51 pages • 1 hour read
Alice HoffmanThe World That We Knew
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2019A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In The World That We Knew by Alice Hoffman, three Jewish girls in Nazi-occupied France navigate the horrors of the Holocaust with the help of a magical golem, which was created to protect them. Intertwining historical reality with elements of the supernatural, the story highlights the themes of love, resistance, and survival amidst the brutality and violence of World War II. Contains descriptions of violence and wartime atrocities.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Alice Hoffman's The World That We Knew is praised for its lyrical prose and evocative storytelling that deftly blends magical realism with historical fiction. Reviewers laud its emotional depth and well-drawn characters, though some criticize the pacing and predictability. Overall, it's a haunting and beautifully written tale that captivates readers.
Who Should Read The World That We Knew?
Readers captivated by historical fiction with a touch of magical realism would enjoy Alice Hoffman's The World That We Knew. Fans of Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale or Markus Zusak's The Book Thief will appreciate the poignant narratives, strong character arcs, and the interplay of love and sacrifice set against the backdrop of World War II.