First published in 1950 as Safe Passage, republished in 1976 as We Followed Our Stars, and again in 2021 as The Bravest Voices.
In the 1920's the sisters discovered opera and were dedicated fans of both conductors and opera singers. The first of the book deals with this era of saving meager salaries to attend performances. I'm not an opera aficionado, but the love of these two young women for the music and for the performers was impressive.
The second section deals with how some of their operatic friends became involved with aiding escapes from Nazi Germany in the late 1930's. Austrian conductor Clemens Krauss and his wife his wife Viorica Ursuleac first introduced the sisters to the dangers of those trying to escape before being killed or put in concentration camps. The sisters used the excuse of attending operas to get in and out of Germany to arrange safe passage for refugees until war broke out. Krauss scheduled operas that aided their efforts.
After war closed the borders, and it was no longer possible to aid refugees, Ida describes her own families experience with the Blitz. At one point she mentions the bombs hitting the book centers and the books and burning pages spread over London. It reminded me of this photograph of a boy reading books outside a bombed book shop.
Ida Cook also wrote Harlequin Romances under the name Mary Burchell, and I'm tempted to see if I can find a book still in print.
There is a certain innocence in this book and a freshness of voice that kept me engaged. I may never fully appreciate opera, but Ida Cook's descriptions of different voices intrigued and surprised me.
I truly enjoyed this book which gives another view of WWII experiences.
In 1965, Israel s Yad Vashem named Ida and Louise Cook Righteous Among the Nations. Ida died in 1986 at the age of 82, and Louise in 1991 at the age of 90. In 2010, they were posthumously honored as Heroes of the Holocaust by the British Government.
NetGalley/Harlequin
History/WWII. Jan. 19, 2021. Print length: 256 pages.
This sounds like a must read. I'm always interested in reading more about WWII, especially real people who courageously helped aid others in escaping.
ReplyDeleteIt is a personal glimpse into the the period from 1920-1940 that covers the sisters love of opera, their refugee work, and more. I enjoyed Ida's voice in the narrative, part fan-girl, part journalistic, always believable.
DeleteMy mom has a copy of this book but under the title Safe Passages. I'll have to borrow it from her.
ReplyDelete:) Yes, do borrow it!
DeleteYes! I am familiar with their story from Safe Passages.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't aware of the Cook sisters, so I'm especially glad I read this. :)
DeleteThis sounds so good! I've not heard of them before and think their story is one to know.. Thank you for sharing this title.
ReplyDeleteThe "girls" were interesting, especially Ida, and as the saying goes they "lived in interesting times." I also learned a lot about opera!
DeleteI am always drawn to World War II stories and this memoir sounds like a worthwhile read. You've got me curious to read about their love for opera now. While I am not a fan of opera per say, I do have an interest in music and the arts.
ReplyDeleteI've never been an opera fan, but Ida's love for the music and the performers did influence my opinion. It is a memoir that I'll remember.
DeleteThis sounds like a powerful read! I'm not a fan of opera; and though WWII books are too heartbreaking to read, I still think they're worth reading based by the inspirational/courageous deeds of the characters, fiction or real stories.
ReplyDeleteYes, there are some heartbreaking incidences, but the book really doesn't dwell on those. Throughout their is such a hopeful voice from Ida. She acknowledges the tragedies and believes she and Louise were doing what anyone would do.
DeleteGreat review and thank you for bringing this book to my attention. I will put it on my list. It is always interesting to hear how people responded to the persecution of Jews under the Nazis during WWII.
ReplyDeleteIt is an atypical WWII story, in so many ways. It was through their opera friends that the sisters learned of what was going on in Germany and Austria before many realized or acknowledged the threat, but Ida and Louise found sponsors and supporters to help. The numbers weren't large, but they saved lives before war broke out.
DeleteOh my their story around opera (of all things) and the lives they saved sounds amazing
ReplyDelete:) Two spinsters who lived full lives and were committed to doing the right thing.
DeleteWhat a great story. It's not one I've ever heard before, but the lives these sisters lived justifies the several lives that the memoir seems to have had since being published the first time.
ReplyDeleteYes, the books does seem to keep coming back around...and that's a good thing. :)
Deleteugh, "the book does" not books, does
DeleteI've heard of these sisters. So many stories of bravery and heroism during WWII away from the front, although when your city is being bombed, are you on the front? I love the photo of the boy reading outside a bombed book store, poignant yet showing resilience.
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