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The Girl From San-Daniele
When her faith becomes a threat, her very existence is an act of defiance.
Fiume, 1938. Italy slowly falls as Mussolini rise to power. Feeling the tide shift, Simone and Rebecca Schmidt escape under the cover of night to the remote village of San-Daniele, disguised as Christian refugees. It is there they hope to keep their four children, especially their youngest daughter Liliana, safe from the oppression of war.
San-Daniele, 1942. After years of living in hiding, Liliana Schmidt makes two lifechanging promises on her loving mother’s deathbed: she will bury her in the Jewish cemetery besides her family after the war ends, and she will hold on to her Jewish faith – no matter the cost.
A lone Jewish girl in occupied Italy, Liliana finds refuge in the most unlikely of places – a village abbey. Its promise of safety is enticing, but the price of a peaceful life might be too much to bear. It is there she will learn the true meaning of faith, and what is more important – the sanctity of life, or the promise we make to the dead?
Set during World War II, The Girl From San-Daniele is a moving story of one girl’s bravery, inspired by an unbelievable true story of mercy and compassion.
Fiume, 1938. Italy slowly falls as Mussolini rise to power. Feeling the tide shift, Simone and Rebecca Schmidt escape under the cover of night to the remote village of San-Daniele, disguised as Christian refugees. It is there they hope to keep their four children, especially their youngest daughter Liliana, safe from the oppression of war.
San-Daniele, 1942. After years of living in hiding, Liliana Schmidt makes two lifechanging promises on her loving mother’s deathbed: she will bury her in the Jewish cemetery besides her family after the war ends, and she will hold on to her Jewish faith – no matter the cost.
A lone Jewish girl in occupied Italy, Liliana finds refuge in the most unlikely of places – a village abbey. Its promise of safety is enticing, but the price of a peaceful life might be too much to bear. It is there she will learn the true meaning of faith, and what is more important – the sanctity of life, or the promise we make to the dead?
Set during World War II, The Girl From San-Daniele is a moving story of one girl’s bravery, inspired by an unbelievable true story of mercy and compassion.
388 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 26, 2023
189 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 23, 2023
a window
A really eye opening of life in ltaly during the war for Jewish people in particular one Jewish girl who struggled through to eventually find her family in Palestine
A really eye opening of life in ltaly during the war for Jewish people in particular one Jewish girl who struggled through to eventually find her family in Palestine
April 16, 2023
an emotional read for me.
I wept at the account of the refugees arriving on baird ship at Israel. I wept at the account of the people’s joy when a nation was born in an hour.
I wept at the account of the refugees arriving on baird ship at Israel. I wept at the account of the people’s joy when a nation was born in an hour.
March 13, 2023
Amazing
We don't realize the sacrifice people made during the terrible reign of Hitler till you read stories like this one. Amazing heroes from people trying to survive to the people that helped them. Makes you thankful for living in USA.
We don't realize the sacrifice people made during the terrible reign of Hitler till you read stories like this one. Amazing heroes from people trying to survive to the people that helped them. Makes you thankful for living in USA.
March 19, 2023
Amazing Historic Account of Jewish Persecution!
This is one of the most memorable and visual testimonies of the extreme prejudice toward Jews during WWII that cost them over three million lives and unimaginable suffering that the world cannot deny!
This is one of the most memorable and visual testimonies of the extreme prejudice toward Jews during WWII that cost them over three million lives and unimaginable suffering that the world cannot deny!
March 9, 2023
different aspect
This book is about the Italian part of the war and Holocaust. It also tells of a family torn apart by war and reunited when it over
This book is about the Italian part of the war and Holocaust. It also tells of a family torn apart by war and reunited when it over
February 3, 2024
It took a while for me to get into this book, and I finally realized it was because it is a translation. Once I realized that, I was more patient with the writing in order to embrace the story -- which is completely based on a real person's experiences. We are living in a time when all eyes are on Israel, so it was a good book to read for understanding the formation of the nation of Israel. Any Holocaust story has heart-rending details, and this is no exception. I am glad to have met Lilianna Schmidt through these pages, along with her mother, father, sister and brothers. Her story is one of incredible resilience, and through her memoir I can empathize all the more with the Jewish people and their ongoing agony of persecution.
August 5, 2024
Such an inspiration true story about a middle-age Jewish teen who was virtually left on her own after her mother died to find refuge. With the help of the Catholic church she was given new identification and finally refuge in an abbey. However, with the remainder of her family scattered, she had to play a role to protect herself and others who helped her. With emotional hope, she took the opportunity to find family whom, she realized, escaped to Israel that was governed by the British once the war was over. A mesmerizing story of a young girl who had to fend for herself and her future. This book gives much insight about the Nazi take-over during WWII of Italy under Mussolini, and the difficulties of Israel becoming a self-governing country. Well-worth the read for history buffs.
August 3, 2024
Hisstory
I don't usually read historical books, but I'm so glad I read this!!! I learned so much about the poor Jewish people being g persecuted all of their lives! Its such a travesty!!
