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kmpeppy88's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't want to put this book down. Such a good story and told in such an amazing way.
theliterateleprechaun's review against another edition
5.0
“You know what they say: small but mighty.”
Author Maria Frances has spectacularly brought WW2 Warsaw to life, highlighting the efforts of the social workers/nurses who rescued Jewish children. Her novel, The Daughters of Warsaw, is inspired by Irena Sendler, a heroine of the Warsaw Ghetto.
Although this slice of history featuring the same characters has been recently written about by other prominent writers, Frances was able to maintain my interest and show me that she is certainly comfortable and equally competent in writing on the same topic. This book is worthy of all the stars.
Frances’ time slip novel allows readers to learn about Zofia Szczesny in the Warsaw 1942 timeline and Lizzie Marshall in the Seattle, present-day timeline. Zofia is a social worker in Warsaw and notices discrepancies when filing at work. This leads her to question her colleagues and eventually leads to her joining the Zegota (Polish underground resistance) to ensure that those in the sealed-off ghetto receive help. This gripping timeline captures the harrowing risks Poles undertook to bring medical supplies and food to their Jewish countrymen.
Lizzie Marshall, present day, has suffered multiple miscarriages and moved back to her family home. One day in the attic she discovers photos of her great-grandmother Zofia and it leads to some shocking revelations.
Readers will be reminded of how difficult it was at this time in history; the needless suffering, the loss of life…and at the same time, they’ll notice how so many heroes/heroines stepped up to do what they could. Frances’ message about ‘small but mighty’ reinforces the idea that we should never underestimate the power of one single person doing what they can for the right reasons. We need to empower each other with the knowledge that we CAN make a difference. Look what happened because little and insignificant-looking Irena Sendler made a decision - thousands were saved.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, the largest form of Jewish resistance during the Holocaust. Frances’ book honors the work of those fighters who rebelled against Nazi forces and encourages us to stamp out indifference in the face of the rising hatred and violence today.
Spotlighting the concept that the seeds of hope for tomorrow are planted in our past, this novel, featuring the humanitarian work of the Poles is one every historical fiction enthusiast will want on their reading list this winter.
I was gifted this copy by Avon Books UK and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Author Maria Frances has spectacularly brought WW2 Warsaw to life, highlighting the efforts of the social workers/nurses who rescued Jewish children. Her novel, The Daughters of Warsaw, is inspired by Irena Sendler, a heroine of the Warsaw Ghetto.
Although this slice of history featuring the same characters has been recently written about by other prominent writers, Frances was able to maintain my interest and show me that she is certainly comfortable and equally competent in writing on the same topic. This book is worthy of all the stars.
Frances’ time slip novel allows readers to learn about Zofia Szczesny in the Warsaw 1942 timeline and Lizzie Marshall in the Seattle, present-day timeline. Zofia is a social worker in Warsaw and notices discrepancies when filing at work. This leads her to question her colleagues and eventually leads to her joining the Zegota (Polish underground resistance) to ensure that those in the sealed-off ghetto receive help. This gripping timeline captures the harrowing risks Poles undertook to bring medical supplies and food to their Jewish countrymen.
Lizzie Marshall, present day, has suffered multiple miscarriages and moved back to her family home. One day in the attic she discovers photos of her great-grandmother Zofia and it leads to some shocking revelations.
Readers will be reminded of how difficult it was at this time in history; the needless suffering, the loss of life…and at the same time, they’ll notice how so many heroes/heroines stepped up to do what they could. Frances’ message about ‘small but mighty’ reinforces the idea that we should never underestimate the power of one single person doing what they can for the right reasons. We need to empower each other with the knowledge that we CAN make a difference. Look what happened because little and insignificant-looking Irena Sendler made a decision - thousands were saved.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, the largest form of Jewish resistance during the Holocaust. Frances’ book honors the work of those fighters who rebelled against Nazi forces and encourages us to stamp out indifference in the face of the rising hatred and violence today.
