Rachael Cerrotti

I have been devouring many books lately that are based during the second World War, but We Share the Same Sky is set apart in my mind, touching me deeply. The heart and detail that Rachael put in this this story is apparent from the first words written. She has an incredible way of pulling you into the dual narrative, an incredible journey of Rachael walking the walk that her grandmother, Hana, a Holocaust survivor, walked.

I have never read such a harrowing tale! To actually meet the people that her late grandmother met, to see the same landscape, and truly immerse herself in her grandmother's life is just astounding! It made me crave to do the same with my family, and actually has inspired me to document my own parents and grandparents journeys as much as possible.

You can feel the heart and passion that went into this project, and it is so well written that you feel as if you too are on the journey. Though there is tragedy in varying forms throughout this novel, there is also a silver lining, a harrowing story of a Holocaust survivor who lost everything, yet found her way to prosperity in family and love. Beauty from the ashes...

Hana was such an incredible woman and her story was one that needed to be told. I am so thankful that Rachael took on this passion project and highly recommend We Share the Same Sky to anyone who wants to see the past and the present so masterfully intertwined, and to hear one unbelievable journey.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Blackstone Publishing through NetGalley. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.… (altro)

We Share the Same Sky by Rachael Cerrotti is that rare book that leaves one mentally and emotionally both exhausted and overflowing. This is in some ways both a memoir and a biography, and my initial interest was in the biography aspect, I wasn't sure what the memoir part would add. In the end, it was the synthesis of the memoir and the biography into a coherent and impactful whole that made this such an exceptional book.

I am hesitant to get into too much detail because the book blurb explains it very well and there is no way a reviewer can even come close to conveying any details as well as Cerrotti does. So let me just comment on some generalities.

The writing draws the reader first into Cerrotti's world, as a child and young adult. When we start learning more details of Hana's life and, more importantly, her perspective on the events of her life, we feel much the same curiosity as Rachael feels. Fortunately for the reader, we accompany her as she both retraces Hana's steps and makes her own steps. Ultimately, we are privileged to have been allowed to better understand Hana's plight and her outlook on life as well as accompany Rachael on this part of her life's journey. This is one story with two timelines about two phenomenal women.

While not everyone can choose the same manner of understanding and honoring our ancestors that Cerrotti does, we can and should take away the importance of not simply remembering but keeping memories alive. As generations pass many details will be lost, but the more effort we put into preserving what we can the better the larger lessons will be for future generations. In this case, this family's lessons have been shared with all of us so that we may learn and grow as well.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.… (altro)