Hidden Among the Stars by Melanie Dobson

There are many books about WWII and to make another book on the subject stand out it has to bring something unexplored. What this book brings is an “ownerless treasure” and encrypted messages to record what belongs to whom. Encrypted messages were also used by partisans, they had to be creative in finding new ways of communication, be it through stamps or words inserted in poems. (Explored in the book The Lost Letter by Jillian Cantor).

“After the annexation of Austria in 1938, the Nazis began expropriating Austrian Jewish property to use for their war preparations. Many Nazi officials kept a portion of these assets for their own pockets.”

The story is presented through three characters.

Present day, Mount Vernon, Ohio. Callie Randall runs a bookstore with her sister and a blog for the store. She comes across a German edition of Bambi with owner’s name of Anika Knopf dated 1932, and with unique list inscribed on the pages. She makes a post on her blog in hopes of identifying the original owner or her family.

Schloss Schwansee castle on the banks of Lake Hallstatt, Austria, 1938. Annika’s father is the caretaker of the castle belonging to Darnbach family. One day, Anika stumbles upon photographs in a shoe box and a star necklace. A necklace her father confiscates. And he is a greedy man. Annika’s schooling falls short as after the death of her mother, her father needed her to take over the mother’s duties and according to him schooling was a waste of time. What gives her comfort is a book of Bambi gifted by her mom. She reads about the author, Felix Salten, in the papers. A Jewish writer who lived in Vienna. And she wonders if he left Vienna like many others.

Vienna, 1938. Max Dornbach of aristocratic bloodline sees growing antisemitism, and his eyes are on a talented violinist Luzi Weiss of Jewish bloodline. Her father is a doctor, who helps his Jewish patients hide their valuables with the help of Max.

As the story starts with introduction of three people, the pieces of the puzzle are spread. And as the story progresses, the pieces start coming together beautifully. And when you think you already see the whole puzzle together, it gets reshuffled again.

As I mentioned at the beginning, there are so many books on the subject of WWII that when I see a new book I’m skeptical if I want to read another book about WWII. But the cover grabbed my attention and the story turned out to be very engrossing with interesting well-developed characters.

What happened to Felix Salten and many other Jewish authors including German authors Margret and Hans Rey of the Curious George?

“Necessity demanded that Salten disappeared from Austria, but he left behind a treasure trove of stories for children and their parents to remember what might be lost today if we don’t stand against the evil in our midst.”

Felix Salten immigrated to Switzerland. Some were able to immigrate to the US, including Margret and Hans Rey.

Publication Date: 9/4/18

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