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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
4.5 stars. I was hooked from the first page. Well written and riveting but left me feeling overwhelmed at times as the traumas and tragedies never seemed to abate. Definitely a book that will stay with me for a long time
I am...speechless. This book is beautiful and horrible at the same time. It's not a light, feel-good book. It's deep. And real. And it rubs. Probably the hardest part for me was reading the things that happened to the people of Poland when the Red Army "liberated" them and how very similar to some of the things we have heard coming out of Ukraine. I'm not one to label an entire country for the actions of a few, but it makes me wonder if much has actually changed in this world for the better since then.
I happened, without trying at all, to be reading this book over January 27th, International Holocaust Remembrance Day. That timing made for an extra powerful impact.
This book is told from two POVs: Emilia’s and Roman’s. It’s based in Warsaw with the persecution of both Jewish people and the brave rescue work done by Polish people. It is powerful and compelling and a book that I could not put down.
Trigger warning (and spoiler): rape. Just when it seemed like we were getting to the other side of the German horrors, in come the Soviets with new horrors. I should’ve known something would happen because there was still a good chunk of book left, but it still threw me.
A few quotes that stuck with me:
"We just need to keep putting one foot in front of the other, son. When everything else has been taken from us, all we have left is each other, so we remain true to ourselves and look after one another. What else is there to do? The bitterness would kill us, otherwise." (Samuel to Roman)
"When you have seen these things, things so horrific that you cannot help but become hardened to them, how can you just go back to existing again? Even if the war ended tomorrow, I feel like I would be broken for the rest of my life, and in ways that I can't even understand, let alone explain." (Emilia)
"The one experience she has dreamed of her whole life has been forced upon the very person she loves most in the world." (Sara to Emilia about Truda)
"The next time you leave this place, I want you to look closely at the children you see. See if you can identify which children were conceived in rape and which were conceived in love. There will be an entire generation of children in this country who were forced upon their mothers, and the lucky ones will grow up in love just the same." (Truda to Emilia)
This book is told from two POVs: Emilia’s and Roman’s. It’s based in Warsaw with the persecution of both Jewish people and the brave rescue work done by Polish people. It is powerful and compelling and a book that I could not put down.
Trigger warning (and spoiler): rape. Just when it seemed like we were getting to the other side of the German horrors, in come the Soviets with new horrors. I should’ve known something would happen because there was still a good chunk of book left, but it still threw me.
A few quotes that stuck with me:
"We just need to keep putting one foot in front of the other, son. When everything else has been taken from us, all we have left is each other, so we remain true to ourselves and look after one another. What else is there to do? The bitterness would kill us, otherwise." (Samuel to Roman)
"When you have seen these things, things so horrific that you cannot help but become hardened to them, how can you just go back to existing again? Even if the war ended tomorrow, I feel like I would be broken for the rest of my life, and in ways that I can't even understand, let alone explain." (Emilia)
"The one experience she has dreamed of her whole life has been forced upon the very person she loves most in the world." (Sara to Emilia about Truda)
"The next time you leave this place, I want you to look closely at the children you see. See if you can identify which children were conceived in rape and which were conceived in love. There will be an entire generation of children in this country who were forced upon their mothers, and the lucky ones will grow up in love just the same." (Truda to Emilia)
challenging
dark
inspiring
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This story, based on the 2 main characters, Emelia and Roman, depicts the horrors of the Holocaust with emphasis on the Warsaw Ghetto, the Polish Uprising and the strength and bravery of the resistance. Emelia and Roman meet because she is tutoring Jewish children so that they can pass as non Jews once they escape the ghetto. No words can convey the nightmare of all that goes on during the years that Emelia and Roman are together or apart. While Emelia faces the horrors and eventually wants to move on towards peace, Roman's heart is so full of revenge and hatred that even if they live through this war, he may never be able to stop fighting long enough to live again. The story is heartbreaking but also shines a light on heroes during the darkest of times. Based on a real person, Irena Sendler, who saved over 2500 Jewish children in Warsaw from being sent to death camps. Listened to this on audio.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This story is amazing and heartbreaking. You get dragged in and the characters become real people.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced