The Girl They Left Behind

A young toddler is found outside a Bucharest apartment building in freezing weather in 1941. Inside her dress pocket an unusual note is discovered. It notes she has been left behind so she may survive.

Thus starts the story which will vary between the darkest depths and the height of joy. Why would someone think this was an acceptable path to save a child during a time of war and loss. however, dont be off this story because of its apparent depths of sadness. This is an intriguing story about a period of time in Romania of which I was not aware. It is a wild ride but worth the the trip.

Roxanne Veletzos’s debut novel is a tour de force. She has created a piece of historical fiction regarding a time and place which most people know little about – pre- and post- WWII Romania – and made it both relevant and gripping. Writing in an epic, sweeping style that expertly moves back and forth between an ensemble of complex and fully thought out characters, Veletzos has a writing style that is fluid, descriptive and thoroughly entertaining.

The story of the protagonist, Natalia, is not limited to just simple character development, though. Rather, it weaves in historically accurate and fascinating details of wartime chaos, anti-semitism and a post-war world dominated by communism, fear and political power. The journey of this young girl is made all the more amazing when compared to the state-controlled might of this little-known Iron Curtain country that Veletzos so clearly understands.

Mostly, though, this is simply a great story. Drama, suspense, tales of hidden and expressed love, and a truly satisfying ending make it a page-turning thriller. What makes it particularly appealing is that it is actually BELIEVABLE (probably because it is based on a true story). Whereas many of today’s books and movies are made ridiculous by super human feats that could never happen in the real world, The Girl They Left Behind is a story that you believe – you want to believe! – because it affirms your faith in the human spirit and the power of love to prevail in a world where hatred often seems unbeatable.

A brilliant story brilliantly told by an author who has made quite an auspicious debut in the literary world.

I could not put this book down. The author brings you into the story & lives of this family with love and intensity. You are transported into their lives and can feel every emotion. With all that was endured it is another lesson of the human soul & love. I hope this is the first book of many from this author.

The story itself is just lovely, but the story set in the time period is the factor that distinguishes this book from other romances or family sagas. I have never read about the transition to communism in this way – the author was able to convey in a very personal way the effects of communism on the soul, the family, and the community. Though my family experienced the transition to communism thousands of miles from Romania, I understood too well what was described in this book. Roxanne Veletzos told a specific story about a specific family, but also gave voice to many who were likely too broken to tell it themselves.

Having a grandmother myself who lived through WWII and was held in Russian prison camp this book moved me and helped me understand the what other parts of Europe and families were living through. I can’t begin to express how this story moved me but I’m grateful to author she shared her mother’s story.

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