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A review by bookapotamus
In Another Time by Jillian Cantor
4.0
In the years leading up to World War 2, tension is high and hate is becoming rampant, but in a little town in Germany, two people are falling in love. It’s a tumultuous time, and an equally tumultuous relationship at times, but Hanna - a violinist, and Max - a bookshop owner, seem destined to be together. Spanning countries, against laws, and even defying time.
When these two meet, a German and a Jew, their love grows at the same steady rate as Hitler’s power. Their relationship is tested over and over as Hanna struggles to let Max in when her focus has always been simply playing the violin and taking care of her mother. They struggle to make Hanna’s mother understand that their love is true and real, despite their backgrounds or what religion they are. And then there is Max’s secret. So inconceivable - he struggles to tell her. When it could save them from the fuhrer’s dictatorship, but could also potentially tear them apart forever.
I adored this story. The unrequited love of Max and Hanna is so frustrating though at times, I just wish Max would spill his secret and make everything better. But the secret is haunting and heavy, and if he told her- well, it’d be a much different story! There’s a bit of a mystery to it also... We follow Max before the war, learn how these two meet and watch the relationship bloom as the country unravels. But then we follow Hanna - almost 15 years later, when she wakes up in field with no memory of the past 10 years, and has no idea where Max is. The war is over, she’s missed it all. What could have possibly happened, and will she ever remember?
The story is stunning, the settings and timelines so real and cleverly written. It’s an epic journey of love and loss in a time of horrible conflict, with a healthy dose of human spirit and a touch of magic. And I may have cried. A lot.
Thank you to Jillian Cantor , Get Red PR and Harper Perennial for the advanced copy of this beautiful story!
When these two meet, a German and a Jew, their love grows at the same steady rate as Hitler’s power. Their relationship is tested over and over as Hanna struggles to let Max in when her focus has always been simply playing the violin and taking care of her mother. They struggle to make Hanna’s mother understand that their love is true and real, despite their backgrounds or what religion they are. And then there is Max’s secret. So inconceivable - he struggles to tell her. When it could save them from the fuhrer’s dictatorship, but could also potentially tear them apart forever.
I adored this story. The unrequited love of Max and Hanna is so frustrating though at times, I just wish Max would spill his secret and make everything better. But the secret is haunting and heavy, and if he told her- well, it’d be a much different story! There’s a bit of a mystery to it also... We follow Max before the war, learn how these two meet and watch the relationship bloom as the country unravels. But then we follow Hanna - almost 15 years later, when she wakes up in field with no memory of the past 10 years, and has no idea where Max is. The war is over, she’s missed it all. What could have possibly happened, and will she ever remember?
The story is stunning, the settings and timelines so real and cleverly written. It’s an epic journey of love and loss in a time of horrible conflict, with a healthy dose of human spirit and a touch of magic. And I may have cried. A lot.
Thank you to Jillian Cantor , Get Red PR and Harper Perennial for the advanced copy of this beautiful story!