I mentioned last year that I wanted to take a break from WWII books but nonetheless, I chose to read this book because of its interesting story. It's I mentioned last year that I wanted to take a break from WWII books but nonetheless, I chose to read this book because of its interesting story. It's based on the true story of a renowned Ukrainian sniper during the war. I haven't heard of Mila Pavlichenko before this book and it's always interesting to see historic figures brought to life in fiction. So it was a real plus for Quinn in this book, that and her strong writing style.
Other than that, however, I must admit that I couldn't connect with the characters and sometimes even if my mind wandered while listening to the audio, I wouldn't feel lost at all (nor care honestly). So the idea was really nice and the story is good for what it is not in its details, was it connecting to the characters or a gripping plot.
The audiobook's narration was excellent. If you're considering reading this book in this format, you wouldn't go wrong by choosing to listen to the audio!
I don't have much to say about the book other than the points I mentioned before. I'm glad I now know her story for sure. I just hope Quinn decides to write outside of WWII because she has a big potential and I would like to read her books if set during a different time period. I truly like how she chooses a heroine figure from the war and brings her to fiction work but I've read enough books set during that time and would prefer to explore different historical events....more
I have been looking forward to reading this book because the premise sounded interesting. A Jewish forger who helped forge the papers of Jewish childrI have been looking forward to reading this book because the premise sounded interesting. A Jewish forger who helped forge the papers of Jewish children in France to send them to Switzerland. She also records their old names in a book called “the book of lost names”. I love WWII stories but I think it’s about time I take a break. They used to affect me a lot but I guess now since I’ve read more than average I’m more difficult to impress?
I sadly couldn’t connect with this book on any level. While it wasn’t a chore listening to the audiobook, the narration was smooth and clear, the story itself didn’t interest me much. Eva was very undecisive and while she didn’t let her mother control her, she certainly started the self-blame on very absurd stuff. For example, her mother told her it’s her fault her father got captured (she had NOTHING to do with it and could’ve done NOTHING to help) she just wondered if it’s truly her fault. Her personality lacked depth honestly and a “character”.
But that’s fine, not enough reason to rate this book 2 stars.. if it wasn’t for the mother. She annoyed me so damn much. Her characterization was unrealistic. She blamed her daughter for everything and didn't “grasp” that it’s war. For example, Eva warned them about the Jews's capture. Her parents didn’t take the warning seriously. And then the mother blames Eva? She sounded like a child and not a mother. War changes people, usually makes them tougher and stronger. Not like winy children with fictional expectations of war. She wasn’t worried her daughter might get captured, no she only wanted to break into a jail/camp whatever and save her husband. She didn’t have any mental disabilities to be clear and I didn’t think she was meant to be portrayed as a bad mother, that’s why I think her characterization wasn’t good.
I also wish the romance wasn’t so central to the plot, Remy was cool but it just didn’t do it for me. I wouldn’t recommend this book if you’re looking for something new and refreshing in this subgenre especially since this isn’t based on specific true events (at least the forging part). Overall, this book wasn’t bad but it lacked originality in this genre. It’s not easy to write a touching WWII story nowadays without just simply playing with the reader’s feelings and I’m glad the author didn’t do that here. I wish however the story had more depth, complexity, and fewer cliché moments.
This wasn’t bad and I sort of get the high rating it. It’s just bad timing to read this book because I didn’t want to read more WWII books bu3.5 stars
This wasn’t bad and I sort of get the high rating it. It’s just bad timing to read this book because I didn’t want to read more WWII books but my hold for the audio was up and had no other audiobooks to listen to.
The story is told in a dual timeline, something very trendy apparently nowadays in WWII books. One during the war in Poland and the other in the present day. And obviously, the two timelines will connect.
While I have to admit the WWII wasn't one I've previously read about, it didn't grab my attention. So we have a girl, Alina, who lives in Poland and is in love with Tomas since forever. They planned to marry then the war started. Her story, albeit no less sad, was tamer than the usual WWII books I've read. No, she's not forging papers nor involved with the resistance... she's just trying to survive day by day with her family. It was interesting in a way but I wasn't emotionally invested in her story.
I enjoyed the present day's plotline much more and I liked its characters. I'm becoming nowadays somewhat of a family drama fan thanks to the audiobooks I'm listening to and I suppose it was one of the main reasons why I found Kelly's perspective more complelling. I could see her inner struggle with her family especially since a stay-at-home mom, she had to quit her job to take care of her autistic son. The story got better when she decided to do something for herself for once and I found her relationship with her husband well developed.
As for the audiobook, I had a (minor?) issue with it. I am not sure if affected my enjoyment a lot but it's still worth mentioning. So we have a narrator for Alina and another for Kelly. Alina's narrator read at a very slow pace. Her voice was also certainly not of a girl in her teens. It did not give me "historical/back in time” vibes it was aiming to convey (I suppose). It bored me instead. Meanwhile, Kelly's narrator read at a much faster pace and her voice was fresh and full of life. I have to admit that made me look to her parts more than Alina's.
