Beginning ~ with breaking glass

Book Beginning (on the 10th of November 1938)

The sound of breaking glass shattered the predawn quiet.  Some-where in the distance, shards cascaded onto the street to incongrous laughter.

'What was that?'  Lilly reached across to her husband's side of the bed to find it empty, the covers blung back in haste.  Her bare arms bristled against an unexpected rush of cold air.  Salo stood beside the window, craning his neck to peer out. 

 Another smash.  Louder and closer than before.

Wave After Wave (Book 1 of 3) ~ by Sarah Ansbacher, 2024, historical fiction (based on a true story, and set in Vienna, Austria), 426 pages

Vienna, 1938.  Newlywed Lilly is looking forward to the future with her husband until the Nazi annexation of Austria throws everything into uncertainty.  Suddenly, their Jewish heritage turns them into outcasts, facing persecution and daily humiliation.

Despite their tireless efforts to emigrate, no country will grant them the visas they desperately need.  Then Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, shatters Lilly's world.

With the outbreak of WWII, Lilly remains trapped in Vienna, fearful of what lies ahead.  Her cousin discovers a possible escape:  joining a group of Jewish refugees on a daring journey down the Danube River and across the Black Sea to the Promised Land.

Leaving comes at a price, and though it may offer Lilly a second chance and new friendships, it will also test her resilience to the limit.  With danger and difficulties at every turn, can Lilly and all the other refugees survive the journey and reach safety?

Friday's been busy

The completion of Phase I of our building project, where I live in one of the 52 new apartments, was a beginning.  Building the second phase has already begun.  It includes the construction of a new 68-apartment building that connects to the hallways of my building, continuing the same exterior in an L-shape.  The ground floor will be a garage with more parking.  The concrete for that floor is in place, and girders are going up for the apartment floors above it.  Today, we were invited to a construction update, so that current residents are informed of what's happening.

Gilion at Rose City Reader hosts

Book Beginnings on Fridays.