective storylines and how each viewpoint and character added to the overall story was just stunning.
The dual timeline was nicely done and added a bit of complexity, continuity, mystery, and suspense to the overall plot.
A unique book that I will remember for a long time.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 5/3/22.
This is such a beautiful and descriptive, yet haunting and devastating novel.
The author takes us between the occupation of Latvia starting around 1940, and weaves that story line with the 1970s. This is not just a dual timeline, but also a generational story of one family’s collection of women (and well the family in general) and what they experienced, and how it shaped their existence for generations to come.
The strength, the courage, the fear, the loss, but within that, the hope and love exhibited by the full cast of characters: Miriam, Sarah, Ilana, Monya, Roger, etc. Their respective storylines and how each viewpoint and character added to the overall story was just stunning.
The dual timeline was nicely done and added a bit of complexity, continuity, mystery, and suspense to the overall plot.
A unique book that I will remember for a long time.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 5/3/22.
July 23, 2024
I definitely liked this one, despite a slower pace.
Full review to come.
Full review to come.
July 17, 2022
I hesitate to give a book about such a heavy subject less than 5 stars. However, I just can't with this one. While the author clearly researched the history of the Jewish community in Riga, her writing style cannot be ignored. The long winded, over the top descriptions of everything was just too much. She needs a better editor. Seriously, a book about the Holocaust does not need a paragraph long description of the cheese on a piece of pizza that is being eaten. Focus on the history, not the over the top descriptions of absolutely everything in the book.
June 18, 2022
I’m conflicted about this book. The characters go through so much, but the author doesn’t develop them much. So while you’re rooting for Miriam and Sarah to persevere, neither was given especially touching scenes early on to make you like them. Instead, you’re rooting for them because you know they are victims of the Nazis and Soviets, respectively. I felt that Roger’s character presented an unnecessary trauma on top of the pile Sarah deals with.
This will be traumatic for many to read.
This will be traumatic for many to read.
May 15, 2022
This World War II story takes place in Latvia and it's the first book I've read about the effects of the war in this country. Miriam, and her husband Max have one child, Ilana. Max is a businessman and the family lives well. In 1940, they added a second child to their family, their son Max. On the day that Max is born, the Russians invaded Latvia. The family is Jewish so the Russians confiscated the family house and bank accounts and they are forced to live in a small apartment. The lack of food and the fear of the brutal Russian soldiers makes Miriam think "Miriam yearned for the day another country's Army would intervene and overpower the barbaric Soviets." She realized soon after the Germans invaded, that they were even worse than the Russians. They killed Max and planned to send the rest of the family to the Jewish ghetto. Miriam begs a non-Jewish friend to take the two children so that they have a chance to survive.
The second time line of the story is in Chicago in 1975. Sarah's mother, Ilana, has just died and Sarah and her father are struggling with the loss. Ilana and her mother, Miriam are estranged and Sarah was surprised to see her at the funeral after so many years. After seeing her, Sarah decides to get to know her better to find out more about her mother's life. Miriam is a stubborn and unfriendly woman and doesn't want to see Sarah but finally her attitude begins to soften. When Miriam is in the hospital, she finally begs Sarah to go back to Latvia and find the son (Max) that she left there after the war. So Sarah takes a trip to Latvia, which is under Russian control again and runs into a lot of danger trying to find her uncle. Will she be able to return to Chicago and give her grandmother information about Max or is the Russian regime so restrictive that she can't find out any information?
This book was full of terror and fear. First in Latvia during the war and seeing how they Germans treated the Latvian Jews - It's no doubt that people who survived didn't want to talk about those times and relive the pain. Sarah was really tenacious in her quest to find out the family secrets. Her trip to Latvia was also scary. She was helped by a Russian professor who was on the tour with her, but when they snuck away from the tour group several times, they were in constant danger.
This is a heartbreaking story about emotions passed down through the family. All three of the women - Miriam, Ilana and Sarah were brave and tenacious during their hardships. It's a book about man's inhumanity to other men but at the end of the day, it's a book about family, love and hope for the future. Even though I read a lot of WWII fiction, this one really affected me and I won't soon forget the characters and their descriptions of life in Latvia both during and after the war. Be sure to read the Author's Notes at the end of the story. Even though the characters are fiction, the author based many of the characters on real people, including some of her family members. She has also included pictures of the ghettos and the forced March that killed so many people. I also spent a lot of time after finishing the novel to goggle the war in Latvia and to learn more about the war. I always love reading a book that teaches me while I'm enjoying reading it.