I usually speed up audiobooks, not a lot no more than 1.5x depending on the narration but here it was kind of tricky because having Alina's narrator read at a good pace meant that Kelly's was going too fast...
Otherwise, I liked the story of this book but it didn't leave anything with me hence why I rated it 3 and not 4 stars. I also do not think that I would've had a different opinion if I read at a different time because the WWII part didn't exactly tire me like in some recent cases. But it might have been the case.
This book does feel like one of Hannah’s earlier books yet it has her style and she’s a talented writer. It probably could’ve used more polishing (somThis book does feel like one of Hannah’s earlier books yet it has her style and she’s a talented writer. It probably could’ve used more polishing (some expressions were repeated too many times in different ways and there was too much focus on the looks). Still, it’s an okay WWII story. But definitely not one of my Hannah’s favorite books....more
The Huntress was definitely an improvement from The Alice Network but it sadly did not impress me even though I liked the general idea of it.
I won’t The Huntress was definitely an improvement from The Alice Network but it sadly did not impress me even though I liked the general idea of it.
I won’t rewrite the plot since many are already familiar with it and simply summarize my thoughts on it: - Yet again in this book, there was a character I didn’t care about at all: Nina. The history part of the Night Witches interested me a lot more than the character herself. Sadly, because of this, I didn’t like her chapters and couldn’t connect with her. Which made me lost interest in the historic part because no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t care less.
- The part that interested me the most was the “hunt” of the Huntress. Her identity was never a secret and even though it wasn’t explicitly stated who is she, it’s very easy to know (part of the plot).
- The romance between Nina and Ian wasn’t necessary to me.
- The audiobook was around 20 hours I believe yet it didn’t feel that long like I was worried. While the narration wasn’t memorable, if you’re thinking of listening to the audio, it’s good enough.
- The characters didn’t feel very natural to me except Tony, I liked him.
It was still an interesting story to listen to even if I didn’t love it. This book however made me realize that I need a break from WWII stories because I’ve listened to several recently and I’m just not feeling it anymore. I did like that this was set mostly after the war, however. I won’t be reading the Rose Code soon, maybe someday but not just yet. I will however check Quin’s book set in Italy sometime this year...more
It took me a year (rather, 11 months exactly) to listen to this audio... I started the first half while I was painting last year and never got the oppIt took me a year (rather, 11 months exactly) to listen to this audio... I started the first half while I was painting last year and never got the opportunity to finish it. Months later, when I had it on my phone, I continued listening to it but got bored. B-9 and B-12 planes sadly did not interest. Nor the details on his military service. I honestly know nothing about planes, never been in one even, so the technical part bored me. A lot.
Last week I finally made enough progress and reached the ocean part, the story improved considerably. I listened to the audio at every chance I had and finished it rather quickly.
I honestly didn't know who Louis was before starting this book. Back in spring, my dad was watching a movie on tv.. I was watching snippets with him and then wow it's so similar to the book.. WAIT what. Yeah, that's how I discovered it's the same Unbroken directed by Angelina Jolie. And Louis is going to get captured by the Japs. You see, I had the audiobook on my laptop and only knew it's a non-fic biography. It was only last week, when I became invested in the story again, that I googled some things about the book (other than the general google page) and yes I did read some spoilers but are is there a spoiler in a biography? Well if I didn't know the story.. I think yes. I couldn't help it, I wanted to know if Allen will survive too.
Aside from the military part, I loved the story and how it was told. from the beginning to the very last page. It's really beautiful and heartbreaking. This isn't a review, this is just me telling you that this is a well-written story, it makes a good audiobook, the narrator did a good job, the story is popular for a reason, and the book deserves recognition. If you like reading about WWII stories read it. The only difference is that the author did not have to make up the tragedies and hardships that Louis went through as an athlete, the life on the raft, the horrors of the war, the life after the war......more
I honestly have mixed feelings about this book. Some aspects in the book don’t reflect historical facts or even common sense for that time. Bruno seemI honestly have mixed feelings about this book. Some aspects in the book don’t reflect historical facts or even common sense for that time. Bruno seems very naive. But I liked how the friendship developed and the idea (if not subtle) behind this novel.
I also listened the audiobook narration which was done well but the music addition was weird and inconsistent. ...more
No matter how much you read about that difficult time, WWII novels never fail to give you a piece of information that you missed, a truth that you faiNo matter how much you read about that difficult time, WWII novels never fail to give you a piece of information that you missed, a truth that you failed to discover, a knowledge that will change, at least a little, the way you see the world. And that's what I love about these stories. World War II horrors are endless, and a book that succeeded to show me new pieces of history doesn't deserve less than 4 stars.
Story: Lilac Girls is based on a true story who is told from the perspective of three women: an American socialite, a German doctor, and a Polish girl.
