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The Enemy Beside Me
Inspired by true events, Naomi Ragen's The Enemy Beside Me is a powerful, provocative novel about two people fighting for reconciliation over unforgivable crimes of the past.
Taking over from her father and grandfather as the head of the Survivor’s Campaign, an organization whose purpose is to bring Nazi war criminals to justice, Milia Gottstein has dedicated her life to making sure the voices of Holocaust victims will never be silenced. It is an overwhelming and heartbreaking mission that has often usurped her time and energy being a wife to busy surgeon Julius, and a mother and grandmother. But now, just as she is finally ready to pass on her work to others, making time for her personal life, an unexpected phone call suddenly explodes all she thought she knew about her present and her future.
In the midst of this personal turmoil, Milia receives an invitation to be the keynote speaker at a Holocaust conference in Lithuania from Dr. Darius Vidas, the free spirited, rebellious conference head. Despite suspecting his motives―she is, after all, viewed as a ‘public enemy’ in that country for her efforts to have them try war criminals and admit their historic responsibility for annihilating almost their entire Jewish community, including her own family―she nevertheless accepts, having developed a secret agenda of her own. But as Milia and Darius begin their mission, shared experiences profoundly alter their relationship, replacing antagonism and suspicion with a growing intimacy. However, this only ramps up the hostile forces facing them, threatening their families, livelihoods, and reputations, and forcing them into shocking choices that will betray all they have achieved and all that has grown between them.
Taking over from her father and grandfather as the head of the Survivor’s Campaign, an organization whose purpose is to bring Nazi war criminals to justice, Milia Gottstein has dedicated her life to making sure the voices of Holocaust victims will never be silenced. It is an overwhelming and heartbreaking mission that has often usurped her time and energy being a wife to busy surgeon Julius, and a mother and grandmother. But now, just as she is finally ready to pass on her work to others, making time for her personal life, an unexpected phone call suddenly explodes all she thought she knew about her present and her future.
In the midst of this personal turmoil, Milia receives an invitation to be the keynote speaker at a Holocaust conference in Lithuania from Dr. Darius Vidas, the free spirited, rebellious conference head. Despite suspecting his motives―she is, after all, viewed as a ‘public enemy’ in that country for her efforts to have them try war criminals and admit their historic responsibility for annihilating almost their entire Jewish community, including her own family―she nevertheless accepts, having developed a secret agenda of her own. But as Milia and Darius begin their mission, shared experiences profoundly alter their relationship, replacing antagonism and suspicion with a growing intimacy. However, this only ramps up the hostile forces facing them, threatening their families, livelihoods, and reputations, and forcing them into shocking choices that will betray all they have achieved and all that has grown between them.
400 pages, Paperback
First published September 12, 2023
246 people are currently reading
5627 people want to read
About the author
Naomi Ragen
19 books580 followersNaomi Ragen is an American-born novelist and playwright who has lived in Jerusalem since 1971. She has published seven internationally best-selling novels, and is the author of a hit play. Naomi also publishes a regular column that deals with Jewish subjects, especially Israel.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/naomir...
http://us.macmillan.com/author/naomir...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
July 1, 2023
A child of two Holocaust survivors and an author of 14 novels, Naomi Ragen brings us a powerful and provocative novel rooted in the crimes of the past.
Milia Gottstein reluctantly assumes leadership of her family's organization, the Survivor’s Campaign, whose sole focus and very difficult task is to bring Nazi criminals to justice. In doing so, she has to put her own familial duties behind her; her role as the wife of a prominent surgeon, as a mother to three children, and as a grandmother.
When she comes to a crossroads, wanting to relinquish control of the organization, she is confronted with a life-altering truth. As she struggles to accept and deal with this unforeseen twist in her path, she’s invited to speak at a conference in Lithuania. Knowing that this is a chance to fight for her own agenda, she accepts the lecturing job, unaware that in addition to the political turmoil she experiences, she’ll now deal with inner turmoil. It’ll put everything she’s ever believed in question and cause her to forge a new and difficult path into her future.
Ragen asks us to consider what’s at stake when we’re making costly decisions, how we can deal with wounds of the past, how our black-and-white views blur when we have a shared experience, and what we plan as our next step when our present actions spark outrage. Without giving too much away, she also deals with an important issue within the Jewish community - a relationship issue - and prompts us to consider our response.
With antisemitism at record levels, this poignant story asks us to consider ‘what if…’ and needs to be on your reading list immediately.
I was gifted this copy by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Milia Gottstein reluctantly assumes leadership of her family's organization, the Survivor’s Campaign, whose sole focus and very difficult task is to bring Nazi criminals to justice. In doing so, she has to put her own familial duties behind her; her role as the wife of a prominent surgeon, as a mother to three children, and as a grandmother.
When she comes to a crossroads, wanting to relinquish control of the organization, she is confronted with a life-altering truth. As she struggles to accept and deal with this unforeseen twist in her path, she’s invited to speak at a conference in Lithuania. Knowing that this is a chance to fight for her own agenda, she accepts the lecturing job, unaware that in addition to the political turmoil she experiences, she’ll now deal with inner turmoil. It’ll put everything she’s ever believed in question and cause her to forge a new and difficult path into her future.
Ragen asks us to consider what’s at stake when we’re making costly decisions, how we can deal with wounds of the past, how our black-and-white views blur when we have a shared experience, and what we plan as our next step when our present actions spark outrage. Without giving too much away, she also deals with an important issue within the Jewish community - a relationship issue - and prompts us to consider our response.
With antisemitism at record levels, this poignant story asks us to consider ‘what if…’ and needs to be on your reading list immediately.
I was gifted this copy by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
September 28, 2023
The Enemy Beside Me, is a heavy read due to the retelling of monstrosities committed against the Jews by the Lithuanians. This is something I had never heard of before and it was hard to listen to ( I read the audio version ) but it was done in a respectful way. It is fiction based on a true story.
I found Milia and Darius to be strong moral characters. Even though they came from separate backgrounds and were considered enemies they were both concerned with telling the truth. They wanted to make sure that the massacres were not forgotten and that the Lithuanian youth knew the truth about their countries’ past.
At first, not being Jewish, my thought was, why does it matter after all this time? The children had no part in what their ancestors did. But Naomi Ragen addresses this in the book. To forget what had happened was to behave as if those dear people were worthless. That they had never existed. Thrown away as trash (Which they were.) That is not to say that monstrosities weren’t committed against the non-Jewish Lithuanians as well, but to totally forget one people over another so that your country’s reputation is not blemished is appalling.
Of course, there is much more going on in the book but I don’t want to spoil anything. It is an intense, enlightening and beautiful read. Learning that people are willing to stand up for truth, no matter the consequences left me with hope in my heart.
Many thanks to Macmillian Audio and Naomi Ragen for the ARC via NetGalley!
I found Milia and Darius to be strong moral characters. Even though they came from separate backgrounds and were considered enemies they were both concerned with telling the truth. They wanted to make sure that the massacres were not forgotten and that the Lithuanian youth knew the truth about their countries’ past.
