This week, Michael Popple reviews an outstanding historical reading that delves into the horrors of the Warsaw Ghetto, The Warsaw orphan. You can find more of Michael’s book reviews on his blog: unseenlibrary.com
Kelly Rimmer’s Warsaw Orphan
Hatchet, $ 32.99
Prepare for tragedy and despair with The Warsaw Orphan, a dramatic tale by Australian author Kelly Rimmer.
Warsaw, 1942. The Nazis firmly control, displacing all Jewish citizens in the infamous Warsaw ghetto. Life is hard and cruel there, and all the young Jewish man Roman Gorka can do is try to survive and protect his family. But, when the Germans begin to transport residents out of the ghetto to an uncertain fate in the concentration camps, Roman searches for a way to save his younger siblings.
Her fate soon binds to Elzbieta Rabinek, formerly Emilia, a Polish teenager who recently arrived in Warsaw after her own terrible encounter with the Nazis. Emilia is horrified to find out what is going on and quickly becomes involved in an underground group that works to smuggle children out of the ghetto. However, when supreme tragedy strikes, Roman and Emilia must endure the ensuing anger and lust for revenge.
This is an incredible and haunting historical drama by Rimmer, which offers an exceptional look at the horrors of WWII. The Warsaw Orphan serves as a sequel to his previous novel, The Things We Cannot Say, which starred Emilia as a supporting character. Partly based on the exploits of a real-life historical figure, it chronicles the tragedies of Warsaw and the courageous actions of some extraordinary people. Showcasing poignant and unvarnished depictions of the ghetto, Rimmer has created an exceptionally powerful story, which is perfectly told through the eyes of two damaged teenagers living very different lives.
The Warsaw Orphan is a moving and memorable fiction. Readers will quickly be drawn to the intensity of this story, which will stay with them long after the end, thanks to its inherent darkness and powerful message. Highly recommended reading.
Read more of the discussion on the book:
Comments are closed.