The second time line of the story is in Chicago in 1975. Sarah's mother, Ilana, has just died and Sarah and her father are struggling with the loss. Ilana and her mother, Miriam are estranged and Sarah was surprised to see her at the funeral after so many years. After seeing her, Sarah decides to get to know her better to find out more about her mother's life. Miriam is a stubborn and unfriendly woman and doesn't want to see Sarah but finally her attitude begins to soften. When Miriam is in the hospital, she finally begs Sarah to go back to Latvia and find the son (Max) that she left there after the war. So Sarah takes a trip to Latvia, which is under Russian control again and runs into a lot of danger trying to find her uncle. Will she be able to return to Chicago and give her grandmother information about Max or is the Russian regime so restrictive that she can't find out any information?
This book was full of terror and fear. First in Latvia during the war and seeing how they Germans treated the Latvian Jews - It's no doubt that people who survived didn't want to talk about those times and relive the pain. Sarah was really tenacious in her quest to find out the family secrets. Her trip to Latvia was also scary. She was helped by a Russian professor who was on the tour with her, but when they snuck away from the tour group several times, they were in constant danger.
This is a heartbreaking story about emotions passed down through the family. All three of the women - Miriam, Ilana and Sarah were brave and tenacious during their hardships. It's a book about man's inhumanity to other men but at the end of the day, it's a book about family, love and hope for the future. Even though I read a lot of WWII fiction, this one really affected me and I won't soon forget the characters and their descriptions of life in Latvia both during and after the war. Be sure to read the Author's Notes at the end of the story. Even though the characters are fiction, the author based many of the characters on real people, including some of her family members. She has also included pictures of the ghettos and the forced March that killed so many people. I also spent a lot of time after finishing the novel to goggle the war in Latvia and to learn more about the war. I always love reading a book that teaches me while I'm enjoying reading it.
March 19, 2022
WWII fiction fans looking for an different perspective on the war, this is one to not be missed. For the inhabitants of Latvia…life would never be the same for many years to come. For those that were Jewish…their lives would be haunted from the memories.
It’s 1975 and sarah has unexpectedly lost her mother to a heart attack. They had a strained relationship but sarah never really knew why or understood why her mother seemed so aloof. When her somewhat estranged grandmother, Miriam, shows up at the funeral…Sarah discovers that her life up until now has been nothing but secrets and lies. As we jumped back in time to the war years, we begin to see Miriam’s struggle to survive and what she gave up in order to do so.
This story is an incredible history lesson. While the characters are fictional, the happenings of the time are very real. I am unfamiliar with Latvia’s place in WWII going back and forth between a Soviet and a German occupation and back to a Soviet one. It was overwhelming but I’m grateful to have learned something I knew nothing of before. I do, however, wish that Sarah’s mother Ilana was more defined. I was left wanting to know more about her but came up empty handed. This story will tug at your heartstrings, overwhelm you, frighten you and teach you. Definitely add it to your TBR list.
Thanks so much to NetGalley, Harper Collins and Shelly Sanders for early access to this page turner.
It’s 1975 and sarah has unexpectedly lost her mother to a heart attack. They had a strained relationship but sarah never really knew why or understood why her mother seemed so aloof. When her somewhat estranged grandmother, Miriam, shows up at the funeral…Sarah discovers that her life up until now has been nothing but secrets and lies. As we jumped back in time to the war years, we begin to see Miriam’s struggle to survive and what she gave up in order to do so.
This story is an incredible history lesson. While the characters are fictional, the happenings of the time are very real. I am unfamiliar with Latvia’s place in WWII going back and forth between a Soviet and a German occupation and back to a Soviet one. It was overwhelming but I’m grateful to have learned something I knew nothing of before. I do, however, wish that Sarah’s mother Ilana was more defined. I was left wanting to know more about her but came up empty handed. This story will tug at your heartstrings, overwhelm you, frighten you and teach you. Definitely add it to your TBR list.
Thanks so much to NetGalley, Harper Collins and Shelly Sanders for early access to this page turner.
January 13, 2022
I loved Miriams story line. I thought she was so strong, resilient character. I wish that there was more about Ilaynas story and her background. I really thought that the part with Sarah going to Latvia drug on a bit more then needed.
The story, while haunting, did not gut punch me like other Holocaust stories do. I think it was because the emotions were after the fact, the witnessing of horrible crimes were glazed over and then reflected upon, instead of actually being right there in the moment.
Overall a great book about Latvia's Holocaust, I just wanted more. I wanted to know more about Monya and his present life.
How Miriam and Ilyana got out of Latvia. I guess I just didn't want the story to end.
Overall, its a great book, that needed a bit more work.
Thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for allowing me this free ARC in exchange for this honest review.