At first, not being Jewish, my thought was, why does it matter after all this time? The children had no part in what their ancestors did. But Naomi Ragen addresses this in the book. To forget what had happened was to behave as if those dear people were worthless. That they had never existed. Thrown away as trash (Which they were.) That is not to say that monstrosities weren’t committed against the non-Jewish Lithuanians as well, but to totally forget one people over another so that your country’s reputation is not blemished is appalling.
Of course, there is much more going on in the book but I don’t want to spoil anything. It is an intense, enlightening and beautiful read. Learning that people are willing to stand up for truth, no matter the consequences left me with hope in my heart.
Many thanks to Macmillian Audio and Naomi Ragen for the ARC via NetGalley!
October 24, 2023
It has been my experience over the last many years that whenever Naomi Ragen has written a new book I try very hard to get my hands on it so I can read it. I have never been disappointed with any of her books and that includes her newest book, The Enemy Beside Me. Naomi Ragen’s latest book, The Enemy Beside Me, was both thought provoking and so powerful. It was inspired by true events as well. I had previously read about the treatment of the Lithuanian Jews by their own countrymen in the past but Naomi Ragen was able to take this subject to a higher degree of credibility. Naomi Ragen was able to accurately portray Lithuania’s part in the Holocaust during World War II and their adamant denial of all accusations in current times. I listened to the audiobook that was well narrated by Gina Murray.
Milia Gottstein was happily married to a very successful surgeon. Both Milia and her husband respected each other’s careers and ambitions. Milia had dedicated her life to helping Holocaust survivors and making sure their voices and stories were heard. She was head of the Survivor’s Campaign just as her father and grandfather had been before she took over the role. Milia was a wife, mother and grandmother but her position as head of the Survivor’s Campaign superseded her other duties. She was intent on bringing as many Nazi war criminals to justice as humanely possible. Milia was very good at what she did and she put her entire heart and soul into accomplishing her goals. Her family had immigrated to Israel after the war and she continued to live there with her entire family.
Recently, Milia had considered cutting back on her hours and slowing down so that she could spend more time with her husband, children and grandchildren. Then Milia became privy to information that made her rethink everything she thought was important in her life. The news she received was unexpected, life changing and so shocking. At about the same time as she received confirmation of the news, Milia received an invitation from a Dr. Darius Vidus to be the keynote speaker at a Holocaust conference that would take place in Lithuania. Much of Milia’s family had lived in Lithuania during World War II and the Holocaust and had been murdered. Milia wasn’t sure she wanted to attend this conference mostly because of the mindset of the Lithuanian people. It was well known that the Lithuanian people continued to deny any responsibility for the thousands of Jews that were murdered by the “Partisans “ of Lithuania during that time. The people of Lithuania today celebrated and honored the “Partisans” as heroes. They were led to believe that the Partisans aided the Jews living in Lithuania and hid them from the Nazis. The opposite was proven true. Milia’s ancestors had been some of the victims. She grew up hearing stories about her ancestors who had either just disappeared or had been murdered. The Lithuanian people were intent on forgetting what really happened back then. Officials fabricated scenarios where the Lithuanian people back then appeared as true heroes to the rest of the world with the way they supposedly helped the Jewish people avoid persecution at the hands of the Nazis. The Lithuanian people that now resided in Lithuania wholeheartedly believed that their ancestors aided their Jewish neighbors. Of course, none of that was true. Milia knew it and so did the rest of the world. The Lithuanian people were the only ones in denial.
Milia decided to attend the conference. She needed to put distance between herself and the new life she faced. Her life as she knew it had been upended. If she accepted, her only condition for Dr. Darius Vidus was that her speech would not censored or altered in any way. The itinerary that was arranged for Mila brought her to speak in front of Lithuanian students and adults. Her goal was to persuade the Lithuanian people to embrace the truth about what their ancestors had really done and accept responsibility for it and the consequences that followed those actions. Milia was determined to make the Lithuanian people of today acknowledge the atrocities the people they thought of as heroes committed against their Jewish neighbors during that horrific time.
The Enemy Beside Me by Naomi Ragen was such a moving and compelling book. Some parts were completely heart wrenching. Naomi Ragen developed strong believable characters. I particularly liked Milia. Her devotion to Holocaust survivors was selfless and genuine. She was completely committed to both her career and her family, although balancing both was sometimes difficult. She was strong, determined and intelligent. I admired those character traits in her. The Enemy Beside Me was well plotted. It focused on the themes of truth, deception, shame, loss, love and acceptance. I really enjoyed reading The Enemy Beside Me by Naomi Regan and highly recommend it.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of The Enemy Beside Me by Naomi Ragen through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Milia Gottstein was happily married to a very successful surgeon. Both Milia and her husband respected each other’s careers and ambitions. Milia had dedicated her life to helping Holocaust survivors and making sure their voices and stories were heard. She was head of the Survivor’s Campaign just as her father and grandfather had been before she took over the role. Milia was a wife, mother and grandmother but her position as head of the Survivor’s Campaign superseded her other duties. She was intent on bringing as many Nazi war criminals to justice as humanely possible. Milia was very good at what she did and she put her entire heart and soul into accomplishing her goals. Her family had immigrated to Israel after the war and she continued to live there with her entire family.
Recently, Milia had considered cutting back on her hours and slowing down so that she could spend more time with her husband, children and grandchildren. Then Milia became privy to information that made her rethink everything she thought was important in her life. The news she received was unexpected, life changing and so shocking. At about the same time as she received confirmation of the news, Milia received an invitation from a Dr. Darius Vidus to be the keynote speaker at a Holocaust conference that would take place in Lithuania. Much of Milia’s family had lived in Lithuania during World War II and the Holocaust and had been murdered. Milia wasn’t sure she wanted to attend this conference mostly because of the mindset of the Lithuanian people. It was well known that the Lithuanian people continued to deny any responsibility for the thousands of Jews that were murdered by the “Partisans “ of Lithuania during that time. The people of Lithuania today celebrated and honored the “Partisans” as heroes. They were led to believe that the Partisans aided the Jews living in Lithuania and hid them from the Nazis. The opposite was proven true. Milia’s ancestors had been some of the victims. She grew up hearing stories about her ancestors who had either just disappeared or had been murdered. The Lithuanian people were intent on forgetting what really happened back then. Officials fabricated scenarios where the Lithuanian people back then appeared as true heroes to the rest of the world with the way they supposedly helped the Jewish people avoid persecution at the hands of the Nazis. The Lithuanian people that now resided in Lithuania wholeheartedly believed that their ancestors aided their Jewish neighbors. Of course, none of that was true. Milia knew it and so did the rest of the world. The Lithuanian people were the only ones in denial.
