NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERInspired by the incredible true story of one Jewish family separated at the start of World War II, determined to survive—and to reunite—We Were the Lucky Ones is a tribute to the triumph of hope and love against all odds. “Love in the face of global adversity? It couldn’t be more timely.” —Glamour It is the spring of 1939 and three generations of the Kurc family are … is the spring of 1939 and three generations of the Kurc family are doing their best to live normal lives, even as the shadow of war grows closer. The talk around the family Seder table is of new babies and budding romance, not of the increasing hardships threatening Jews in their hometown of Radom, Poland. But soon the horrors overtaking Europe will become inescapable and the Kurcs will be flung to the far corners of the world, each desperately trying to navigate his or her own path to safety.
As one sibling is forced into exile, another attempts to flee the continent, while others struggle to escape certain death, either by working grueling hours on empty stomachs in the factories of the ghetto or by hiding as gentiles in plain sight. Driven by an unwavering will to survive and by the fear that they may never see one another again, the Kurcs must rely on hope, ingenuity, and inner strength to persevere.
An extraordinary, propulsive novel, We Were the Lucky Ones demonstrates how in the face of the twentieth century’s darkest moment, the human spirit can endure and even thrive.
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It took me a long time to read another holocaust book and I am so glad I read this one. While it certainly doesn’t sugar coat any of the suffering, it offers some catharsis, healing and hope for humanity, through one family’s journey. I am grateful for the impact this book had on me.
The story of a family of Polish Jewish people during World War II. They had to overcome many obstacles to evade the Nazis and fight for survival. The characters were very inspirational and their situations thought provoking.
We Were The Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter was an excellent book about the experience of a jewish family during World War II.
As I read the book, for some reason I had not realized it was a true story. And, as I read about the experiences of a single jewish family which ranged from a Russian work camp in Siberia to living with Nazi’s in Poland to escaping the Nazi’s in South America, I thought at one point that the author had perhaps gone too far in trying to consider all the different experiences that might have happened during this war.
I remember feeling almost embarrassed by my thought when I realized this was a TRUE story of World War II! It really is so incredible you almost can’t imagine how it all happened within one family. But then, I usually feel like true stories about World War II are hard to believe.
I would recommend this book to both readers of World War II history or historical fiction based in the time of World War II. I typically read historical fiction and thought this was an incredible story.
In particular, people who want to read more books like The Woman In the Castle by Jessica Shattuck or The Alice Network by Kate Quinn should take a look at We Are the Lucky Ones.
The Alice Network
The Women in the Castle
I really enjoyed the story and characters. I did not like the lords name used in cussing.
One of the best historical fiction books I have read. This is a must read.
One of the most important, wonderfully written books I’ve ever read. This will be on my keeper shelf. Everyone needs to read this book to understand more about WWII. I learned so much about the war in Poland and all across Europe.
I loved this book and think it is one of the best books I have read about WW2. This is a true story, excellently researched and written by the author, to describe what happened to her grandfather and his family, after the Germans invaded Poland. Indeed, the research undertaken by the author in its depth is truly amazing. This is one of the strongest and most detailed and well written of all the books written about the chaos and horrific events of this period in Poland. I recommend it highly.
Inspired by the incredible true story of one Jewish family separated at the start of World War II, determined to survive—and to reunite—We Were the Lucky Onesu202fis a tribute to the triumph of hope and love against all odds.
This is an excellent book. You find yourself rooting for this family. I would highly recommend it.
a great book. A different and touching view of one of the greatest tragedies
Excellent book of the horrors of WW2 told though the eyes of a Jewish family who survived.
All around excellent
It’s important to see where we’ve been to know where we’re going. Especially as it relates to the evolution of our soul, and the souls of the people we’re walking the planet with.
Hunter’s book is a fantastic read that will keep you company, will keep inspiring you for a long time to come.
Gloria Squitiro: A first lady of Kanas City and author of May Cause Drowsiness and Blurred Vision: The Side Effects of Bravery—YOU, Too! can OVERCOME ANXIETY and live a bigger more carefree life—Become a New and Better You!
#YayWomenWriters!
Such a powerful read. Even though it is fiction, it is based on the life story of the author’s family (Jews) during World War 11, and it is a sobering, compelling, and an ultimately amazing story that is brilliantly written. Even the story structure itself — jumping from the point of view of one family member to another with often quite a time gap between — added to the impact of the read for me. It gave a taste of what it must have been like to have forced separations from loved ones with no way of knowing what they were going through or if they were still alive. What this family (and countless others like them) went through is truly beyond words.
Author Georgia Hunter took me on a journey I won’t soon forget. Without a doubt, one of the best books I’ve ever read. This is a must-read for everyone. We need to remember.
(Be sure to read the Author’s note at the end of the book. So interesting, plus this is where the title is most fully explained. Also note that this is a general market book so has a bit of language in it.)
A real page-turner. I didn’t realize until the end that this was based on a true story. What a tragic, uplifting saga of human endurance. Can’t recommend it highly enough.
Great book
I loved it! Great read! So sad, educating, and happy all at the same time. I loved how the book moved to different members of the family! Held my attention
This book was a page-turner…You will be wanting to know what happens to the Kurc family next…and when it ends, you will feel as though it is not time to say goodbye to them just yet.
I cried at the end of this book. It is story of a Polish Jewish family with 5 adult children separated by the rise of Hitler and WWII. Each of the chapters is “written” be a different family member to illustrate their point of view. As a Jew, I found the book incredibly moving, and highly recommend it.
Excellent! Amazing story of her family and survival in the midst of destruction and heartache.