The World That We Knew

A Novel

By: Alice Hoffman

Narrated by: Judith Light

Audio bonus! The audio download edition includes an exclusive interview with Alice Hoffman and Judith Light!

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * LONGLISTED FOR THE ANDREW CARNEGIE MEDAL

On the brink of World War II, with the Nazis tightening their grip on Berlin, a mother’s act of courage and love offers her daughter a chance of survival.

“[A] hymn to the power of resistance, perseverance, and enduring love in dark times…gravely beautiful…Hoffman the storyteller continues to dazzle.” —The New York Times Book Review

At the time when the world changed, Hanni Kohn knows she must send her twelve-year-old daughter away to save her from the Nazi regime. Her desperation leads her to Ettie, the daughter of a rabbi whose years spent eavesdropping on her father enables her to create a mystical Jewish creature, a rare and unusual golem, who is sworn to protect Hanni’s daughter, Lea. Once Ava is brought to life, she and Lea and Ettie become eternally entwined, their paths fated to cross, their fortunes linked.

What does it mean to lose your mother? How much can one person sacrifice for love? In a world where evil can be found at every turn, we meet remarkable characters that take us on a stunning journey of loss and resistance, the fantastical and the mortal, in a place where all roads lead past the Angel of Death and love is never-ending.

Critic reviews

'Hoffman works her magic once again in this unique audiobook. Judith Light's intensely dramatic narration suits the subject matter well. She delivers the dialogue passionately, and the narrative is brisk and sharp. Set in Europe during WWII, this unconventional story traces the steps of women so desperate that they are driven to create a golem to serve as a protector. The magical elements seem perfectly realistic as revealed in Light's driving, theatrical delivery. It doesn't take long for the listener to get pulled into this other realm, eager to keep up with Light's narrative pace. The audiobook lays bare the essentials of love and evil, sacrifice and mortality, for contemplation."

Breathtaking.

I can not even come up with the words of how lovely this was. Creating the Golom might have been one of the most magical sequences I have heard....

Hoffman brings her magic to the Holocaust

This is a powerful story about the power of love and what it means to be human. Alice Hoffman is a master storyteller. I was drawn in to the lives of her characters and loved the way she woke different strands of the story together.
Judith Light’s narration was perfect.

Great book

My book club really enjoyed discussion this book. Lots of topics. It was the first magical realism book I was able to enjoy!

Best yet !!

I enjoyed this AH novel, her portrayal of men Tall , dark, handsome and loyal is fabulous !
Thank you 🙏
The narration is haunting with Judith Light .

Really different

I loved this story! It had depth and meaning!! I thought the reader sounded sincere and had a great reading voice.