This month’s pick of the month from Andrea Peskind-Katz from GREAT THOUGHTS, GREAT READERS is The Goddess of Warsaw by Lisa Barr
What is The Goddess of Warsaw About?
The Goddess of Warsaw is the story of a young female Jewish actress whose family and privileged life in Poland were destroyed by the Nazis. Forced into the Warsaw ghetto in 1943 with her husband Jakub, the brave and determined protagonist, Bina Blonski, joins the Polish resistance. Beautiful with blonde hair and blue eyes, Bina uses her looks to easily gain access to the Aryan side to obtain supplies and information, and then progresses to become an assassin. Life becomes complicated when Bina becomes involved with Aleksander, Jakub’s brother, who works with her in the resistance. However, Bina continues to focus on the cause, accomplishing amazing feats of bravery, yet sacrificing much in the process.
After the war, Bina flees to Hollywood, reinvents herself as Lena Browning, and after a decade or so becomes quite famous. As the story opens, Lena is near the end of her life and meeting with a young actress, Sienna Hayes, the current “It” girl of Hollywood, who wants to tell her life story and portray her in a movie. Sienna sees this as her big break, but as the story unfolds, she realizes Lena’s past is much darker than she imagined.
Told from a dual-timeline perspective and brilliantly narrated by Bina/Lena, we learn intimate details about the inconceivable horrors of the Nazi occupation, and what it took to survive in the Warsaw Ghetto. Lena hungers for revenge, especially as she knows that Nazi’s live freely amongst them. She wants the chance to right past wrongs and finally sleep well at night.
My Review of The Goddess of Warsaw
The Goddess of Warsaw by Lisa Barr is an beautifully written emotional page-turner that both educates and emotionally moves the reader. Barr writes about life in the Warsaw Ghetto in WWII Poland in realistic detail with raw sensitivity. She skillfully weaves in historical facts throughout, while at the same time humanizing the characters, especially Bina/Lena, with powerful descriptions of their relationships with loved ones. While the intensity of the events depicted were often hard to read about, I found it hard to put the book down. Barr’s captivating narrative drew me in from the start, and I empathized with and cared deeply for the characters.
This novel delves into the lasting effects and scars of war, and how they may shape survivors. In this story, while Bina/Lena successfully reinvents herself and lives a prosperous life after the war, she never let go of her rage and need for revenge. Suspenseful to the very end, this novel is an unforgettable tribute to the resilience of the human spirit.
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About the Author: Lisa Barr
Lisa Barr is the New York Times bestselling author of WOMAN ON FIRE, THE UNBREAKABLES and the award-winning FUGITIVE COLORS. Her new historical thriller, THE GODDESS OF WARSAW debuts on May 28th, 2024. In addition, Lisa served as an editor for The Jerusalem Post, managing editor of Today’s Chicago Woman, managing editor of Moment magazine, and as an editor/reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times. Among the highlights of her career, Lisa covered the famous “handshake” between the late Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, the late PLO leader Yasser Arafat, and President Bill Clinton at the White House. Lisa has been featured on Good Morning America and Today for her work as an author, journalist, and blogger. In exciting book news: Actress Sharon Stone has optioned rights to adapt WOMAN ON FIRE for film.
Other Books by Lisa Barr
Lisa Barr is an accomplished author known for her gripping historical and contemporary fiction. Here are some of her notable books:
Fugitive Colors (2013)
Fugitive Colors is an award-winning debut novel set in the art world on the eve of World War II. It delves into themes of stolen art, love, deception, and revenge.
The Unbreakables (2019)
The Unbreakables is a contemporary novel about a woman who travels to France to rebuild her life after her marriage falls apart. This story explores themes of self-discovery and renewal.
Woman on Fire (2022)
A New York Times bestseller, Woman on Fire follows a young journalist entangled in an international art scandal involving a Nazi-looted masterpiece. The book is known for its suspenseful plot and rich historical detail.
FAQs About the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising was a significant act of Jewish resistance against the Nazis during World War II. Here are some commonly asked questions about this historical event along with the answers.
What was the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising?
The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising was a Jewish resistance effort against the Nazi’s attempt to transport the ghetto population to extermination camps. The uprising began on April 19, 1943, and lasted until May 16, 1943.
The uprising was a reaction to the mass deportations of the Jews living in the Warsaw Ghetto to extermination camps, particularly Treblinka, which began in July 1942. Jews in the ghetto, fully aware that deportation meant death, banded together to resist rather than taken to the concentration camps.
How were the resistance fighters armed during the Uprising?
With limited access to weapons, the fighters relied on homemade grenades, a few smuggled firearms, and arms obtained from the Polish underground resistance. Additionally, they collected money from ghetto inhabitants to buy weapons on the black market.
What was the final outcome of the Uprising?
The uprising lasted nearly a month before defeat. There were approximately 7,000 Jews killed during the fighting, with the remaining 50,000+ survivors deported to extermination or labor camps.
What was the significance of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising?
The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising was one of the first and largest acts of Jewish armed resistance against the Nazis during World War II. This fight symbolized the courage and determination of the Jewish people to resist death despite overwhelming odds.
How did the Germans respond to the uprising?
They responded with tremendous force, using tanks, artillery, and systematic destruction of the ghetto buildings. They captured or killed thousands of Jews, and eventually razed the ghetto to the ground.
What was the international reaction to the Uprising?
The uprising received limited international attention at the time due to wartime censorship and the isolation of the ghetto. However, this event later became a powerful symbol of resistance and was commemorated by various Jewish and international organizations.
Where can I learn more?
Resources such as the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Yad Vashem, and the National WWII Museum, as well as various historical books and documentaries dedicated to this event provide a great deal of information about the Uprising.
About Andrea Peskind Katz from Great Thoughts, Great Readers
Andrea Peskind Katz runs Great Thoughts, Great Readers, a Book Salon presented via her private FB group where approximately 5,000 prolific readers and authors interact. To quote Robert Frost, she created her “second act” career to “unite my avocation and my vocation”. After 20 years in high-pressure sales, Andrea retired to spend time doing what she loves best: hanging with her family and reading good books.
THE GODDESS OF WARSAW
Leslie Farin is the Publisher and Founder of 50PlusToday. She is an experienced communications and marketing professional passionate about working with older adults and their families. She works with a team of writers to provide essential and cutting-edge information related to the 50Plus community.
