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drschroe 's review for:
The Warsaw Orphan
by Kelly Rimmer
This book.
Having read others about this ugliest of times in human history, I'd say this novel/historical fictional account of the Warsaw ghetto is about as perfect a book as you can get.
As one would expect, there are the familiar questions the captives of the ghetto asked themselves, including: "Why would they want to hurt/kill us? We're their work force, so we should go to these relocation centers," and "If we are to be taken, should we give our children to others to raise in the hope that they'll survive and we can reunite after the war?" Knowing what we know in hindsight, these are heartbreaking, obliterating questions -- and Rimmer does not shy away from the agony her characters go through in these decisions.
She also doesn't shy away from the brutality both at the hands of the Nazis and as a result of trying to survive on a daily basis. She describes in painful detail the psychological and emotional damage on top of the physical threats and harms. The book is a powerful reminder that the end of World War II for some meant freedom -- and for others meant atrocities committed by Russian soldiers that were in some cases just as cruel as what the Nazis did.
Why would I recommend a book that has such difficult moments? Because within the hell that was Nazi occupied Poland was love, strength, family and fellowship; courage, friendship and even hope. It is exquisitely written in that it makes you feel a spectrum of feelings. This book is definitely going to stay with me.
Having read others about this ugliest of times in human history, I'd say this novel/historical fictional account of the Warsaw ghetto is about as perfect a book as you can get.
As one would expect, there are the familiar questions the captives of the ghetto asked themselves, including: "Why would they want to hurt/kill us? We're their work force, so we should go to these relocation centers," and "If we are to be taken, should we give our children to others to raise in the hope that they'll survive and we can reunite after the war?" Knowing what we know in hindsight, these are heartbreaking, obliterating questions -- and Rimmer does not shy away from the agony her characters go through in these decisions.
She also doesn't shy away from the brutality both at the hands of the Nazis and as a result of trying to survive on a daily basis. She describes in painful detail the psychological and emotional damage on top of the physical threats and harms. The book is a powerful reminder that the end of World War II for some meant freedom -- and for others meant atrocities committed by Russian soldiers that were in some cases just as cruel as what the Nazis did.
Why would I recommend a book that has such difficult moments? Because within the hell that was Nazi occupied Poland was love, strength, family and fellowship; courage, friendship and even hope. It is exquisitely written in that it makes you feel a spectrum of feelings. This book is definitely going to stay with me.