Spotlighting the concept that the seeds of hope for tomorrow are planted in our past, this novel, featuring the humanitarian work of the Poles is one every historical fiction enthusiast will want on their reading list this winter.
I was gifted this copy by Avon Books UK and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
stephreese's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this. It was well written with well developed characters. The two narratives kept me engaged in both story lines. I liked the mystery in finding one’s family roots. The WW2 segments were heartbreaking, yet uplifting as well. I would highly recommend this if you’re interested in learning a bit of Poland during the war. I couldn’t put it down!
Thank you to Avon Books UK, the author, and Netgalley for providing a E-ARC of "Daughters of Warsaw" in exchange for an honest review
Thank you to Avon Books UK, the author, and Netgalley for providing a E-ARC of "Daughters of Warsaw" in exchange for an honest review
storyteller86's review against another edition
4.0
1942, Warsaw
Young Sofia finds herself leading a double life when she is enlisted to help the fearless Irena Sendler save hundreds of Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto. Every night, Sofia risks her life to shepherd the children to safety. But when the worst happens, she is forced to make her riskiest journey yet to keep Irena’s mission alive.
Now, Seattle
After yet another miscarriage, heartbroken Lizzie returns to the comfort of her childhood home, where she stumbles upon a hidden photograph of her great-grandmother among a mysterious group of people. On a quest to discover more, Lizzie uncovers a buried past darker and more dangerous than she could ever have imagined…
*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for ARC, in exchange for an honest review*
A beautiful, heartening story.
Daughters Of Warsaw Is a story that broke my heart into millions but, at the same time, was inspirational for me. It’s not a book that you will be able to put down once you start reading it. Some parts of the book are hard to read, but you will find yourself to keep turning the pages. I loved that it was another dual-timeline book that connected the characters. Like Lizzie, I was curious about what she was going to discover. I think that finding that hidden photograph of her great-grandmother helped her heal from her loss. I don’t think she expected to find out what she had when she came across her picture. I loved the transition between Lizzie and Sofia and felt I was being transformed into both timelines.
Through the years, I have read a few books about resistance. Those are my favorite books. Sofia was doing what she knew was right, but hiding from her parents and sister couldn’t be easy. If I were in her position, I wouldn’t been able to hide it, or I would have left because I would be afraid to put my family at risk. Daughters Of Warsaw was such a beautifully written story, and it was clear how much research was put into it. I haven’t read any book by Maria Frances before, and I’m glad I got to check her book out. I would highly recommend this to any historical fiction fans. After reading this book, I’m eager to see what’s next for Maria Frances
Young Sofia finds herself leading a double life when she is enlisted to help the fearless Irena Sendler save hundreds of Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto. Every night, Sofia risks her life to shepherd the children to safety. But when the worst happens, she is forced to make her riskiest journey yet to keep Irena’s mission alive.
Now, Seattle
After yet another miscarriage, heartbroken Lizzie returns to the comfort of her childhood home, where she stumbles upon a hidden photograph of her great-grandmother among a mysterious group of people. On a quest to discover more, Lizzie uncovers a buried past darker and more dangerous than she could ever have imagined…
*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for ARC, in exchange for an honest review*
A beautiful, heartening story.
Daughters Of Warsaw Is a story that broke my heart into millions but, at the same time, was inspirational for me. It’s not a book that you will be able to put down once you start reading it. Some parts of the book are hard to read, but you will find yourself to keep turning the pages. I loved that it was another dual-timeline book that connected the characters. Like Lizzie, I was curious about what she was going to discover. I think that finding that hidden photograph of her great-grandmother helped her heal from her loss. I don’t think she expected to find out what she had when she came across her picture. I loved the transition between Lizzie and Sofia and felt I was being transformed into both timelines.
