Utterly beautiful WWII drama

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑  No author can be relied upon for a touching, magical novel more so than Alice Hoffman. She weaves a spell that thoroughly enchants her readers. The World That We Knew illustrates the horrors of WWII and the desperate lengths a Jewish mother will go to to protect her daughter, Lea. Seeking help from Ettie, a Jewish Rabbi's daughter, they craft a golem to protect Lea from all the dangers of wartime Europe. Ava, the creature, has one goal in her existence - to protect Lea - but there is more to her beyond her simple, female facade.

In this novel we track the journey of Lea, Ava, Ettie and a number of characters who fight for survival and strive to help people left homeless and powerless by the war. We witness the blossoming of love, face heartbreaking death and the sacrifices everyone must make during this horrific period in history.

Ms. Hoffman writes this story with the kindest, most respectful beauty bringing to vivid life the hardships of the time. As readers, we follow characters whose lives intersect and diverge on various levels but come together to deliver a heart-wrenching finale. The World That We Knew is a delicately lovely story and most satisfying. Well worth reading for a magical tale of love, tragedy and redemption.