Lilac Girls, Martha Hall Kelly, author; Cassandra Campbell, Kathleen Gati, Kathryn Kana, narrators
There are some books that are meant to be read, and this cries out to be one of them. Although there may be a need to have more knowledge about what happened to the Jews at Hitler’s women’s concentration camp, Ravensbrück, which is a difficult task since most of them were systematically starved and murdered, according to the Jewish Women’s Archive (jwa.org), this book serves a different and important purpose. It is unique because it covers the Holocaust, mainly known for the brutal murder of Jews in an effort to make them extinct, without covering them or diminishing their importance in the process. Rather it exposes another horrific story, the experience of the rabbits, a little known chapter of the Holocaust which affected victims from many walks of life and backgrounds. These victims who were rounded up and arrested as political prisoners, some of whom may also have been Jewish, were gypsies, lesbians, members of the underground and anyone else considered deviant and unsuitable by Hitler’s standards. Barely mentioning Hitler or antisemitism, the author explores the awful tragedy of the Holocaust as she concentrates on the young Poles and a category of victims that came to be known as the rabbits. These victims were rounded up and taken to Ravensbrück and then surgically and systematically experimented upon. Basing her story on some very real people, the author clearly demonstrates that there was simply no end to the human depravity or the excuses made in order to commit and justify heinous behavior which impacted all enemies of Hitler, and that category was far broader than the one more habitually covered.
It is 1939, in Poland. It is a bucolic scene that the reader watches as three best friends loll in the grass chatting. Suddenly, their peaceful idyll is disturbed by German planes as they begin to bomb Lublin and light up the sky with explosions. Kasia Kuzmerick’s life, and that of her friends, is about to turn upside down. They run home to check on the safety of their family and friends. Meanwhile, in New York, Caroline Ferriday is running a gala fundraiser for the French Consulate. She lives in the world of the rich and famous, fairly unbothered by any outside struggles. For her, lights are now aglow for a different reason as music plays for the pleasure of the guests. In Dusseldorf, Germany, very late at night, the lights go on at the home of the Jewish Dr. Katz, Dr. Herta Oberheuser is knocking on the door while her father waits in the shadows. He is German, and he is very ill, but he refuses to see any other doctor or even consult with his daughter. He wants only Dr. Katz. Although the doctor is forbidden to treat Aryans, he does not turn him away. Herta recognizes the doctor’s daughter who was once a medical student with her. Of course, now, she is no longer. Herta does not want to be in this house. She is afraid of what people will think if they find out. She is also jealous of their possessions. Although she sometimes seems conflicted in her feelings, she believes in Hitler and agrees with his effort to improve Germany for the German people.
It is almost impossible to stop reading this book, once begun, but it is also very difficult to continue reading it, at times. The graphic descriptions of the brutality carried out at Ravensbrück, were almost too horrifying as the author portrayed the experiences very realistically with a prose that placed the reader squarely in the center of the maelstrom. This book is about “the rabbits”. It features Kasia, one of the victims, Herta, one of the surgeons who participated in the commission of the atrocities performed on “the rabbits”, and Caroline, a woman who volunteered her time and worked tirelessly to help the Polish “rabbits” after the war ended when she first learned about them.
The German doctors, who conducted experiments on human beings and performed atrocious surgeries, believed that they were nothing less than patriots. The reader will have to determine for themselves if that description is appropriate or if perhaps there is a better word that more aptly describes those demonic followers of Hitler who altered, scarred and/or ended the lives of their victims. Hitler’s policies were designed to break down their victims and those policies harmed the survivors not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well, ever after. Regarding the Holocaust, the reader will discover that there was always a new variation of extreme cruelty that was unimaginable for normal human beings, but seemed to be commonplace for Hitler’s followers.
As the author moved the story from place to place, Poland, Germany, and America and from character to character as she developed not only their lives, but also the background of the camp and its purpose, she constantly contrasted the day to day lives of the Polish prisoners with Caroline’s life at her country house and job in New York City, and with the lives of the Germans in control, the doctors and the guards. The contrast from one to another was glaring and the nature of their experiences was completely dissimilar as they each developed into authentic individuals with whom the reader could readily identify and recognize, often experiencing strong emotional reactions to the victims and their oppressors, feeling the humiliation and the shame, the fear and the pain, the brutality and violence. Hitler’s henchmen were nothing more than sadists, but so were many of the greedy, selfish Germans who stole from the victims, moved into their homes, turned a blind eye to the atrocious behavior of Hitler’s thugs, thereby allowing them to gain in power, strength and number. The extraordinary suffering of the camp inmates made their survival nothing short of miraculous. The lack of opposition by the Germans was nothing short of despicable.
For me, the weakest part of the story was the romance and quasi affair between Caroline and Paul Robierre (a man made up out of whole cloth), a French actor who attended her gala and stepped in for the speaker who had canceled. She knew that he was married when she became involved with him which made her subsequent indignation about the way things ultimately turned out seem immature and false. Though very philanthropic, the author made her flightiness and haughtiness overshadow her compassion, in importance, and I thought that didn’t do justice to all of the good she accomplished, even as her genteel life seemed to continue without interruption, regardless of the war. This book provoked so many thoughts that I was compelled to research the camp and the fates of many of the real characters featured in the book. For that reason alone, it is a worthy read for it keeps the memory of evil alive and hopefully, that will prevent it from reoccurring. However, the most important reason to read it is because it shines a light on a subject not previously widely known. The world needs to face and deal with the atrocities, head on, in order to stop them. There have been far too many cover-ups. Many Germans who claimed ignorance willingly complied with Hitler’s draconian rules, pretending they had no other choice. Even after the world knew what crimes against humanity had been committed, many Americans, Poles, Russians, Italians, Germans and more, continued to support a madman because it benefited themselves and because antisemitism was in fashion. It may still be.
What sane person would imagine people being set upon by dogs, being experimented upon by fiends, or starved and worked to death? Apparently, there were many. It wasn’t just the torture or the murders or the humiliation, that was so troubling, it was the knowledge that some that participated actually enjoyed it, that some wanted the spoils it provided, and that some actually believed it was for the cause of greater Germany and their own, at any price. It was because many ignored Hitler’s brutality in order to benefit from the plight of the victims, or perhaps, just to save themselves, that Hitler succeeded.
I have both the print and audio addition of the book. The print copy is an ARC. The narrators were first rate absolutely enhancing the experience of reading the book as they captured the spirit of the personality, attitude and accent of each character portrayed, bringing them to life.

