Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.39 AVERAGE
4.39 AVERAGE
I don't often cry when reading books but this one came close. Heartwarming in places and terrifying in others.
NOTE SPOILERS in my discussion:
This is an amazing family story! How incredibly lucky for a whole family to endure so much trauma, be flung far and wide around the world, and still somehow all survive to be reunited again after the war. I wonder how many jewish families were so blessed. The situations were horrific.
In the telling, because of the constant shifting to each person's different scenario, I found difficult to truly root for the particular characters. As soon as I began to become interested in them, the story flips to another place in the world with a different intense drama to unfold. Wash, rinse, repeat, throughout the book.
Am very glad this family was able to survive. I have to wonder how much was truly 'luck' versus how great those grandparents were to raise their children with the skills and resilience needed to be survivors in spite of horrific circumstances.
This is an amazing family story! How incredibly lucky for a whole family to endure so much trauma, be flung far and wide around the world, and still somehow all survive to be reunited again after the war. I wonder how many jewish families were so blessed. The situations were horrific.
In the telling, because of the constant shifting to each person's different scenario, I found difficult to truly root for the particular characters. As soon as I began to become interested in them, the story flips to another place in the world with a different intense drama to unfold. Wash, rinse, repeat, throughout the book.
Am very glad this family was able to survive. I have to wonder how much was truly 'luck' versus how great those grandparents were to raise their children with the skills and resilience needed to be survivors in spite of horrific circumstances.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
A story of the unbelievable survival of an entire Jewish family during WWII. I loved how the book followed all the different family members, documenting their lives, triumphs, pains, and journeys throughout the war and the different places they ended up.
The first half of the book was very slow, and while a bit disjointed it makes sense that detailing everything would have made this a tome, but in the end an enjoyable read.
The first half of the book was very slow, and while a bit disjointed it makes sense that detailing everything would have made this a tome, but in the end an enjoyable read.
It was an excellent book. It was difficult for me, however, to keep track of all the characters as I listened to the book rather than reading it.
I’ve been into reading WWII books lately.
When I saw an ad that there was an adaptation for this book, I got it from the library right away. I wrote a character chart with locations to jog my memory as the adaptation doesn’t come out for a couple months.
I was so bummed I couldn’t read it in one sitting as sleep and work interrupted my reading lol.
I loved the authors writing style and the news clips were really helpful with the storyline.
I LOVED Addy’s story, and I was so heartbroken for all, but especially Genek and Herta, Bella. I can’t wait to see Helina and Felicia’s characters. My heart dropped when the mother character had thoughts. I loved how much each character held their parents home as the visualization/happy place to get through nightmares.
Boy did I choke up/cry on the ending when Addy setup the homes for his family and his reunion with his mom. I won’t be forgetting this story anytime soon. Highly highly recommend it. And it’s based on a true story!!!
When I saw an ad that there was an adaptation for this book, I got it from the library right away. I wrote a character chart with locations to jog my memory as the adaptation doesn’t come out for a couple months.
I was so bummed I couldn’t read it in one sitting as sleep and work interrupted my reading lol.
I loved the authors writing style and the news clips were really helpful with the storyline.
I LOVED Addy’s story, and I was so heartbroken for all, but especially Genek and Herta, Bella. I can’t wait to see Helina and Felicia’s characters. My heart dropped when the mother character had thoughts. I loved how much each character held their parents home as the visualization/happy place to get through nightmares.
Boy did I choke up/cry on the ending when Addy setup the homes for his family and his reunion with his mom. I won’t be forgetting this story anytime soon. Highly highly recommend it. And it’s based on a true story!!!
I had a hard time getting into this at first. I think I found it under a Goodreads list of recommended historical fiction, but I didn't really read the full description or any reviews so I had some trouble telling where the story was going at first. But after an hour or two, I got so invested that I chose to listen to an audiobook while knitting instead of watching a TV show or movie like usual. I am extremely routine oriented and don't like to deviate from my habits but I got engrossed enough to deviate! Really good book!
The narration was fine. I recognized the narrator's voice immediately because she narrated part of Lilac Girls. She hasn't narrated a ton of books so that was a little wild.
The narration was fine. I recognized the narrator's voice immediately because she narrated part of Lilac Girls. She hasn't narrated a ton of books so that was a little wild.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
This book was amazing. I want to say more. But there were so many times I was in complete shock - knowing this was a true story... and I don’t want to give spoilers.. bottom line: No human should endure what this family did. Read this heartwarming story immediately.