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Reviewed by Doreen Chombu for Readers' Favorite
Born in the Aftermath by Ian Griffin follows the events toward the end of World War II in Germany. Gerd Huber, a young man who lives in Seelow, East Germany, leaves his home after an attack by the Soviet forces. He travels with Emilia Weber, who has just lost her entire family. They are reluctant to travel together, but to survive, they have to rely on each other and find a way to leave the area that is being taken over by the Soviet soldiers. They find Oliver (Ollie), a small boy who's also lost everything, and they decide to adopt him as their own. Gerd and Emilia fall in love during their ordeal, and they fortunately reach Gerd’s aunt's home. They start a family, but danger still lurks as they get entangled with communist agitators who are trying to sabotage the development efforts of the Americans in West Germany.
Born in the Aftermath is the first book in the Humble Origins series, and it introduces readers to interesting characters who are fighting for survival in a war-torn country. Ian Griffin’s narrative truly captures the characters’ pain of losing loved ones and the desperate desire to start afresh. One of the most significant parts of the story is their growth and bravery through their journey. The end was very shocking, but it also hints at a sequel. I am already looking forward to the next book and the development of the characters. The book contains historical and educational aspects of the collapse of the Third Reich, communism, fascism, and the division of Germany after the war. Another strong point of this story is the message of how war can destroy a family, a country, or a society. It touches on harsh subjects such as sexual assault and murder during a conflict. I truly enjoyed this book. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical stories that involve survival and love in the most unexpected circumstances.
