Truth? Or Imagination?
The Girl With The Red Ribbon by Carly Schabowski is a compelling historical novel that intrigued me from the start. It drew me in, entertained me, and left me wondering – what was real? And what was imagined?
The novel is set over two time periods – 1969 and looking backwards to the 1940’s in war-torn Poland. Two voices tell the story – an old man and a young girl. Both have been marginalised by society. They band together with others whom they acquire along life’s wartime journey.
We see the child-like faith of characters, as they believe that the wearing of red ribbons will keep them safe.
Nazi-occupied Poland was a horrific place to be. Cruelty and evil were all around. Cunning and knowledge were needed to survive.
Partisans and resistance fighters occupied dense forest, often taking the Nazis by surprise.
Folklore and legend grew up surrounding the events of World War II, even the reader is not sure if it really happened.
All the characters were well drawn and believable. Rejected by society, even as children, the reader has much sympathy for the characters.
The Girl With The Red Ribbon was a unique read and one that engrossed and intrigued me.
I received a free copy from Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
JULIA WILSON
The Girl with the Red Ribbon
1939, Poland. An extraordinary young woman vows revenge on the Nazis after her family are murdered…
Ania hears the explosion of gunshots before she sees the Nazi soldiers approach her beloved home. Her family don’t have time to run, but she does. Hiding nearby, she listens to her sister’s screams and – stroking the red ribbon she keeps tied around her wrist – she begins to plot her revenge…
Taunted her whole life for being smarter than anyone else in the village, now living in war-torn Poland, being governed by Nazis who think Poles are subhuman and women only good for one thing… Ania now only has her wits to rely on, if she’s going to survive.
But then she comes across a group of misfits all rejected by the resistance movement for bringing too much risk with them – a scarred Jewish man, a madwoman, a gypsy, and a quiet, handsome Russian soldier. And Ania realizes she alone has the power to unite them. Together, they will destroy each and every one of the people who took everything from her.
The Nazis have no idea what – or who – they are up against. And they’re about to discover that no one should cross a woman who has nothing to lose…
Inspired by an incredible true story from the author’s own family, comes an absolutely gripping story about courage and sacrifice in the darkest days of war.
Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/girlredribbonsocial
Author Bio –
Carly is the USA Today bestseller of historical fiction novels The Ringmaster’s Daughter, The Watchmaker of Dachau, The Rainbow, The Note, All the Courage We Have Found, The Secret She Kept, The Postcard, The Winter Child, The Girl with the Red Ribbon, and the novella, It is something to have been.
Social Media Links –
Facebook: @carly.schabowski
Twitter: @carlyschab11
Instagram: @carlyschabowskiauthor
Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/CarlySchabowskiNews
Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carly-schabowski
