Like many other people who responded, I was very disappointed by the stiffness of the characters and the lack of nuance in general. ( )

The book was highly recommended and I know why. It is well written with likable and believable characters and the historical background is genuine. I’ve read about how the Jews were rounded up in France (and elsewhere) and shipped off to prison camps. The way Jews were treated was despicable and heartbreaking.

I had no idea how complicated the underground forgery cells (units) were and how and where they operated. Nor the risks that all those helping the Jews escape were exposed to every day. The author thoroughly researched the forgery units and also the facts about the Germans looting books. I didn’t know there are real people today, trying to reunite the stolen books with their rightful owners.

Eva Traube watches as her father is taken away by soldiers. She has to help her mother escape Paris and find safety. Her mother is not only distraught but she cannot fathom that their world has drastically changed. Eva learns to look out for both of them and then to help others escape the Nazis. She has courage and brains and compassion. She has to battle her mother’s delusions that her father will return and live with her mother’s negativity about Eva’s role as a forger and as a woman falling in love. Remy and Pere Clement add so much to the story.

The story is also told from Eva as an 87 year old, semi retired librarian who has not shared her past with her son. She learns of the existence of the book she used to record the real identities of the children for whom she made new identities and she is driven to obtain it.

My life is enriched after reading this historical novel and learning of those that gave so much to help others. ( )

Didn't quite live up to its potential ( )

I enjoyed the premise of this book, but felt it was awash in soap suds too much of the time. Engaging storyline, but found myself really annoyed at some of the characters. ( )

Overall I really enjoyed this book. It had suspense, drama and romance. I particularly loved the ending!
Eva is a Polish Jew living in Paris at the Onset of WW ll. Her father is arrested but Eva and her mother escape to a mountain village in the free zone. Eva becomes a forger, saving many people's lives, most of which are children. She falls in love with a fellow forger Remy. She decides to keep track of the children's real names. Hence the title The Book of Lost Names. I won't spoil the ending but it is marvelous! I will definitely keep an eye out for future books by this author! ( )