New Historical Novel 'Bright One' Explores Mother-Daughter Survival During WWII

Author Lisajoy Sachs has released 'Bright One,' a historical novel based on her great-grandmother's experiences as a Jewish mother facing impossible choices in Czernowitz, Romania during World War II. The book, published by Historium Press, draws from family letters, photographs, and oral histories to recreate the intimate story of Jetti Finkelthal and her daughter Berta as antisemitism intensified and war approached.

The novel's publication matters because it preserves personal Holocaust narratives that might otherwise be lost to time, offering readers a visceral understanding of how ordinary people navigated extraordinary circumstances. As firsthand survivors of this era diminish in number, works like 'Bright One' become increasingly vital for maintaining historical memory and understanding the human cost of conflict.

Sachs, who holds a Master of Fine Arts from the City University of New York and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Alfred University, brings both artistic training and personal connection to the project. Her professional background spans fine arts, interior design, metalsmithing, and the craft beer industry, but historical fiction remains her primary focus. The author's website at https://www.historiumpress.com/lisajoy-sachs provides additional information about her work and background.

For the publishing industry, 'Bright One' represents the continuing relevance of historical fiction that explores lesser-known aspects of major world events. The book is positioned to appeal to readers who enjoyed works like 'The Child Who Lived' by Ellie Midwood and 'Sophie's Choice' by William Styron, according to HFC Reviews. As the first installment in a planned series, with 'Golden Flight' scheduled for Spring 2026 release, the novel demonstrates publishers' ongoing investment in multi-volume historical narratives.

The story's exploration of intergenerational trauma has particular resonance in contemporary discussions about historical memory and inherited psychological wounds. By focusing on the 'quiet heroism of women who refused to yield to despair,' as described in the press release, Sachs contributes to a growing body of literature that examines women's experiences during wartime beyond traditional battle narratives.

Available through Ingram Distributors with a 55% wholesale discount and returnable status, the novel (ISBN: 978-1964700410) represents an accessible entry point for readers interested in personal stories from the Holocaust era. The book's sensory-rich storytelling approach aims to create an immersive experience that helps contemporary readers connect emotionally with historical events that might otherwise feel distant or abstract.

For educational and cultural institutions, works like 'Bright One' provide valuable primary-source-adjacent material that can complement academic histories of the period. The novel's basis in actual family archives offers a bridge between scholarly research and personal narrative, potentially making complex historical topics more accessible to general audiences while preserving specific family stories within broader historical context.