Milia decided to attend the conference. She needed to put distance between herself and the new life she faced. Her life as she knew it had been upended. If she accepted, her only condition for Dr. Darius Vidus was that her speech would not censored or altered in any way. The itinerary that was arranged for Mila brought her to speak in front of Lithuanian students and adults. Her goal was to persuade the Lithuanian people to embrace the truth about what their ancestors had really done and accept responsibility for it and the consequences that followed those actions. Milia was determined to make the Lithuanian people of today acknowledge the atrocities the people they thought of as heroes committed against their Jewish neighbors during that horrific time.
The Enemy Beside Me by Naomi Ragen was such a moving and compelling book. Some parts were completely heart wrenching. Naomi Ragen developed strong believable characters. I particularly liked Milia. Her devotion to Holocaust survivors was selfless and genuine. She was completely committed to both her career and her family, although balancing both was sometimes difficult. She was strong, determined and intelligent. I admired those character traits in her. The Enemy Beside Me was well plotted. It focused on the themes of truth, deception, shame, loss, love and acceptance. I really enjoyed reading The Enemy Beside Me by Naomi Regan and highly recommend it.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of The Enemy Beside Me by Naomi Ragen through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
September 20, 2023
I didn't intend to read another WW2 book after just finishing The Warsaw Orphan by Kelly Rimmer. However, the order of the books I read tends to be dictated by Libby's announcement that one of my many holds is available.
The Enemy Beside Me by Naomi Ragen is perhaps the most difficult read on the Holocaust that I have encountered to date. The facts were so well researched and so agonizingly horrific that I often needed to stop reading . . . but I soon picked the book up again, believing I owed that to the memory of those who were slaughtered.
The two main characters are Milia Gottstein, an Israeli who has made it her life work to give voice to the millions who were murdered and Dr. Darius Vidas, a professor in Lithuania who believes that his country is culpable for those murdered in his country and wants the truth brought to light. Darias invites Milia to Lithuania to present the facts about their involvement to groups of HS students and at a national conference.
The Lithuania government worked hard over the past 75 years to cover up their countrymen's role in the Holocaust. "There was a concerted official attempt by the Lithuanian government to distort and deny the horror of what actually took place here, resulting in the highest percentage of Jewish deaths of any country in Europe. Out of 220,000 Lithuanian Jews, only ten thousand survived, plus another two thousand who had fled to the Soviet Union."
Naomi Ragen's research was extensive and she sought the expert advice of Dr. Efraim Zuroff, head of the Wiesenthal Center in Israel. "Dr. Zuroff has spearheaded efforts to convince Lithuania to take long overdue responsibility for its attitude toward the historical facts of the Holocaust in their country and for the need to bring perpetrators to justice, educate their young people, honor the victims, and make reparations. "
One of the most difficult facts to digest for me is that the Lithuanian's took the lead in the genocide: "There were only a thousand Nazis in Lithuania. The work of rounding up, looting, raping, and murdering the Jews was left entirely in the hands of locals. In fact, there are multiple documented cases where Nazis protested the savagery and cruelty of Lithuanians."
All of this information was new to me and though it was hard to read, I am grateful to Naomi Ragen for writing it down and I am grateful to my public library for providing me the freedom to read it.
5 Stars!
The Enemy Beside Me by Naomi Ragen is perhaps the most difficult read on the Holocaust that I have encountered to date. The facts were so well researched and so agonizingly horrific that I often needed to stop reading . . . but I soon picked the book up again, believing I owed that to the memory of those who were slaughtered.
The two main characters are Milia Gottstein, an Israeli who has made it her life work to give voice to the millions who were murdered and Dr. Darius Vidas, a professor in Lithuania who believes that his country is culpable for those murdered in his country and wants the truth brought to light. Darias invites Milia to Lithuania to present the facts about their involvement to groups of HS students and at a national conference.
The Lithuania government worked hard over the past 75 years to cover up their countrymen's role in the Holocaust. "There was a concerted official attempt by the Lithuanian government to distort and deny the horror of what actually took place here, resulting in the highest percentage of Jewish deaths of any country in Europe. Out of 220,000 Lithuanian Jews, only ten thousand survived, plus another two thousand who had fled to the Soviet Union."
Naomi Ragen's research was extensive and she sought the expert advice of Dr. Efraim Zuroff, head of the Wiesenthal Center in Israel. "Dr. Zuroff has spearheaded efforts to convince Lithuania to take long overdue responsibility for its attitude toward the historical facts of the Holocaust in their country and for the need to bring perpetrators to justice, educate their young people, honor the victims, and make reparations. "
One of the most difficult facts to digest for me is that the Lithuanian's took the lead in the genocide: "There were only a thousand Nazis in Lithuania. The work of rounding up, looting, raping, and murdering the Jews was left entirely in the hands of locals. In fact, there are multiple documented cases where Nazis protested the savagery and cruelty of Lithuanians."
All of this information was new to me and though it was hard to read, I am grateful to Naomi Ragen for writing it down and I am grateful to my public library for providing me the freedom to read it.
5 Stars!
September 17, 2023
4.5 stars
Compelling historical fiction about the Holocaust, but with a twist.
This novel is not for the faint-of-heart. It delves into the persecution of Lithuanian Jews by their fellow Gentile Lithuanians during WW2. Before the German Nazis ever invaded parts of Lithuania, the citizens were torturing and killing thousands of Jews, many of whom had been their neighbors for decades. Entire villages were literally erased from existence by those that called themselves “partisans”. In the years that followed WW2, these “partisans” were lauded as heroes, for supposedly helping Jews to safety; statues and memorials were erected honoring these “brave ones” for their “sacrifices”. By 1993, Holocaust denial was in full swing in Lithuania. And that’s where the protagonist steps in…
Milia had ancestors from Lithuania that perished during the war. She heard stories, growing up, about relatives that just “disappeared.” As an adult, she began researching to find out why there were so many Lithuanians being sung as heroes, yet so many Jews died . And also, why so many war criminals had escaped persecution. What Milia finds out sickens her, but also gives her resolve to go out into the world and attempt to clear up the blatant lies that have been spread about what had actually occurred…
Memorable Quotes:
“A tiny fraction of one percent of the Lithuanian population were found by Yad Vashem to have rescued Jews. This leaves 99.96 percent of Lithuanians either perpetrators or bystanders.”
Compelling historical fiction about the Holocaust, but with a twist.
This novel is not for the faint-of-heart. It delves into the persecution of Lithuanian Jews by their fellow Gentile Lithuanians during WW2. Before the German Nazis ever invaded parts of Lithuania, the citizens were torturing and killing thousands of Jews, many of whom had been their neighbors for decades. Entire villages were literally erased from existence by those that called themselves “partisans”. In the years that followed WW2, these “partisans” were lauded as heroes, for supposedly helping Jews to safety; statues and memorials were erected honoring these “brave ones” for their “sacrifices”. By 1993, Holocaust denial was in full swing in Lithuania. And that’s where the protagonist steps in…
Milia had ancestors from Lithuania that perished during the war. She heard stories, growing up, about relatives that just “disappeared.” As an adult, she began researching to find out why there were so many Lithuanians being sung as heroes, yet so many Jews died . And also, why so many war criminals had escaped persecution. What Milia finds out sickens her, but also gives her resolve to go out into the world and attempt to clear up the blatant lies that have been spread about what had actually occurred…
Memorable Quotes:
“A tiny fraction of one percent of the Lithuanian population were found by Yad Vashem to have rescued Jews. This leaves 99.96 percent of Lithuanians either perpetrators or bystanders.”
