Papa whispered to Chana, 'If we get separated, if something happens to me, look after Mama and Aron. And one last thing-' He smoothed an affectionate hand over her hair. 'Remember everything I've taught you, and all your gifts. Promise me this.'
1946. Having survived a concentration camp, Chana Rosenzweig arrives in Vienna seeking not only protection for her and her family, but also the freedom to be a baker, just as her father had once been. Torn between a black-market dealer who offers escape to Europe, and an apprentice baker who shares her dreams, Chana battles to stay true to herself and the promise she made her father to live against all odds...
2018. When Zoe Rosenzweig's beloved grandfather dies, Zoe travels to Vienna to speak to an elusive man who may be the only person who can help her unearth the hidden story of her grandparents. Haunted by what she does not know, Zoe risks her journalism career and her home to find the truth.
Inspired by the extraordinary experiences of the author's mother and her family during and after the Holocaust, The Lost Baker of Vienna is a testament to the courage and defiance of women in a world torn apart.
'A tale of grit, bravery, and humanity that will not soon be forgotten' KATE QUINN
'Family love and sacrifice drive this heart-wrenching story' DIANE CHAMBERLAIN
'A beautifully drawn story of survival. I loved every word of it' KELLY RIMMER
'A timely tale of hardship and hope, with strong, resilient women at its core' GEORGIA HUNTER
'Beautifully written and moving... A powerful story historical fiction readers will love' MADELINE MARTIN
'By turns mysterious, tender, suspenseful and moving. I was captivated' THERESE ANNE FOWLER
'A story of love, family and second chances...moving and unforgettable' PAM JENOFF
Real readers love The Lost Baker of Vienna:
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'Wow, what a beautiful book'
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ��� ⭐ 'The story of Chana, a Jewish young woman and her strength, perseverance, and courage'
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'A welcome new take on a World War II novel'
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'Enjoyed the characters'
'Deeply moving'
'A brilliant story'
Genre: Historical
1946. Having survived a concentration camp, Chana Rosenzweig arrives in Vienna seeking not only protection for her and her family, but also the freedom to be a baker, just as her father had once been. Torn between a black-market dealer who offers escape to Europe, and an apprentice baker who shares her dreams, Chana battles to stay true to herself and the promise she made her father to live against all odds...
2018. When Zoe Rosenzweig's beloved grandfather dies, Zoe travels to Vienna to speak to an elusive man who may be the only person who can help her unearth the hidden story of her grandparents. Haunted by what she does not know, Zoe risks her journalism career and her home to find the truth.
Inspired by the extraordinary experiences of the author's mother and her family during and after the Holocaust, The Lost Baker of Vienna is a testament to the courage and defiance of women in a world torn apart.
'A tale of grit, bravery, and humanity that will not soon be forgotten' KATE QUINN
'Family love and sacrifice drive this heart-wrenching story' DIANE CHAMBERLAIN
'A beautifully drawn story of survival. I loved every word of it' KELLY RIMMER
'A timely tale of hardship and hope, with strong, resilient women at its core' GEORGIA HUNTER
'Beautifully written and moving... A powerful story historical fiction readers will love' MADELINE MARTIN
'By turns mysterious, tender, suspenseful and moving. I was captivated' THERESE ANNE FOWLER
'A story of love, family and second chances...moving and unforgettable' PAM JENOFF
Real readers love The Lost Baker of Vienna:
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'Wow, what a beautiful book'
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ��� ⭐ 'The story of Chana, a Jewish young woman and her strength, perseverance, and courage'
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'A welcome new take on a World War II novel'
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'Enjoyed the characters'
'Deeply moving'
'A brilliant story'
Genre: Historical
Praise for this book
"Family love and sacrifice drive this heart-wrenching story of the struggle to survive after the Holocaust. Sharon Kurtzman captures the intense danger and uncertainty of the time through the eyes of a teenaged girl who fights for her family's future even as it puts her own at risk. The Lost Baker of Vienna opened my eyes to a piece of history I'd only vaguely understood, and the story will stay in my head and heart for a long time to come." - Diane Chamberlain
