Rising Sun, Falling Shadow

Rising Sun, Falling Shadow continues the story of the Jewish refugees who fled Nazi Germany for Shanghai, picking up where The Far Side of the Sky left off in 1943. The Adler family and their community face increasing pressures as the Japanese occupation grows stricter and resources become scarce. Franz Adler works to keep his hospital running while dealing with both Japanese authorities and the Nazi officials who maintain influence in Shanghai's German quarter. His wife Soon Yi helps manage the crowded refugee ghetto where thousands of European Jews struggle to survive, while their children navigate the dangers of life in an occupied city. The novel depicts actual historical events surrounding the Shanghai Jews during World War II, including the creation of the Hongkew Ghetto and the complex political dynamics between Japanese forces, Nazi representatives, and local Chinese resistance. Through multiple viewpoint characters, the story captures the day-to-day challenges of maintaining a refugee community under extreme circumstances. The book examines themes of resilience, identity, and moral choices in wartime, showing how people from different cultures unite to resist oppression. It highlights a lesser-known chapter of Holocaust history while exploring questions about what individuals will risk to protect others.

Readers found this historical novel about the Shanghai Jewish ghetto to be well-researched but noted some pacing issues. Many appreciated the detailed portrayal of wartime Shanghai and the relationships between Jewish refugees, Japanese occupiers, and Chinese locals. Liked: - Medical details and hospital scenes (several readers cited Kalla's expertise as a physician) - Character development of Franz and Soon Yi - Historical accuracy and period details - Balance between multiple plotlines Disliked: - Slow middle section - Some dialogue felt modern/anachronistic - Several readers wanted more focus on Chinese characters - A few found the romance elements predictable Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (324 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (41 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (12 ratings) "A sequel that stands well on its own" appears in multiple reviews. One reader noted it "brings to life a lesser-known chapter of WWII history without getting bogged down in excessive detail."

The Far Side of the Sky by Daniel Kalla During World War II, Jewish refugees struggle to survive in Shanghai while building a new life and providing medical care to a desperate community.

The Girl from Berlin by Ronald H. Balson A Holocaust story moves between 1930s Berlin and modern Italy as a Jewish violinist's legacy connects past persecution with present-day legal battles.

Night in Shanghai by Nicole Mones A black jazz musician in 1930s Shanghai becomes entangled in politics and romance as the Japanese invasion looms.

The German Girl by Armando Lucas Correa A twelve-year-old Jewish girl and her family flee Nazi Germany aboard the SS St. Louis, bound for Cuba with uncertain fates.

The Last Rose of Shanghai by Weina Dai Randel A Chinese heiress and Jewish refugee musician form an unlikely alliance in Japanese-occupied Shanghai during World War II.

🌟 Author Daniel Kalla balances his writing career with his work as an Emergency Room physician in Vancouver, Canada, bringing medical authenticity to his novels. 🌟 The book is a sequel to "The Far Side of the Sky" and continues the story of Jewish refugees in Shanghai during World War II, one of the lesser-known safe havens for Jews fleeing Nazi persecution. 🌟 Shanghai accepted around 20,000 Jewish refugees during WWII, as it was one of the few places in the world that didn't require a visa for entry. 🌟 The novel's setting, the Shanghai Ghetto (also known as the Restricted Sector for Stateless Refugees), was established by the Japanese authorities in 1943 and covered less than one square mile. 🌟 The book's protagonist, Dr. Franz Adler, is inspired by real-life Jewish refugee doctors who established medical practices in Shanghai during the war years, providing care to both refugees and local Chinese residents.