Just when you think you couldn’t read a new angle on WW2, this story delivers one.
Allina has been brutalized and brought to Hochland House to serve asJust when you think you couldn’t read a new angle on WW2, this story delivers one.
Allina has been brutalized and brought to Hochland House to serve as a nurse for the Lebenshorn Program. A program designed to perpetuate the German pure blood of the arayan population. Women getting medals for breeding the most children -Many of whom were single and proud to do their work for the Reich. But not all are perfect babies. They may have a speech impediment or a physical defect which has them banished to the 3rd floor where they have little interaction with adults, borderline starve and sit in their filth for hours.
Allina meets and falls in love with a SS officer who is committed to throwing over Hitler and the nazi regime through small acts of treason. Both are of Jewish decent and risk their lives to help save children to escape from Germany while also trying to rehabilitate those imperfect children to prevent their demise at the "labs" for further testing.
The history of eugenics is a well known yet disturbing piece of Nazi history. The fact that Nazis' didn't even respect their own is even more appalling.
This story does have some historical facts blended into it. The number of children sacrificed due to imperfections shouldn’t come as a shock but it did to me. All those 'successful' children bred for the arayan population were also quickly abandoned after the war leaving many to carry their shame. 4.5⭐️...more
How can one not think of themselves when the Nazis have stripped you down to nothing: killing your family; your religion; and trying to kill your idenHow can one not think of themselves when the Nazis have stripped you down to nothing: killing your family; your religion; and trying to kill your identity.
We meet Adam. A teacher in the middle of a Jewish ghetto in Poland. He teaches English to a few kids in the basement of an abandoned building. He interviews the children and the adults he knows and journals it all: creating a record of the brutal conditions they endured; the devastating lives they lived; and the grief they suffered.
A heartbreakingly personal and intimate story. How through such horrendous conditions, there still existed a decency and connectedness amongst these people and a resiliency to adapt even when they knew they were facing their own deaths.
I love a different perspective on WWII. This one takes place in Malaysia (Malaya) when the Japanese invade.
Cecily is the head of the family. Her son,I love a different perspective on WWII. This one takes place in Malaysia (Malaya) when the Japanese invade.
Cecily is the head of the family. Her son, Abel, has disappeared only to become a prisoner. Her youngest daughter, Jasmine, has run away and she fears the soldiers will hurt her. Her older daughter, Jujube, is on the brink of hysteria for trying to protect her sister from the Japanese soldiers. The world has turned upside down. Cecily blames herself for what has happened because of her past. Her own betrayal- to her country and family.
The story is told in parallel. Before the Japanese invade; and the after.The themes of family; guilt; loyalty. What pulls the fabric of society apart when war enters. How dehumanized we can become when hate fills our hearts and inhumane acts become the norm.
The one criticism I have is a thought Abel had which didn’t connect with the time and place he was at. This created a bit of a disconnect for me.
Overall, Chan has delivered a solid and memorable HF debut. 4⭐️...more
Anything in France I adore, having travelled there last year. I love when I can relate to a story with the mention of monumental markers: the Eiffel TAnything in France I adore, having travelled there last year. I love when I can relate to a story with the mention of monumental markers: the Eiffel Tower, the arc du triomphe, the cobblestone roads. Ah, give me a croissant avec a cafe au lait, and I’m there.
The Golden Doves are 2 women who were part of the resistance in France against Hitler. Josie & Arlette. How they were recruited, how they were captured and sent to Ravensbruck, and how they survived the after when so many did not. 8 years later the 2 are on searches. One on the hunt for a notorious doctor who did unspeakable procedures on women at Ravensbruck; the other, for her missing son abducted there. The story is clearly structured with some back and forth timelines that worked well. The characters physically and emotionally scarred from their past.
But it’s more than a survivor story. It's a game of cat and mouse. MHK’s research reveals these rat lines where Nazis were able to escape to other countries with the aid of various organizations. Overall, there were a few moments of implausibility. However, MHK has written another well researched fictional account I found compelling. 4⭐️...more
Over 200,000 Polish children kidnapped during WWII. Jewish parents who had given up their children to Polish families so they could live. But the costOver 200,000 Polish children kidnapped during WWII. Jewish parents who had given up their children to Polish families so they could live. But the cost... so complex and emotional.
