The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck - Book Review

I don't say this lightly, because it's one of those things, but if you enjoyed "The Nightingale" I think you will love this book. "The Women in the Castle" follows three different women in the aftermath of World War II in Germany. All three of the women are widows because of World War II and they take shelter together in a castle that belongs to the family of one of the women. As their stories intertwine in the book, we see the constant daily struggle and reminders of the atrocities that were committed in Germany and by the German people. And how complex and complicated just even casual relationships become when you are not sure what your neighbor was recently capable of . These women fight to find the good amoungst them and within themselves. It is just such an emotionally complex book, and were it not for a small drag at the end, this would've been a five star read for me. Have you read "The Women in the Castle"? Let me know what you thought of it down below or your favorite World War II novel about women's lives!

Beneath A Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan - Book Review

"Beneath A Scarlet Sky" by Mark Sullivan 

Book Review and Discussion

"Beneath A Scarlet Sky" is based upon the life of Pino Leila an Italian teenager who during World War II had an incredibly unique, fascinating, and heroic life. As an experienced mountain climber, Pino helped numerous families escape to safety by crossing the Alps. In an attempt to keep him safe during the war, his parents asked Pino to sign up as a Nazi soldier, but ultimately in his classic Pino way, he traded in safety and became a spy. While reading "Beneath A Scarlet Sky" I would get through an entire chapter of absolutely insane things that happened to Pino and I would have to go back because it wasn't until after finishing that I would realize how easy it was to just pass them over. Despite the excitement happening in the plot of this life, the author did not do much to add to the sense of suspense for the reader. I really enjoyed the unique perspective of this book because it is uncommon to get the perspective of an Italian teenager in a WWII historical fiction novel. 

Have you read "Beneath the Scarlet Sky" by Mark Sullivan? Comment below and let me know what you thought of this novel. Thanks for reading, readers!

We Were The Lucky Ones - by Georgia Hunter - Book Review

 

World War II historical fiction is one of my absolute favorite genres! There are just so many heroic and harrowing stories to share from that time. And while the stories are often incredibly emotional, their importance lends the books an incredible feeling of authenticity and gravity. These feelings continually hit me while reading "We Were The Lucky Ones" by Georgia Hunter. This novel, inspired by the true life story of her family during World War II, was amazing, inspiring, and unique as well.

"The Orphan's Tale" by Pam Jenoff - Book Review

"The Orphan's Tale" by Pam Jenoff begins with a particularly tragic part of history- during the Holocaust, Jewish infants were ripped from their parents' arms and sent to camps on trains- many not surviving the journey to their grim destination. When sixteen-year-old Noa stumbles upon a train car full of these infants, she rescues one and runs for the forest. While fleeing the Nazis, Noa is discovered by a circus and joins them training to become a trapeze artist. Her trainer, Astrid, is Jewish and hiding with the circus, as well. "The Orphan's Tale" follows Noa and Astrid as they cope with the secrets they hide from each other, and those that they must hide from the world.

Irena's Children by Tilar J. Mazzeo - Book Review - Looking for the Helpers in Tragedy

As I began reading "Irena's Children", I instantly thought of the often referenced Fred Rodgers quote:

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

"Irena's Children" is the story of a heroic helper, and many other helpers just like her, who rescued nearly 2,500 children from the ghetto of Warsaw. Tilar Mazzeo wrote a beautiful and engaging book that captures the tenacity and heroism not only Irena's story, but also her friend's and helpers, as well as the courageous stories of the many rescued children.