Review of "Once We Were Home: A Historical Novel" by Jennifer Rosner

Leading up to and during World War II, some Jewish children in Europe were hidden with Christian families, or in convents, or in monasteries, or in churches, etc., to protect the youngsters from the Nazis.

The idea was for Jewish survivors to retrieve the children after the war. Author Jennifer Rosner, who did extensive research on the subject, and interviewed many people, addresses this topic in her fiction book 'Once We Were Home.'

I heard Rosner speak about her novel, and she emphasized the difficult situations that sometimes arose from secreting Jewish children (which only saved a tiny percentage of Jewish kids, by the way). Some 'foster parents' came to love the children as their own and vice versa; some church organizations baptized the children and refused to return them; some Jewish kids came to think of themselves as Christian; etc.

For the decimated Jewish population, getting these children back after the war was of paramount importance. Jewish survivors would use bribes, payoffs, lawsuits, or even kidnapping to bring the kids home. Some children were reunited with European families, and some were taken to Israel, to live on kibbutzim.



Rosner, who has a Ph.D. in philosophy, observes there wasn't always a 'right thing to do,' as shown in this novel.

*****

There are several 'displaced' characters in 'Once We Were Home.'

Roger: During World War II, Roger is a smart, inquisitive French schoolboy living in the Convent Sainte Marie de Sion. Roger likes to write stories; enjoys sharing jokes and riddles with his best friend Henri; goes to prayer services morning and evening; attends the convent school; and has a favorite teacher, Sister Brigitte, who encourages Roger to ask questions.



Roger's sponsor, a woman named Madame Mercier, tells Roger his Jewish parents took the 'wrong road' and arranges for the boy to be baptized. Roger doesn't comprehend what the 'wrong road' is and wonders about his Jewish family.

When World War II is over, Roger's aunt wants him back. The church, determined to save Roger's soul, sends him on the run with a monk, who takes Roger over the snowy mountains (on foot) to Spain. Meanwhile, Roger's aunt petitions the church and the courts again and again and again.



*****

Mira and Daniel: Near the middle of World War II, Mira Kowalski, her little brother Daniel, and their parents live in a Jewish ghetto in Poland.



One morning the children's mother bundles them up and brings them to the farmhouse of childless Christian acquaintances, the Dąbrowskis.



The kids are told to call the lady of the house Ciocia (Aunt) Agata and the man of the house Wujek (Uncle) Jósef. The children are also informed they'll now be called Anastazja and Oskar. The youngsters are understandably bereft and bewildered, not understanding what's happening.

The Dąbrowskis spread the word that they're looking after a niece and nephew, and Oskar is told never to go swimming with the local boys or let them see him in the privy (since he's circumcised). In time Anastazja and Oskar become an integral part of the Dąbrowski household, and come to love Agata and Oskar.

The children's parents perish during the war, and when the allies win, Jewish agents come to take the kids to Israel. Neither the Dąbrowskis or the children are up for this plan.

*****

Renata: We first meet Renata in 1968, when she's a British graduate student on an archaeological dig in Israel.



Renata's mother recently died, and Renata is in deep mourning. As Renata works on the dig, she thinks back to her childhood during World War II, when she lived in Germany with her mom - a talented baker and pastry decorator. Renata's mother was loving, but secretive and anxious.



After the war, Renata and her mother moved to Britain, and Renata was told never to talk about Germany or her childhood. Renata's mom seems to be concealing some huge secret, and as the story unfolds, we find this has something to do with Hitler’s Lebensborn program, where attractive blonde Polish babies were snatched and 'aryanized' in German homes.

*****

We follow Roger, Anastazja, and Oskar over the years, until their story lines - and Renata's - converge in Israel. By now all the characters are adults and pursuing their lives and career paths. Everyone learns things about themselves over time, and for some, shocking secrets come to light.



The book is compelling and tells a revealing tale about this period of history.

I prefer the first part of the book, because the latter sections have a kind of romantic 'fairy tale vibe' I don't connect with. Regardless, this is a very good book, highly recommended.

Rating: 4 stars