4’displaced children. The war is over but there is another one rages. The war where children are stolen and not returned to their jewish families. An annihilation of a faith. Of a people. Children passed around from place to place; country to country. Uprooted; confused; not knowing who they are and struggling with who they were. Memories fading. Secrets exposed. How those who hid these children were complacent in keeping them. Preventing them from returning to their roots. The difficult decisions made by others for their protection at the time, but for some, for selfish reasons. Once We Were Home is about reclaiming one’s identity through the grief and loss of discovery. The core struggle of reconciliations of faith and family. Prose was lyrical. The story heartbreaking. 5⭐️
Amen. Reading this was a religious experience. This story is based on the bravery and courageousness of one, Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty. He put his lifeAmen. Reading this was a religious experience. This story is based on the bravery and courageousness of one, Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty. He put his life at risk using his creative tactics against the Nazis, to help Jews and escaped allied prisoners to flee.
WWII Rome. Priests in the Vatican City were to maintain neutrality and passivity in order to protect the Vatican City at all costs. Monsignor Hugh ‘disobeys’ his Holy Superiors and cannot turn a blind eye to the atrocities taking place-Even going as far to being reprimanded by the holiest ones for calling out Nazis for their blatant disregard for human life. "The Escape Line” was an intricate and complex planning system to save 200+ prisoners. “The Choir” was the group of trusted people who helped in this dangerous undertaking.
The Writing? Masterful. The characters? Charming. But buckle up. This is one journey that will give you heart palpitations.
Book 2 BRING IT! 5⭐️ ***This story is based on the real Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty***...more
For 2023, I’ve committed to reading some of my own books I own, instead of going for the shiny new one the library has.
Quinn has become my travellingFor 2023, I’ve committed to reading some of my own books I own, instead of going for the shiny new one the library has.
Quinn has become my travelling companion. Loved the Diamond eye which I read in France last year. Now I have dusted off this one and she is joining me on the beaches of st.Lucia.
This is a twofer. It is historically paralleled - first Great War (1915) and end of WWll (1949) with Eve being in both. A British spy in the first war and the trauma she suffered to the present day (1949) where she has been asked by a young girl to help locate her missing cousin. Revisiting the locations years later, jars Eve’s memory into sharp focus and the years sacrificed being a spy.
This was fascinating. The Alice Network being a group of women spies. Trained to bring intel to the Brit’s. Historical buffs will love this one as it is based on some truths. It was intense at times, brutal even. Themes of early pregnancy, trust, grief, shame. And most significantly, the role women played during both wars. 4⭐️ ...more
Boyne’s style continues to be hypnotic and sharp. He delivers a Holocaust story with brutal precision and bold prose.
91 year old Greta is reflecting oBoyne’s style continues to be hypnotic and sharp. He delivers a Holocaust story with brutal precision and bold prose.
91 year old Greta is reflecting on her life. Her shame and guilt that has followed her as her father was a nazi commandment of one of the internment camps. How at 12 years of age, she and her mother escaped to Paris, with new identities, afraid they would be discovered for their own complicity in war crimes.
When a neighbour’s child enters her life, 91 year old Greta has an opportunity for absolution. Or the closest thing to it. She confronts her own dark past and finds the strength and courage to defend someone vulnerable, as she had failed to do for any of those Jews camped outside of her home.
Boyne does a deep dive into this deeply flawed character. How one can never escape the past; How events shape who we are; How we remain broken until we can reconcile the past with the present; how we can still change who we are from who we were. Even decades later.
Boyne, you took a chance delving into this genre, but successfully left an impression of Greta and a reminder of all the victims who suffered. My heart now breaks in many places. 5⭐️...more
There isn’t much written about Hitler’s war entering the Soviet Union. This was another path of destruction where the Nazis formed a blockade around LThere isn’t much written about Hitler’s war entering the Soviet Union. This was another path of destruction where the Nazis formed a blockade around Leningrad and kept its citizens in a noose-thereby cutting them off from food and other supplies, killing almost a million civilians. This was known as the siege on Leningrad and it lasted nearly 900 days. Starvation, cannibalism, disease, frigid temperatures. Wretched circumstances.
This is the story of 2 women. Sofia, who is a violinist, and her granddaughter, Lena. It is their journey of survival. Brutal day and nights. Brave women. Under the oppression of Stalin only to be at the mercy of Hitler.
What I enjoyed about this story is it provided a perspective that little is written about. The 2 female characters were strong and I could connect with Sofia. What I didn’t like so much, a couple of editing errors; a love story at the beginning that was juvenile but did mature so I got over that. But, there was a huge gap from 1942 to the end of the war. The struggle I’m sure didn’t stop but the focus of the story was on the 1st year of the siege. There were another 2 years - how did these years differ from the 1st? What happened?
Overall, 4.25⭐️
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the current situation in Ukraine. With Putin raging this war against helpless civilians. One would hope that the erroneous decisions made by Hitler in WW2 wouldn’t transpire again. I guess Putin didn’t get that history lesson....more
1941 when Hitler was beginning his reign of terror, Russia was wrecking havoc on Ukraine’s people- looks like some things never change.
