The Woman with the Blue Star
The Woman With the Blue Star is a masterpiece of WWII historical fiction that was based on the true events of a group of Jewish people in Lvov who lived in the sewers in order to survive (check out behind the scenes facts and pictures on Jenoff’s website and Instagram page). From the moment I picked this story up, I was whisked away to Kraków, Poland and into the extraordinary lives of Sadie and Ella. Their story was one that I could not tear myself away from and finished in less than 24 hours.
Right now I find myself at a loss for words as I attempt to write this review. I loved this book so much, and I want to write a review that truly captures the depth in this beautiful and tragic story. How, oh how, do I capture the true dynamics and wonder of Pam Jenoff’s story telling? How do I write a review for an author I admire and respect so much, and then have it draw you in and emotionally move you as much as this book did for me? The simple answer (after staring at the blank screen on my laptop for ages while mumbling to myself) is that I cannot possibly do this, so please note that there is so much more depth to this story than I can possibly relate in my review.
1942. Sadie Gault is eighteen and living with her parents amid the horrors of the Kraków Ghetto during World War II. When the Nazis liquidate the ghetto, Sadie and her pregnant mother are forced to seek refuge in the perilous sewers beneath the city. One day Sadie looks up through a grate and sees a girl about her own age buying flowers.
Ella Stepanek is an affluent Polish girl living a life of relative ease with her stepmother, who has developed close alliances with the occupying Germans. Scorned by her friends and longing for her fiancé, who has gone off to war, Ella wanders Kraków restlessly. While on an errand in the market, she catches a glimpse of something moving beneath a grate in the street. Upon closer inspection, she realizes it’s a girl hiding.
Ella begins to aid Sadie and the two become close, but as the dangers of the war worsen, their lives are set on a collision course that will test them in the face of overwhelming odds.
The Woman With the Blue Star was truly was an inspiring story about two women willing to sacrifice and take risks in order to help others survive during a time of unspeakable atrocities. This story was more than just about survival. It was about the unlikely friendship between Sadie and Ella and the strength they drew from each other during the German occupation. I really felt like I actually knew these strong women, and I was right there with them. When their heart broke, my heart broke. What they felt, I felt.
As I said before, this novel really drew me in emotionally, and the twists and turns kept me on edge of my seat as I found myself and my heart clutched into the arms of the Germans during World War II. This book provoked such emotion, making me really feel the desperation, attachments and loss and hope in 1940s war time Poland. This story was not neatly tied up to make the reader satisfied. Any discomfort or sadness I felt was necessary and right. I don't want to feel my emotions smoothed over for a more comfortable experience, I want to vicariously feel the experiences of these characters cast from real history....and I did.
Overall, this is a story about fear, love, courage, miracles and secrets -- people like us living a life pushed by circumstances; a life they didn't chose. It was a moving narrative guaranteed with an ending not to leave your eyes dry.
