Helpful Score: 4
The heartbreaking story of a ship full of mostly wealthy German Jewish refugees bound for Havana, Cuba not long after Kristallnacht and then mostly turned back to Europe because neither the Cubans, the Americans nor the Canadians would accept them. Based on a true story and told affectingly through the eyes of a young girl.
At the end of the book, we see the signatures of all the people on that ship, along with photos. Most of the refugees turned back were killed in Nazi concentration camps. The story has very obvious parallels in today's world when all too many people again close their eyes and hearts to refugees.
At the end of the book, we see the signatures of all the people on that ship, along with photos. Most of the refugees turned back were killed in Nazi concentration camps. The story has very obvious parallels in today's world when all too many people again close their eyes and hearts to refugees.
the story of Hannah and Anna is truly heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. The story of a young girl caught up in Berlin of the Nazis, and then her niece living thjrought the horrors of 9/11. Based on a sadly true story of a ship full of humans who were not allowed in Cuba, the USA, or Canada back in 1939. A good history lesson.
Hannah Rosenthal lives in Berlin, 1939, living a pleasant life, when Germany is amidst the beginning of World War II. As a Jew, Hannah finds she is no longer welcome in familiar places considered home in Berlin. The St.Louis, a transatlantic ocean liner, offers promising hope to Jews seeking safe passage to Cuba. Traveling on the oceanliner is a luxury, but circumstances change as the war progresses. Cuba denies the majority of passengers entrance in the country, most sent back to Germany. Hannah is one of the fortunate ones to enter Cuba, starting a new life with her mother. The hope of traveling to New York to live doesn't transpire, leaving she and her mother finding their way in a foreign country. A great read of one the families seeking refuge in Cuba, as well as historical insight during this time period surrounding World War II.
Based on a true story taking place in two time periods. The story of 12 year old Hannah and her family forced to flee Germany, bought passage on a ship to Cuba during World War Two.Upon arrival in Cuba, the government there decided they would not take all the refugees, and neither would Canada or the US. Some were able to disembark,and many more were sent on back to Germany.This is the story of Hannah and her mother who lived the high life in misery all their years in Cuba, and the second story of Anna, the great grandchild in the US who many years later receives photos of her father's life,and travels with her mother to meet up with their long lost relatives. This is one of those stories where I needed a scorecard to keep track of the characters.The story allternates between the 1930's and 2014. Both girls are about twelve years old and they both live with very depressed mothers who can never get out of bed. By the end of the story where everything starts to come together, it started getting better, in my mind.
