You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.

A review by nicoleisalwaysreading
We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad tense fast-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

4.0

It's key to me that this book is closely based on the true story of the author's family and that she did years of meticulous research (including oral interviews and archive-digging) to bring their story to life. Its breadth is incredible in that very unique "stranger than fiction" way; the way so many different people in different places survived the Holocaust is nothing short of a miracle.

The pacing is near-perfect, and although you only get small glimpses at a time into each family member's story, I felt attached to each of them. The larger context of World War II is deftly woven between chapters as quick notes, so the slightly fictionalized narratives are never far removed from the very real account. I am VERY wary of "Holocaust fiction," and this is one of the rare exceptions. I submit this novel as an alternative to The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, which I think is a dangerously popular, yet highly unbelievable/unrealistic, WWII novel.

Thank you to Penguin for the gifted copy as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings