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
more
I loved this book! Stories of the holocaust have always interested me. The fact that it was based on real events and people made it very good. I have read the prequel and can’t wait for her next book!
Another book club favorite
An amazing story of strong, empowering women. Incredible what they lived through.
A book I couldn’t put down and stayed up all night to read!
on my list of favorites
I could not finish Lilac Girls. A little background: the three protagonists are Carolina, an American socialite whiling away the years in a plum positions in the French consulate; Herta, an ambitious doctor with a dark past who accepts a post in Ravensbrück to advance her career; and Kasia, a naïve Polish teenager who joins the Polish resistance for love and for excitement. Their paths begin to intersect when Kasia is arrested and shipped to Ravensbrückalong with a goodly number of those she knows.
Lilac Girls is beautifully written, the characters well-developed and sympathetic (yes, even Nazi doctor Herta). It’s a visceral, moving story. And therein lay the problem. At the end of the day, I simply didn’t want to read anymore horrors, real or embellished or otherwise. Enough terrible things fill our newspapers and news feeds for me to force myself through a book, thoughtfully written and engaging or no. That’s not a criticism of Martha Hall Kelly or her work, and I’m certainly not recommending against reading it. But me, today, I need lighter fair, words that feed the spirit rather than ravage it.
(This review was originally published at https://www.thisyearinbooks.com/2019/05/lilac-girls.html).
I loved being able to see the different perspectives of real people in France NYC and Germany
Enjoyable read
Oh my! This book stayed with me for so long. I loved it so much. I’m looking forward to reading the next one that is a continuation of this one by the same author. “Rose Girls”. If you like books that have to do with WWII, or even if you don’t. If you like books about people who overcome adversity, this book is one you should read. It is based on true people by the way. This is not a made up story. It is truly a beautiful book.
The book was based on fact which made it very interesting. The characters were well presented.
As with any book about the Holocaust, this one features both tragedy and triumph, cruelty and compassion, despair and joy. The characters are well drawn and the story lines are both historically informative and imaginatively creative and compelling.
Historical fiction that I wish wasn’t based on actual events. Books about the holocaust are never easy reads, but necessary ones, in my opinion. If you liked The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, you will enjoy (and that’s not the right word when you consider the subject matter) this book.
Well written historical fiction with believable characters. Interesting contrast of the main characters and how their lives were linked because of WWII.
I have read many books about World War II and the concentration camps. This book looked at the prisoners and those who were a part of running these camps. Hard to read at times because of what these women endured, but overall, it was a book that I would recommend.
One of the best books I have ever read it held my attention from the first page it was very emotional and moving well written just awesome book
I could not put this book down: elegant prose, a haunting, often painful-to-read glimpse into the horrors of Ravensbruck, amazingly researched, a story that takes you from New York to Paris and through Poland and Germany during a dark, dark period of 20th century history. Highly recommended.
This book was very difficult to read because of how incredibly tragic it is. I did learn a lot from this book, but be prepared, the cover is very misleading.
I hoped for something more. Good yet sad story. But I’ve read it before.
So tragic! Horrible things we do to fellow humans. I thought, by the title it would be a light story of girlfriends, not so. Not a light beach read.
It joins THE NIGHTINGALE and THE ALICE NETWORK to bring credit to the scores of women who played active and dangerous roles during wartime. Enlightening.