The Lost Baker of Vienna: A Novel

by Sharon Kurtzman

Overview

An historical novel inspired by the experiences of the author’s own family after the Holocaust, a sweeping saga about survival, loss, love, and the reverberating effects of war

In 2018, Zoe Rosenzweig is reeling after the loss of her beloved grandfather, a Holocaust survivor. She becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to her family during the war.

Vienna, 1946: Chana Rosenzweig has endured the horrors of war to find herself, her mother, and her younger brother finally free in Vienna. But freedom doesn’t look like they’d imagined it would, as they struggle to make a living and stay safe.

Despite the danger, Chana sneaks out most nights to return to the hotel kitchen where she works as a dishwasher, using the quiet nighttime hours to bake her late father’s recipes. Soon, Chana finds herself caught in a dangerous love triangle, torn between the black-market dealer who has offered marriage and protection, and the apprentice baker who shares her passions. How will Chana balance her love of baking against her family’s need for security?

The Lost Baker of Vienna affirms the unbreakable bonds of family, shining a light on the courageous spirit of WWII refugees as they battle to survive the overwhelming hardships of a world torn apart.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593830871
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/19/2025
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	432
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Sharon Kurtzman worked in television marketing before pursuing her dream of becoming a writer. She earned her MFA in fiction from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and her undergraduate degree from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications. The Lost Baker of Vienna was inspired by the war and postwar experiences of her own family, who were Holocaust survivors. Kurtzman lives in North Carolina with her husband; they have two adult children.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for The Lost Baker of Vienna:

“By turns mysterious, tender, suspenseful, harrowing, and moving, The Lost Baker of Vienna illuminates an important time and place little explored in WWII fiction. I was captivated from the first page of this story about Holocaust survivors in the war's aftermath and beyond, and can't wait for readers to get hold of Sharon Kurtzman's powerful must-read debut.”
—Therese Anne Fowler, New York Times bestselling author of A Well-Behaved Woman

“Inspired by an illuminating conversation with her mother about her family’s untold Holocaust-era past, Kurtzman has crafted an eye-opening reimagining of a period in history not often visited: the experience of the Jewish refugee in postwar Europe. A timely tale of hardship and hope, with strong, resilient women at its core.”
—Georgia Hunter, New York Times bestselling author of We Were the Lucky Ones

“The Lost Baker of Vienna is not a war story but a post-war story, resisting the easy route of survival-as-happy-ending and examining the darker side of rebuilding life in the rubble of a war zone. Young Chana Rosenzweig arrives with her family in postwar Vienna, desperate to emigrate to America after surviving the concentration camps, eking out a living in a hotel kitchen. Chana's mother urges her to marry a man who can protect them from the dangers of a city ruled by Soviet soldiers, antisemitic neighbors, and black market criminals, but Chana dreams of using her skills as a baker to start a different kind of life—a life her great-niece Zoe is still untangling more than fifty years later. Sharon Kurtzman takes her own family history and spins it into something truly special, a tale of grit, bravery, and humanity that will not soon be forgotten.”
—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network

“Family love and sacrifice drive this heart-wrenching story of the struggle to survive after the Holocaust. Sharon Kurtzman captures the intense danger and uncertainty of the time through the eyes of a teenaged girl who fights for her family’s future even as it puts her own at risk. The Lost Baker of Vienna opened my eyes to a piece of history I’d only vaguely understood, and the story will stay in my head and heart for a long time to come.”
—Diane Chamberlain, New York Times bestselling author of The Last House on the Street

“Alternating between post war Vienna and the present day, The Lost Baker of Vienna is a story of love, family, survival and second chances. Drawing on her personal family history for inspiration, Kurtzman shines a light on a little-known period and artfully weaves a tale that is moving and unforgettable.”
—Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of Last Twilight in Paris

“The Lost Baker of Vienna hits the historical novel sweet spot: it's huge-hearted and keenly detailed, but it's also a straight-up page-turner. When I say I couldn't put this book down, I mean I ignored my life for a solid week. Sharon Kurtzman's characters will live in my head for a long time. Her debut is an absolute stunner.”
—Lauren Fox, New York Times bestselling author of Send for Me

“Discerning fans of historical fiction should not miss The Lost Baker of Vienna — a beautifully drawn story of survival in post-war Europe, interwoven with an equally compelling contemporary narrative. Sharon Kurtzman writes with wisdom and compassion, and a palpable dedication to historical accuracy and detail. I loved every word of this book from the fascinating opening pages to the surprising, riveting conclusion.”
—Kelly Rimmer, author of The Paris Agent

“Kurtzman’s mother, aunt and grandmother, all of whom were Holocaust survivors, inspired The Lost Baker of Vienna, which adds significantly to the novel’s power and resonance. It is heartbreaking and devastating in one chapter, and a heartwarming and touching love story in the next. I love how Kurtzman takes us back in time while still keeping us rooted in the present. This is a wonderful book, full of both tears and moments of joy. At certain points, your heart will feel wrung out, but Kurtzman makes it all worthwhile and brings the story together in a most marvelous way.”
—Booklist

“The Lost Baker of Vienna is a beautifully written and moving dual timeline set in the aftermath of WWII. Sharon Kurtzman has penned a dazzling debut that brings the struggles of postwar life in Vienna to light, from the perils and prejudice Holocaust survivors faced to the dangers of the black market. Chana is a brave and strong character, inspired by Kurtzman’s own family who survived the Holocaust and the treachero's days that followed. This is a powerful story that historical fiction readers will love!”
—Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Booklover's Library

“Sharon Kurtzman's The Lost Baker of Vienna, based on her own family’s history, is a captivating tale of resilience and redemption, set against the complex backdrop of post-war Vienna. Through Chana's story, we are reminded of the power of family, love, and the human spirit to overcome even the most harrowing challenges. Kurtzman's writing is evocative and engaging, weaving together historical detail and emotional depth to create a narrative that will resonate with readers long after they finish the book.”
—Jane Healey, bestselling author of The Women of Arlington Hall

“A moving and unforgettable tale about resilience and the pursuit of dreams in the aftermath of war and loss. As Chana struggles to rebuild her life after unspeakable horrors, it is her own inner strength that helps shape the difficult decisions that save her. The Lost Baker of Vienna is a story of survival, sacrifice, and the enduring bonds of family. Above all, it is a testament to the power of love and how the cultivation of our talents can create a future that is both healing and extraordinary.”
—Marjan Kamali, bestselling author of The Lion Women of Tehran

“A tender and gripping story of survival, self-reclamation, and love. In post-war Vienna, amid continuing danger, deprivation, and antisemitism, young Chana gets caught in a complex love triangle as she seeks to protect her family, honor the lost, and pursue her dreams. Kurtzman draws on her own family’s lore to write with historical dedication and passion. The Lost Baker of Vienna is a beautiful, emotional read.”
—Jennifer Rosner, author of Once We Were Home and The Yellow Bird Sings

From the Publisher