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Long Way Home by Lynn Austin is a beautifully written novel that tugs at the heart and offers a hopeful message about healing after trauma. Set in the wake of World War II, the story follows Jimmy Barnett, a shell-shocked veteran confined to a VA hospital, and Grace, a quiet young woman determined to uncover the truth behind his silence. As Grace digs into Jimmy’s past, she uncovers a moving tale of love, sacrifice, and the unseen wounds soldiers carry home.
The book also weaves in a second powerful storyline: that of Gisela Wolff, a young Jewish woman trying to survive the horrors of Nazi Germany. Her family’s journey—from persecution to attempted escape—is both heartbreaking and eye-opening. I had no idea Jews fled to Cuba, only to be turned away. I’m angry the U.S. didn’t open its doors.
I also learned about the Allied bombing of Mortsell, Belgium—a botched raid meant to hit a German factory that killed civilians instead. So tragic.
Austin blends history and faith with grace and honesty. Long Way Home is tender, thought-provoking, and ultimately full of hope. It’s a story that stays with you.
** Thanks to NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers for a complimentary review copy. The opinions are my own.