Tag Archive | Shari J Ryan

The Nanny Outside The Gates by Shari J Ryan

Sep28

There Was Once A Girl…

The Nanny Outside The Gates by Shari J Ryan is a powerful, heart-breaking historical novel that consumed me from the start.

The action is set in 1943 in Poland, mainly in the house of an officer serving in Auschwitz. Shari J Ryan has perfectly captured the horrors of the time. The stark contrasts between those who have everything and still steal from those who have nothing. The picture painted of family life juxtaposed with the death camp.

There is the innocence of the children and the cruelty of their father. The children are not so clueless as to what is happening.

Within the home there are Jewish inmates from Auschwitz working, along with a Nanny who was plucked from the streets. The young girls are not supposed to talk with the Jewish people but they can spot true goodness.

The novel opens with the ending. Then, the reader is transported back three months before working towards the end. We know part of what is coming – but how will it all end?

We see the action alternating between Halina, the Nanny, and Gavriel, a Jewish man working in the house. Both have good hearts and feel for the three young girls. “I’ll have to protect the light in the children who’ve been raised by darkness.” Halina is a beacon of light shining in the dark. “Any child raised by a Nazi has already been taught to hate. Taught that they’re a superior race.” Halina’s innate goodness is seen by the girls. “Something in her eyes says she still believes in their innocence… That they’re worth saving.”

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The Singer Behind The Wire by Shari J Ryan

Jun8

Songs Of Hope

The Singer Behind The Wire by Shari J Ryan is a powerful historical novel that will simultaneously horrify and also break your heart as you witness man’s inhumanity to man.

The action is set in Warsaw during World War II before moving to Auschwitz. We see that there were those who could not stand by and do nothing. When they witnessed the persecution of others, they felt compelled to act, regardless of personal safety.

Life was hard for all, but especially for the Jewish population. We witness the erosion of their liberties until they were squashed behind the ghetto walls – 400,000 in the Warsaw ghetto.

We see that love can still happen – even ‘banned’ love. A young couple meet where they can – even eventually forced to meet in a sewer. “They can force us to behave in a certain way, but they can’t control the way we think.” When minds are free, there is still hope.

Hope is what kept people going. A hope for a better tomorrow – but also aware that today was all they had. “Anything can happen tomorrow, so today is important.”

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The Family Behind The Walls by Shari J Ryan

Jan27

Pointing The Way Home

The Family Behind The Walls by Shari J Ryan is a powerful historical novel that gripped me from the start.

The book opens in Germany in 1942 as we follow six members of one Jewish family through the war years.

We witness the pit of hell that is Auschwitz and see that more than just hope is needed to survive, luck is needed too.

We also join the children’s camp and then a church-run orphanage.

It is important to have hope. “I need to give Lilli hope.” Without hope, the people perish.

We see the lessons of the past keep characters grounded and give them a purpose even in the darkest of times. “They may take my hair, but not Mama’s teaching to care, lead and be brave for those unable to.”  We need to be the beacon that shines in the darkness.

Within the pit that is Auschwitz, trust is in short supply. “We’re rewarded for turning on each other. Desperation can alter a person’s ability to navigate their morals.” People are exploited when they are at their lowest. An animal instinct to survive kicks in.

In contrast we witness a character who serves. “Hate is the only contagious disease that’s killed more people here than typhus.” We do not want to water the seed of hate but feed the seed of care and compassion.

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The Nurse Behind The Gates by Shari J Ryan

Apr25

Legacy Of Hope

The Nurse Behind The Gates by Shari J Ryan is a powerful and heartbreaking historical novel that I just could not put down.

The action takes place in Munich and Dachau. It alternates between the war years and from 1933 moving forwards. The novel is written in the first person from alternating points of view, and as such, we get to know the characters intimately.

Emilie and Danner are childhood friends – but Danner is a German Jew. He and his family gradually find their lives eroded from 1933 as anti semitism is rife in Nazi Germany.

1933 was a pivotal year when Hitler’s power became absolute and the course of Germany decided and plotted.

For Emilie and Danner, their feelings for each other remain. Emilie will always be a guiding light who offers hope in the darkest of times. As long as Danner keeps her in his heart, hope is alive.

We see sacrificial love practiced by the two lead characters. Danner loves Emilie enough to let her go. Emilie loves Danner enough to never let him go.

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