Out of the Mountain’s Shadow by Rose Alexander

A secret from the war with the power to change one woman’s future…

1939: War has broken out, and in Albania Bekim’s family take in a Jewish family fleeing from Nazi Austria. The years of war will shape his life in unimaginable ways as Bekim grows to love Hannelore, doing everything in his power to protect her. But will he be enough to keep her safe?

2019: Following a shock redundancy, Ruth is taking an extended holiday in southern Italy where she befriends local Zak. When Zak’s dying father asks them to solve a mystery from his past, Ruth leaps at the chance. Journeying through his homeland of Albania, Ruth and Zak race to find the sacred artefacts hidden in the mountains during the war.

A stunning and emotional novel of love and danger, perfect for fans of Lorna Cook and Rachel Hore.

About the author.

I've had more careers than I care to mention and am currently working full-time as a secondary school English teacher. I write in the holidays, weekends and evenings, whenever I have a chance, although with three children, a husband, a lodger and a cat, this isn't always as often as I’d like. My book is the result of much hard work, research and patience. The greatest reward possible would be my readers' enjoyment, so I hope it does it for you!

Review

‘Out of the Mountain’s Shadow’ is poignant, extremely moving, beautifully written and an emotional account of a neglected period of history. I actually cried towards the end of this book - this is something I rarely do. This book touched me. I am a big historical fiction fan and this is an area I knew nothing about. I had studied the Balkans a bit but never into depth and this was certainly not a topic that was brought up. Once again a great piece of fiction has allowed the reader to be transported into another world. One which allows you to learn.

Ruth has just lost her job and decides that she needs and holiday and packs her bags to stay in Puglia, Italy for two months. As she begins to relax and look at her life she decides to help look after her landladies son, since she is heavily pregnant. Whilst at the beach they bump into a family friend Zak and unlikely friendship builds between them. Zak is Albanian and has a unique story to tell. That of his families fight to help shelter some Jews from firstly the Italians and then the Nazis. Zak’s father Bekim has written his memoirs and Ruth is privileged enough to be given the chance to read them.

The narrative swaps between the two timelines and I must say I was fascinated by them. Bekim is such a strong character from such an early age. Determined that he was going to marry Hannelore from the first time he saw her as a young boy. His ingrained sense of right and wrong shows a depth of character needed in this period. I do not know how people experienced thus for real. Its an eye-opening account of a group of people hunted because of their religion. Thankfully, Albania was a tad ‘safer’ than other countries but I think that is a testament to the Albanians and their determination to keep their guests safe. It's the besan - their duty.

This is a book you will not regret reading!