August 9, 2023
To be perfectly honest, this is a hard review to write. There were aspects of this book that I didn’t feel were necessary to the narrative, that frankly I wish had been left out. But, I also think that this is an important book, especially when there are people who want to whitewash history—who want to erase horrors and injustices in an effort to give “both sides”. Shamefully, I knew nothing about the extent of mass genocide that occurred in Lithuania during World War II; when Lithuanian “partisans” slaughtered and tortured thousands of Jews as the country embraced Naziism and the final solution to exterminate Jews. That is the crux of this book as well, as the main character, whose life’s work has been to bring perpetrators of the Holocaust to justice, is invited to Lithuania to be part of a reconciliation event. But is it possible for her to reach the Lithuanians with the truth, in a place where Holocaust distortion and denial are prevalent? I urge everyone to read this book so that they can learn about what happened, as I did. It’s horrifying and unbearably sad, but vitally important. My main criticism of this book has to do with the inclusion of the personal life of this brave young woman, turning a thought-provoking story into a bit of a soap opera. In my humble opinion, it’s distracting and completely unnecessary, and I skimmed through most of that. But read this story for its importance, for its truth, and in the hope that we can prevent this kind of terror from happening again.
March 5, 2025
Synopsis (from Netgalley, the provider of the book for me to review.)
*********************************************************
Inspired by actual events, Naomi Ragen's The Enemy Beside Me is a powerful, provocative novel about two people fighting for reconciliation over unforgivable crimes of the past.
Taking over from her father and grandfather as the head of the Survivor’s Campaign, an organization whose purpose is to bring Nazi war criminals to justice, Milia Gottstein has dedicated her life to ensuring the voices of Holocaust victims will never be silenced. It is an overwhelming and heartbreaking mission that has often usurped her time and energy being a wife to busy surgeon Julius, and a mother and grandmother. But now, just as she is finally ready to pass on her work to others, making time for her personal life, an unexpected phone call suddenly explodes all she thought she knew about her present and her future.
n the midst of this personal turmoil, Milia receives an invitation to be the keynote speaker at a Holocaust conference in Lithuania from Dr. Darius Vidas, the free-spirited, rebellious conference head. Despite suspecting his motives―she is, after all, viewed as a ‘public enemy’ in that country for her efforts to have them try war criminals and admit their historic responsibility for annihilating almost their entire Jewish community, including her own family―she nevertheless accepts, having developed a secret agenda of her own.
But as Milia and Darius begin their mission, shared experiences profoundly alter their relationship, replacing antagonism and suspicion with a growing intimacy. However, this only ramps up the hostile forces facing them, threatening their families, livelihoods, and reputations, and forcing them into shocking choices that will betray all they have achieved and all that has grown between them.
Due, perhaps, to a rapidly changing demographic in our city and allocation of funds towards that, there is only ONE Naomi Ragen book left in our system An Unorthodox Match which I argue about all the time that there should be MORE Jewish literature - especially the sequel to that book An Observant Wife -- both are 5-star reads. (I have been known to lend out my own copies of her books and send people to bookstores for her works - especially book clubs) This is another one that I will push to get onto our shelves but as it is historical fiction (based on true events) I may not have a problem getting it purchased as those books seem to automatically be approved.
Now - onto the actual review.
************************
This is an excellent piece of fact-based fiction that kept me enthralled from page one to end. The story was expertly crafted and the characters were wonderful to spend time with - they were the non-violent version of The Hunters (Amazon Prime Video) which we have binge-watched more than once from stem to stern. An absolutely wonderful book that you should pick up in addition to the two mentioned above. I also highly recommend The Sacrifice of Tamar if you are looking for another excellent book to read.
Highly recommended - 5 out of 5 stars.
#shortbutsweetreviews
*********************************************************
Inspired by actual events, Naomi Ragen's The Enemy Beside Me is a powerful, provocative novel about two people fighting for reconciliation over unforgivable crimes of the past.
Taking over from her father and grandfather as the head of the Survivor’s Campaign, an organization whose purpose is to bring Nazi war criminals to justice, Milia Gottstein has dedicated her life to ensuring the voices of Holocaust victims will never be silenced. It is an overwhelming and heartbreaking mission that has often usurped her time and energy being a wife to busy surgeon Julius, and a mother and grandmother. But now, just as she is finally ready to pass on her work to others, making time for her personal life, an unexpected phone call suddenly explodes all she thought she knew about her present and her future.
n the midst of this personal turmoil, Milia receives an invitation to be the keynote speaker at a Holocaust conference in Lithuania from Dr. Darius Vidas, the free-spirited, rebellious conference head. Despite suspecting his motives―she is, after all, viewed as a ‘public enemy’ in that country for her efforts to have them try war criminals and admit their historic responsibility for annihilating almost their entire Jewish community, including her own family―she nevertheless accepts, having developed a secret agenda of her own.
But as Milia and Darius begin their mission, shared experiences profoundly alter their relationship, replacing antagonism and suspicion with a growing intimacy. However, this only ramps up the hostile forces facing them, threatening their families, livelihoods, and reputations, and forcing them into shocking choices that will betray all they have achieved and all that has grown between them.
Due, perhaps, to a rapidly changing demographic in our city and allocation of funds towards that, there is only ONE Naomi Ragen book left in our system An Unorthodox Match which I argue about all the time that there should be MORE Jewish literature - especially the sequel to that book An Observant Wife -- both are 5-star reads. (I have been known to lend out my own copies of her books and send people to bookstores for her works - especially book clubs) This is another one that I will push to get onto our shelves but as it is historical fiction (based on true events) I may not have a problem getting it purchased as those books seem to automatically be approved.
Now - onto the actual review.
************************
This is an excellent piece of fact-based fiction that kept me enthralled from page one to end. The story was expertly crafted and the characters were wonderful to spend time with - they were the non-violent version of The Hunters (Amazon Prime Video) which we have binge-watched more than once from stem to stern. An absolutely wonderful book that you should pick up in addition to the two mentioned above. I also highly recommend The Sacrifice of Tamar if you are looking for another excellent book to read.
Highly recommended - 5 out of 5 stars.