This is Julia’s1941 when Hitler was beginning his reign of terror, Russia was wrecking havoc on Ukraine’s people- looks like some things never change.
This is Julia’s story of survival. Survival of a nazi camp; then to Australia to begin a new life. But some hardships never end. Secrets buried yet always skimming the surface. Hasty decisions made that have catastrophic consequences.
I struggled with connecting with this character. This is Denford’s history, yet I felt this lacked the emotional substance I was expecting; wanting. Life altering events- seemingly danced over. Disjointed.
Sadly, I just can’t finish. 2⭐️ for potential but overall a failure in execution. ...more
I had no perspective on this occupation during WWll. This is the disturbing and unknown story of the massacre of Rumbala forest in Riga, Latvia, whereI had no perspective on this occupation during WWll. This is the disturbing and unknown story of the massacre of Rumbala forest in Riga, Latvia, where 26,000 Jews were killed in 2 nights. The Germans invading, then the soviets.
The trauma passed on through 3 generations of women. What war does to a person and how it feeds generations until it reaches a generation who can understand who their mothers and grandmothers were. Even though their secrets to protect did more harm than good by creating distance only to be bridged with the truth. As horrifying as it was.
This is the story of Miriam, the matriarch of the family. Her estrangement with her daughter who has passed and granddaughter, Sarah, who is interested in the past that was kept silent.
These stories are always disturbing and tragic. Humanity vanished. Shameful history that will resound for centuries.
And shockingly, it wasn’t until 1990 that Latvia became Soviet Free. We can only hope they remain that way as the soviets bombard the Ukraine in its quest for power and control.
I adore Marra and his masterfully skilled writing.
It’s the 1940’s. Immigrants have arrived to LA from pre war Europe. Movies become the propaganda forI adore Marra and his masterfully skilled writing.
It’s the 1940’s. Immigrants have arrived to LA from pre war Europe. Movies become the propaganda for the war.
At the centre, the story of Maria. An immigrant herself from Italy. Her reflection on a disastrous mistake haunting her through life.
The characters are brilliant. A miniaturist; a man of toupees; a photographer who takes the persona of another. The story is humorous and sobering as the European war begins to rage. The racism and sexism surrounding these emigrants and the ridicule they faced. Shameful.
I grew up with Italians. I was indoctrinated into their culture learning the curse words, the talking with the hands, the loud passionate voices, the I grew up with Italians. I was indoctrinated into their culture learning the curse words, the talking with the hands, the loud passionate voices, the delicious Nutella, gnocchi, pasta and later the homemade wine! Ooooh lala. Even some of those Italian mamas chasing my friends with a slipper or a wooden spoon.
This story was much more than what I was expecting. It’s a beautiful multi generational story. Matilda, the matriarch, is facing old age and death. It’s her reflection on her life, her mother’s own love stories that she shares with her granddaughter.
It spans from the 30’s to present. Trudging through the war, the losses, the grief and at the heart of it, the family. The strong and courageous women of generations.
It took me some time to get through this one but not because it was a sludge, oh contraire. I was in France- with little luxury time for reading.
AnyonIt took me some time to get through this one but not because it was a sludge, oh contraire. I was in France- with little luxury time for reading.
Anyone who follows me knows I’ve been gobbling up Ukraine, and Soviet reads. This one takes places when Ukraine was still part of the USSR in 1942. Germany made the bold step to move into Soviet territory in their quest to take over Europe. Mila, is a sharp shooter whose skills make her a Soviet war heroine. But this story is also based on fact and her 309 noted kills. Also known as Lady Death, she was a graduate and historian. But even as that title harbours steel, this is the story of her relationships, single parenting, and the strong female in a time when women were shunned for holding high ranks. And the character development from being a child bride at 15. It’s also about the Soviet culture and how it’s communism is ingrained at an early age. Individualism is not. Everything is done for the motherland.
I haven’t read anything by Quinn before so I’m thrilled to know she has a few more out there waiting for me. If you get a chance to read a physical copy, it does include some great photos of her. The author's notes are excellent as well as her research to the her previous novel lead to the discovery of Mila. 5⭐️...more
Such a charming journey. Ulysses, a Brit, in Italy during the war saves a man from suicide. One good turn leads to another and 9 years later, Ulysses Such a charming journey. Ulysses, a Brit, in Italy during the war saves a man from suicide. One good turn leads to another and 9 years later, Ulysses is bequeathed the property of the man after he passes. He takes his adopted daughter and a friend to Italy and from there a new life begins. Ah such delightful characters and beauty to behold in Italy. Such a romantic place - the food, the wine, the friends, the art the landscape, the family formed, the bird! This was a story I could embrace and dream about being immersed in. A fantastic way to kickoff the new year. 5⭐️...more
You know with a title like this, it’s going to be a story that delivers a gut punch.
