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Reviewed by Nino Lobiladze for Readers' Favorite
The Life We Remember by Annette Oppenlander is a riveting read for fans of historical fiction, drama, romance, and social issues. Set in the middle of the nineteenth century, it is the first book in the Between Worlds series. Mina Peters struggles in her marriage with an alcohol and gambling-addicted husband, Roland. He abuses her physically and verbally, but Mina does her best to be a good wife. She cannot oppose Roland when, after getting into trouble, he makes her leave her elderly father and their village of Löwenstein in Württemberg to follow him to the United States. Europe is going through hard times, and the potato famine is rampant in Ireland. Devin Callaghan, a hardworking carpenter, brags about his wages in the pub and gets mugged. Now, his parents will lose their farm. Devin's only hope is to get work on the English railroad. But fate decides otherwise. The heartbroken Devin marries a widow with a young son and embarks on a ship heading to America. During this challenging journey, Davin encounters a young German woman, and their lives change forever.
In The Life We Remember, Annette Oppenlander combines a tasteful and stirring romance with a poignant drama. The author shifts perspectives from Mina to Devin and vice versa throughout the narration. This drama is profoundly psychological. It is interesting to compare how Mina and Devin see themselves and each other. Mina perceives herself as weak, but she easily makes friends, evoking their respect and desire to help. Devin often blames himself for making wrong decisions, but he is fiercely protective and kind to those he loves. Yet this compelling story is not for the faint-hearted. Oppenlander paints a convincing picture of the hardships that plagued Europe in the 1840s. It is impossible to stay indifferent as we read about Mina's and Devin's journeys in the middle of the harsh winter. I appreciate the author's thorough research regarding the redemption system and the conditions on the ships that carried immigrants to America. I highly recommend this gripping novel. I hope that Netflix turns it into a spectacular TV show.