The story, while haunting, did not gut punch me like other Holocaust stories do. I think it was because the emotions were after the fact, the witnessing of horrible crimes were glazed over and then reflected upon, instead of actually being right there in the moment.
Overall a great book about Latvia's Holocaust, I just wanted more. I wanted to know more about Monya and his present life.
How Miriam and Ilyana got out of Latvia. I guess I just didn't want the story to end.
Overall, its a great book, that needed a bit more work.
Thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for allowing me this free ARC in exchange for this honest review.
June 2, 2022
The Novel was inspired by true events in the life of Ms. Sanders' family. It is a saga about Jews in Latvia. Ms. Sanders tells the story how Jews were persecuted first by the Soviets then the Germans, and then the Soviets again. She weaves in and out during the intervening years between June 1940 in Latvia and Chicago 1975-76. It was a most compelling story supported by historical facts.
May 11, 2022
What a story. This is definitely in my top five favorite books I have read this year. It’s uncommon for me to come across a WWII historical fiction novel set outside England or France. Let alone depicting the Holocaust outside of Germany or Poland. This telling of Soviet and Nazi takeover in Latvia was fascinating and absolutely heartbreaking.
This dual timeline novel flips back and forth between Miriam in 1940 Riga, Latvia and her granddaughter, Sarah, in 1975 Chicago. The story begins with the sudden loss of Sarah’s mother, Ilana, leaving her with a lot of unanswered questions about her family history. Unsure why her grandmother and mother strained their relationship growing up, Sarah pursues rekindling her relationship with her grandmother, Miriam, in order to find answers to their past. As each chapter unfolds, we discover the gripping story of how Miriam and Ilana’s experiences shaped them into new people post war.
I felt very connected to Miriam and Sarah through the descriptions written in this book. Miriam’s chapters were definitely difficult to read at times, but so tastefully composed in illustrating the realities what Jews faced during that time that is absolutely emotionally gut-wrenching. These historically true accounts should never be forgotten.
Ultimately, this novel is a story of survival with underlying themes of loss, sacrifice, hope, family and generational heritage. One of the best books I’ve read in a long time that will definitely stick with me.
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Paperbacks, and Shelly Sanders for an ebook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This dual timeline novel flips back and forth between Miriam in 1940 Riga, Latvia and her granddaughter, Sarah, in 1975 Chicago. The story begins with the sudden loss of Sarah’s mother, Ilana, leaving her with a lot of unanswered questions about her family history. Unsure why her grandmother and mother strained their relationship growing up, Sarah pursues rekindling her relationship with her grandmother, Miriam, in order to find answers to their past. As each chapter unfolds, we discover the gripping story of how Miriam and Ilana’s experiences shaped them into new people post war.
I felt very connected to Miriam and Sarah through the descriptions written in this book. Miriam’s chapters were definitely difficult to read at times, but so tastefully composed in illustrating the realities what Jews faced during that time that is absolutely emotionally gut-wrenching. These historically true accounts should never be forgotten.
Ultimately, this novel is a story of survival with underlying themes of loss, sacrifice, hope, family and generational heritage. One of the best books I’ve read in a long time that will definitely stick with me.
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Paperbacks, and Shelly Sanders for an ebook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 18, 2022
Daughters of the Occupation was a beautiful and haunting book. This is not a story for the faint of heart, as it depicts graphic scenes of the holocaust in Latvia, but it is a story that needs to be told and needs to be read. As time marches forward, the survivors of the Holocaust diminish, and it is important that we, as humanity, remember their lives. While Daughters of the Occupation is a fictional narrative, the people who lived, died, and survived through that time were very real. Through these stories, we can learn about history that governments have tried to suppress and rewrite, and hopefully, through their stories we can keep this history from repeating.
This is a story that I think people should pick up and read, and I know that our historical fiction lovers will grab this book when it is available. Miriam's story could easily become any of our stories if we allow governments to take away our human rights, or the rights of others.
This is a story that I think people should pick up and read, and I know that our historical fiction lovers will grab this book when it is available. Miriam's story could easily become any of our stories if we allow governments to take away our human rights, or the rights of others.
October 1, 2024
Some really unimaginable and heartbreaking things happened in this book, and I cried several times. I wish there was some closure at the end for one of the things that happened, but since it was inspired by true events, I’m assuming that that’s how it really happened. I did enjoy the story, and I loved reading about this family.
May 3, 2022
This was a departure from the regular WWII historical fiction books I usually read. I very much liked the change of scene in this one, set in Latvia, first during the Russian occupation and then the Nazis, this story was quite the eye-opener.