#shortbutsweetreviews
July 8, 2023
***Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review***
The most fascinating and important parts of this book had to do with imparting historical information about Lithuania's history as it relates to WWII, the treatment of Lithuanian Jews, and the denial of hard truths as demonstrated by the nation's unwillingness to grapple with the ugly, violent parts of its history. The fictional part, meaning the story full of affairs and handsome, well-meaning but naive professors and family drama, were... cringe. For what seems like a well-researched book, there were certain parts of the book that read like a geriatric millennial trying to speak GenZ and failing horribly (and I say that as a geriatric millennial myself). It's like all the efforts went into the history so that Milia's story was an afterthought. Also, the Islamophobic/anti-Palestinian undertones were really hard to ignore and felt particularly egregious given the fact that the book was asking us to listen for the voices that have been lost, that have been unheard, and have been quieted. Finally, the plot line around Dr. Vidas' family was so ridiculously easy to predict that it was almost insulting. I appreciate the introduction to Lithuanian history, but I think I'd have preferred to receive this information via the source materials.
The most fascinating and important parts of this book had to do with imparting historical information about Lithuania's history as it relates to WWII, the treatment of Lithuanian Jews, and the denial of hard truths as demonstrated by the nation's unwillingness to grapple with the ugly, violent parts of its history. The fictional part, meaning the story full of affairs and handsome, well-meaning but naive professors and family drama, were... cringe. For what seems like a well-researched book, there were certain parts of the book that read like a geriatric millennial trying to speak GenZ and failing horribly (and I say that as a geriatric millennial myself). It's like all the efforts went into the history so that Milia's story was an afterthought. Also, the Islamophobic/anti-Palestinian undertones were really hard to ignore and felt particularly egregious given the fact that the book was asking us to listen for the voices that have been lost, that have been unheard, and have been quieted. Finally, the plot line around Dr. Vidas' family was so ridiculously easy to predict that it was almost insulting. I appreciate the introduction to Lithuanian history, but I think I'd have preferred to receive this information via the source materials.
December 14, 2023
I wanted an intense WWII Nazi crime hunter book, but this book was a bit too maudlin, with too many breakdown to tears moments for someone I would expect to be more hardened and angry at this stage in her life. I know this was based on a true story and wonder whether the romance and tears were amped up for purposes of selling this book? The background story of an Israeli nazi hunter speaking at an EU sponsored seminar in Lithuania on the holocaust was interesting, the total lack of holocaust memorials and revisionist history in Lithuania heartbreaking and the nazi hunter parts were fascinating, particularly the information about how Bulgarian’s saved their Jews whereas the Lithuanian’s were so eager to kill their Jews, even the Nazi’s were shocked. I just wish the main character herself were more believable.
June 2, 2023
Imagine you are me--a voracious reader who also happens to be a librarian. And here it is, mid-May, and you are halfway through a book that you're already realizing is going to be THE best book you read this year. And you finish it knowing that you were right. It WILL be the best book I read this year because it is absolutely amazing in every way that a book can be. It is an eye-opener to some hard truths about Lithuania. It has characters that are fully developed, imperfect, but striving to be the best they can be. And it has wonderful descriptions of people, places, and feelings.
There are passages in this book that will have you breathing with great trepidation. You'll be tempted to go quickly and not dwell on the horrors. But then you'll realize that you must, and you go back and read through it, allowing it all to sink in.
It's a story, but it is also an education. Ragen has outdone herself here and I've read everything she's ever written. This is a masterpiece.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. It is phenomenal.
There are passages in this book that will have you breathing with great trepidation. You'll be tempted to go quickly and not dwell on the horrors. But then you'll realize that you must, and you go back and read through it, allowing it all to sink in.
It's a story, but it is also an education. Ragen has outdone herself here and I've read everything she's ever written. This is a masterpiece.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. It is phenomenal.
September 17, 2023
Thought-provoking, moving, and immersive!
The Enemy Beside Me is an insightful, poignant tale that takes you into the life of Milia Gottstein, a Jewish woman and current head of the Survivors’ Campaign, an organization previously run by her father and grandfather, who reluctantly heads to Lithuania to speak at a Holocaust conference to make sure that the Lithuanian people of today have a clear understanding of the actual role their citizens played and the atrocious acts they committed against their own neighbours and community members contrary to what they’ve always been taught to believe.
The prose is sobering and expressive. The characters are troubled, brave, and strong. And the plot is an enthralling, hopeful tale about life, love, strength, deception, injustice, guilt, loss, shame, respect, passion, truth, understanding, and acknowledgement.
Overall, The Enemy Beside Me is ultimately a heart-wrenching, affecting, pensive tale by Ragen based on real-life events that highlights the extreme hardships, suffering, and horrors endured during a heinous time in history when millions of lives were violated, taken, and senselessly lost, and reminds us that our greatest power against such evil, truly, is knowledge and never, ever to forget.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Enemy Beside Me is an insightful, poignant tale that takes you into the life of Milia Gottstein, a Jewish woman and current head of the Survivors’ Campaign, an organization previously run by her father and grandfather, who reluctantly heads to Lithuania to speak at a Holocaust conference to make sure that the Lithuanian people of today have a clear understanding of the actual role their citizens played and the atrocious acts they committed against their own neighbours and community members contrary to what they’ve always been taught to believe.
The prose is sobering and expressive. The characters are troubled, brave, and strong. And the plot is an enthralling, hopeful tale about life, love, strength, deception, injustice, guilt, loss, shame, respect, passion, truth, understanding, and acknowledgement.
Overall, The Enemy Beside Me is ultimately a heart-wrenching, affecting, pensive tale by Ragen based on real-life events that highlights the extreme hardships, suffering, and horrors endured during a heinous time in history when millions of lives were violated, taken, and senselessly lost, and reminds us that our greatest power against such evil, truly, is knowledge and never, ever to forget.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 17, 2025
As a person who studied Jewish Lithuanian history (I can brag and say I got published on this topic too !!) and who has spent time with the Jewish community in Vilnius and even met one of the people Ragen name dropped in this book, I can tell you this novel is hot garbage. Sorry, no other word.
First of all, it is highly questionable to claim this is "based on a true story" when only the testimonies from the war are real and everything else is made up. It is very clear Ragen only wanted to rage on Lithuania and use these testimonies, and what comes out is a caricatural and DUMB novel. None of the situations and dialogues are credible (the high school scene ?? The cousin ?? the meeting of Lithuanian officials ?? people getting mad because he touched her hand in a video ?? what the fuck was all that ??), Milia is the most annoying character, and the contempt of the author is oozing everywhere. This is so badly written ??? The long ass, boring repetitive scenes where Milia reads an awful testimony and Darius keeps saying "stop" and then cries and then says "don't stop" and Milia is like "you have to hear the truth Darius !!" and then that same dialogue repeats again and again oh my god can you make it more obnoxious ??
Like, one could absolutely write a novel about Lithuania and the lack of awareness but please make it in a more subtle, realistic way. This was more giving James Bond versus The Villain, that was super awkward and also showed that Ragen just consumed history books and barely knows Lithuania and Lithuanians.
What also bothered me throughout the entire book is Ragen's cognitive dissonance. Imagine writing an entire book on "the truth" and how a country and its population fucked up and murdered people and don't want to aknowledge their past behaviour and how uncomfortable it all is, while IN THE SAME BOOK justifying the way Israel is treating Palestinians ??? Did your brain court-circuit ?
