The Lost Baker of Vienna - by Sharon Kurtzman (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

An historical novel inspired by the experiences of the author's own family after the Holocaust, a sweeping saga about survival, loss, love, and the reverberating effects of war

In 2018, Zoe Rosenzweig is reeling after the loss of her beloved grandfather, a Holocaust survivor. She becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to her family during the war.

Vienna, 1946: Chana Rosenzweig has endured the horrors of war to find herself, her mother, and her younger brother finally free in Vienna. But freedom doesn't look like they'd imagined it would, as they struggle to make a living and stay safe.

Despite the danger, Chana sneaks out most nights to return to the hotel kitchen where she works as a dishwasher, using the quiet nighttime hours to bake her late father's recipes. Soon, Chana finds herself caught in a dangerous love triangle, torn between the black-market dealer who has offered marriage and protection, and the apprentice baker who shares her passions. How will Chana balance her love of baking against her family's need for security?

The Lost Baker of Vienna affirms the unbreakable bonds of family, shining a light on the courageous spirit of WWII refugees as they battle to survive the overwhelming hardships of a world torn apart.

Review Quotes

Praise for The Lost Baker of Vienna

"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, New York Times bestselling author of A Well-Behaved Woman

"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, New York Times bestselling author of The Last House on the Street

"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, New York Times bestselling author of Last Twilight in Paris

"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, bestselling author of The Lion Women of Tehran

"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. Kurzman 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, author of Once We Were Home and The Yellow Bird Sings

About the Author

Sharon Kurtzman worked in television marketing before pursuing her dream of becoming a writer. She earned her MFA in fiction from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and her undergraduate degree from Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Public Communications. She lives in North Carolina with her husband; they have two adult children.