"By turns mysterious, tender, suspenseful, harrowing, and moving, The Lost Baker of Vienna illuminates an important time and place little explored in WWII fiction. I was captivated from the first page of this story about Holocaust survivors in the war's aftermath and beyond, and can't wait for readers to get hold of Sharon Kurtzman's powerful must-read debut." - Therese Anne Fowler
"The Lost Baker of Vienna hits the historical novel sweet spot: it's huge-hearted and keenly detailed, but it's also a straight-up page-turner. When I say I couldn't put this book down, I mean I ignored my life for a solid week. Sharon Kurtzman's characters will live in my head for a long time. Her debut is an absolute stunner." - Lauren Fox
"Sharon Kurtzman's The Lost Baker of Vienna, based on her own family's history, is a captivating tale of resilience and redemption, set against the complex backdrop of post-war Vienna. Through Chana's story, we are reminded of the power of family, love, and the human spirit to overcome even the most harrowing challenges. Kurtzman's writing is evocative and engaging, weaving together historical detail and emotional depth to create a narrative that will resonate with readers long after they finish the book." - Jane Healey
"Inspired by an illuminating conversation with her mother about her family's untold Holocaust-era past, Kurtzman has crafted an eye-opening reimagining of a period in history not often visited: the experience of the Jewish refugee in postwar Europe. A timely tale of hardship and hope, with strong, resilient women at its core." - Georgia Hunter
"Alternating between post war Vienna and the present day, The Lost Baker of Vienna is a story of love, family, survival and second chances. Drawing on her personal family history for inspiration, Kurtzman shines a light on a little-known period and artfully weaves a tale that is moving and unforgettable." - Pam Jenoff
"A moving and unforgettable tale about resilience and the pursuit of dreams in the aftermath of war and loss. As Chana struggles to rebuild her life after unspeakable horrors, it is her own inner strength that helps shape the difficult decisions that save her. The Lost Baker of Vienna is a story of survival, sacrifice, and the enduring bonds of family. Above all, it is a testament to the power of love and how the cultivation of our talents can create a future that is both healing and extraordinary." - Marjan Kamali
"The Lost Baker of Vienna is a beautifully written and moving dual timeline set in the aftermath of WWII. Sharon Kurtzman has penned a dazzling debut that brings the struggles of postwar life in Vienna to light, from the perils and prejudice Holocaust survivors faced to the dangers of the black market. Chana is a brave and strong character, inspired by Kurtzman's own family who survived the Holocaust and the treacherous days that followed. This is a powerful story that historical fiction readers will love!" - Madeline Martin
"The Lost Baker of Vienna is not a war story but a post-war story, resisting the easy route of survival-as-happy-ending and examining the darker side of rebuilding life in the rubble of a war zone. Young Chana Rosenzweig arrives with her family in postwar Vienna, desperate to emigrate to America after surviving the concentration camps, eking out a living in a hotel kitchen. Chana's mother urges her to marry a man who can protect them from the dangers of a city ruled by Soviet soldiers, antisemitic neighbors, and black market criminals, but Chana dreams of using her skills as a baker to start a different kind of life - a life her great-niece Zoe is still untangling more than fifty years later. Sharon Kurtzman takes her own family history and spins it into something truly special, a tale of grit, bravery, and humanity that will not soon be forgotten." - Kate Quinn
"Discerning fans of historical fiction should not miss The Lost Baker of Vienna - a beautifully drawn story of survival in post-war Europe, interwoven with an equally compelling contemporary narrative. Sharon Kurtzman writes with wisdom and compassion, and a palpable dedication to historical accuracy and detail. I loved every word of this book from the fascinating opening pages to the surprising, riveting conclusion." - Kelly Rimmer
"A tender and gripping story of survival, self-reclamation, and love. In post-war Vienna, amid continuing danger, deprivation, and antisemitism, young Chana gets caught in a complex love triangle as she seeks to protect her family, honor the lost, and pursue her dreams. Kurtzman draws on her own family's lore to write with historical dedication and passion. The Lost Baker of Vienna is a beautiful, emotional read." - Jennifer Rosner
