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A review by lizzyzo
Daughters of Warsaw by Maria Frances
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.