Nothing Really Bad Will Happen: A Holocaust Story of Loss and Legacy by Deborah S. Holman

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As the dark clouds of Hitler’s regime descend upon Austria in 1938, Sigmund Lichtenthal, an Austrian hat-maker. loses everything dear to him. Fueled by an unyielding determination to reclaim his formerly thriving legacy, he embarks on a lifelong odyssey, battling against formidable adversity and confronting the heart-wrenching reality of his son’s internment in concentration camps. The effects of this family tragedy linger on, casting a profound shadow on Sigmund’s granddaughter, Doris.

The baton is passed to Sigmund’s great-granddaughter, Debbie, seven decades later, who takes up the mantle with newfound determination. As she confronts the haunting echoes of the past and unearths buried truths, readers are left to ponder: Will she be successful in completing his lifelong quest? Driven by a deep sense of familial duty and armed with revelations from preserved letters and historical documents, she undertakes a profound journey to honor Sigmund’s legacy.

“Nothing Really Bad Will Happen” skillfully weaves together the threads of history, loss, and family bonds, transporting readers through time to witness the indomitable resilience of the human spirit across generations. With meticulous attention to actual records and intimate family letters, this captivating tale explores the interplay between self-worth and the resilience of the human spirit. Through the lives of Sigmund, his son, and their descendants, readers are invited to reflect on their own sense of value, even in the face of unimaginable adversity. This poignant narrative serves as a testament to the transformative power of recognizing one’s intrinsic worth and the enduring legacy it leaves behind.

Year first published: 2024