If you are interested in WWII -Hitler/Nazi era (like I am) then you'll want to pick up a copy of this book right away. Based on true events and following the stories of people who experienced the era, gives it an even better reason so dig deep into this book.
I am going to do something a little different with this book review.. I found questions in the back of the book and figured I would share my thoughts through the questions.
• In what ways do you think the alternating points of view help to enrich the narrative? Was there ever a time when you wished there was only one narrator? Why or why not?
- Bouncing from Caroline, Herta, and Kashia's point of views gave the book a deeper depth. Understanding each characters life during this era gave you a better insight into how different "class groups" handled the war. Caroline, in America living a upscale life; Herta, a doctor in the concentration camps; and Kashia, a young polish woman living in the concentration camps.
• The primary settings are starkly different -- Caroline's glamours New York world of benefits and cultural events, and the bleak reality of like in a concentration camp. In what whats did the contrast between these two settings affect your reading experience?
- The vast difference between the two settings really showed how drastic life was for each character. When reading, you go from Caroline who was worried about social life and men to Kashia who is suffering to survive day by day. As a reader, going from a setting where there is little worry to devastation.. you really grasp the major difference and you start to feel for each character.
• Caroline's relationship with Paul is complicated, taboo even. Was there ever a time when you didn't agree with a choice Caroline makes with regards to Paul? When and why?
- I will admit when finding out Paul is married and Caroline is galavanting around town with a married man, I was instantly turned off by her. But I grew to appreciate their relationship - he was wanting her as much as she wanted him. And his marriage was well and done since his wife wasn't committed. The only mistake I think Caroline makes is not reading his letter he constantly wrote. Things could have been extremely different for Caroline had she just read one of the letters.
• As Caroline becomes more and more invested in her work with The French Families Fund, and eventually with the Rabbits, did you feel that she changes in any way? If so, how were those changes apparent through her interactions with others?
- When the book starts out on Caroline's story, I wasn't so into the book. Even though Caroline invested her daily life to charity (even giving up her acting career) I felt as though she "needed" to do charity work to keep herself busy verses finding a purpose. You especially see this with the
• Did you find Herta to be a sympathetic character? Why or why not?
- At first I think Herta is sympathetic and throughout the book she shows signs towards certain people that she truly cares but I believe the war makes her cold and unkind.
• Throughout the novel, in and out of Ravensbrück, the characters experience harrowing, difficult situations. Is there one that you found more memorable than the others? Why do. you think the author chose to include it?
- One of the main situations was the leg surgeries, however the most memorable moment that stuck out for me is when Kashia experiences her teacher dying (I won't go into detail how - read the book). It was one of the first crucial moments where Kashia and her family experiences just how cruel the place was going to be.
• What do you think the author hoped her reader would take away from this reading experience?
- Real life and voices for the women at Ravensbrück. Based on true events your emotions and feelings really tug at you. Which is why I think the book was a page turner, you are wanting to read it and find out each characters fate.
If you have read this book or interested in it, let me know your thoughts!
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- December Jones
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