Anyway you can skip this book and save yourself time.
Edit to add : how on earth did someone like Milia not know about the myth of blood in the matzah ????????????????????????????
First of all, it is highly questionable to claim this is "based on a true story" when only the testimonies from the war are real and everything else is made up. It is very clear Ragen only wanted to rage on Lithuania and use these testimonies, and what comes out is a caricatural and DUMB novel. None of the situations and dialogues are credible (the high school scene ?? The cousin ?? the meeting of Lithuanian officials ?? people getting mad because he touched her hand in a video ?? what the fuck was all that ??), Milia is the most annoying character, and the contempt of the author is oozing everywhere. This is so badly written ??? The long ass, boring repetitive scenes where Milia reads an awful testimony and Darius keeps saying "stop" and then cries and then says "don't stop" and Milia is like "you have to hear the truth Darius !!" and then that same dialogue repeats again and again oh my god can you make it more obnoxious ??
Like, one could absolutely write a novel about Lithuania and the lack of awareness but please make it in a more subtle, realistic way. This was more giving James Bond versus The Villain, that was super awkward and also showed that Ragen just consumed history books and barely knows Lithuania and Lithuanians.
What also bothered me throughout the entire book is Ragen's cognitive dissonance. Imagine writing an entire book on "the truth" and how a country and its population fucked up and murdered people and don't want to aknowledge their past behaviour and how uncomfortable it all is, while IN THE SAME BOOK justifying the way Israel is treating Palestinians ??? Did your brain court-circuit ?
Anyway you can skip this book and save yourself time.
Edit to add : how on earth did someone like Milia not know about the myth of blood in the matzah ????????????????????????????
September 21, 2023
Words cannot fully express how deeply this book affected me. The revelation of the tragic events that unfolded in the Jewish community in Lithuania was entirely new to me, and I found myself profoundly saddened by the heartbreaking history it revealed.
Milia Gottstein emerges as a powerful voice for Holocaust victims, a testament to the strength of those who endured unimaginable suffering, and a reminder for all who are willing to listen and learn about the untold horrors faced by the Jewish people. This story illustrates the incredible resilience and capacity for forgiveness within the Jewish community, even in the face of such unspeakable atrocities.
I had the privilege of experiencing this story through the audiobook, narrated by Gina Murray, and her heartfelt portrayal of Milia Gottstein was evident in every word. It's a beautiful yet heart-wrenching tale—one that we must never forget.
A heartfelt thank you to Macmillan Audio and St. Martin's Press for the complimentary copy, allowing me to delve into this poignant narrative.
Milia Gottstein emerges as a powerful voice for Holocaust victims, a testament to the strength of those who endured unimaginable suffering, and a reminder for all who are willing to listen and learn about the untold horrors faced by the Jewish people. This story illustrates the incredible resilience and capacity for forgiveness within the Jewish community, even in the face of such unspeakable atrocities.
I had the privilege of experiencing this story through the audiobook, narrated by Gina Murray, and her heartfelt portrayal of Milia Gottstein was evident in every word. It's a beautiful yet heart-wrenching tale—one that we must never forget.
A heartfelt thank you to Macmillan Audio and St. Martin's Press for the complimentary copy, allowing me to delve into this poignant narrative.
January 21, 2024
Thank you Macmillan Audio for allowing me to read and review The Enemy Beside Me on NetGalley.
Narrator: Gina Murray
Stars: 2.5
1. Inspired by true events
2. Narration was whiney.
3. Didn't connect with the characters.
With respect for the actual real life events of which I have no knowledge this story is underrated for me. The story would have been better in book form. This is one of less than a handful where the narration got the better of me.
During the deepest and darkest intimate dialogues, the whiney voice had me question portions and lose my train of thought. There is a dangerous line in historical fiction to begin with, and factoring inspired by and a not so well known war event to me with a potentially made up romance, the performance took me back to creative writing classes.
I do think there is an audience for this book, my recommendation is be prepared to utilize the E-, physical and/or audio book.
Narrator: Gina Murray
Stars: 2.5
1. Inspired by true events
2. Narration was whiney.
3. Didn't connect with the characters.
With respect for the actual real life events of which I have no knowledge this story is underrated for me. The story would have been better in book form. This is one of less than a handful where the narration got the better of me.
During the deepest and darkest intimate dialogues, the whiney voice had me question portions and lose my train of thought. There is a dangerous line in historical fiction to begin with, and factoring inspired by and a not so well known war event to me with a potentially made up romance, the performance took me back to creative writing classes.
I do think there is an audience for this book, my recommendation is be prepared to utilize the E-, physical and/or audio book.
October 28, 2023
This book I read for a book club. A powerful book based on a true story....it takes us to the time when people survived the Nazi war crimes. They formed an organization to try to track down these criminals.....and thats where we find Milia when she is invited to a conference in Lithuania and speaks her mind.
But things do not turn out the way she thought they would and soon finds herself being viewed as "public enemy number one" A story that touches you heart and makes you think about shocking secrets the rest of the world dont know about. Put it on your TBR list today.
But things do not turn out the way she thought they would and soon finds herself being viewed as "public enemy number one" A story that touches you heart and makes you think about shocking secrets the rest of the world dont know about. Put it on your TBR list today.
July 9, 2023
I am in awe of the way Naomi Ragen masterfully weaves together the fictitious characters' personal lives and struggles with the very true eye witness accounts of the Lithuanian genocide. I appreciated how the three dimensional characters struggle with the same reactions and feelings that I experienced while reading this book.
That said, I felt like there were some plotlines in this book, specific to the characters' personal lives, were a little cringey (ex. Milia and Darius' respective marital issues and their unrealistic attraction towards each other). And at some parts there was a little to much "telling" rather than just "showing" the reader a little bit and then leaving them to puzzle out and explore the metaphorical sublayers on their own.
This book does not replace the priceless eye witness testimonies and accounts that the author refers to. However, I felt that it was helpful as a contemporary reader to relate with the contemporary characters (there are references to the COVID pandemic) through their perspective as they interact with the same source material/first hand accounts which were introduced through the book.
Full disclosure, I received a free advance copy of this book from St. Martin's Press and was under no obligation to write a review, so all the opinions here are completely my own.
That said, I felt like there were some plotlines in this book, specific to the characters' personal lives, were a little cringey (ex. Milia and Darius' respective marital issues and their unrealistic attraction towards each other). And at some parts there was a little to much "telling" rather than just "showing" the reader a little bit and then leaving them to puzzle out and explore the metaphorical sublayers on their own.
This book does not replace the priceless eye witness testimonies and accounts that the author refers to. However, I felt that it was helpful as a contemporary reader to relate with the contemporary characters (there are references to the COVID pandemic) through their perspective as they interact with the same source material/first hand accounts which were introduced through the book.
Full disclosure, I received a free advance copy of this book from St. Martin's Press and was under no obligation to write a review, so all the opinions here are completely my own.
