Lilac Girls: A Novel (Woolsey-Ferriday)

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A charming and vividly rendered historical novel . . . Based on true events, this prequel to Lilac Girlstransports.” — People Reading this summary convinced me that this is a great book, although the author of the summary goes a bit too far in making comparisons between what happened in Nazi-controlled Europe and recent history. Like all the best stories of historical fiction, nearly all of what appears in this book could have happened and some of the events actually did. New York socialite Caroline Ferriday has her hands full with her post at the French consulate and a new love on the horizon. But Caroline’s world is forever changed when Hitler’s army invades Poland in September 1939 – and then sets its sights on France. For readers of The Nightingale and Sarah's Key, inspired by the life of a real World War II heroine, this remarkable debut novel reveals the power of unsung women to change history in their quest for love, freedom, and second chances.

Summary and reviews of Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly Summary and reviews of Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

Kellymemorably portrays three indomitable womenwho triumph over hardships andsuccessfully brings a complex and turbulent time in history to life.” — Publishers Weekly New York socialite Caroline Ferriday has her hands full with her post-French consulate and a new love on the horizon. But Caroline’s world is forever changed when Hitler’s army invades Poland in September 1939-and then sets its sights on France. Not only a brilliant historical tale, but a love song to all the ways our friendships carry us through the worst of times.” —Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Timesbestselling author of Before We Were Yours New York socialite Caroline Ferriday has her hands full with her post at the French consulate and a new love on the horizon. But Caroline’s world is forever changed when Hitler’s army invades Poland in September 1939—and then sets its sights on France.We ask that members do not create other threads at this time; we will create them in the "meta" section as the need for them arises—e.g., there will be a threads for each month, to have a hand place where people can "advertise" their upcoming group reads in case others haven't seen them formed in the specific author threads. How did you feel about the book being written in the first person by three different characters. Did it work for you? Epic . . . [Martha Hall] Kelly’s gift is bringing to life and to light the untold stories of women and familiesfar away from the war front yet deeply affected by the decisions of leaders and the efforts of fighters. Fans of historical fiction . . . and viewers of period dramaswill want toclear their calendars when Lost Rosescomes out.” — Booklist(starred review) This is the kind of book I wish I had the courage to write—a profound, unsettling, and thoroughly captivating look at sisterhood through the dark lens of the Holocaust. Lilac Girls is the best book I've read all year. It will haunt you." - Jamie Ford, New York Times bestselling author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet It is 1914, and the world has been on the brink of war so often, many New Yorkers treat the subject with only passing interest. Eliza Ferriday is thrilled to be traveling to St. Petersburg with Sofya Streshnayva, a cousin of the Romanovs. The two met years ago one summer in Paris and became close confidantes. Now Eliza embarks on the trip of a lifetime, home with Sofya to see the splendors of Russia: the church with the interior covered in jeweled mosaics, the Rembrandts at the tsar’s Winter Palace, the famous ballet.

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly - Penguin Books Australia Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly - Penguin Books Australia

My biggest issue with the book is, well, the piss poor story telling. If you’re familiar with Elizabeth Gilbert’s work, you know that she’s a believer that creative ideas are floating around in the universe, waiting to be claimed. Stories are begging to be told, and it’s just a matter of who listens, and who claims it as theirs. With that said, I think if this creative idea for a story was given to any other writer it would have given the story justice. And I’m honestly heartbroken at how disappointing the story was molded by Martha Hall Kelly. Let me explain… INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY The timeframe is the prelude to the outbreak of the Second World War and what the Germans and their local auxiliaries did to resistors and “racially inferiors” during the war. Nearly all of the main characters are female, from both sides of the Atlantic as well as both sides of the conflict. Weeks and months would go by in two sentences. It was rushed at all the wrong times and slowed to the point of tedium at other spots. The pacing was just so odd. One of my biggest head scratchers was after Herta’s trial… we don’t see her again until the very, very end. But… why didn’t we get a peek into her world post-war? Wouldn’t that have been a great moment for the author to shine? Show us her thoughts in prison. Show us why she continued on in the field of medicine… ALSO… THE COINCIDENCES Inspired by actual events and real people, Martha Hall Kelly has woven together the stories of three women during World War II that reveal the bravery, cowardice, and cruelty of those days. This is a part of history—women’s history—that should never be forgotten.” —Lisa See, New York Timesbestselling author of China DollsSTORY & PLOT 4 STARS – The fact that it was based on a true war hero had me captivated, I found myself wanting to know more about these women and their sufferings. There were many powerful moments in the book. Which one in specific touched you the most? Explain why. Starred Review. Extremely moving and memorable ... This impressive debut should appeal strongly to historical fiction readers and to book clubs that adored Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale and Anthony Doerr's All the Light We Cannot See." - Library Journal Inspired by actual events and real people, Martha Hall Kelly has woven together the stories of three women during World War II that reveal the bravery, cowardice, and cruelty of those days. This is a part of history—women’s history—that should never be forgotten.” —Lisa See, New York Times bestselling author of China Dolls