Gretchen Gray: This book struck a cord in my heart during a difficult time. Has become one of my favorites. Recommended reading.
United States on Nov 10, 2023
Carol Widenhofer Ransbotham: This book was awesome. I couldn't put it down. There are so many ways I can relate to this story (husband with dementia and I absolutely love novels about WWII). The story-telling was superb. I highly recommend it.
United States on Nov 06, 2023
Donna S: I like the book but I have not finished reading it. It reminded me of my grandmother who came here from Poland and there were some polish words that I remembered. I am Babcia, another word for grandma in polish. I am proud.
United States on Nov 05, 2023
Wyoming Girl: This book is so well written that I could picture every aspect as if I was actually there experiencing it firsthand. A very easy read the quickly draws you until you feel as though you are part of the experience. Definitely a must read!
United States on Oct 31, 2023
Zee: Enjoyed this story. The two different timeliness (such a popular style these days) made for some insight on two very different subjects - raising a child on the autism spectrum and plight of Poland in ww2.
Canada on Aug 25, 2023
David Winkler: Rarely have I been so engrossed in a book. This is a must-read … for a multitude of reasons. Important to remember the not so distant history of 1930’s - 1945. The affects on families. The current crisis of mental health issues and lack of understanding. The need for openness between generations. I have just found out at the age of 70 my mothers real name at birth (she was adopted as a 4 month old) and that I have biological 1st cousins so was able to relate personally to that part of the narrative. I have never been so moved by a book and couldn’t stop the tears from flowing during the last several chapters
United Kingdom on Feb 21, 2023
Yashi Sinha: Set in Poland during World War 2, this book is more than one more interesting story about Hitler's atrocities in Europe. What makes it a more worthwhile read is its sensitive handling of autism as the son of one of the two protagonists of the book is on the spectrum.
India on Feb 10, 2023
Angie67: After reading this book, one cannot help but compare the terrible invasion of Poland in 1939 with the senseless invasion taking place in Ukraine today. Perhaps that is why Poland is so ready to assist the refugees pouring into its country today, because the memory of what happened so long ago is still in everyone's mind.
Why don't we learn from our past mistakes?
Alina and Tomasz are childhood sweethearts. The night before he leaves for university in Warsaw, he proposes to her. But when her village of Trzebinia falls into Nazi hands, Alina doesn't know whether Tomasz is dead or alive.
The story is told in two timelines, both equally compelling. It is 2019 when Alice's Polish grandmother suffers a stroke and has little time to live. Unable to speak, she desperately conveys the urge to seek out Tomasz in Poland. But Tomasz was Alice's grandfather, who died last year. Is Grandma suffering from a memory lapse or is she hiding a bigger secret?
I absolutely loved this book. The characters were multi-layered and so imperfect that they seemed real. We follow Alice, who struggles with a young son with Asperger's Syndrome, a prodigy daughter and a work-addicted...
Italy on Mar 03, 2022
Dzi Dzi: I bought this book because of the red shoes on the cover. The story is interesting and haunting and is dealt with very well by the author. The travelling between the present and the past is very well written and never confusing. Dealing with the autistic child is expertly done. I became completely immersed in the story, especially as I've just become a Babcia myself! My Polish Catholic Dad came to the UK after the war, and then went to Ireland to study, where he met my Irish Mum. They settled in England - both died 12 and 8 years ago - still feels like yesterday. And, I've just written a book myself, consisting of their childhood stories, then what happened to my Dad in Poland, especially as he was in Gdynia when the Nazis invaded, then how and why he went to Dublin, met my Mum, and then all us children (including another Eddie, and a handicapped sister Ludmila) came along. I felt incredibly close to them both when I was writing their story, realising I hadn't appreciated all the incredible hardships they went through - BUT, their love was great, as with Alina and Tomasz, and they had a long and happy life together. We really do need to always remember what happened at that time,...
United Kingdom on Nov 14, 2019
| The Things We Dare Not Utter: A Heart-Wrenching Tale of Love and Loss | Jean Grainger's "The Emerald Horizon" (1927) | Jean Grainger's Hard Journey Home: A Tale from the Star and the Shamrock | |
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| B2B Rating |
96
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98
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98
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| Sale off | $5 OFF | $6 OFF | $12 OFF |
| Total Reviews | 890 reviews | 944 reviews | 706 reviews |
| Language | English | English | English |
| Best Sellers Rank | #2 in World War II Historical Fiction #8 in 20th Century Historical Fiction #14 in Family Life Fiction | #383 in Jewish Historical Fiction#717 in Jewish Literature & Fiction | #500 in Jewish Historical Fiction#965 in Jewish Literature & Fiction |
| Paperback | 440 pages | 252 pages | 256 pages |
| 20th Century Historical Fiction (Books) | 20th Century Historical Fiction | ||
| World War II Historical Fiction (Books) | World War II Historical Fiction | ||
| Publisher | Graydon House; Original edition | Independently published | Independently published |
| Item Weight | 14.7 ounces | 12.8 ounces | 12.5 ounces |
| Dimensions | 5.94 x 1.1 x 8.93 inches | 6 x 0.63 x 9 inches | 6 x 0.64 x 9 inches |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1525823565 | 978-1650100432 | 979-8655555730 |
| ISBN-10 | 1525823566 | 1650100434 | |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7/5 stars of 31,345 ratings | 4.6/5 stars of 15,271 ratings | 4.7/5 stars of 11,575 ratings |
| Family Life Fiction (Books) | Family Life Fiction |
United States on Nov 13, 2023