A review by fortheloveoffictionalworlds
The Last Train to London by Meg Waite Clayton

4.0

Disclaimer: A physical copy was provided via Harper Collins India in exchange for an honest review. Since, I didn't have access to my copy due to lockdown, I listened to the Audiobook via Storytel App. The Thoughts, opinions & feelings expressed in the review are therefore, my own.

Historical Fiction is one of those particular genres that are always balanced on a knife’s edge considering that this genre is almost always based on true events– keeping the facts in view, while creating a fictionalised plot that will in the end not just inform but also enthral its readers.

The Last Train to London, based on the famous Kindertransport system that helped transport thousands of Jew as well as at risk children for refuge in various parts of the Europe during the Nazi occupation just before the official start of the war.

With The Last Train To London; we get to understand not just the Jewish experience under Hitler’s occupation – Stephen Neuman, a budding playwright and the eldest son to the Neuman family – a wealthy chocolate making family in Austria – who believe that Austria would never fall to Hitler; so they go on about their life. Stephen, who befriends a math genius; Zofie – Helene, a young Christian and soon enjoy frolicking throughout the city of Vienna.

On the other hand, we also focus on the life and motivation of Truus Wijsmuller – a courageous Dutchwoman who risked her life to dedicate to protect and help innumerable children escape the terrifying fate that awaited them under the Nazi occupied territories.


Soon after Stephen and Zofie become friends; Hitler invades Austria – and it changes everything that Stephen and Zofie has ever known about themselves and their lives – their experiences under the Nazi occupation; will kill something inside of you – knowing that there are human beings who would treat another with such callousness – it reminds me that no matter what History has taught us; the lesson has not been learnt.

This book was my first introduction to the Kindertransport efforts in the Nazi era – and I am in awe of the effort, the courage and the dedication these wonderful humans; many whose contributions would have gone unnoticed and probably have – most whose names we, as the next generation do not have even an idea about.

I listened to this book on Storytel India as an audiobook – and the narration was one that I definitely enjoyed; even though the short chapters and multiple PoVs was something It took me more than half of the book to get used to – but it was a book that I enjoyed, mostly because it was informative and one that had my attention right till the end.



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