The World That We Knew

This instant New York Times bestseller and longlist recipient for the 2020 Andrew Carnegie Medal takes place in 1941,during humanity’s darkest hourand follows three unforgettable young women who must act with courage and love to survive. “[A] hymn to the power of resistanceperseveranceand enduring love in dark times…gravely beautiful…Hoffman the storyteller continues to dazzle.” —THE NEW YORK TIMES “Ohwhat a book this is! Hoffman’s exploration of the world of good and eviland the constant contest between themis unflinching; and the humanity she brings to us—it is a glorious experience.” —ELIZABETH STROUTPulitzer Prize–winning author of Olive Kitteridge “Alice Hoffman’s new novel will break your heartand then stitch it back together piece by piece. It’s my new favorite Hoffman book.” —JODI PICOULTNew York Times bestselling author of Small Great Things and A Spark of Light In Berlinat the time when the world changedHanni Kohn knows she must send her twelve-year-old daughter away to save her from the Nazi regime. She finds her way to a renowned rabbibut it’s his daughterEttiewho offers hope of salvation when she creates a mystical Jewish creaturea rare and unusual golemwho is sworn to protect Lea. Once Ava is brought to lifeshe and Lea and Ettie become eternally entwinedtheir paths fated to crosstheir fortunes linked. Lea and Ava travel from Pariswhere Lea meets her soulmateto a convent in western France known for its silver roses; from a school in a mountaintop village where three thousand Jews were saved. MeanwhileEttie is in hidingwaiting to become the fighter she’s destined to be. What does it mean to lose your mother? How much can one person sacrifice for love? In a world where evil can be found at every turnwe meet remarkable characters that take us on a stunning journey of loss and resistancethe fantastical and the mortalin a place where all roads lead past the Angel of Death and love is never ending.