Through the years, I have read a few books about resistance. Those are my favorite books. Sofia was doing what she knew was right, but hiding from her parents and sister couldn’t be easy. If I were in her position, I wouldn’t been able to hide it, or I would have left because I would be afraid to put my family at risk. Daughters Of Warsaw was such a beautifully written story, and it was clear how much research was put into it. I haven’t read any book by Maria Frances before, and I’m glad I got to check her book out. I would highly recommend this to any historical fiction fans. After reading this book, I’m eager to see what’s next for Maria Frances
lavanda4's review against another edition
5.0
Daughters of Warsaw by Maria Frances is an evocative dual timeline Historical Fiction novel set during WWII in Warsaw and Now in Seattle. Courage, sorrow, perseverance, (dis)loyalty and unfailing love are some of the themes. Many characters are admirable and historical details captured me. There's just something about the writing which drew me in right away. But it's the spirit of the characters, real and fictional, which pulled at my heart.
In 1942, the Warsaw Ghetto is home to many Jews who are forced by the Nazis to live in deplorable conditions.. Children are starving and orphaned. Social worker Irena Sendler with the Social Welfare Department sees the need for transporting children to safety and many nights are spent rescuing them. (In real life Irena was one of the Righteous Among the Nations for her humanitarian work.) Fictional character Zofia also works as a social worker at the same place and, posing as a nurse, secretly helps Irena and others in the Resistance. Her day job begins to suffer as her nights are full of stress and risk taking. But her heart is full of compassion.
In the present in Seattle, Lizzie is suffering terribly but in a different way. Her marriage is strained as she has endured several miscarriages. She finds her great grandmother's photo and is intrigued by what she sees so she begins a research project of her own. She takes a literal and figurative journey and discovers far more than she would have imagined. Her life beautifully intertwines with Zofia's.
I have read hundreds of Historical Fiction novels, many set in the Warsaw Ghetto, but this perspective is fresh and different. Do add it to your list if you seek a novel a notch above many others. Though sad, the story is also a hopeful and very rewarding read. Women like Irena are true heroines. I cannot begin to fathom her selflessness!
My sincere thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this phenomenal novel, one I thoroughly enjoyed.
In 1942, the Warsaw Ghetto is home to many Jews who are forced by the Nazis to live in deplorable conditions.. Children are starving and orphaned. Social worker Irena Sendler with the Social Welfare Department sees the need for transporting children to safety and many nights are spent rescuing them. (In real life Irena was one of the Righteous Among the Nations for her humanitarian work.) Fictional character Zofia also works as a social worker at the same place and, posing as a nurse, secretly helps Irena and others in the Resistance. Her day job begins to suffer as her nights are full of stress and risk taking. But her heart is full of compassion.
In the present in Seattle, Lizzie is suffering terribly but in a different way. Her marriage is strained as she has endured several miscarriages. She finds her great grandmother's photo and is intrigued by what she sees so she begins a research project of her own. She takes a literal and figurative journey and discovers far more than she would have imagined. Her life beautifully intertwines with Zofia's.
I have read hundreds of Historical Fiction novels, many set in the Warsaw Ghetto, but this perspective is fresh and different. Do add it to your list if you seek a novel a notch above many others. Though sad, the story is also a hopeful and very rewarding read. Women like Irena are true heroines. I cannot begin to fathom her selflessness!
My sincere thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this phenomenal novel, one I thoroughly enjoyed.
lizzyzo's review against another edition
3.0
Irena Sendler was an incredible and exceptional woman who rose above the horrors of WWII to show what true humanity is. It only makes sense to write a book with her as a secondary figure to highlight the horrors of the Warsaw ghetto without getting too bogged down into historical details. Sofia, the 1940s Polish Catholic woman striving to help Jewish children and families, was a great character who was able to show the struggle of helping out those in dire need while lying to her loved ones--and risking their lives along with hers. What I could have done without, however, was the tragic story of Lizzie, a teacher who could somehow afford a last-minute flight to Warsaw in the present day.
What was great about this book was the focus on Sofia, her struggles, and her triumphs alongside Irena Sendler and the rest of the Polish resistance fighters. I could not care less about Lizzie at all and found myself skimming the sections in her timeline--until we got toward the end and the two timelines met up.
