On a golden August morning in 1939, sisters Antonina and Helena Dąbrowska send their father off to defend Poland against the looming threat of German invasion. The next day, the first bombs fall on Warsaw, decimating their beloved city and shattering the world of their youth.
When Antonina's beloved Marek is forced behind ghetto walls along with the rest of Warsaw's Jewish population, Antonina turns her worry into action and becomes a key figure in a daring network of women risking their lives to shelter Jewish children. Helena finds herself drawn into the ranks of Poland's secret army, joining the fight to free her homeland from occupation. But the secrets both are forced to keep threaten to tear the sisters apart--and the cost of resistance proves greater than either ever imagined.
Shining a light on the oft-forgotten history of Poland during WWII and inspired by true stories of ordinary individuals who fought to preserve freedom and humanity in the darkest of times, The Warsaw Sisters is a richly rendered portrait of courage, sacrifice, and the resilience of our deepest ties.
When Antonina's beloved Marek is forced behind ghetto walls along with the rest of Warsaw's Jewish population, Antonina turns her worry into action and becomes a key figure in a daring network of women risking their lives to shelter Jewish children. Helena finds herself drawn into the ranks of Poland's secret army, joining the fight to free her homeland from occupation. But the secrets both are forced to keep threaten to tear the sisters apart--and the cost of resistance proves greater than either ever imagined.
Shining a light on the oft-forgotten history of Poland during WWII and inspired by true stories of ordinary individuals who fought to preserve freedom and humanity in the darkest of times, The Warsaw Sisters is a richly rendered portrait of courage, sacrifice, and the resilience of our deepest ties.
MY THOUGHTS.....
I just finished The Warsaw Sisters and I'm once again in awe of this author's writing talent. I was immediately transported to 1939 Poland and fully engaged in the moving story of two sisters who find their lives altered forever by the events of WWII. Antonina and Helena's homeland is overtaken by German occupation and author Amanda Barratt offers a stunning depiction of despair, grief, and extreme brutality that is buffered by hope, faith, and the strength of the human spirit.
The Warsaw Sisters is told from the POVs of both Antonina and Helena, so we're shown each twin's thoughts about being separated from each other and the difficult choices that they make to survive. Barratt's extensive research is evident as she seamlessly weaves facts and fiction into a riveting tale that spans a period of five years. The emotions are often raw and powerful, and I was left to wonder how I would have reacted in the same circumstances.
Barratt has written other books about the plight of the Jews during World War II and this story illustrates why she's becoming one of the leading authors in historical fiction. I highly recommend The Warsaw Sisters!
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Warsaw Sisters is told from the POVs of both Antonina and Helena, so we're shown each twin's thoughts about being separated from each other and the difficult choices that they make to survive. Barratt's extensive research is evident as she seamlessly weaves facts and fiction into a riveting tale that spans a period of five years. The emotions are often raw and powerful, and I was left to wonder how I would have reacted in the same circumstances.
Barratt has written other books about the plight of the Jews during World War II and this story illustrates why she's becoming one of the leading authors in historical fiction. I highly recommend The Warsaw Sisters!
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ECPA best-selling author Amanda Barratt fell in love with writing in grade school when she wrote her first story—a spin-off of Jane Eyre. Now, Amanda writes romantic, historical fiction, penning stories of beauty and brokenness set against the backdrop of bygone eras not so very different from our own. She's the author of over a dozen novels and novellas including The White Rose Resists: A Novel of the German Students Who Defied Hitler and My Dearest Dietrich: A Novel of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Lost Love.
Amanda lives in the woods of Michigan with her family, where she can be found reading way too many books, plotting her next novel, and jotting down imaginary travel itineraries for her dream vacation to Europe.
View all my reviews
Amanda lives in the woods of Michigan with her family, where she can be found reading way too many books, plotting her next novel, and jotting down imaginary travel itineraries for her dream vacation to Europe.
Within These Walls of Sorrow: A Novel of World War II Poland
Joy to the World: A Regency Christmas Collection
The Warsaw Sisters
No comments:
Post a Comment