They Went Left

Set in the immediate aftermath of World War II, an 18-year-old girl released from the camps, is determined to find her 12-year-old brother so they can create a life together. In the confusion following the war, with all the misplaced people looking for loved ones, connections can be made - or

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missed - and not everyone is who they seem to be.

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Eighteen-year old Zofia Lederman has been liberated from Gross-Rosen concentration camp and has finally recovered enough to leave the hospital. Zofia has been confused, she is forgetting things and has false memories. Zofia desperately wants to find who she believes is the last living member of her

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family, her younger brother Abek. Zofia promised Abek that she would find him after everything and that is exactly what she plans to do. Upon returning to her home, Zofia finds it empty, looted with no sign of Abek. Zofia learns that many people from concentration camps went to displaced persons camps, so Zofia makes her way to the camp her brother would most likely be in, Foehrenwald. In Foehrenwald, Zofia meets many others just like her, confused and looking for lost family members. Zofia connects with Josef, who seems as damaged as her and with a secret. As Zofia gets closer to finding Abek, her memories of the last time she saw him form.
They Went Left is a poignant and heartfelt look at what happened to those who were liberated after World War II. Often when I read books about World War II, the end of the book corresponds to the end of the War. However, that was not the end of the hardship and suffering for anybody involved. Zofia's story highlights the unique struggles that someone liberated from a concentration camp went through: displacement, searching for loved ones who may or may not be alive, not knowing who to trust including yourself and continued hatred. The writing deftly conveys the dual feelings of hopefulness and sadness, uncertainty and confidence, bravery and fearfulness that people had in this time. Through Zofia, Josef, Abek and the many people in Foehrenwald, the variety of trials and triumphs of the time are highlighted. The story is told entirely through Zofia's point of view and is absolutely absorbing and fascinating to see her slowly transition from confused but committed to finding her brother to more sure of herself and accepting of what has happened. I loved the device of the family alphabet that Zofia created in order to help her brother remember. It served as a great way to get to know Zofia's family before the War. Overall, They Went Left is a genuine and deeply affecting story of the world people faced after World War II.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

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I was sent this book from the publisher/publicity team. My ratings and reviews will be my own personal opinions and are in no way influenced by publishers or authors who may have sent me books to review.

I have always really loved stories following WWII. They Went Left is very different than any

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others I have read as this follows Zofia after the war. We get to see what happened when people were sent to camps and trying to locate their loved ones. It really brought an unique view into the story.

I also really enjoyed listening to the authors note on this one. I really loved that she took real names and situations and brought them to life within this story. It just made it even more special.

This did have some pacing issues for me, and I did not really love the ending. However; it was still pretty amazing overall and well worth the read.

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YA historical fiction focuses on 18-year old Polish concentration camp survivor, Zofia, and her efforts to find the last surviving member of her Jewish family, her younger brother, Abek, after the camps are liberated.
Compounding the mystery of her missing brother is the mental health issues Zofia

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is suffering from as a result of her internment. These bouts of anxiety sometimes become all-encompassing in her mind and the way they are presented to the reader make you feel like you are going through them with Zofia, bringing a greater understanding of her circumstance and of her sheer will to make sense of her reality.
I especially loved the way the chapters are laid out, from A-Z, just like Abek and Zofia do in their childhood stories.
And having the story focused on life after liberation and through displacement helps to encourage greater understanding of this part of post-WWII history.

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"They Went Left" provided an interesting insight into what happened to Jewish people after they were liberated from the Nazi concentration camps at the end of WWII. Zofia's story was a heartbreaking one as she struggled with confusion, grief, physical and mental issues and a desperate search to

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find her younger brother. Yet, despite all this, I found the novel bland. Zofia was too naive and stubborn and I thought the romance detracted from a story that should have been raw and emotional.

However, I did enjoy learning about life at Foehrenwald in the displaced persons camp as people tried to reconnect with lost family members and move forward, piecing their lives back together after the horrors they endured. It was a testament to the strength of the human spirit.

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I listed to They Went Left, as it was offered on Audiobooksync during the summer.

So many books are written about the holocaust, detailing the horrors of the war. This novel details what happens after the war. After liberation, what paths do the Jews take to re-start life. Who is alive in their

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families? How and where do they find them? How does one deal with the PTSD? How do you live with the guilt of surviving? How do you live with the guilt of witnessing horrors and being unable to stop them?

Zofia survives Gross-Rosen concentration camp, but her mind takes more time to sort itself out. She finds knowing what is real hard to decipher. A Russian soldier cares for her, wanting to take care of her. He takes her home where she hopes to find her brother. Everyone else in her family is dead--they were divided upon entering Auschwitz where her family was sent to the gas chambers. Upon returning home to Poland, she discovers that people still hate the Jews. The family apartment is there, but her brother, Abek, is not there. Sneaking away, Zofia leaves her Russian friend to go to a place where Jews are being helped. Food and lodging are supplied for a short time as the people decide what to do with their lives. Training for different professions is also offered. it's a place to heal, learn, wait, and hope for a future reunited with family and for a future of hope that a life is possible after such atrocities.

Zofia arrives and notices Josef immediately. He withdraws from others, placing himself separate as if he doesn't deserve anything. He's ill-tempered and rude. Nonetheless, they feel pulled to each other, telling each other some of their horrors. It's here in this place (relocation facility) that Zofia must allow her brain to heal to remember all that has happened. By recognizing what has occurred in her fast, she can find her brother and move forward. Each person represents what so many Jews went through after the war--from being separated from your twin after the war after staying together all through it to moving on to love the person in front of you instead of someone from the past. How do you move on? Each character chooses a different path and they are all correct. It's what each needs to live for the future instead of dwelling in the past.

The novel is gut wrenching. Freedom from the concentration camps didn't end their stories. Their lives continued and they had to find themselves, their friends and families, and a life. it's an important novel to read. Be prepared to have your emotions experience many ups and downs.

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This is a post WWII, what happens to those that were released from the concentration camps. How did they get on with their lives. The main character is a young woman, damaged from the holocaust experience who is recently discharged from the hospital and she is looking for her brother. The only

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survivor from her family. This book was a part of the free audio summer program for young adults. I enjoyed it, there is some sexual content.

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