A lot of WWII historical fiction has a strong story but pisspoor writing. I am always worried when I pick up a WWII historical fiction novel with an unfamiliar author that it will follow the same pattern: strong (true) story and terrible writing which makes me feel horrible for giving the book fewer stars than the story itself warrants. This book, however, has decent writing and a phenomenal story. Maria Frances seems to spend a bit of time telling rather than showing, but overall it's a good book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollinsUK for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
What was great about this book was the focus on Sofia, her struggles, and her triumphs alongside Irena Sendler and the rest of the Polish resistance fighters. I could not care less about Lizzie at all and found myself skimming the sections in her timeline--until we got toward the end and the two timelines met up.
A lot of WWII historical fiction has a strong story but pisspoor writing. I am always worried when I pick up a WWII historical fiction novel with an unfamiliar author that it will follow the same pattern: strong (true) story and terrible writing which makes me feel horrible for giving the book fewer stars than the story itself warrants. This book, however, has decent writing and a phenomenal story. Maria Frances seems to spend a bit of time telling rather than showing, but overall it's a good book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollinsUK for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
bionicsarah's review against another edition
4.0
This is a historical novel looking at the way Polish Nationals reacted to a Jewish ghetto formed in Warsaw during World War II. The story looks at a young Polish woman who was involved in arranging the escape of mostly Jewish children from the ghetto, and in this way, protecting them from the Nazis roundups and ultimate concentration camp deaths.
The book is told from the point of view of the historical figure, but also from the point of view of her modern relative, a young woman who whilst grieving for her recurrent miscarriages finds some documents relating to her family past and goes Poland to investigate these
The book has a very slow start. I’m beginning to wonder if it’s going to go anywhere and it’s not until the parts of the the story set in World War II that I started to enjoy the book more interesting .These sections are authentic and tell a story for my point of view that I have personally not read before. The atrocities of the war are dealt with with sensitivity and skill, it was easy to imagine yourself in the narrators position.
I did however not find myself not really caring for the American woman and her miscarriages and I found the modern sections for less interesting.
The section at the end when the two old women reunite is deeply emotional a fitting end to the novel.
The author has a clear, easy read prose style and the book was an easy read. The setting both historical and geographical are integral parts of the novel and are evocative and interesting in equal parts.
I read an early Copy of the novel on NetGalley, UK the book is published in the UK the 18th of January 2024 by Avon Books uk
This review will appear on NetGalley, UK, good reads and my book blog bionicsarahsbooks.Wordpress.com
The book is told from the point of view of the historical figure, but also from the point of view of her modern relative, a young woman who whilst grieving for her recurrent miscarriages finds some documents relating to her family past and goes Poland to investigate these
The book has a very slow start. I’m beginning to wonder if it’s going to go anywhere and it’s not until the parts of the the story set in World War II that I started to enjoy the book more interesting .These sections are authentic and tell a story for my point of view that I have personally not read before. The atrocities of the war are dealt with with sensitivity and skill, it was easy to imagine yourself in the narrators position.
I did however not find myself not really caring for the American woman and her miscarriages and I found the modern sections for less interesting.
The section at the end when the two old women reunite is deeply emotional a fitting end to the novel.
The author has a clear, easy read prose style and the book was an easy read. The setting both historical and geographical are integral parts of the novel and are evocative and interesting in equal parts.
I read an early Copy of the novel on NetGalley, UK the book is published in the UK the 18th of January 2024 by Avon Books uk
This review will appear on NetGalley, UK, good reads and my book blog bionicsarahsbooks.Wordpress.com
zak_attack's review against another edition
4.0
I thought the premise of the book was interesting and well-written. Zofia’s point of view compared to Lizzie’s was much more interesting and felt like it was better written. There were also some typos in the book but overall a good read.
rspinniken's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.0
tatianasv's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
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