I don't usually read historical books, but I'm so glad I read this!!! I learned so much about the poor Jewish people being g persecuted all of their lives! Its such a travesty!!
March 30, 2023
One of the most viable stories on WWII
Finally someone put the facts in an understandable chronical covering all the elements, in a sensitive written story! Thank you.
Finally someone put the facts in an understandable chronical covering all the elements, in a sensitive written story! Thank you.
May 28, 2023
Enlightening History
This book is a capstone to all other WWII, Allies, Nazi power and The Holocaust survivors stories! So glad Liliana's story survived.
This book is a capstone to all other WWII, Allies, Nazi power and The Holocaust survivors stories! So glad Liliana's story survived.
February 14, 2024
Story was incredible. The family went through so much. However, maybe it’s translated, but written very simply for younger reader.
July 26, 2024
So heartwarming
All the hardships that Lili and her family went through. She was so brave and strong. A must read. I truly loved this book, I could hardly put it down.
All the hardships that Lili and her family went through. She was so brave and strong. A must read. I truly loved this book, I could hardly put it down.
January 5, 2023
‘Mamma is finally where she belongs’ - A sensitive promise fulfilled
Israeli author Ilan Bahar studied law at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and is a journalist and an editorial board member at the Maariv newspaper. His books to date - THE BRAIN, THIS IS WHAT I REMEMBER, CAPTIVE IN COMMAND, and now THE GIRL FROM SAN-DANIELE, a novel based on a true story from his family, translated form the Hebrew by Anne Hartstein Pace.
Ilan opens his novel with a terse overview of the status of Mussolini’s Fascist Italy blending with Hitler’s Nazi Germany and the anti-Semitism and then opens his tale as follows: ‘It was two hours since her children had gone out to play, and Rebecca was growing impatient. She paced back and forth in the apartment, peering out the window every few minutes. Soon the sun would set and her “little chickadees,’ Max and Liliana, weren’t home yet.’ Suspense is established and this open and frank mode of writing makes this Holocaust survivor novel poignant. The time span is shared in the synopsis: ‘Fiume, 1938. Italy slowly falls as Mussolini rises to power. Feeling the tide shift, Simone and Rebecca Schmidt escape under the cover of night to the remote village of San-Daniele, disguised as Christian refugees. It is there they hope to keep their four children, especially their youngest daughter Liliana, safe from the oppression of war. San-Daniele, 1942. After years of living in hiding, Liliana Schmidt makes two life changing promises on her loving mother’s deathbed: she will bury her in the Jewish cemetery beside her family after the war ends, and she will hold on to her Jewish faith – no matter the cost. A lone Jewish girl in occupied Italy, Liliana finds refuge in the most unlikely of places – a village abbey. Its promise of safety is enticing, but the price of a peaceful life might be too much to bear. It is there she will learn the true meaning of faith, and what is more important – the sanctity of life, or the promise we make to the dead.’
Weaving a story based on the life of a family member is so deftly integrated with historical data in this sensitive novel. Ilan Bahar has completed the circle of legacy in this deeply moving novel. Highly recommended.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
Israeli author Ilan Bahar studied law at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and is a journalist and an editorial board member at the Maariv newspaper. His books to date - THE BRAIN, THIS IS WHAT I REMEMBER, CAPTIVE IN COMMAND, and now THE GIRL FROM SAN-DANIELE, a novel based on a true story from his family, translated form the Hebrew by Anne Hartstein Pace.
Ilan opens his novel with a terse overview of the status of Mussolini’s Fascist Italy blending with Hitler’s Nazi Germany and the anti-Semitism and then opens his tale as follows: ‘It was two hours since her children had gone out to play, and Rebecca was growing impatient. She paced back and forth in the apartment, peering out the window every few minutes. Soon the sun would set and her “little chickadees,’ Max and Liliana, weren’t home yet.’ Suspense is established and this open and frank mode of writing makes this Holocaust survivor novel poignant. The time span is shared in the synopsis: ‘Fiume, 1938. Italy slowly falls as Mussolini rises to power. Feeling the tide shift, Simone and Rebecca Schmidt escape under the cover of night to the remote village of San-Daniele, disguised as Christian refugees. It is there they hope to keep their four children, especially their youngest daughter Liliana, safe from the oppression of war. San-Daniele, 1942. After years of living in hiding, Liliana Schmidt makes two life changing promises on her loving mother’s deathbed: she will bury her in the Jewish cemetery beside her family after the war ends, and she will hold on to her Jewish faith – no matter the cost. A lone Jewish girl in occupied Italy, Liliana finds refuge in the most unlikely of places – a village abbey. Its promise of safety is enticing, but the price of a peaceful life might be too much to bear. It is there she will learn the true meaning of faith, and what is more important – the sanctity of life, or the promise we make to the dead.’
Weaving a story based on the life of a family member is so deftly integrated with historical data in this sensitive novel. Ilan Bahar has completed the circle of legacy in this deeply moving novel. Highly recommended.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews