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4.42 AVERAGE
4.42 AVERAGE
Thought-provoking, gut wrenching and warm all in one!
Inspired by real-life events during the second world war including the horrifying conditions of the concentration camp in Auschwitz, Lane has created a truly gripping story showing the strength of many unsung heros, and in this case especially a dedicated midwife Emilia and doctor Aleksy.
The story is told partly based in London in 1995 and partly in the occupied Poland in 1942. The two story lines are beautifully woven together to one very strong and emotional plot.
The war is raging and Poland is occupied by the Germans. Working as a midwife Emilia is allowed to move around a bit more freely than others in her village. To her, a mother is a mother no matter what religious background they may have and as such she's putting herself in constant danger visiting also the many hidden Jewish families.
All is going well, until it isn't. Betrayal is the worst and she is suddenly on a packed train straight to Auschwitz. Due to her occupation she one of the "lucky ones" who isn't instantly sent to the shower block. During her time in the camp she's trying to make life a little bit better for the pregnant women.
True historic facts are crucial, but I think that it's with stories like this one and others inspired by the true events, that we are more likely to remember the past!
Inspired by real-life events during the second world war including the horrifying conditions of the concentration camp in Auschwitz, Lane has created a truly gripping story showing the strength of many unsung heros, and in this case especially a dedicated midwife Emilia and doctor Aleksy.
The story is told partly based in London in 1995 and partly in the occupied Poland in 1942. The two story lines are beautifully woven together to one very strong and emotional plot.
The war is raging and Poland is occupied by the Germans. Working as a midwife Emilia is allowed to move around a bit more freely than others in her village. To her, a mother is a mother no matter what religious background they may have and as such she's putting herself in constant danger visiting also the many hidden Jewish families.
All is going well, until it isn't. Betrayal is the worst and she is suddenly on a packed train straight to Auschwitz. Due to her occupation she one of the "lucky ones" who isn't instantly sent to the shower block. During her time in the camp she's trying to make life a little bit better for the pregnant women.
True historic facts are crucial, but I think that it's with stories like this one and others inspired by the true events, that we are more likely to remember the past!
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Trafficking, Religious bigotry, Murder, Pregnancy, War
Inspired by true accounts of the Polish resistance, author Soraya Lane explores the experiences of those brave doctors, nurses and midwives who were imprisoned in camps during WW2.
A fan of Lane’s work, I knew I'd be in for a thought-provoking read based on heaps of research and laced with true accounts. Not only is this another 5-star read, but it is also sensitively written and balances hope with the horrors.
In short, this story is about brave souls doing what they can under impossible circumstances. You’ll read a compelling account from a 95-year-old woman who recounts her role as a midwife during WW2. This tale is supported by a doctor who lost everything in his quest to help Jews and then rounded out with stories of life behind the gates of Auschwitz.
Lane allows readers inside the head of an ordinary person, swept off the streets of her hometown, imprisoned in Auschwitz and forced to deliver babies in such unthinkable conditions. We see the constant battle both the midwife and the birthing mothers fought - shame at experiencing fleeting moments of happiness bombarded with the stark reality of death. The interplay between preservation, the ray of hope, and the daily struggle to survive left me breathless and in tears many times. I appreciated the multi perspectives (tattooist, doctor and prisoner) and thought they brought depth to the story.
Never, ever discount the effects of a single person doing what they can under extreme circumstances.
I was gifted this copy by Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
A fan of Lane’s work, I knew I'd be in for a thought-provoking read based on heaps of research and laced with true accounts. Not only is this another 5-star read, but it is also sensitively written and balances hope with the horrors.
In short, this story is about brave souls doing what they can under impossible circumstances. You’ll read a compelling account from a 95-year-old woman who recounts her role as a midwife during WW2. This tale is supported by a doctor who lost everything in his quest to help Jews and then rounded out with stories of life behind the gates of Auschwitz.
Lane allows readers inside the head of an ordinary person, swept off the streets of her hometown, imprisoned in Auschwitz and forced to deliver babies in such unthinkable conditions. We see the constant battle both the midwife and the birthing mothers fought - shame at experiencing fleeting moments of happiness bombarded with the stark reality of death. The interplay between preservation, the ray of hope, and the daily struggle to survive left me breathless and in tears many times. I appreciated the multi perspectives (tattooist, doctor and prisoner) and thought they brought depth to the story.
Never, ever discount the effects of a single person doing what they can under extreme circumstances.
I was gifted this copy by Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
I broke one of my cardinal rules when I read this book: Never to read a book that discusses harming or killing children. I wouldn’t consider that a spoiler since it’s a story about a midwife at Auschwitz. It was incredibly heavy that as a mom, it tore on my heart strings in so many ways. I debated not finishing it because of the extreme sadness and devastation described. Even though it’s fiction, it’s based on true events. However, this story did an amazing job to also describe hope, love, friendship, and honor. I felt the need to finish it quickly to “get it over with” because I was worried the weight of the story would be too much for me tomorrow to complete. However tough these books are to read, I felt an almost obligation to the women and babies at Auschwitz that I am remembering them, I am acknowledging their pain and suffering.
