We Were the Lucky Ones: Book Review
Imagine being ripped away from your loved ones, your home, your entire life, all because of a war that you never asked for. This is the harsh reality that the Kurc family faces in Georgia Hunter's historical fiction novel We Were the Lucky Ones. Set during World War II, this powerful and moving tale follows the heartbreaking journey of a Jewish family torn apart by the atrocities of war. Readers are immersed in a story of courage, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds of love, only to discover the true power of love in the face of unimaginable adversity. So grab a tissue and get ready to embark on a journey through one of our time's most gripping and emotional stories.
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Quick Look
- WWII historical fiction
- occupation/holocaust story
- multiple main characters
- gut-wrenching drama
- family saga
- fan favorite
Pub date: February 14, 2017
Publisher's Synopsis
It is the spring of 1939 and three generations of the Kurc family are doing their best to live normal lives, even as the shadow of war grows closer. The talk around the family Seder table is of new babies and budding romance, not of the increasing hardships threatening Jews in their hometown of Radom, Poland. But soon the horrors overtaking Europe will become inescapable and the Kurcs will be flung to the far corners of the world, each desperately trying to navigate his or her own path to safety.
As one sibling is forced into exile, another attempts to flee the continent, while others struggle to escape certain death, either by working grueling hours on empty stomachs in the factories of the ghetto or by hiding as gentiles in plain sight. Driven by an unwavering will to survive and by the fear that they may never see one another again, the Kurcs must rely on hope, ingenuity, and inner strength to persevere.
An extraordinary, propulsive novel, We Were the Lucky Ones demonstrates how in the face of the twentieth century’s darkest moment, the human spirit can endure and even thrive.
My Review
Since I began reading again, I've heard nothing but great things about We Were the Lucky Ones, but it took me forever to pick up a copy. Now I'm wondering what took me so long. This. Book. Is. Amazing. It's an incredibly powerful story of the immediate impact the Nazi occupation had on Jewish families. Hunter's novel is a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.
Through the family's harrowing journey, readers are constantly reminded of the enduring power of hope, love, and family. As Georgia Hunter beautifully weaves the threads of her family's history, we are left with a profound understanding of the impact of war and the importance of never forgetting our past. Be aware, there's a large cast of characters, each with their own storyline. It makes this one a bit more difficult to follow on audio, so be sure to get your physical copy. The lives of the characters are interwoven and certainly interplay throughout the book. Still, each of the character's stories adds to the complexity of the family drama, which I'm sure was accurate for many Jewish families at the time.
My Rating
We Were the Lucky Ones is a heartfelt portrayal of the profound impact Nazism had on both families and cultures as a whole. I couldn't put this book down and am guessing that many of you will be unable to either. If you've not read this and enjoy WWII fiction, I strongly encourage you to do so.
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