Reviews

The Snow Hare by Paula Lichtarowicz

jesssicaweil's review

3.0

3.5 stars

I got this book for free from work and read it because the author is giving a talk later this week. I haven’t read a WWII historical fiction in a while, but this felt pretty typical of the genre. Despite a couple pitfalls (WHY is it a trope for the guard at the labor camp to be the oppressed woman’s love interest lol), it was a quick read with pretty writing that made me cry at the end.

(light spoilers ahead)

Throughout the book, Lena laments the fact that she never has a choice. It made me sad to read about her experiences, not just related to the war, but also related to being a woman. The one choice Lena can and does make is pretty detrimental (an impossible choice, so I don’t blame her—it’s an instinct to save those you love who are immediately dying in front of you, and she couldn’t predict who would need the medicine in the future).

Anyway, I’m glad I read this, but it’s nothing groundbreaking as far as this genre goes. It’s always heartbreaking, though, to read stories like this that are rooted in truth (this story is loosely based off the author’s grandmother’s experience).

peepsr's review

challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-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? No

4.75

kaylalovesliterature's review

3.0

Well written and I enjoyed following Lena’s story. I love how no character is perfect they’re all flawed and realistic, very human. At first the story was confusing because it goes back and forth from present and past, and the chapters aren’t numbered. However, I think this actually made the book better because it shows how present Lena is drifting back and forth through reality and memories. I gave it three stars instead of four because there were some parts that felt like it was dragging on. Other than that great story.

tsb's review

adventurous dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.25

cdbellomy's review

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

dbevvers63's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

madison_jewel's review

Horrible. Boring!!!

brigid94's review

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

frunge's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

rosareadsblog's review

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0