Really enjoyed this, it's very well written, and balances the atrocities with a modicum of hope and a lot of bravery.
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
The Secret Midwife by Soraya M. Lane is a harrowing, heart crushing, horrifying and compelling dual-timeline Historical Fiction story about The Holocaust. What makes it so sobering is that such cruelty was indeed meted out by humans to millions of other humans in incomprehensible barbarity.
In 1945 Auschwitz was liberated yet many prisoners did not experience true freedom going forward. The story begins fifty years later in 1995 London when a midwife who had saved hundred of lives at Auschwitz during WWII was sought on television. The responsible woman, now in her 70s, happened to see the plea and a short while later Emilia told her remarkable story to a journalist. Her job had been about saving lives no matter their ethnicity and this didn't change when she was transported to Auschwitz in 1942. As a midwife she was in a unique position but lived a constant nightmare as the other prisoners did. She befriended Lena and the two encouraged each other as much as hellish conditions permitted. Doctor Aleksy was another prisoner who was relied upon for his skills at the camp. He and Emilia desperately tried to ease suffering and their acts didn't go unnoticed by fellow prisoners and the SS. Yet there were occasional tiny slivers of humanity. There had to be.
Soraya M. Lane is an auto-author for me, no need to even read the blurb. She writes beautifully with incredible attention to detail. Though the subject matter is horrendous, stories like these are crucial to learn about.
My sincere thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this haunting book, one I won't soon forget.
In 1945 Auschwitz was liberated yet many prisoners did not experience true freedom going forward. The story begins fifty years later in 1995 London when a midwife who had saved hundred of lives at Auschwitz during WWII was sought on television. The responsible woman, now in her 70s, happened to see the plea and a short while later Emilia told her remarkable story to a journalist. Her job had been about saving lives no matter their ethnicity and this didn't change when she was transported to Auschwitz in 1942. As a midwife she was in a unique position but lived a constant nightmare as the other prisoners did. She befriended Lena and the two encouraged each other as much as hellish conditions permitted. Doctor Aleksy was another prisoner who was relied upon for his skills at the camp. He and Emilia desperately tried to ease suffering and their acts didn't go unnoticed by fellow prisoners and the SS. Yet there were occasional tiny slivers of humanity. There had to be.
Soraya M. Lane is an auto-author for me, no need to even read the blurb. She writes beautifully with incredible attention to detail. Though the subject matter is horrendous, stories like these are crucial to learn about.
My sincere thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this haunting book, one I won't soon forget.
This is the fifth book I have read by Soraya Lane and she does an amazing job honoring history while creating characters and stories that stick with readers.
There are numerous, horrible things that occurred during WWII but one that never crossed my mind was unborn babies. Imagine a pregnant woman living in a concentration camp and having your child born into such deplorable conditions, where you have no way to protect or care for them. Some of these pregnant women were promised better conditions and more food if they came forward - only to be studied and experimented on by the infamous Dr. Josef Mengele or other SS physicians.
One of the main characters is Emilia, a midwife from a small town in Poland. Emilia is committed to helping everyone, including delivering Jewish babies and helping to smuggle these babies to safety. Our other main character is Alesky, a doctor, who is trying to keep his town safe from the Nazis by leading them to believe his town is in the midst of a typhus outbreak and helping any injured resistance members. Because of their behavior, Emilia and Alesky end up in Auschwitz. Together, they do what they can to protect and care for as many of their fellow prisoners while risking their own lives.
This is an emotional, heartbreaking read steeped in factual events. Despite being such a difficult subject matter, it truly honors the brave individuals who did the right thing despite the threat of harm, injury or even death. This is a must read!!!!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed above are my own.
There are numerous, horrible things that occurred during WWII but one that never crossed my mind was unborn babies. Imagine a pregnant woman living in a concentration camp and having your child born into such deplorable conditions, where you have no way to protect or care for them. Some of these pregnant women were promised better conditions and more food if they came forward - only to be studied and experimented on by the infamous Dr. Josef Mengele or other SS physicians.
One of the main characters is Emilia, a midwife from a small town in Poland. Emilia is committed to helping everyone, including delivering Jewish babies and helping to smuggle these babies to safety. Our other main character is Alesky, a doctor, who is trying to keep his town safe from the Nazis by leading them to believe his town is in the midst of a typhus outbreak and helping any injured resistance members. Because of their behavior, Emilia and Alesky end up in Auschwitz. Together, they do what they can to protect and care for as many of their fellow prisoners while risking their own lives.
This is an emotional, heartbreaking read steeped in factual events. Despite being such a difficult subject matter, it truly honors the brave individuals who did the right thing despite the threat of harm, injury or even death. This is a must read!!!!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed above are my own.
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
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
The book is beautifully written and there are real life heroes that she based some of her characters off that I was not aware of that leave me in awe for the sacrifices they made. The book is similar to another midwife book from WWII, and I tried not to compare them as much as possible.