Lisajoy Sachs' debut novel 'Bright One' draws from extensive family research—letters, photographs, and oral histories—to fictionalize the harrowing experiences of her great-grandmother Jetti Finkelthal during World War II. Set in Czernowitz, Romania, the story follows a young Jewish mother facing impossible choices as she protects her daughter Berta from escalating antisemitism and war. The novel highlights how ordinary women demonstrated extraordinary courage in history's darkest hours, focusing on intimate details of daily life under threat.
Sachs, who holds a Master of Fine Arts from the City University of New York and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Alfred University, relied directly on her grandmother Berta's personal accounts. She describes the work as 'a story both intimate and universal.' 'Bright One' is the first in a planned series; the second book, 'Golden Flight,' is scheduled for Spring 2026 release. Published by Historium Press, the novel is available through Ingram Content Group with wholesale discounts for retailers.
The publisher, with operations in Macon, Georgia and New York, specializes in historical fiction that bridges personal stories with broader historical movements. This publication is significant for preserving marginalized histories through fiction. By transforming family oral histories into literature, Sachs ensures that stories of Jewish resistance and maternal sacrifice during the Holocaust remain accessible. The novel joins other works examining how trauma echoes across generations while celebrating resilience.
Readers can learn more about the author's background at Historium Press's author page, which details Sachs' diverse professional background including fine arts, interior design, and expertise in the craft beer industry as a Cicerone Certified Beer Server and graduate of Yakima Chief Hops' Hop & Brew School.
The publication of 'Bright One' comes as firsthand WWII accounts become increasingly rare, making fictionalized accounts based on authentic family histories valuable for education and memorial purposes. By centering on the mother-daughter relationship, the novel offers a distinctly feminine perspective on survival during one of history's most devastating conflicts.
