Inspired by true events in World War II Latvia an emotionally charged novel of sacrifice
trauma resilience and survival as witnessed by three generations of women. On one
extraordinary day in 1940 Miriam Talan's comfortable life is shattered. While she gives birth
to her second child a son she and her husband Max name Monya the Soviets invade the Baltic
state of Latvia and occupy the capital city of Riga her home. Because the Talans are Jewish
the Soviets confiscate Max's business and the family's house and bank accounts leaving them
with nothing. Then the Nazis arrive. They kill Max and begin to round up Jews. Fearing for her
newborn son and her young daughter Ilana Miriam asks her loyal housekeeper to hide them and
conceal their Jewish roots to keep them safe until the savagery ends. Three decades later in
Chicago 24-year-old Sarah Byrne is mourning the untimely death of her mother Ilana. Sarah's
estranged grandmother Miriam attends the funeral opening the door to shocking family
secrets. Sarah probes Miriam for information about the past but it is only when Miriam is in
the hospital delirious with fever that she begs Sarah to find the son she left behind in
Latvia. Traveling to the Soviet satellite state Sarah begins her search with the help of Roger
a charismatic Russian-speaking professor. But as they come closer to the truth she realizes
her quest may have disastrous consequences. A magnificent emotionally powerful story of family
and the lingering devastation of war The Daughters of the Occupation explores how trauma is
passed down in families and illuminates the strength and grace that can be shared by
generations.
