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melbsreads's review against another edition
challenging
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content warnings: war, antisemitism, violence, genocide, death, death of a loved one, murder, assault, graphic medical procedures, animal death, confinement, gun violence, police brutality, blood, religious bigotry
I understand that this was written as a novel to make it appealing to a young adult audience. But there was just something about this that consistently left me with the feeling that I would have preferred this as a biography than as a fictionalised version of Stefania's life.
Don't get me wrong, there's nothing inherently wrong with this book. It tells a powerful story and it tells it well. But something about the way it's told held me at arm's length emotionally. And, like, it SHOULD be emotionally powerful. But for me, it just...wasn't? And I think that if this had been a biography, it could have been more powerful than it was.
In summary, this is an important story. But also, SHRUG.
I understand that this was written as a novel to make it appealing to a young adult audience. But there was just something about this that consistently left me with the feeling that I would have preferred this as a biography than as a fictionalised version of Stefania's life.
Don't get me wrong, there's nothing inherently wrong with this book. It tells a powerful story and it tells it well. But something about the way it's told held me at arm's length emotionally. And, like, it SHOULD be emotionally powerful. But for me, it just...wasn't? And I think that if this had been a biography, it could have been more powerful than it was.
In summary, this is an important story. But also, SHRUG.
jlritchie66's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
A reminder of just how cruel people can be. When will, as a species, we stop determining the worth of someone by the color of their skin, their race, their nationality, their religion. The strength that Stefania and Helena had to possess at such a young age is truly phenomenal. The desire to live, against all odds, forced Max and the other Jewish people to endure under the most horrific circumstances. A true testament to the strength of humanity.
kfmyers's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
amyr's review against another edition
5.0
True story of Stefania Podgorska, an 18 year old Polish girl who hid 13 Jews in her attic while Nazis lived in her house below during WWII. This story is going to haunt me for a while. The strength and perseverance of people when facing deplorable circumstances never ceases to amaze me.
jdsutter's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Fantastic book. Some really difficult parts to get through, in terms of the horrific things our POV character had to go through. It was quite heart-wrenching. The fact that it was very closely based on actual events and people made it even more so.
Highly recommend skipping the audiobook version if you want to check out this book. Her narration style was quite difficult for me. She had a very odd way of emphasizing words and pausing in the middle of sentences. I had to take breaks a few times because it was grating on me, but I'd already bought the book on Audible and decided to push through. Note To Self: Next time listen to the sample first! :)
Highly recommend skipping the audiobook version if you want to check out this book. Her narration style was quite difficult for me. She had a very odd way of emphasizing words and pausing in the middle of sentences. I had to take breaks a few times because it was grating on me, but I'd already bought the book on Audible and decided to push through. Note To Self: Next time listen to the sample first! :)
mad_pall's review against another edition
5.0
This, to put briefly is the best historical fiction. The fact that it’s a true story makes it all the more amazing. Even if you don’t like hi-fi this is amazing.