I read as many historical fiction books centered around WWII and this one is unforgettable. It is a book that drew me in alongside the characters forgetting where I was. Learning about the atrocities of the all women's concentration camp at Ravensbruck is shocking. I learned so much more of the hardships and injustices of this time period from this book and admire how Caroline Ferriday reached out to some of the victims in an extraordinary way!

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.

An ocean away from Caroline, Kasia Kuzmerick, a Polish teenager, senses her carefree youth disappearing as she is drawn deeper into her role as courier for the underground resistance movement. In a tense atmosphere of watchful eyes and suspecting neighbors, one false move can have dire consequences.

For the ambitious young German doctor, Herta Oberheuser, an ad for a government medical position seems her ticket out of a desolate life. Once hired, though, she finds herself trapped in a male-dominated realm of Nazi secrets and power.

The lives of these three women are set on a collision course when the unthinkable happens and Kasia is sent to Ravensbrück, the notorious Nazi concentration camp for women. Their stories cross continents—from New York to Paris, Germany, and Poland—as Caroline and Kasia strive to bring justice to those whom history has forgotten.

historical fiction and based on a true story about caroline ferriday, a debutante and broadway actress who dedicated her life to helping women others had forgotten. The German doctor in the novel was also a real person. IT is definitely hard reading about the terrible thing done to these Polish women during WWII. the characters are interesting. I found myself disliking Kasia, especially post war...but not sure I wouldn't be the same after all she had gone through. Interesting Read.

This impressive debut novel brings to life the stories of three very different women during WWII. Based on the life of New York socialite Caroline Ferriday, it is a historical novel full of both heartbreak and hope. Caroline is working for the French embassy in NY when war breaks out. Her philanthropic efforts extended from French orphans to the women later released from the concentration camps. The character of Kasia, based on actual survivors, is a young Polish girl who gets caught up in the resistance and is sent to the women's camp Ravensbruck along with her mother and sister. There she is subjected to the medical experimentation of Dr. Herta Oberhauser, the only female defendant at the Nuremburg Medical Trial. This is recommended for those who are interested in WWII, especially some lesser known events. Despite the horrors and tragedy, the novel is one of human resilience.

It is a well written book about three very different women just prior to and then during WW II. Their three stories are told separately but interwoven as their lives intersect. I had a hard time putting this book down as I was eager to find out what happened to them. I also learned more about concentration camp during the world as well as about some US efforts to help some of the French. I definitely recommend this book.

This book grabbed me from the beginning and I enjoyed the strength of the characters.

Not so great, predictable

I had no idea that Ravensbruk existed as a woman only camp, nor the horrific experiments that went on there. This book is illuminating on a couple levels, however. The work the gal did to help the victims was also news to me. You have to both love and hate that the novel is based on a true story, and wonder why we never heard of it.

This book was very hard to put down! The writing was excellent, bringing you right into the lives these people were experiencing. I felt that I was right there. The way the author divided this story by the 3 main characters, going back and forth, was a great way to keep up with all of them within the same time frame. I would highly recommend this book! Pretty graphic but for those who want to know more about the Holocaust it is a must read!

This is a beautiful story of three women's story of World War II. The perspectives of these women tell a story that would be unbelievable, but this is based on the true story of the Rabbit Women.

Loved it

Our Book Club really enjoyed this book, dspite the somewhat difficult subject matter. We thought the characters of Caroine and Kasia were very well depicted, and it sparked interest among the group to learn more about these historical figures. Really made us think about this terrible time in history.

The beginning of the book was difficult to follow the characters and the chapters pertaining to them. The book flowed better towards the middle and end. It was interesting to hear the author talk about the character development at the end of the book and the factual references to people in the book.

