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 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
“Harrowing . . . Lilac illuminates.”—People
“A compelling, page-turning narrative . . . Lilac Girls falls squarely into the groundbreaking category of fiction that re-examines history from a fresh, female point of view. It’s smart, thoughtful and also just an old-fashioned good read.”—Fort Worth Star-Telegram
“A powerful story for readers everywhere . . . Martha Hall Kelly has brought readers a firsthand glimpse into one of history’s most frightening memories. A novel that brings to life what these women and many others suffered. . . . I was moved to tears.”—San Francisco Book Review
“[A] compelling first novel . . . This is a page-turner demonstrating the tests and triumphs civilians faced during war, complemented by Kelly’s vivid depiction of history and excellent characters.”—Publishers Weekly
“Kelly vividly re-creates the world of Ravensbrück.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Inspired by actual events and real people, Martha Hall Kelly has woven together the stories of three women during World War II that reveal the bravery, cowardice, and cruelty of those days. This is a part of history—women’s history—that should never be forgotten.”—Lisa See, New York Times bestselling author of China Dolls
“Profound, unsettling, and thoroughly . . . the best book I’ve read all year.”—Jamie Ford, New York Times bestselling author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
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The cover threw me off entirely. Yes this was an interesting book about three different women and how they survived Nazi Germany. But while their lives were loosely intertwined they never were three girlfriends walking arm
In arm diwn the street. I kept waiting for them to get to a point where this could happen and it never did. I would definitely recommend this book but realize they are three girls whose lives are all changed by their circumstances but those changes will be independent of each other.
Memorable but at times dificult to get through because the women of lilac girls endured such pain and tragedy. Very worthwhile.
This is the story of several woman. Caroline – a New York socialite at the height of the second world war who works at the French consulate. A world away is Kasia – who is a polish girl who one day is living a comfortable life style and then the next in a concentration camp simply by being Polish. The last – Herta – who is a doctor who is assigned to work at a concentration camp an experiement on the prisoners.
Their worlds collide during the war. Kasia is sent to Ravensbruck, where Herta is a doctor. She and 1000 other women (who were known as “rabbits”) became science experiments during the 4 years they were in the camp. Herta – feeling that her duty first was the Germany and Hitler, performs these surgeries and experiements without hesitation.
When the war ends, Caroline finds out about the “rabbits” and decides she wants to invite the women to America for better health care. She writes an article hoping that the war has still left some good in the American people, and asks them for support for these women. The response is overwhelming, and Caroline is able to bring a large group of the women to the US. Kasia and her sister are among those who are able to travel. Caroline learns what it was like for these women inside the camp at the hands of Herta.
Caroline and Kasia strive for justice for these women and all the women who died in these camps and work together to make sure that the world does not forget what happened.
This was a great work of historical fiction. I enjoyed it even more when I found out that Caroline and Herta were real characters and the information in the book was acurate. Kasia’s character was also based on another true to life survivor of the Ravensbruck camp.
What happened to the women in this camp was horrific. I have read many WWII novels, and each one tells us another part of the story. I had no idea that prisoners were experimented and left with life altering injuries or even killed like animals. The depth of the horror and the evil doesn’t seem to have a bottom.
Check this book out. It is another look, with true pieces thrown in, at WWII.
It held my interest. This was historical fiction but I could feel the real ness of it. Characters seem real
Challenging read, especially the character who was portrayed as a doctor. Sinister; hard to read.
Love reading books about how people survived WW II and especially woman’s part in the war. Even went to visit the house in Connecticut where the lilacs were raised
Tear Jerker for sure
Based on actual people and events for the most part, the plot describes war from three perspectives and takes the reader on an unforgettable journey.
Very well researched presentation of women prisoners in WWII.
This is an excellent book that tells the stories of several women during WW1.
Well written piece of history all should be aware of.
Great read!
Very interesting about the past. Let us never forget.
I was disappointed.
I stopped reading less than halfway through because the truth of the story was too tragic for me. I’m glad that a friend whom I trust encouraged me to continue. The Ravensbruck part of the story was new to me; I have heard directly from Holocaust survivors and still had no comprehension of the depths of both horror as well as the heights of human spirit and courage.
Everyone needs to know about Caroline Ferriday and her dedication to resistance and survivors.
It is based on true people from WWII, which I had never known about.
A haunting story beautifully told. I couldn’t put it down.
I read this to my residents at an Assisted Living over about six week’s time and often sneaked in an extra book club meeting just because an hour a week was not enough! This book was well-written, though overly wordy at times (we did eventually realize that it was one of the characters who tended to go on about details; the others didn’t.), and taught us new things about a part of history (they lived through and I studied) that we knew nothing about!
Most would be surprised that this is Ms. Kelly’s debut novel because it achieves so much for a debut, but I am not surprised. I often find that when a writer is serious about their craft, the debut always gets 150% between the writing (really taking the time to tell the story) and the research it involves. After publishing, so much time goes towards promotion and keeping a strong presence with readers. I have faith that Ms. Kelly will find the right balance, though!
I’m looking forward to Lost Roses, and am sure my residents will be thrilled to have that one for our book club choice as well!
This is based on true events that occurred during World War 11. Polish girls were interred and used as medical guinea pigs to see what would happen when their legs were infused with glass, bacteria, etc. Some of the survivors were brought to Manhatten for treatment following the war. It is heartbreaking and remarkable at the same time.
Fascinating historical novel. I’m old enough to remember hearing of some of the events of this period of time. Not sure we have learned from these times and events.