Mariam is a young housewife in Latvia when the Russians invade and occupy the country. Everything Miriam knows changes with this occupation. Thinking it can get no worse and looking towards the Germans for salvation, their relief when the Nazis overtake the country is short-lived. The laws forbidding Jewish people simple human rights spring up everywhere and when personal tragedy strikes, Miriam is left to survive in a world that wants her and her"type" dead.
This is a dual timeline novel, Miriam's granddaughter Sarah travels back to Latvia seeking answers to questions about her grandmother and mother's history after her mother dies suddenly of a heart attack.
This novel is well researched and finely written. The reader connects with the characters, you can't help but feel for all Mariam must endure. I felt her fear, and her unrelenting determination to survive. I hadn't known anything about the Russian occupation prior to the Nazis arrival, so this was a new area for me to learn about.
Whenever a novel sparks interest and has me doing further research on a subject I am reading about then I consider it a job well done. This one did it, I am now off and running reading about the Soviet occupation and everything it meant to the people of the occupied territories!
I would recommend this book to all historical fiction lovers, especially those wishing to broaden their knowledge of Russian and Nazi occupation during WWII.
Thank you to the publishers at Harper Perennial and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.
Mariam is a young housewife in Latvia when the Russians invade and occupy the country. Everything Miriam knows changes with this occupation. Thinking it can get no worse and looking towards the Germans for salvation, their relief when the Nazis overtake the country is short-lived. The laws forbidding Jewish people simple human rights spring up everywhere and when personal tragedy strikes, Miriam is left to survive in a world that wants her and her"type" dead.
This is a dual timeline novel, Miriam's granddaughter Sarah travels back to Latvia seeking answers to questions about her grandmother and mother's history after her mother dies suddenly of a heart attack.
This novel is well researched and finely written. The reader connects with the characters, you can't help but feel for all Mariam must endure. I felt her fear, and her unrelenting determination to survive. I hadn't known anything about the Russian occupation prior to the Nazis arrival, so this was a new area for me to learn about.
Whenever a novel sparks interest and has me doing further research on a subject I am reading about then I consider it a job well done. This one did it, I am now off and running reading about the Soviet occupation and everything it meant to the people of the occupied territories!
I would recommend this book to all historical fiction lovers, especially those wishing to broaden their knowledge of Russian and Nazi occupation during WWII.
Thank you to the publishers at Harper Perennial and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.
April 14, 2022
“We can always hope for a miracle, we just can’t rely on one.”
This book broke my heart but in the most beautifully written way. Often times I feel like books about the Holocaust can be either very graphic or have a strange feeling of romanticism, but this book had neither. I have never heard of Latavia before or the struggles that the Jews there faced, so this was an eye opening read. It was perfect to have the duality of the stories to show the difference between the generations and their relationship to the horrors of war. As we learned more about Miriam’s past at the same time Sarah does, it created such a powerful combination about understanding the past and how generational trauma is real but in some ways necessary to give exposure to what those have gone through before. I think this is a must read.
This book broke my heart but in the most beautifully written way. Often times I feel like books about the Holocaust can be either very graphic or have a strange feeling of romanticism, but this book had neither. I have never heard of Latavia before or the struggles that the Jews there faced, so this was an eye opening read. It was perfect to have the duality of the stories to show the difference between the generations and their relationship to the horrors of war. As we learned more about Miriam’s past at the same time Sarah does, it created such a powerful combination about understanding the past and how generational trauma is real but in some ways necessary to give exposure to what those have gone through before. I think this is a must read.
May 2, 2022
Thank you to Harper Paperbacks and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I have mixed feelings about this book. It's not very well written; the characters are bland and if they have a personality, they're unlikeable; it's trauma porn and it seems to be written for the purpose of giving Sanders a sense of victimhood that she wasn't raised Jewish, disconnected from her family ancestry (which, of course, is a shame but IMO this was written from a place of white tears).
On the other hand, it's an important story/perspective to tell. While I hardly read Shoah fiction because it profits off our trauma, the stories of Latvian Jews during the Shoah hardly get told. And that's important.
In the end, I don't recommend this book from a literary sense. But if you want to read it, sure.
I have mixed feelings about this book. It's not very well written; the characters are bland and if they have a personality, they're unlikeable; it's trauma porn and it seems to be written for the purpose of giving Sanders a sense of victimhood that she wasn't raised Jewish, disconnected from her family ancestry (which, of course, is a shame but IMO this was written from a place of white tears).
On the other hand, it's an important story/perspective to tell. While I hardly read Shoah fiction because it profits off our trauma, the stories of Latvian Jews during the Shoah hardly get told. And that's important.
