by Iris Dorbian

In the Aftermath of the Camps

An Epiphany in Lilacs is a novel set in a displaced persons camp outside Hamburg, Germany, following the end of World War II. After liberation in May 1945, Daniel, a 14-year-old Latvian Jew, is treated in a field hospital in the British zone of partitioned Germany. A survivor of various concentration camps, Daniel fights to recover from starvation and disease. Racked by nightmares, a nearly nightly occurrence, Daniel finds sleep almost impossible. Through his love of nature and pre-war memories, Daniel struggles to find comfort. He forms an intriguing bond with an older German gentile, another survivor. Later on, as he joins a theater troupe, Daniel tries to move on with his life, yet is still searching for the whereabouts of his mother and two sisters.

Reviews:

“An Epiphany in Lilacs: In the Aftermath of the Camps by Iris Dorbian is a moving book, set within the years following World War II. It is 1945 when Daniel, a Latvian Jew, finally tastes freedom after his horrible experience of the Holocaust. Daniel is still haunted by memories of the concentration camp. This novel explores insomnia and the relentless disquietude that settles on the mind of this young boy as he struggles to come to terms with his new reality, developing new connections, and trying new things. All along, he still doesn't know where his parents are. Will he be able to locate them?

"Rich with powerful and piercing historical references, An Epiphany in Lilacs: In the Aftermath of the Camps by Iris Dorbian captures the reality of Jews who survived the Holocaust, the inner scars and the struggles with uncertainty, incessant nightmares, and fitting into the day-to-day lifestyle of ordinary people. It is a heart-wrenching story, told in excellent prose and in the author's unique style. I have been a huge fan of Holocaust literature, starting with Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl, and have always felt appalled by man's cruelty to fellow man. In this new book, the author explores the terrible effects of a fragment of history on the life of a little boy. This is a story to read and share, a powerful story about freedom and the perils of war. Well-crafted with compelling characters and interesting themes." - Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

"More so than most accounts of post-World War II, An Epiphany in Lilacs offers a powerful survey of post-traumatic stress syndrome and the lengthy and challenging process of healing from wartime atrocities, as seen from a young man who is on the brink of adulthood; yet still a child in many ways. While all these sound like adult themes, the special pleasure of An Epiphany in Lilacs is Iris Dorbian's ability to reflect the perspective of a juvenile as he struggles to gain a new lease on life with revised perspectives and fresh goals. That the story line carefully refutes popular myths (such as those that most Germans were Nazis) only enhances its lessons and stories of courage, diversity, and how one not only survives but grows from world-changing devastation…It's highly recommended as not only an intrinsic addition to any teen reading The Diary of Anne Frank and similar nonfiction stories, but for classrooms looking for discussion materials specific to the experiences of Displaced Persons in the aftermath of the war."--D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

"An Epiphany in Lilacs: In the Aftermath of the Camps by Iris Dorbian is a moving story with a unique perspective addressing life after the war...[It] will give readers a glimpse into what the experience was like for people who endured and survived the Holocaust. Knowing that the author Iris Dorbian, based this story on her father's own experience of being a Latvian Jew who was in a Displaced Persons camp in Germany, during this time, makes it even more real and hard hitting.

"The author's vivid description of the people and the settings makes the reader feel like they are there to experience everything from behind the eyes of the survivors. While the suffering of the survivors is showcased, so is their incredible capacity to move forward and on with their lives. I think that it is impossible to read this book and not be affected for a long time afterward.

"I highly recommend An Epiphany in Lilacs: In the Aftermath of the Camps by Iris Dorbian, for readers who are interested in World War II. It should be required reading for history classes."--Paige Lovitt, Reader Views

Page Count: 190
Trim Size: 6 x 9
Publish Date: July 8, 2025
Imprint: Milford House
Genre: Literary

FICTION / Coming of Age
FICTION / Literary
FICTION / Historical / 20th Century / World War II & Holocaust