Tag Archive | Shari J Ryan

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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The Homemaker by Shari J Ryan

Jun6

Real Or Imagined?

The Homemaker by Shari J Ryan is an absolutely gripping contemporary psychological thriller that I just could not put down. Right from the start Shari J Ryan drew me in, as I questioned what was happening.

The action is written in the third person from alternating points of view and different time periods. The reader gets inside some of the characters heads as we learn their motivations.

Suburbia – friendly, community minded, safe – No! Behind the chintzy curtains, the neighbours hide and watch. There are many secrets. Monsters and angels both wear smiles – truth and lies – read the book and decide who can be trusted.

There is the theme of real or imagined? Do we believe what our memories tell us? Or is the what is real spoken by others? Trauma shuts down minds as reality and imagination blur.

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The Doctor’s Daughter by Shari J Ryan

Mar21

Life, Death & Hope

The Doctor’s Daughter by Shari J Ryan is a powerful, heart-breaking and inspiring historical tale that completely consumed me for a few hours.

The story is set during World War II in Poland as we move from the Warsaw ghetto to Auschwitz. It is told in alternating points of view in the first person. We witness the horrors of the camp. “The monsters live on the outside, not in the dark, and not hidden in any way.” Auschwitz was hell on earth. “I’m not old enough to say Hell, but I’m living at its gates.”

We join an eighteen year old brother and his fourteen year old sister in this awful place. They hold on to hope – hope helps to keep them alive. They fear being told the truth in case hope dies, and so would they.

Strength, hope and luck were needed to survive. Shari J Ryan has captured the fear with her powerful descriptions and her ability to place us inside her characters heads.

War is horrific. War in Nazi-occupied countries was more than just blood-shed. It was brain washing and unbelievable cruelty. “This war isn’t about who has more muscles… it’s about hatred and the repercussions of such a feeling are more powerful than any weapon in this world.” Being a focus of such hatred was a chance of birth. “I’ve done nothing wrong… other than being born into the Jewish faith.”

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