Caroline Ferriday, a person from real life, comes from wealthy but generous family. She volunteers at the French consulate in New York City. All her life evolved around her work, trying her best to help orphans in France. At 37, she swore celibacy, losing hope in any love life. Until she met Paul, a married actor. But his wife wasn't the most loyal, plus she lived in Paris. Caroline found herself spending her free time (something she rarely had) with this handsome charming man. However, Hitler invading Poland changed everything. Soon France was his new target and her beloved people were in more need than ever. Elize and Caroline Ferriday dedicated their time and possessions to help others.
Kasia Kuzmerick was a 17 years old girl when her life changed up side down. After the attack on Poland in 1939, she started working for the underground, she still dreamed about her crush, her best friend Pietrik, but that did not last for she was caught with her sister Zuzanna, her matka and Pietrik sister. She always blamed herself, though. She didn't notice the SS men following her after completing a secret mission. They took them to the Ravensbrück a women's concentration camp during World War II. Kasia Kuzmerick and her sister Zuzanna are loosely based on Nina Iwanska and her physician sister Krystyna, both operated on at the camp.
Herta Oberheuser, a german doctor, always dreamed of being a surgeon, something not allowed for women at the time. So when the opportunity came to work at Ravensbrück, she didn't hesitate. Being the only doctor woman at the camp surely would get appreciation from Führer higher authorities. She was the product of the nazi education.
Ravensbrück is known for the operations its doctors performed on the prisoners. If you're interested to know what happened during these experiments on women, I don't think it's a spoiler since it actually happened but if you are planning on reading this book and don't won't want any spoilers then skip this paragraph, the rest take a deep breath:
Starting in the summer of 1942, medical experiments were conducted without consent on 86 women; 74 of them were Polish inmates. Two types of the experiments were conducted on the Polish political prisoners. The first type tested the efficacy of sulfonamide drugs. These experiments involved deliberate cutting into and infecting of leg bones and muscles with virulent bacteria, cutting nerves, introducing substances like pieces of wood or glass into tissues, and fracturing bones. The second set of experiments studied bone, muscle, and nerve regeneration, and the possibility of transplanting bones from one person to another. Out of the 74 Polish victims, called Kaninchen, Króliki, Lapins, or Rabbits by the experimenters, five died as a result of the experiments, six with unhealed wounds were executed, and (with assistance from other inmates) the rest survived with permanent physical damage..
And that's not even all of it. The cruelty Aufseherin, nazi female guards, didn't help. Some germans working at the camp were more sympathetic than others but The treatment by the SS women in Ravensbrück was normally brutal. Dr Karl Gebhardt designed the experiments after failing to save the life of Hitler's friend Reinhard Heydrich who died in a car bomb. Hitler believed he would have lived if Gebhardt used sulfa drugs to treat infected wounds. Gebhardt recreated the wounds on prisoners to prove that was not the case.
Saying these are atrocities is an understatement.
Back to Caroline, it's amazing how much she sacrificed for others. At first, she looks like she isn't connected to the story of the other 2 main characters but later we know why she's called A Godmother to Ravensbrück Survivors. However, the story would have done without Paul, (view spoiler)[we know later from the author note that it didn't happen, pure fiction, it didn't do anything to the story. Though if it wasn't for Paul, I'd like to know her real intention for going to France that year (which lead eventually to help the Rabbits) (hide spoiler)]She was a wonderful woman. Kasia annoyed me many times but I was satisfied with the end. I guess the author tried to make her as real as possible, but after all, she went through I understand.
The more I read about wars, the human cruelty always shocks me. One might think that being a woman, Herta might have been sympathetic, I thought she would have been at first, but no. It was interesting to read from a nazi's perspective. Her mind was so damaged that she thought her actions were only natural, for the best of the Reich. She was like a puppet, a person who doesn't think for himself.
Now you might ask, why only 4 stars if the book was this excellent?
Even though the writing was decent and flawless most of the time, I didn't feel the click. As much as the story was supposed to be emotional, I couldn't relate to the characters. I was torn between 3 and 4 stars because I didn't connect with our 3 narrators but I have a soft spot for this genre, I always appreciate the new things from real I learn from books. I didn't feel the depth of their character especially Herta who was so plain, like a robot. She was a real person, she supposed to be something. Caroline was amazing, yes, but still, I couldn't get attached to her story, yet I know what she has done was great, helping the Rabbits and all. From those three, I connected and only a little with Kasia. But not enough. Other than that the book was great. The best thing about it is that Martha Hall Kelly did a good job covering the events in 4 countries: France, Poland, Germany and USA giving the right amount of information necessary to the story and reminding us of the events and the courage of people during that difficult period that should not be forgotten.
Caroline Ferriday: [image]
Herta Oberheuser: [image]
Female prisoners at Ravensbrück concentration at the time of liberation by the Soviet Army in 1945: [image]
Caroline Ferriday and former Ravensbrück concentration camp survivors celebrating Christmas at Ferriday's home in Bethlehem: [image]
So this is the end of the history lesson and review of the book. I highly recommend Lilac Girls if you like WWII novels.
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