A View Across the Rooftops

De: Suzanne Kelman

Narrado por: Alan Medcroft

Would you risk your life to save just one person?

An incredible story of love, hope, and friendship; and a testament to humanity and courage in history’s darkest days.

1941, Nazi-occupied Amsterdam. Professor Josef Held has never recovered from the loss of his beloved wife - and has no intention of ever letting anyone new into his quiet, safe world. It is a world where the clock ticks steadily in his mathematics classroom, where every equation has a solution. Every day he walks the same route home, past his neighbour Mrs Epstein’s, to a home inhabited only by him and a cat he refuses to even name.

But then the Nazis come for the Jews - and Mrs Epstein is killed. And Josef, in an impulsive act of courage, offers his student Michael Blum a place to hide.

Michael is everything Josef is not: spontaneous, poetic, and unafraid to love. Even though his passionate relationship with a Dutch girl called Elke strictly is forbidden by the Nazis - for he is Jewish, and she is not.

Desperate to give Michael and Elke’s love a chance to survive, Josef gives Michael refuge in his attic: an act of bravery and resistance that will change both of their lives. But as the dark days of war continue, with danger and betrayal at every turn, no-one can be trusted, and no one is safe.

If Michael is going to get back to the woman he loves, it is down to Josef - to find the hero inside himself, and do whatever it takes to keep Michael alive.

A heartbreakingly beautiful story about love, trust, and courage against the odds, perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Lilac Girls, and The Nightingale.

©2019 Suzanne Kelman (P)2019 Bookouture

WOW what a great audible book

I spent a good part of the book thinking main character was a very weak man seemed to be scared of life but he proved me wrong I was thinking what a good movie this could be made into

Well worth reading.

Though I panned The Winemaker's Wife as a sappy romance, this engrossing book is romantic in the literary, classical sense. Satisfying, as well as heartbreaking, outcomes for the main characters, and many different kinds of love and humanity explored and expressed.

Historical Fiction at its Best!!

This was a beautiful, well-written, heart-felt novel about WW2 in a region that we don’t often think of being impacted by the horrific circumstances of the times. Loved it so much. I didn’t want it to end.

Loved this book!

This story was so well written, full of love, loss and tragedy. I’ve enjoyed a lot of books where the story line is taking place during world war 11, and this one is at the top of the list.

Well written, loved narration.

Very nice character development, moving historical story that must be told to all future generations.

Can't stop listening.

This is one of those books that you can't wait to see what happens next and yet don't want it to ever end. For me, this book is a departure from the thousands of books written about WWII. This book is written from a standpoint of the people of Amsterdam and Belgium through the Nazi regime overtaking their country. The protagonist is a kind, gentle man who appears to fear his own shadow. No spoilers here, just listen to how his life unfolds as the occupation becomes a stranglehold upon himself, as well as friends, neighbors, family, and students. I highly recommend this book. The author does a good job of character development and the narrator was excellent.

Amazing Book

I love a variety of book genres, historical fictions are a new favorite for me in the last two years. This is one of my favorites now, I listened to the audiobook. It was so well written, an amazing story of sadness, heartbreak, love, heroism, and friendship. The narrator did an amazing job, the perfect voice for the book. I would recommend to everyone!

WWII Holland

Excellent, compelling story! Not the kind of main character I’m used to, but very endearing!

Grabbed my heart

I don’t generally listen to historical fiction but I stumbled across this one. I loved the richness of the detail of the characters and the life lessons to be learned. This is my first book by Suzanne Kelman and I will go find more.

phenomenal book

This is one of the best books I have read or listened to. It was well paced and laid out. The characters were so real. I enjoyed the narration although some of his accents weren't super great. He had a pleasant voice in general.