This is a generational story. Vera, remarries and takes on a new fYou know with a title like this, it’s going to be a story that delivers a gut punch.
This is a generational story. Vera, remarries and takes on a new family after serving time on Goli Otok in the 50’s. Her daughter, Nina, from her first marriage, runs away but not before she has sex with her step brother and leaves him for years only to come back and have a child with him before she leaves again.
Vera the step mother is 90 now. A grandiose party is held bringing everyone together. The estranged daughter, Nina, wants to do a film of her life as she has been diagnosed with dementia. A journey through her mom’s past to bring peace with the sacrifice made. Her daughter, Gili, abandoned by this gypsy mother, is to film it with her father. Such sacred bounds between mother and daughter despite the rift - the ultimate abandonment and betrayal. Beautifully written but so devastatingly tragic. I shivered when this story ended.
My only pet peeve with this which is minor- was it had no chapters! I like to try to finish a chapter before I stop reading. Still a very worthy 5⭐️read....more
I always need to be in the right mindset for a WWII story. They can be emotionally draining but also a reminder of what we must never forget. I was intI always need to be in the right mindset for a WWII story. They can be emotionally draining but also a reminder of what we must never forget. I was intrigued by this one as the author is Mexican and it was actually a translation. This is a story of 2 German families. Their own personal struggles with the hitler regime. Their opposition to what was being taught to their children and their silence as it would lead to their demise. Their own pilgrimage in order to save themselves. These were both farming families. Their ignorance in their isolation and not being fully aware of the annihilation taking place of the Jews and the Poles. It’s easy to forget there were Germans who didn’t agree with Hitler but afraid for their own lives and families. Germans turned against Germans snitching them out killing their own. This is a reminder that not all Germans had hate hammered into their hearts. Sometimes, like these families, they took in those who would have been killed mercilessly and accepted them as their own. Sometimes their survival depended on plundering others in the form of jewelry - in this particular story - an amber necklace whose stones were given away to those who meant the most. This was based on a couple who now live in Mexico - survivors who found each other. The author had to put this one on the back burner as she completed The Murmur of Bees(which I’m hoping to get soon!). So glad she got to do this one too. Writing is terrific. Characters are memorable as is the story. And although it isn't the typical story, we must never forget Hitler and the raging destruction of lives, culture and families. 4.5***** upping this to a 4.5...more
Another Quinn in the books. She is a gift who keeps on giving.
Three women who work together during the war deciphering German code at Bletchley Park iAnother Quinn in the books. She is a gift who keeps on giving.
Three women who work together during the war deciphering German code at Bletchley Park in England. Three women who become friends until a betrayal takes place. Now 7 years later, one who has been placed in an asylum has contacted them. There is a traitor.
Quinn tells a dazzling story of these women - Mab, Osla, Beth- who played a critical role during WWII while contrasting it with the ease which women could be committed into an asylum for not following the norms.
Loss, sacrifice and resilience are what these women were made of. Her research impeccable. 5⭐️ And the first one of the year knocked off my physical shelf!...more
This is a story of how beauty can exist in all its colours among the darkest, coldest, and most feared time during WW2. In Auschwitz. The camp where mThis is a story of how beauty can exist in all its colours among the darkest, coldest, and most feared time during WW2. In Auschwitz. The camp where most never returned from. A scar on history that forever begs the question, how. How did we allow this to happen? As humans? Yes, there are detailed accounts on how it happened. How humanity vanished. But the shame will never be forgotten. The pain many of us will never have to endure, will forever be embedded in these stories so we can never forget. And we mustn’t. This is based on a true story. A horrific one but also one of hope. Alma is a famous Jewish Viennese musician. She is granted special privileges as a violinist, which she uses to her advantage to save her orchestra girls- her sparrows. They form the music block. Then she meets a Jewish Hungarian pianist. Famous himself. And in a short period of time, as time is of the essence, they form a bond. Of music and of love. A tragic story - as all these ones are- but for the solidarity, the bravery and the resilience these survivors had. May we never forget. 5⭐️ ***PLEASE READ the epilogue if you get a copy of this****...more
A beautiful story of survival of a Jewish girl and her mother during the Nazi madness. Imagination required in the lengthy hours spent in hiding for mA beautiful story of survival of a Jewish girl and her mother during the Nazi madness. Imagination required in the lengthy hours spent in hiding for months and facing the brutality of what has been done to their family; their people. The violin symbolic of her family, of the past and of the future. And a little yellow bird which flits and flutters reuniting their memories. 5⭐️...more
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