Audio Review: In Another Time by Jillian Cantor

A sweeping historical novel that spans Germany, England, and the United States and follows a young couple torn apart by circumstance leading up to World War II—and the family secret that may prove to be the means for survival.

 Love brought them together. But only time can save them… 

1931, Germany. Bookshop owner Max Beissinger meets Hanna Ginsberg, a budding concert violinist, and immediately he feels a powerful chemistry between them. It isn’t long before they fall in love and begin making plans for the future. As their love affair unfolds over the next five years, the climate drastically changes in Germany as Hitler comes to power. Their love is tested with the new landscape and the realities of war, not the least of which is that Hanna is Jewish and Max is not. But unbeknownst to Hanna is the fact that Max has a secret, which causes him to leave for months at a time—a secret that Max is convinced will help him save Hanna if Germany becomes too dangerous for her because of her religion.

In 1946, Hanna Ginsberg awakens in a field outside of Berlin. Disoriented and afraid, she has no memory of the past ten years and no idea what has happened to Max. With no information as to Max’s whereabouts—or if he is even still alive—she decides to move to London to live with her sister while she gets her bearings. Even without an orchestra to play in, she throws herself completely into her music to keep alive her lifelong dream of becoming a concert violinist. But the music also serves as a balm to heal her deeply wounded heart and she eventually gets the opening she long hoped for. Even so, as the days, months, and years pass, taking her from London to Paris to Vienna to America, she continues to be haunted by her forgotten past, and the fate of the only man she has ever loved and cannot forget.

Told in alternating viewpoints—Max in the years leading up to WWII, and Hanna in the ten years after—In Another Time is a beautiful novel about love and survival, passion and music, across time and continents.

Audiobook, 8 hours 47 minutes

Published March 5th, 2019

by Harper Perennial

****

Romance novels are not my thing but a good love story packed full of history, with a unique plot is right up my alley. In Another Time is that kind of story.

This book was an audio read for me. The story alternated between Max and Hanna and I loved the use of two distinct voices, one male and one female - a female trying to imitate a male voice can be awkward and distracting. The story also alternated between time periods giving me a glimpse of both pre and post war eras. I’ve read my fair share of WW2 books but rarely have I read any that actually takes place in Germany itself.

German is changing so much during the 1930s, I was drawn in and captivated by this story. In Another Time is a mysterious story of survival, love, and music spanning across time. Jillian Cantor is a new author for me and definitely one I will read more of.