The Light After the War
This wasn’t the path they had planned to be on, yet here they were. Edith and Vera had been best friends forever, living across from one another their whole lives but now, the war changed that. Creating a plan, scrunched together in the dark cattle car, these women’s lives would never be the same.
Waiting in the grass, watching for movement, watching for any signs of life, they left disappointed. They knew what they needed to do now and they moved quickly. Soon the world would be theirs, the war would be officially over and they could make their mark upon it. It was an impressive journey as the girls begin experiencing life on their own.
I enjoyed how the girls looked out for one another. Vera was the hard-working one, who immediately was concerned about money and tries to find employment so they can survive. Vera’s concerned about paying for rent, buying food, and taking care of her friend, Edith. She tries not to let her emotions get in the way. Believing that her boyfriend Stefan has died, Edith can’t get herself together. Her grief has led her to become very promiscuous, causing Vera to keep her eyes on her when men are around.
I liked how the characters of Vera and Edith were alike and how they were different. Vera is dependable, serious and her emotions are in-check. Edith is fun, to a point. Don’t go too far, or she will lose it. If you looked inside her, she’s all-over-the-place. They’re perfect for each other. Vera is Edith’s landing spot whereas Edith gets Vera out of her comfort zone. After the girls escaped out of the cattle car, they both realized that their parents weren’t so lucky and had died in Auschwitz. This is a heavy burden for the girls to carry, as this event replays throughout their lives.
Romance plays a big role in this book as Edith and Vera find themselves falling in and out of love. Over time, they both seem to want it and find it, so differently. I’m not one who enjoys a lot of romance but I did enjoy the twists and turns these two girls take when they start turning heads.
It’s a great book about friendship. I enjoyed Vera’s and Edith’s relationship and how it changed over the years. As the world recovers from the war, the girls begin a life together out on their own. Finding jobs, their life begins to take off and soon they’re meeting individuals and dating. I found the book intriguing as they began navigating their new lives. 4.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
