Lilac Girls - Martha Hall Kelly

Lilac Girls

By Martha Hall Kelly

  • Release Date: 2016-04-05
  • Genre: Historical Fiction
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 3,351 Ratings

Description

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • One million copies sold! Inspired by the life of a real World War II heroine, this remarkable debut novel reveals the power of unsung women to change history in their quest for love, freedom, and second chances.

“Extremely moving and memorable . . . This impressive debut should appeal strongly to historical fiction readers and to book clubs that adored Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale and Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See.”—Library Journal (starred review)

New York socialite Caroline Ferriday has her hands full with her post at the French consulate and a new love on the horizon. But Caroline’s world is forever changed when Hitler’s army invades Poland in September 1939—and then sets its sights on France.

An ocean away from Caroline, Kasia Kuzmerick, a Polish teenager, senses her carefree youth disappearing as she is drawn deeper into her role as courier for the underground resistance movement. In a tense atmosphere of watchful eyes and suspecting neighbors, one false move can have dire consequences.

For the ambitious young German doctor, Herta Oberheuser, an ad for a government medical position seems her ticket out of a desolate life. Once hired, though, she finds herself trapped in a male-dominated realm of Nazi secrets and power.

The lives of these three women are set on a collision course when the unthinkable happens and Kasia is sent to Ravensbrück, the notorious Nazi concentration camp for women. Their stories cross continents—from New York to Paris, Germany, and Poland—as Caroline and Kasia strive to bring justice to those whom history has forgotten.

USA Today “New and Noteworthy” Book • LibraryReads Top Ten Pick

Reviews

  • Lilac Girls

    5
    By snbisw
    A story worth telling. They must never be forgotten!
  • GREAT READ

    5
    By LIZZIEDGB
    Excellent! Couldn’t stop reading!
  • Great book

    4
    By whitreads
    I read the Sunflower sister and I wanted to read another about the Woosley family. This book was exciting, sad and heartfelt. The only thing I felt towards the last part is the lives of the women sped up so fast in the book.
  • Bravo! I loved it!

    5
    By Ms. OCDemon
    I enjoyed the history and the intersecting character story lines as well as the format. I am humbled by the amazing inner strength and resilience of the Rabbits despite the atrocities they witnessed and endured. I found Caroline’s persistence, selflessness and generosity in helping the Rabbits beyond admirable. Thank you for an incredible and powerful story!
  • Wow!

    5
    By BrittGordon
    Slow to start but then it was difficult to put down.
  • Amazing

    5
    By MArmatis
    I couldn’t put this book down. Phenomenal and loved the detailed historical elements
  • To the author and publisher

    5
    By kikarm
    Loved the book while reading I learned a lot about Ravensbrück. But the name? You would think Herta is among the Lilac girls and she is not. She was devil.
  • An Absolutely Compelling story!

    5
    By Gr8ful in New Hampshire
    Normally, I don’t care for novels that bounce between their characters, but this is an exception. Well-written stories; captivating characters; a book I won’t soon forget. Thank you for this incredible story. I hope to visit The Hay in spring!
  • Best book I’ve read this year

    5
    By srgngirl
    Engaging. Based on true people. Heartfelt and the writing is sincere and hopeful despite the sad stories within. Highly recommend.
  • Characters hard to keep track of

    2
    By Lucky Lola
    I found myself confused as to who was who.

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