Tag Archive | Penguin Random House

Franci’s War by Franci Rabinek Epstein

Mar28

Brave & Resourceful

Franci’s War by Franci Rabinek Epstein is a powerful account of the author’s time spent in various concentration camps during World War II.

We also briefly hear of the author’s background and there is an afterword by her daughter. The inclusion of photos is great to be able to put faces to names.

Although Franci Rabinek Epstein’s family was Jewish, they were not practicing Jews. Indeed, her father said “I am a Czechoslovakian citizen of German nationality.”

As the 1930’s progressed and their liberties were eroded, her father “believed in German decency, justice, honor and civilization.”

Her mother was in the business of haute couture, and the author followed in her footsteps. This was to be of an advantage in the camps as she was able to work as a seamstress. Later the author worked as an electrician (her father’s trade) in the camps. She was resourceful. This plus luck, helped her to survive.

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Because Of You by Dawn French

Jan10

A Bit Of Wawa

Because Of You by Dawn French is a compelling contemporary novel that I read in just two sittings.

It is about love and loss. These twin themes are intertwined with the character’s lives.

We witness the unfailing love of two mothers. Birth should be the best of times but as we follow the two mothers, both are totally shell-shocked. We follow the pair throughout eighteen years and a mother’s love is never diminished. If anything, it goes deeper as the years progress and we witness sacrificial love in action.

In contrast to the mothers love we also witness two very different fathers. The one has a deep love that is sacrificial. The other one is very superficial. The only person he really loves is the face in the mirror.

We learn about what constitutes a home. “Home is people, not a place.” We witness characters caring for those they love.

We also see that every child is a gift from God not matter how they were conceived. “A life can’t be a fault. God makes life so it can’t be wrong.” There are no accidents in God’s world.

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An Orphan’s Christmas by Katie Flynn

Dec19

Growing Through The War Years

An Orphan’s Christmas by Katie Flynn is an historical novel that I read in just one sitting.

The action begins in 1936 as we follow the lead character through the orphanage to a wooden dwelling and through the war years.

Molly is a plucky girl. It is her personality and her strength of character that get her through some very tough circumstances from the age of eleven when we first meet her.

The orphanage is stifling. It is a place of ‘less than’ with little heating and little to eat. An older girl bullies Molly, forcing her to make choices she did not anticipate.

Bonds formed in childhood persist into adulthood until the rose-tinted spectacles are removed.

A character who is on the sidelines proves to be more loyal than one who takes centre stage.

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Love Untold by Ruth Jones

Sep22

Full Circle

Love Untold by Ruth Jones is a beautiful love story set over the years and one that I just could not put down.

It is also a book that had me reaching for the tissues as the ending approached. If the book was heartfelt and beautiful (which it was), the ending was absolutely superb. The love which simmered underneath the whole book came full circle.

This is a book about four generations of women within the same family. It is about their love and relationships with each other and with those around them.

Mistakes are made over the years. Absences happen. There seems no way back – but love binds everything together.

We see the fierce, protective and loyal love of a mother. Mothers want the best for their children, even if they are wayward. A mother’s love never dies.

Grandma Grace is the matriarch of the family. Her love is deep and wide. Her love has no boundaries. Those who are hurting will always find that her arms are open wide.

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