August 10, 2023
A gripping novel based on truth, this important story deals with holding the country of Lithuania accountable for the slaughter of its Jewish citizens during WWII. Not an easy read, but one that will stay with you long afterward.
August 20, 2023
I am writing this review immediately after finishing this book, with tears running down my face. I hope this book becomes a bestseller, and that not just Jews, so many of us Ragen fans , read this book.
Milia has taken over from her grandfather and father the task of searching for Nazi war criminals, even as they are dying. She is Isreali and the granddaughter of a survivor from Lithuania, where all the rest of her family was killed. It has been her life's work to try to get countries to come clean about their part in killing Jews, especially in Lithuania. When she is invited to speak in Lithuania by Dr. Darius Vidas, she decides to take a chance and goes to Lithuania. Through her eyes, we learn of the horror stories, as does Darius. This trip changes both of their lives, as I hope this book opens the eyes of all readers. Lithuania can no longer hide behind all of the lies told about how Nazis killed all the Jews in Lithuania. The killings were done by Lithuanians, who had been friends and neighbors. I love the points made that Jews want to forgive, if only forgiveness is asked.
This book is scarily important today with the rise of anti semitism once again raising it's ugly head in America and Europe. Also, as a Jew whose family is from Ukraine, another country whose "partisans" killed Jews throughout history, I find myself supporting Ukraine against Russia as the enemy of my enemy is a friend.
Zelensky being Jewish gives me hope for Ukraine. This book gives ne hope for Lithuania, for the 4th generation to acknowledge history.
On a lighter note, the journey that Milia makes, problems with her husband, relationships with her children, and yes, her feelings for Darius, is what relieves this story from complete sadness. The ending is ambiguous, something I usually dislike in a book, but I will think about it for a long while.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my review copy. This will be a book club choice for several of my bookclubs. It will engender great discussions.
Milia has taken over from her grandfather and father the task of searching for Nazi war criminals, even as they are dying. She is Isreali and the granddaughter of a survivor from Lithuania, where all the rest of her family was killed. It has been her life's work to try to get countries to come clean about their part in killing Jews, especially in Lithuania. When she is invited to speak in Lithuania by Dr. Darius Vidas, she decides to take a chance and goes to Lithuania. Through her eyes, we learn of the horror stories, as does Darius. This trip changes both of their lives, as I hope this book opens the eyes of all readers. Lithuania can no longer hide behind all of the lies told about how Nazis killed all the Jews in Lithuania. The killings were done by Lithuanians, who had been friends and neighbors. I love the points made that Jews want to forgive, if only forgiveness is asked.
This book is scarily important today with the rise of anti semitism once again raising it's ugly head in America and Europe. Also, as a Jew whose family is from Ukraine, another country whose "partisans" killed Jews throughout history, I find myself supporting Ukraine against Russia as the enemy of my enemy is a friend.
Zelensky being Jewish gives me hope for Ukraine. This book gives ne hope for Lithuania, for the 4th generation to acknowledge history.
On a lighter note, the journey that Milia makes, problems with her husband, relationships with her children, and yes, her feelings for Darius, is what relieves this story from complete sadness. The ending is ambiguous, something I usually dislike in a book, but I will think about it for a long while.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my review copy. This will be a book club choice for several of my bookclubs. It will engender great discussions.
September 20, 2023
Book Review: The Enemy Beside Me by Naomi Ragan
The Enemy Beside Me is a contemporary novel about a woman who is asked to be a keynote speaker at a Lithuanian conference despite being considered a “public enemy” to the state.
Milia Gottstein is a third generation Nazi Hunter and Holocaust historian that has made enemies in Lithuania due to their policy of celebrating war criminals and denying their own atrocities during the Nazi occupation. As Milia’s marriage is hitting a critical point she accepts a surprise invitation to return to Lithuania to speak at a Holocaust conference headed up by Dr. Darius Vidas. But not everyone is willing to listen to what she has to say and Darius will have to decide if he’s willing to risk his personal and professional life to support one of Lithuania’s biggest detractors.
This book is hard for me personally to review. I appreciated the details about Lithuania’s past, its actions during the Holocaust and what it takes to be a modern day Nazi Hunter. The parts I did not enjoy involved the two main character’s personal lives and relationships. I felt zero chemistry between Darius and Milia despite the attempt to throw them together as a romantic pairing. I also found the conclusion a little lacking and when it was over I didn’t feel any sense of resolution. In the end, it was just an okay read for me although I would like to read further about Lithuania.
Three stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Enemy Beside Me is a contemporary novel about a woman who is asked to be a keynote speaker at a Lithuanian conference despite being considered a “public enemy” to the state.
Milia Gottstein is a third generation Nazi Hunter and Holocaust historian that has made enemies in Lithuania due to their policy of celebrating war criminals and denying their own atrocities during the Nazi occupation. As Milia’s marriage is hitting a critical point she accepts a surprise invitation to return to Lithuania to speak at a Holocaust conference headed up by Dr. Darius Vidas. But not everyone is willing to listen to what she has to say and Darius will have to decide if he’s willing to risk his personal and professional life to support one of Lithuania’s biggest detractors.
This book is hard for me personally to review. I appreciated the details about Lithuania’s past, its actions during the Holocaust and what it takes to be a modern day Nazi Hunter. The parts I did not enjoy involved the two main character’s personal lives and relationships. I felt zero chemistry between Darius and Milia despite the attempt to throw them together as a romantic pairing. I also found the conclusion a little lacking and when it was over I didn’t feel any sense of resolution. In the end, it was just an okay read for me although I would like to read further about Lithuania.
Three stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 4, 2023
Milia Gottstein is following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather in a quest to bring justice to the victims of the Holocaust. In Lithuania, the number of Jewish deaths was staggering. I had never heard about how bad things were for the Jews in Lithuania or for the people who helped them.
The book is a very sobering account of what went on and how Lithuania has tried to keep their atrocities out of the public eye. Milia was extremely focused on getting retribution for the Jewish people and bringing the war criminals to trial. Because of the this, Milia can appear combative at times and almost obsessive about her work.
In addition to the stress of her work, Milia was also facing a possible divorce, which in my opinion, did nothing to add to the story.
If for no other reason, this is worth reading simply to learn about how Lithuania treated their citizens during the war and how it seems as if today they are still in denial of their wrongdoing.
Many thanks ti NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am happy to give my honest review.
The book is a very sobering account of what went on and how Lithuania has tried to keep their atrocities out of the public eye. Milia was extremely focused on getting retribution for the Jewish people and bringing the war criminals to trial. Because of the this, Milia can appear combative at times and almost obsessive about her work.
In addition to the stress of her work, Milia was also facing a possible divorce, which in my opinion, did nothing to add to the story.
If for no other reason, this is worth reading simply to learn about how Lithuania treated their citizens during the war and how it seems as if today they are still in denial of their wrongdoing.
Many thanks ti NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am happy to give my honest review.
