Heart-Breaking

The Young Survivors by Debra Barnes is a marvellous historical debut novel. It is completely absorbing and I could not put it down.

The novel is grounded in fact as it is based on the author’s mother’s wartime experiences. It is a tribute to the indomitable human spirit and to the six million who perished in the holocaust.

Set between 1938-1945 in France the story follows the plight of a Jewish family. There are some truly heart-breaking scenes to read. The five siblings have a strong bond and love for each other. Along the way they meet the very good and the completely evil. The youngsters are so brave, even the youngest twins who were born in 1938.

Debra Barnes is clearly a talented author and I look forward to more by her.