In the end, I don't recommend this book from a literary sense. But if you want to read it, sure.
March 1, 2023
The only reason I put this book down was because my job and sleep interrupted me. I'm a sucker for all WW2 books, both fiction and non. I refuse to feel guilty for loving these books, because these stories need to be told - and HEARD. This was an amazingly well written book about Latvian Jews told in two time periods from the perspective of the grandmother, Miriam, and the granddaughter, Sarah. The Latvians suffered by the hands of the Soviets, then the Germans, then the Soviets again. This book moved me, but I will warn that many scenes from the war period were very hard to read. No matter how many stories I read, I still cry. The author has created a great tribute to the family she lost in Latvia.
July 31, 2022
Finally, a World War II novel that doesn't devolve into a sappy love story. This book was heartbreaking and so well-written. Highly recommend.
September 3, 2024
Such a riveting story.
November 3, 2024
I love the two timelines and how the stories intertwine! I could have read many more pages about these characters and how their lives shaped who they are. As expected, much of this was heartbreaking, told with detail and unapologetic honesty- the only way we can even get a glimpse into what life was like for Jewish people. So well written!
5 stars!!
5 stars!!
May 26, 2022
The Jews of Latvia underwent three devastating changes in the World War II era: occupation by the Soviets, attack and occupation by the Nazis, and another occupation by the the Soviets. Of course the Nazi occupation was by far the worst, but under the Soviets many Jews as well as other Latvians were sent to Siberia, summarily deprived of their property, and even killed. Many Latvians, whose news was censored under the Soviets, rejoined when the Germans ousted the Russians.
Apparently the Nazis won over many Latvians with their propaganda claiming that Jews were Communists and were responsible for the Soviets' wrongs. Young Jewish men were forced to dig up bodies of Latvians murdered by the Soviets and photographed with the corpses, and the Nazies claimed that those Jews were the murderers.
I knew next to nothing about the history of Latvia. This moving novel shifts between Sarah, a young woman in Chicago in the '70s who does not know that her mother was Jewish, and the experiences of her grandmother in Latvia in the '40s. When Sarah's mother dies, Sarah begins to get to know her grandmother, Miriam, who was estranged from Sarah's mother. Miriam is reluctant to tell Sarah the family history that her mother has hidden. But Sarah keeps pressing.
This is a powerful book that tells as much about the power of love as the power of hideous violence.
Apparently the Nazis won over many Latvians with their propaganda claiming that Jews were Communists and were responsible for the Soviets' wrongs. Young Jewish men were forced to dig up bodies of Latvians murdered by the Soviets and photographed with the corpses, and the Nazies claimed that those Jews were the murderers.
I knew next to nothing about the history of Latvia. This moving novel shifts between Sarah, a young woman in Chicago in the '70s who does not know that her mother was Jewish, and the experiences of her grandmother in Latvia in the '40s. When Sarah's mother dies, Sarah begins to get to know her grandmother, Miriam, who was estranged from Sarah's mother. Miriam is reluctant to tell Sarah the family history that her mother has hidden. But Sarah keeps pressing.
This is a powerful book that tells as much about the power of love as the power of hideous violence.
March 23, 2022
Thank you to Harper Paperbacks and Goodreads for the copy of Daughters of the Occupation: A Novel of WWII by Shelly Sanders.
It is the mid seventies and Sarah has just lost her mom Ilana to a sudden heart attack and is reaching out to her maternal grandmother, Miriam, to learn more about her mother, the secrets she kept and to find out why her mother and grandmother were estranged from one another. Presented in dual time lines we simultaneously learn about Miriam's past and what is was like to be Jewish in Latvia during World War II. The horrors of what Miriam saw and experienced were atrocious and we start to understand why Miriam is the way she is in the present. While I enjoyed this book I feel it was often rushed and fell short in fully exploring and explaining both Miriam's and Sarah's journeys. The conclusion felt the most rushed and I think there were a lot of important questions that were never fully addressed. All in all, a good read.
It is the mid seventies and Sarah has just lost her mom Ilana to a sudden heart attack and is reaching out to her maternal grandmother, Miriam, to learn more about her mother, the secrets she kept and to find out why her mother and grandmother were estranged from one another. Presented in dual time lines we simultaneously learn about Miriam's past and what is was like to be Jewish in Latvia during World War II. The horrors of what Miriam saw and experienced were atrocious and we start to understand why Miriam is the way she is in the present. While I enjoyed this book I feel it was often rushed and fell short in fully exploring and explaining both Miriam's and Sarah's journeys. The conclusion felt the most rushed and I think there were a lot of important questions that were never fully addressed. All in all, a good read.
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