I had a few download issues with the book and by the time it was sorted, the file had unfortunately been achieved. Happy to re-review if it becomes available again.

I enjoyed this book. It was relatively easy to keep up with the names of those involved and the story is pretty amazing by the time you get to the end of the book. This a real look at the things people went through during the 1930's and 40's and how life changed for all involved.

It was easy to connect with this book because the author made it feel personal, although some sections were more exciting than others. I think this would be a good choice for anyone who is looking into this fascinating period of history, regardless of it being more of a family memoir than a history book. There is a lot of valuable insight in these pages.

The relationship between the two main people is strained at times, difficult and made more difficult by the circumstances they find themselves in, but there is a deep level of respect shared for one another and that was the best part of this account for me. I feel like that's something we can, and should, all learn from.

This book is worth reading, give it a try.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher, provided by NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Another story about a family surviving as Jews in Europe during World War II turns into the historical story of a family. This was a difficult read, partly because of unfamiliar abbreviations used and partly due to the many names of the family members. It's not like other stories and was worth the read. I am continually amazed at how families survived and found each other after being separated during the worst of WWII. Because this story was told by putting together the various correspondence written and saved by various family members, it could not be a completely linear story. This made the read a bit more difficult.

Another book from my favorite time period to read on. As a human we must never let these atrocities of WW2 and the Holocaust be forgotten.

Martha, in this memoir, weaves stories of real people with real experiences and real feelings. I felt their emotions as I got to read another account of being Jewish at this time in history. I will never understand the strength that many of these persons had. I honor each sacrifice as I read books from this time period.

I reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

Invisible Ink
A Family Memoir
by Martha Leigh
Troubador Publishing Ltd.
Matador
Biographies & Memoirs | History | Nonfiction (Adult)
Pub Date 16 Dec 2020


I am reviewing a copy of Invisible Ink through Troubador Publishing/Matador and Netgalley:


Martha’s parents were extraordinary people who lived during extraordinary times. Ralph was a brilliant but poor Jew who lived on the East End. Edith who was also Jewish and came from bourgeois family in Central Europe, was a gifted pianist. They had met as Students in Paris in 1937 and then became separated by the war. They wrote letters to one another during their separation letters that were intimate, emotional and sometimes humorous correspondence throughout the war led to marriage in 1945.




They both bore scars. She, from escaping the Nazis, he from childhood tragedy. Overshadowing them both was a secret that burdened Ralph for most of his life. After the war Ralph would become the world expert on Jean-Jacques Rousseau, while Edith devoted herself to her piano both performing and teaching.




Invisible Ink is an intimate look at Martha’s Parents relationship, and how it came to be.





The author not only uncovered her parents love story, in going through the pages of correspondence and other writings to create this book, she uncovered too her Uncle’s Heroism as well as his pioneering work in medicine, as well as her grandmother and cousin’s miraculous escapes from the holocaust.





Discovering the truth about her family has also allowed Martha too take an inner journey towards discovering who she is.



I give Invisible Ink five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

This was a surprise for sure. I found this novel by chance and the blurb intrigued me enough to pick it up, but the writing is what kept me going. Leigh perfectly weaves the story of her family through decades, stitching together this scattered family across Europe. The research and time that went into this is not missed, through countless letters and documents we learn of her family's history, their happiest moments and darkest days. She writes this all with compassion and warmth, bringing these family members to life. There's bravery in telling her parents story, the raw and honesty that comes along with uncovering ones past. This was impactful, drawing on the importance of family but more importantly, love and acceptance. A wonderful memoir that I'm glad to have read.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. When I read the summary for this book, I was thinking it was a book of letters written back and forth during the war between two in love. This book is actually written more like a research project from the daughter of said lovebirds. It was more a list of facts than a love story. It was ok. #invisibleink #marthaleigh