mirel's review
2.0
I found the beginning and ending jarring, making Aldona an unsympathetic character. And while the main part of the story, the letters, were engaging, there were so many factual mistakes and questionable statements that it severely interfered with my appreciation of the book. Although my mom thought Ravensbruck was way better than Auschwitz, not everyone agreed. Regardless, the idea that regular inmates there had pillows and were issued coats in the winter or were able to sleep only three to a bunk sounds like what people there dreamed about, but is no true picture of the reality, not according to my mom or the histories I've read. And that a 16 year old girl away from home for so long would know off hand the Gregorian date of Rosh Hashanah is questionable, but to set the date for October 29 is impossible. The latest Rosh Hashanah can occur on the Gregorian calendar is October 5, and that too is rare. A simple Google search would have shown that in 1944, it began Sept 17 in the evening, until September 19 at night.
Given all the misleading details, I'm now debating whether I should bother with the Lilac Girls.
Given all the misleading details, I'm now debating whether I should bother with the Lilac Girls.
mamasin's review
5.0
If you have Kindle Unlimited you have access to the short stories of a Point in Time Series. The first was excellent. A woman cleaning out her mother's house after her death comes across a tin of letter. The letters describe prisoners in a concentration camp raising and hiding a baby. Beautiful story.
booking_along's review
3.0
a story told mostly through letters from an aunt to her niece written during the time the aunt was in a concentration camp.
it’s well written and in the authors note it is stated that the author talked a a few people that actually experienced that is talked about in the story.
it’s well written and in the authors note it is stated that the author talked a a few people that actually experienced that is talked about in the story.
aggreenhouse's review
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
tiasreads's review
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
crafalsk264's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
After her mother’s death , Aldona finds old letters from a prisoner at Ravensbrück, discovering the story of a small circle of women who risked their lives to hide a baby girl from the guards. This story captures the courage and sisterhood of a remarkable group of women during the grimmest chapters of human history. Research for the author’s new book (The Golden Doves publication 04/18/2023) resulted in an abundance of material that could not be used in the book. Some of it created this story.
jessicareadsmanybooks's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
cassie5489's review
dark
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0