Memories of Glass

Reminiscent of Diane Ackerman's The Zookeeper's Wife, this stunning novel draws from true accounts to shed light on a period of Holland's darkest history and bravest heroes. The story unfolds across two timelines, intertwining the lives of courageous women who risk everything to save innocent lives.

In 1942, as war rips through the heart of Holland, childhood friends Josie van Rees and Eliese Linden partner with a few daring citizens to rescue Eliese's son and hundreds of other Jewish children awaiting deportation in a converted theater in Amsterdam. Amidst their resistance work, Josie and Eliese's dangerous secrets threaten to derail their friendship and their entire mission. When the enemy finds these women, only one will escape.

Seventy-five years later, Ava Drake begins to suspect that her great-grandfather, William Kingston, was not the World War II hero he claimed to be. Ava's work as the director of the prestigious Kingston Family Foundation leads her to Landon West's Ugandan coffee plantation, where Ava and Landon soon discover a connection between their families. As Landon's great-grandmother shares the broken pieces of her story, Ava must confront the greatest loss in her own life and powerful members of the Kingston family who will do anything to keep the truth buried.

Award-winning author Melanie Dobson transports readers through time and place, from World War II, Holland, to contemporary Uganda, in this rich and inspiring novel that illuminates the story and strength of these women. The novel draws from true accounts to shine a light on the unsung heroes who risked it all to save innocent lives during the darkest moments of history.

Josie and Eliese's acts of courage and sacrifice are juxtaposed with Ava's present-day quest to uncover her family's past, creating a powerful narrative that explores the enduring impact of war, the resilience of the human spirit, and the importance of confronting the truth, no matter how painful it may be.

Through Dobson's evocative storytelling, readers are immersed in the sights, sounds, and emotions of each era, bearing witness to the incredible acts of heroism and the profound consequences of the choices made by these women. The novel's dual timelines seamlessly interweave, building towards a powerful and uplifting conclusion that celebrates the triumph of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Illuminating the strength and resilience of these women, Dobson's work transports readers through time and place, inspiring them to reflect on the enduring legacy of those who stood up for what was right, even in the darkest of times.

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