What a great read !! Another book that illuminates the brave people that were part of this war and the unspeakable horror associated with it. I couldn't put it down...again, great read !

A view of the Holocaust from the perspective of a Polish political prisoner, a female German concentration camp doctor, and an American charity worker. Interesting historical details of the time period plus graphic accounts of the medical experimentation that took place at the Ravensbruck camp. Solid historical fiction.

“Father loved the fact that a lilac only blossoms after a harsh winter…it’s a miracle all this beauty emerges after such hardship”

The saying goes “don’t judge a book by its cover”. However, it was the cover and title that first drew me to this book. Lilacs are my favorite flower and the ones peaking out from under the cover intrigued me. I am grateful they did because I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it. Through alternating chapters, Lilac Girls weaves the story of three women, Kasia, Caroline, and Herta, and their vastly different experiences during World War II and its aftermath. Each story is written in the first person and the novel reads like a combination of historical fiction and women’s fiction. The author, Martha Kelly, does a thorough job at the end of the book separating what is historically accurate and what is her narrative. Fans of World War II stories like Sarah’s Key and The Nightingale will enjoy this book.

Caroline is Caroline Ferriday, the real New England actress, socialite, and philanthropist. Until reading Lilac Girls I had never heard of Caroline, which stunned me, as her work with and for the Polish survivors of Ravensbruck was extremely compelling, especially once I realized it was all true. Kasia is a fictionalized character loosely based on Nina Ivanska, a real Polish inmate at Ravensbruck. Kasia is one of the “rabbits” of Ravensbruck; Polish women who were selected for the sulphonamide drug medical experiments. As difficult as Kasia’s story was to read, it is a story that must be told and remembered. Herta is Herta Oberheuser, the very real and only female Nazi doctor at Ravensbruck. Her story surprised me the most. When I started reading the book, I assumed that all three featured women would be “the good guys” and were the three women represented on the cover of the book. This was not the case.

At first, the three stories seemed unrelated and connected only by time period. Yet at the end, they all came perfectly and somewhat triumphantly together. The unfolding of the story kept me up well into the early morning hours. I enjoyed the themes of sisterhood/motherhood, women as medical authorities as well as caregivers, the strength and resiliency of women, and the psychological aspects involved in each woman’s journey. Kelly’s power of description and scene setting transported me to the different time periods and locations. The juxtapositions of glamorous and wealthy Manhattan, peaceful and bucolic Connecticut, horrifying and tragic Ravensbruck, and the deprivation of Poland behind the iron curtain gave the novel depth and perspective. The characters were three-dimensional and even the “good guys” had flaws. The power of this novel is that it is based on real people and events, as well as the extensive research done by Martha Kelly. The story of these three women was completely unknown to me, relatively obscure overall, and yet absolutely fascinating. I was enthralled and want to learn more.

I learned a lot reading this book. It's a story of survival, hope, and love with a little romance thrown in.

Excellent book and wonderfully written!!

I’ve read countless books on WWII and Nazi occupations in various European countries and this one gives a multi-faceted perspective, from Poland, USA charity workers, US Consulate and German doctors. Amazing first novel- well written and captivating with a great deal to discuss at book club.

Beautifully written, this story focuses on WWII and the tragedies that were the concentration camps. The story is based on true happenings and is told from the perspective of three characters. Your heart will be moved.

This was an emotional, yet riveting read. I could not put it down.....highly recommend it.

It was a good book, but don't see why it made so many "must read" lists. Many other stories in this genre that are much better

Excellent. Very difficult to read but worth it. Made for a wonderful discusssion. We must never forget the atrocities that happened during World War 11.

So well written. Having three different perspectives in three different settings gave a depth of understanding that captured your interest and involvement till the end.

Hard emotionally to get through the evil era of WWII and Hitler

Difficult emotionally.. over 500 pages so a long read. Dark content of WWII and concentration camps ..atrocities of Hitler and humanity.

One of the best written historical novels I have ever read regarding several Polish women held in Hitler's only female concentration camp (Ravensbruck) and medically experimented on by Nazi doctors. Ten years later, Caroline Ferriday. a New York socialite and philanthropist, brings several of the survivors to the United States and into her home in Connecticut. It is an amazing story you will never forget.

I loved this book -- not too gory and very redeeming. Watching life unfold among the three women kept me listening long into the night. The author's notes added to the story. Well researched -- I looked up other survivors of Ravensbruck -- an interesting list.

I absolutely loved it. I love the seeing life through different points of view of women during World War Two. It is terrible what happened to so many people during that time, and i think it’s very important to learn about it so we won’t let history repeat itself. Beautifully written!

Sad but true story that must be read

Started off on the slow side, but once I got about halfway through, I couldnâ??t put it down!

A look into the lives of women in WWII and its aftermath, told from the personal perspectives of three women affected in very different ways. Richly detailed, and well-researched.

Brutal, Powerful and Emotional. Long overdue in reading as been on my TBR list. This book will rock you to the coor. A very telling story based on true facts of the rabbits of Ravensbruck during the holocaust WWII and the horrid, torture that the women endured.I have read many WWII holocaust books but it's still unfathomable that something like this could occurred.