Letters across the sea / Genevieve Graham.
Inspired by a little-known chapter of World War II history, a young Protestant girl and her Jewish neighbour are caught up in the terrible wave of hate sweeping the globe on the eve of war. 1933: At eighteen years old, Molly Ryan dreams of becoming a journalist, but instead she spends her days working any job she can to help her family through the Depression crippling her city. The one bright spot in her life is watching baseball with her best friend, Hannah Dreyfus, and sneaking glances at Hannah's handsome older brother, Max. But as the summer unfolds, more and more of Hitler's hateful ideas cross the sea and "Swastika Clubs" and "No Jews Allowed" signs spring up around Toronto, a city already simmering with mass unemployment, protests, and unrest. When tensions between the Irish and Jewish communities erupt in a riot one smouldering day in August, Molly and Max are caught in the middle, with devastating consequences for both their families. 1939: Six years later, the Depression has eased and Molly is a reporter at her local paper. But a new war is on the horizon, putting everyone she cares about most in peril. As letters trickle in from overseas, Molly is forced to confront what happened all those years ago, but is it too late to make things right? From the desperate streets of Toronto to the embattled shores of Hong Kong, Letters Across the Sea is a poignant novel about the enduring power of love to cross dangerous divides even in the darkest of times.
Record details
- ISBN: 9781982156633 (trade paperback)
- Physical Description: 365 pages ; 24 cm
- Edition: Simon & Schuster Canada edition.
- Publisher: Toronto, Ontario : Simon & Schuster Canada, 2021.
Content descriptions
| General Note: | Includes reader's guide. |
Search for related items by subject
| Subject: | Antisemitism > Ontario > Toronto > Fiction. World War, 1939-1945 > Canada > Fiction. Depressions > 1929 > Canada > Fiction. Riots > Ontario > Toronto > History > Fiction. Protestants > Ontario > Toronto > Fiction. Jews > Ontario > Toronto > Fiction. Best friends > Fiction. Interfaith dating > Fiction. Toronto (Ont.) > History > 20th century > Fiction. |
| Genre: | Domestic fiction. Historical fiction. |
Available copies
- 2 of 2 copies available at Tsuga Consortium.
Holds
- 1 current hold with 2 total copies.
Show Only Available Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cookstown Branch | FIC Graha | 31681010233575 | FICTION | Available | - |
| Lakeshore Branch | FIC Graha | 31681010233567 | FICTION | Available | - |
- Simon and Schuster
Inspired by a little-known chapter of World War II history, a young Protestant girl and her Jewish neighbour are caught up in the terrible wave of hate sweeping the globe on the eve of war in this powerful love story from the #1 bestselling author of The Forgotten Home Child.
I&;m writing to say goodbye&;
With all my love,
M
Summer 1933
At eighteen, Molly Ryan feels as though she is always looking for work to help her family through the Great Depression crippling her city. The one bright spot in her life is playing baseball with her best friend, Hannah Dreyfus, and sneaking glances at Hannah&;s handsome older brother, Max. Molly knows that her Irish Protestant parents disapprove of her spending so much time with their Jewish neighbours, and she also sees the signs that say &;No Jews Allowed&; outside Toronto&;s stores and parks. But unlike many of the city&;s residents, Molly doesn&;t blame Hannah and Max for the mass unemployment and unrest&;they&;re her beloved childhood friends.
As more of Hitler&;s hateful ideas cross the sea, tensions between the two families and their communities rise, spilling over one smouldering day in August when a local &;Swastika Club&; unfurls a huge white banner bearing the Nazi symbol at a baseball game. A riot erupts, throwing Molly and Max together and sparking a secret they must keep from everyone they love.
When Max enlists to fight overseas, their love is put to the ultimate test, the letters between them a tenuous bond. By war&;s end, both of their families will be scarred by painful betrayal as devastating truths come to light.
Perfect for readers of The Daughter&;s Tale and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Letters Across the Sea is a poignant novel about the enduring power of love to cross dangerous divides even in the darkest of times.