"The Warsaw Sisters" by Amanda Barratt

WW11 Poland

This is the story of twin sisters Antonina and Helena Dabrowska whose strong bond will be tested by the devastation of war. Ms. Barratt brings us on a heart wrenching journey along with the characters as the sisters bravely fought in different ways the oppression of Nazis. Helena joined a resistance cell while Antonina smuggled Jewish children out of the ghetto.

The historical events are woven within the fictional characters lives and storyline, giving us a glimpse of the courage and sacrifice the citizens of Warsaw had to face. Told from the point of view of each sister and in alternate chapters we navigate through the tragedy that unfolded in Warsaw for five long years of oppression, brutality and terror. Although all Polish people suffered, the Jewish people were singled out. Jolanta, a pseudo for Irena Sendler, a legend during the war was Antonina’s contact. We have snippets of the dangerous and important work this group of women did. As for Helena her story was inspired by the Warsaw Uprising; the most heroic and tragic chapter’s in Poland’s history. We also dabbled in many other facets such as the Katyn massacre, Treblinka deportations, the Wola and Ochta massacres and many other major and tragic events.

The style is very emotional, every word vividly said and touching. This story has depth with a strong sense of place and time. The characters are sharply drawn although I did find the sisters were a bit too lucky to escape so much tragedy without being hurt even killed, even some of their action should have brought retaliation: slapping a German in the face and getting away with it...questionable as an example.

The author’s notes at the end of the book tells us why “The Warsaw Sisters” is a powerful story hard to put down.

I received this ARC from Revell Publishing through The First Reviewer Program.