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A review by theliterateleprechaun
Daughters of Warsaw by Maria Frances
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.