September 9, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The Enemy Beside Me is a painful yet beautiful story of two people who are looking to find and spread truth and reconciliation about the crimes during the Holocaust. Set many years later, a lot of people would rather just forget the past then have true reconciliation with the horrid events. But Milia Gottstein will not allow that to happen. When Milia receives an invitation from Dr. Darius Vidas to speak at a Holocaust conference he is hosting in Lithuania, she accepts it as a chance to spread the truth. The two become close as steaks are raised and lines are drawn while the two work towards their common goal.
I absolutely loved this book. The writing is simply stunning. The characters were so human. Milia herself has so much dimension. We watch as she struggles in her relationships and contemplates what starting over would really mean and if it's even what she wants. We see her fight for her beliefs as she faces those who would rather forget. It's truly a masterpiece worth reading.
With raw emotion on every page, The Enemy Beside Me is a story that will break your heart and slowly put it back together.
The Enemy Beside Me is a painful yet beautiful story of two people who are looking to find and spread truth and reconciliation about the crimes during the Holocaust. Set many years later, a lot of people would rather just forget the past then have true reconciliation with the horrid events. But Milia Gottstein will not allow that to happen. When Milia receives an invitation from Dr. Darius Vidas to speak at a Holocaust conference he is hosting in Lithuania, she accepts it as a chance to spread the truth. The two become close as steaks are raised and lines are drawn while the two work towards their common goal.
I absolutely loved this book. The writing is simply stunning. The characters were so human. Milia herself has so much dimension. We watch as she struggles in her relationships and contemplates what starting over would really mean and if it's even what she wants. We see her fight for her beliefs as she faces those who would rather forget. It's truly a masterpiece worth reading.
With raw emotion on every page, The Enemy Beside Me is a story that will break your heart and slowly put it back together.
August 23, 2023
Thank you to Libro for providing the ALC! I found the historical facts very interesting as I did not know anything about Lithuania’s role in WWII. Unfortunately, these facts were delivered as just facts (ie: during one of Milia’s many speeches) and were not smoothly incorporated into the story or characters.
April 7, 2025
The best kind of a historical novel teaches you a part of history through the eyes of a culture that to you is unfamiliar. You learn nuances of history that you may have never been exposed to otherwise. This book was “the best kind of historical novel.” I recommend it!
January 4, 2024
So so good!
December 27, 2024
3 1/2stars rounded up
October 14, 2023
This was a very heavy, powerful book about the genocide of the Jews perpetrated by the Lithuanians in 1941- so barbaric that the Nazis were appalled. This history is pretty much unknown as the Lithuanians have revised their history, stating the Jews were Bolsheviks, and the Lithuanians were the victims.
Although this happened so long ago, it is still important that this history is known and admitted so that it does not happen again.
I read this book at the same time as Hamas’ attack on Israel. Will we see revisionist history here? Are the attackers going to be seen as the victims?
Although this happened so long ago, it is still important that this history is known and admitted so that it does not happen again.
I read this book at the same time as Hamas’ attack on Israel. Will we see revisionist history here? Are the attackers going to be seen as the victims?
December 12, 2024
I read this via Whispersync and I recommend the print/kindle version over the audiobook.
October 23, 2023
A difficult but important book to read, Ragen has crafted a novel which tells the horrors of the Jewish Genocide at the hands of the Lithuanians during WWII. Milia is the granddaughter and daughter of two men who were involved in bringing to light and to justice the perpetrators of the horrible treatment and murder of almost all of the 220,000 Lithuanian Jews. When asked to speak at a conference in Lithuania, Milia meets Darius, a professor who thinks he understands what he is undertaking. Their friendship deepens s Darius finds out more about his own family history. In light of the Holocaust denialism that still exists, books like this are more important than ever. Highly recommended. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
October 1, 2023
Heartbreaking doesn’t cut it. Anything related to the Holocaust stirs anger, devastation, horror, deep sorrow. An unlikely pair come together to expose the truth of Lithuania’s whitewashing of their involvement in exterminating Jewish people. Not surprising, their plight is also at risk of being shut down by those unwilling to accept and admit to the atrocities of their history.
The dialogue in this novel gave great insight into both sides of the story as well as how easily history can be rewritten and how difficult it can be to correct.
The dialogue in this novel gave great insight into both sides of the story as well as how easily history can be rewritten and how difficult it can be to correct.
July 24, 2023
This book; it’s in my head. I can’t stop thinking about it. People don’t want to be reminded of the past particularly if it’s from a place of fear about the truth. This book is fiction based on shocking true events.
Dr. Milia Gottstein-Lasker from Israel agreed to be a keynote speaker in Lithuania with a special program for Holocaust Remembrance Day. Her grandfather was the founder of the Survivor’s Campaign with the hunt for Nazi war criminals who escaped. Her father also devoted his life to find justice and after he passed, it was up to Milia to take over. Sadly, war criminals still living were not easy to bring to trial as many were protected by organizations and governments.
Milia had a lot of reservations about accepting a role with this special program, “Our Neighbors, Our Friends” in a country – Lithuania -- that murdered all of their Jewish neighbors and friends 70 years ago.
This wasn’t easy for her to be there as she was aware of the facts: 96.4 percent of the Jews in Lithuania were killed in three towns. She knew it and so did Dr. Darius Vidas, Chairman of Algirdas University who invited her. She was famous and he needed a strong appeal to draw interest to this special event. Yet, Milia and Darius had strong disagreements of who was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Jews.
The message is clear: 200,000 Jews were violently killed in 1941 in Lithuania. It wasn’t easy to read about the gut-wrenching horrors. Besides the tearful, disturbing descriptions of what happened, there was a lot of romance in the story which was heart-warming. It's a book that should be on top of everyone’s list this year for the past that affects the present and future.
My thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy with an expected release date of September 12, 2023.
Dr. Milia Gottstein-Lasker from Israel agreed to be a keynote speaker in Lithuania with a special program for Holocaust Remembrance Day. Her grandfather was the founder of the Survivor’s Campaign with the hunt for Nazi war criminals who escaped. Her father also devoted his life to find justice and after he passed, it was up to Milia to take over. Sadly, war criminals still living were not easy to bring to trial as many were protected by organizations and governments.
Milia had a lot of reservations about accepting a role with this special program, “Our Neighbors, Our Friends” in a country – Lithuania -- that murdered all of their Jewish neighbors and friends 70 years ago.
This wasn’t easy for her to be there as she was aware of the facts: 96.4 percent of the Jews in Lithuania were killed in three towns. She knew it and so did Dr. Darius Vidas, Chairman of Algirdas University who invited her. She was famous and he needed a strong appeal to draw interest to this special event. Yet, Milia and Darius had strong disagreements of who was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Jews.
The message is clear: 200,000 Jews were violently killed in 1941 in Lithuania. It wasn’t easy to read about the gut-wrenching horrors. Besides the tearful, disturbing descriptions of what happened, there was a lot of romance in the story which was heart-warming. It's a book that should be on top of everyone’s list this year for the past that affects the present and future.
My thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy with an expected release date of September 12, 2023.
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