THE BAKER’S SECRET
Lelita Baldock
Storm Publishing
January 25, 2024
374 pages
I chose this book to read for a very personal reason. My mother and grandparents, along with my 2-month-old sister, escaped from Latvia in 1944. I was not yet born, but I am aware of the horrors of the times which were relayed to me through my parents. Also, I was drawn to the book because the main character’s name is Zenta, the same as my mother. And, another major character is Valdis, the same as my father.
The Germans (Nazis) wanted control over Latvia. The Russians (Communists) wanted control over Latvia. Latvia wanted to retain independence. Not a good scenario.
There are many people in this world who cannot pinpoint Latvia on a map. And, there are even more that have no concept of what the citizens of this country suffered during repression and occupation which started in the 1940s. The author has done her best to paint the picture for those who might be interested but do not know.
The description of events is not overly graphic, but it paints pictures that are horrifying and realistic. Sometimes words present a better picture than videos or news clips. As I am reading, the words sink in, I pause and the whole event carves out a spot in my mind. Whereas, a news clip comes and goes, replaced by another.
The author does not just state facts. There is a family at the centre of everything, which puts everything in to a more identifiable perspective. As you get to know the characters, you can empathize with them. The members of the family are well portrayed.
There are many, many books set in the time of WW2. This is the first one I have read that is set in Latvia. I found it very compelling and interesting. Perhaps, because of my personal connection, it also kept me awake for a few nights.
At first, I found the writing style a little too simple, a little too basic. But as I became involved in the story, I realized that the simple style is as it should be. The story is intense on its own without adding complicated language and sentence structure.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an Advance Readers Copy.
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