Lilac Girls

by Martha Hall Kelly

No cover — Martha Hall Kelly: Lilac Girls (2016, Ballantine Books)

Published Nov. 3, 2016 by Ballantine Books.

ISBN:: 978-1-101-88307-5

(5 reviews)

Inspired by the life of a real World War II heroine, this debut novel reveals a story of love, redemption, and secrets that were hidden for decades.

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 …

Inspired by the life of a real World War II heroine, this debut novel reveals a story of love, redemption, and secrets that were hidden for decades.

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.

8 editions

govmarley reviewed Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

Review of 'Lilac Girls' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

This book stirred up a lot of emotions. I had distinct thoughts about all three characters. Oddly, I didn't like any of them but really enjoyed the book.

We are in WWII. Each woman shares her journey in alternating chapters. I like that. Caroline is a former Broadway actress determined to save all of the French orphans. Herta is a Nazi doctor, with all that entails. Kasia is a Polish teenager mildly tied up in the Resistance. We get to see things from their perspectives, and oh boy, are those perspectives different. As they should be, in different parts of the world, different backgrounds, and different motivations.

Like I said, it's an emotional ride. The thing that struck me is I felt all three characters were selfish in their own way. I don't think that was the author's intention, but that is how I felt about them. And the weak …

AliCorbin reviewed Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

Review of 'Lilac Girls' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

The book seemed to be well-researched, allowing Kelly to fill it with rich details. To the point where the reader starts to trip over the detail. Like, do I really need to know what every woman at Caroline's society parties was wearing? The book is narrated in the the first person - three first persons actually, switching back and forth between Caroline (an actual person), Herta (another actual person) and Kasia (a fictional composite). This allows the author to build suspense, bringing each narration to a cliff-hanger and then swapping out to a different narrator, to leave you hanging. But it also provided some relief. Because when reading about Ravensbrück got too overwhelming, then the scene would switch and, wham! you were back in New York City.

arkadione reviewed Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

Review of 'Lilac Girls' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Powerful, well-researched historical fiction, based on true story of Polish women abused at a Nazi concentration camp. Beautiful story about enduring horrors and then living and even forgiving their oppressors.

pithypants reviewed Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

Review of 'Lilac Girls' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

Three intersecting stories from WWII - a wealthy philanthropist from the US, a German doctor at a concentration camp, and a Polish teen sent to a camp for serving in the underground. This novel contains a lot of horrific details from the concentration camp, focusing specifically on the "medical rabbits" who were operated on for experimental purposes. I appreciated aspects of this book, but I wasn't impressed by the overall writing. It felt shallow and clumsy at times.

Kathleen

rated it

Aug. 6, 2020