"By turns mysterious, tender, suspenseful, harrowing, and moving, The Lost Baker of Vienna illuminates an important time and place little explored in WWII fiction. I was captivated from the first page of this story about Holocaust survivors in the war's aftermath and beyond, and can't wait for readers to get hold of Sharon Kurtzman's powerful must-read debut." - Therese Anne Fowler
"The Lost Baker of Vienna hits the historical novel sweet spot: it's huge-hearted and keenly detailed, but it's also a straight-up page-turner. When I say I couldn't put this book down, I mean I ignored my life for a solid week. Sharon Kurtzman's characters will live in my head for a long time. Her debut is an absolute stunner." - Lauren Fox
"Sharon Kurtzman's The Lost Baker of Vienna, based on her own family's history, is a captivating tale of resilience and redemption, set against the complex backdrop of post-war Vienna. Through Chana's story, we are reminded of the power of family, love, and the human spirit to overcome even the most harrowing challenges. Kurtzman's writing is evocative and engaging, weaving together historical detail and emotional depth to create a narrative that will resonate with readers long after they finish the book." - Jane Healey
"Inspired by an illuminating conversation with her mother about her family's untold Holocaust-era past, Kurtzman has crafted an eye-opening reimagining of a period in history not often visited: the experience of the Jewish refugee in postwar Europe. A timely tale of hardship and hope, with strong, resilient women at its core." - Georgia Hunter
"Alternating between post war Vienna and the present day, The Lost Baker of Vienna is a story of love, family, survival and second chances. Drawing on her personal family history for inspiration, Kurtzman shines a light on a little-known period and artfully weaves a tale that is moving and unforgettable." - Pam Jenoff
"A moving and unforgettable tale about resilience and the pursuit of dreams in the aftermath of war and loss. As Chana struggles to rebuild her life after unspeakable horrors, it is her own inner strength that helps shape the difficult decisions that save her. The Lost Baker of Vienna is a story of survival, sacrifice, and the enduring bonds of family. Above all, it is a testament to the power of love and how the cultivation of our talents can create a future that is both healing and extraordinary." - Marjan Kamali
"The Lost Baker of Vienna is a beautifully written and moving dual timeline set in the aftermath of WWII. Sharon Kurtzman has penned a dazzling debut that brings the struggles of postwar life in Vienna to light, from the perils and prejudice Holocaust survivors faced to the dangers of the black market. Chana is a brave and strong character, inspired by Kurtzman's own family who survived the Holocaust and the treacherous days that followed. This is a powerful story that historical fiction readers will love!" - Madeline Martin
"The Lost Baker of Vienna is not a war story but a post-war story, resisting the easy route of survival-as-happy-ending and examining the darker side of rebuilding life in the rubble of a war zone. Young Chana Rosenzweig arrives with her family in postwar Vienna, desperate to emigrate to America after surviving the concentration camps, eking out a living in a hotel kitchen. Chana's mother urges her to marry a man who can protect them from the dangers of a city ruled by Soviet soldiers, antisemitic neighbors, and black market criminals, but Chana dreams of using her skills as a baker to start a different kind of life - a life her great-niece Zoe is still untangling more than fifty years later. Sharon Kurtzman takes her own family history and spins it into something truly special, a tale of grit, bravery, and humanity that will not soon be forgotten." - Kate Quinn
"Discerning fans of historical fiction should not miss The Lost Baker of Vienna - a beautifully drawn story of survival in post-war Europe, interwoven with an equally compelling contemporary narrative. Sharon Kurtzman writes with wisdom and compassion, and a palpable dedication to historical accuracy and detail. I loved every word of this book from the fascinating opening pages to the surprising, riveting conclusion." - Kelly Rimmer
"A tender and gripping story of survival, self-reclamation, and love. In post-war Vienna, amid continuing danger, deprivation, and antisemitism, young Chana gets caught in a complex love triangle as she seeks to protect her family, honor the lost, and pursue her dreams. Kurtzman draws on her own family's lore to write with historical dedication and passion. The Lost Baker of Vienna is a beautiful, emotional read." - Jennifer Rosner
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