The Little Liar A Novel

Mitch Albom — 2023

Beloved bestselling author Mitch Albom returns with a powerful novel that moves from a small village in Greece during the Holocaust, to America, where the intertwined lives of three survivors are forever changed by the perils of deception and the grace of redemption. Eleven-year-old Nico Crispi never told a lie. When the Nazi's invade his home in Salonika, Greece, the trustworthy boy is discovered by a German officer, who offers him a chance to save his family. All Nico has to do is convince his fellow Jewish residents to board trains heading towards "the east" where they are promised jobs and safety. Unaware that this is all a cruel ruse, the innocent boy goes to the station platform every day and reassures the passengers that the journey is safe. But when the final train is at the station, Nico sees his family being loaded into a large boxcar crowded with other neighbors. Only after it is too late does Nico discover that he helped send the people he loved--and all the others--to their doom at Auschwitz. Nico never tells the truth again. In The Little Liar, his first novel set during the Holocaust, Mitch Albom interweaves the stories of Nico, his brother Sebastian, and their schoolmate Fanni, who miraculously survive the death camps and spend years searching for Nico, who has become a pathological liar, and the Nazi officer who radically changed their lives. As the decades pass, Albom reveals the consequences of what they said, did, and endured. A moving parable that explores honesty, survival, revenge and devotion, The Little Liar is Mitch Albom at his very best. Narrated by the voice of Truth itself, it is a timeless story about the harm we inflict with our deceits, and the power of love to ultimately redeem us.

Reviews

Kaitlyn Wendler@kaitlynwendler

Aug 20, 2024

A unique, heartbreaking, and beautiful story about 4 fictional characters as their experiences diverge and converge before, during, and after the Holocaust. This book was such a pleasure to read, even though it is based on an event so difficult and uncomfortable to think about.

Natasha Mok@natamok

Jun 19, 2024

Honestly, not his best book. However, still very well written with the different perspective of each character and the different timelines. I could feel the pain from the war through the words on the pages.

Caroline@caru

Apr 14, 2024

As Mitch Albom has mentioned in “From The Author “ section of this book, “That he always wanted to set a story during the Holocaust & find one that wasn’t already tragically familiar.” I would say that his wait finally paid off. He has just not only found the one but in fact he has found his finest one. “A novel is not a history book” (as said by the author in the “ From the Author” section of this book) but merely a work of fiction telling us the horrifying story that went on in these death camps at Auschwitz but this book just doesn’t start or stop there. This book tells us the story of happy lives being lived before WW2, the brutal truth that went on in the death camps of Auschwitz & the never forgotten memories, never to be lived again by it survivors. Though, a work of fiction, I’m sure to think of this story, whenever I hear the words WW2 or Holocaust. This story & its 4 main characters or corner are something you’ll carry with you for a long time. The book is beautiful written & by far the finest work by the Author. The narration was spot on & keeps you hooked from the very first page. It’s a book you wouldn’t want to put down. The story was well researched, well calculated and each event well rolled out. Its characters were thoroughly thought through, so much so that you will find yourself intertwined with their lives & each one of the four characters is sure to find a special place in your heart. All in all, this work of fiction is one of its kind you would ever read in this genre. Highly recommended if you’re a fan of historical fiction or books like “The book thief or The tattooist of Auschwitz. This story can make a good movie someday. Thanks to Netgalley, the publishers at the Little brown book & the Author Mitch Albom from this ARC.