Reviews - The Goddess of Warsaw

499 reviews for:

The powerful, bad ass women in this book were incredible. This was the perfect amount of fiction in a historical fiction book. I always learn something new in WWII historical fiction novels and this was no different. Really enjoyed the perspective of this one.

danidqt's review

3.0

medium-paced

Strong character development: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

serenacecelia's review

4.0

Gorgeous book. What an amazing story!
4 stars only because I think the author needs to develop her writing. Otherwise, it was really great. I would recommend it!

michaela_lubbers's review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

It's like watching a train wreck. You can't look away. It's tremendously well-written. It's gut-wrenching. I listened to at least a quarter of the book while wincing. I got actual, literal chills a few times. I dry sobbed on a handful of occasions, which I felt was deeply appropriate, given that the main character spends quite a bit of time discussing her inability to cry.

This is a brutal, painful book. It depicts a brutal, painful time - in a surprisingly approachable way. It's not something that just anyone is going to want to read. For those who do, I highly recommend you consider your headspace before undertaking it. This is not The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (ugh). This is not even Elie Wiesel's Night.

I found it a deeply rewarding read. The ending is satisfying, down deep in your bones, because of the horrors in the first sections. I'm wary of Shoah fiction, for a number of reasons, but this deeply researched book with a Jewish main cast, written by a Jewish author, overcomes my wariness. It's awful and wonderful and you should read it...if you can stomach it.