Vera dreams of becoming a singer and escaping the memories of her past. Edith, on the other hand, aspires to become a doctor and help others. Together, they embark on a journey to Italy, where they hope to find safety and start anew.

In Italy, Vera and Edith find refuge in a displaced persons camp. They meet Angelo, an Italian-Jewish man who becomes an important figure in their lives. Angelo helps them secure jobs and provides them with support as they navigate their new reality.

As time passes, Vera and Edith’s paths diverge. Vera falls in love with Angelo and they marry, while Edith focuses on her medical studies. Despite their different paths, their friendship remains strong.

The narrative then shifts to 1953 when Vera and Angelo move to America with their young daughter. They settle in Los Angeles and try to build a life for themselves. However, the ghosts of their past continue to haunt them.

Throughout the novel, Abriel skillfully weaves together past and present timelines to reveal the full extent of the characters’ experiences during the war. She explores the lasting impact of trauma on individuals and how they strive to find light amidst darkness.

The Light After the War is a poignant tale of survival, love, and the enduring power of friendship. It highlights the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of finding hope in even the darkest of times.

• The Light After the War

• A Novel
• By: Anita Abriel
• Narrated by: Jesse Vilinsky

Inspired by the incredible true story of two Jewish friends who survived the Holocaust, “a heartfelt and memorable tale of family, love, resilience, and the triumph of spirit.” people” (Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author) spanning World War II from Budapest to Austria and the postwar years from Naples to Caracas, perfect for fans of German Girl and We are the lucky ones.

Spring 1946: Close friends Vera Frankel and Edith Ban arrive in Naples. Refugees from Hungary, they managed to escape from a train bound for Auschwitz and spent the rest of the war hiding in an Austrian farm. Now, two young girls are starting a new life abroad.

Carrying a letter of recommendation from an American officer, Vera found a job at the US embassy, where she fell in love with Captain Anton Wight. But as Vera and Edith grapple with the aftermath of the war, so does Anton, and when he suddenly disappears, Vera is forced to change course. Their quest for a better life takes Vera and Edith from Naples to Ellis Island to Caracas as they begin their careers, reunite with old friends, and rebuild their lives after a terrible loss.

Touching, evocative and engaging, The Light After the War is a timely and unforgettable “story of strength, love, and survival” (Jillian Cantor, bestselling author USA Today’s best).

Vera and Edith experience the unbearable depravity of World War 2 as they flee the Nazis in Hungary to Austria. They survived making their way to Italy, New York, and eventually settled in Venezuela. Life finally becomes normal for both young girls thanks to success in work and personal relationships when tragedy strikes again. Vera’s husband dies and both women are faced with the choice of starting over but this time on separate continents. This is a story of perseverance, strength, love, friendship and family; this is where we all develop our ability to strive and where we take refuge.

This is a very interesting book and I enjoy reading it because it gives a different perspective on life after the war for young people in their teens and 20s before marriage etc. I find it a quick read – love historical fiction because it teaches me about the time period but without the history right in front of you (it puts a story in it). Anyway, great book and. would recommend!