For fans of bestselling World War II fiction like Sarah’s Key and The Nightingale comes an illuminating tale of courage, sacrifice, and survival, about two couples whose lives are ravaged by Hitler’s mad war yet eventually redeemed through the fate of one little girl.Seemingly overnight, the German blitzkrieg of Warsaw in 1939 turns its streets to a war zone and shatters the life of each … of each citizen–Polish, Jewish, or otherwise. Sophie Kumiega, a British bride working in the city’s library, awaits news of her husband, Janek, recently deployed with the Polish Air Force. Though Sophie is determined that she and the baby in her womb will stay safe, the days ahead will draw her into the plight of those around her, compelling her to help, whatever the danger.Rosa and Itzhak Dunovich never imagined they would welcome their longed-for first child in the Jewish ghetto, or that they would let anything tear their family apart. But as daily atrocities intensify, Rosa soon faces a terrifying reality: to save their daughter’s life, she must send her into hiding. Her only hope of finding her after the war–if any of them survive–is a medallion she cuts in half and places around her neck.Inspired by true events of Poland’s darkest days and brightest heroes, The Medallion paints a stunning portrait of war and its aftermath, daring us to believe that when all seems lost, God can make a way forward.
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There are so many reasons I can think of for any person with a love for historical fiction to read this book. There are even more reasons for ANYONE to read it.
It isn’t a pretty story. No story about WWII that involves the Jewish community should be.
It is a story that will break your heart into pieces many times over.
Its the story of a young English woman who married a polish man who is fighting for Poland. It is also the story of Rosa and Itzhak, a young Jewish couple who are fighting to stay alive.
Through the horrors of Hitler’s occupation of Poland, these two sets of people find their lives entwined without even knowing it.
The story is told from many points of view, Sophie, Rosa and Itzhak. The writing is so wonderfully done that the shifts in narration are effortless and not at all confusing. It gives you the whole heartbreaking story from start to finish.
I wasn’t sure how this book would end. I wasn’t sure if I could expect a happy ending, not that I require one, but I was pleased at how everything worked out for everyone.
What I loved the most about this book was the strength of the characters. What each one of them goes through to survive and to help is amazing and some of the sacrifices you see in this story.
I loved that the medallion was a Tree of Life and that brings me to why this book is a must read for anyone that loves a good story. I’m from Pittsburgh, where there was a mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue. This book should serve as a reminder that we should be moving forward from the hatred that was Hitler’s Germany and not back.
This is a book that should be on everyone’s reading list this year.
This is one of the most difficult books that I have ever read. In all honesty, were it not for the fact that I was reading it for review, I would have set it aside or at least read it in small portions. I took English classes focused on the Holocaust during college and have read a fair amount of literature from and about that time period. However, Cathy Gohlke’s “The Medallion” really struck a nerve. It took me a while to adjust to the alternating viewpoints of the chapters, which eventually converge, because from the very beginning I fell headlong into the harrowing world Gohlke describes and had to reset my mind when the characters changed with the next chapter so that I did not confuse one storyline with the other. Several of the characters in the story are real historical figures, and some of the plotline is inspired by true events. That, coupled with the focus on relationships and hardships both during and after WWII, truly tore at my heartstrings.
Be forewarned: this is not a light, happily-ever-after read. The devastation and horror are compounded by the realization that they are historically accurate. This story raises many tough questions, some of which are addressed in the discussion questions provided at the end of the book. “The Medallion” takes readers from the early days of the war to its aftermath, and the journey is heartbreaking. Sophie Kumiega is not Jewish but encounters the dangers and desolation wrought by the German occupation of Poland, leading her to work for the underground and to take over care of a Jewish toddler, Ania. Through Rosa and Itzhak Dunovich, Ania’s parents, readers witness life in the Warsaw ghetto and what comes after.
Unlike many Holocaust narratives, “The Medallion” does not take place in a concentration camp, save for a brief scene. Learning about the work of the underground and those working within that network to save lives sheds light on the heroics of those who challenged the Nazi agenda. Just as compelling is part two, which takes place after the war ends. It is an important reminder of how unsettled and dangerous the world still was for the refugees. Post-traumatic stress plays a role as well, and I was glad that the author included this because it was doubtless a struggle for all of the survivors, including those who were not Jewish, and obviously the struggle did not end when peace was declared. The fate of the children aided through the underground network and what it meant for their future becomes a key element in the second section.
Although “The Medallion” is heartrending and sobering, I would still recommend it, especially for anyone who is not familiar with the impact of the German occupation of Poland during WWII. The faith element offers both a refuge in the midst of the tragedy and the hope of redemption. One thing that opened my eyes was that the Jewish aversion to Jesus resulted in part because the German oppressors claimed to be Christians. Still, faith in God guides the characters, Jewish and Gentile alike, throughout the trials of war and its reverberations, and it is the same faith that is available to each and every one of us today. This is one of the main messages of the story, that true faith means taking action and putting others before oneself, hopefully causing onlookers to question their unbelief.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
When I see a book by Cathy Gohlke, I know that I will be totally immersed in said book for however long it takes to read it. Her books are so impeccably researched and the depth is amazing. In this one, she takes us into 1939 Poland when the German blitzkrieg has turned the streets and homes into a war zone, and the citizens are completely in chaos. We meet Sophie Kumiega, a British woman working in the city library, whose husband, Janek, is with the Polish Air Force, deployed, and she has no idea if he is alive or dead. She has just lost her baby and feels compelled to help those around her. So she sets out to get food to, and rescue Jewish people as much as she can, even with the ghetto walls climbing higher each day.
Next we meet Rosa and Itzhak Dunovich who have left Lithuania to come to Poland to stay with her mother. Everything is scarce and life is bleak. Then Rosa discovers she is pregnant and they must go live in the Warsaw Ghetto. Their daughter is born and is a sickly toddler when Rosa realizes that the only hope for her child is if she allows her to be smuggled out of the ghetto and placed elsewhere. Her only hope of finding her after the war is to cut her medallion in half, the one her husband gave her on their wedding day, and place half around Ania and half on herself.
This book is inspired by actual events and wonderful heroes. It is a tremendous tale of self sacrifice, hope and the horror that was Nazism. My mind is completely boggled by these events in world history. No darker days there could not have been, nor could be to come. But God can and will allow light to shine in the darkest of days. Cathy Gholke has once again written a book for the keeper shelf. I was moved incredibly by this book and highly recommend it.
*My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions here are my own.
What a poignant, heart-wrenching, but beautifully written and memorable story! I’m having a hard time attempting to put my feelings about this book into words. The cover is captivating, and when I read the description of the book, I knew I had to read it. Cathy Gohlke is an incredibly gifted author. Her writing is clear, concise and flows beautifully. Her exquisite imagery and masterfully crafted characters bring this slice of history, as incredibly tragic and unimaginable as it was, to life. Many of the characters and events are based on real people and happenings during the German invasion and occupancy of Poland in WWII. Man’s inhumanity to man can be unbelievable and is clearly shown in the pages of this book, yet also present are the heroic examples of those who came to the aid of the Jewish people at the peril of their own lives.
Gohlke’s impeccable historical detail is impressive, and I enjoyed the Note to Readers at the back of the book describing the inspiration for the book and some of the people her characters are based on. Even though the story is based on tragic events, there were uplifting messages of faith, courage, and hope woven into it. This book is a compelling, riveting read, and one I won’t soon forget. It’s destined for my “keeper shelf” and will definitely be one of my top reads of the year. I would recommend this to those who enjoy outstanding and memorable historical fiction.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.