Diane Armstrong’s bestselling fictional debut A mother’s silence, a village with a terrible secret, and an Australian woman who travels to Poland to uncover the truth … When forensic dentist Halina Shore arrives in Nowa Kalwaria to take part in a war crimes investigation, she finds herself at the centre of a bitter struggle in a community that has been divided by a grim legacy. What she does … not realise is that she has also embarked on a confronting personal journey. Inspired by a true incident that took place in Poland in 1941, Diane Armstrong’s powerful novel is part mystery, part forensic investigation, and a moving and confronting story of love, loss and sacrifice. ‘A deeply moving and inspiring novel’ GOOD READING ‘A bold adventure of a novel … Here is a consummate writer at the top of her form. A fine fictional debut from a writer who’s already made her mark’ CANBERRA tIMES ‘Profoundly moving, compelling and superbly written’ AUStRALIAN WOMEN’S WEEKLY
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Heartbreaking story. Well told with developed characters
Slow
Enjoyed this type of book.
It was hard to believe people are capable of such actions. Very thought provoking.
I could not put the book down; I had to finish it! Kept my interest throughout.
Well written, disturbing story.
Truly enjoyed this book. A good reminder that nobody is totally, always good and/or totally, always bad. People can respond to events in a terrible way. It happens.
The narrative was filled with information about the genocide of almost an entire population in 1941 by their own countrymen. It was almost too brutal to read at times but it led me to believe the adage that “truth is stranger than fiction”. It is somewhat difficult to believe the travesties disclosed in this book, but it also serves as a reminder to do all we can to do good works for all people, all of the time.
I found this book interesting. The down side was that I felt the main character was Jewish from the beginning, perhaps because of her name. She had a cold relationship with her mother, but her foster-mother had sent her to school to become a forensic dentist even while she was working as a cleaning lady! Late in the book we find she had a brother who has become a Catholic priest! Not raised by a Jewish mom! It could have stood some polishing. I did not like the beginning about the murder of the small girl. I would like to think her (the main character’s) credentials could have been established some other way
I couldn’t put it down.
A haunting true story.
I enjoyed the writing and learning about this small Polish town that got caught up in the worst of mob action. I liked that the main character was an older woman on a journey of her own. Of course, some of it was unbelievable, but wasn’t everything during those days?
Historical Fiction based on real events.
World war 2 made normal people do things that they wouldn’t normally do. Hitter and his Third rich turned people in to monsters.
A fascinating look at WW2 Poland and the anti-semitism that was so prevelant in Eastern Europe.
A novel based on a true act of man’s inhumanity to man. Raw emotions of hate and intolerance that caused oppression and fear. The author ends her tale with the promise of hope.
It was a very well written book regarding ww11 remember a little of some as a child
Informative details on the Adams generations.
One of the best books I’ve read recently. Hard to believe it really happened. It happened many years ago but relative to today when you think about the turmoil in this country.
Five stars for this book. Great, interesting characters, and very interesting profession.