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Fiction. Literature. Historical Fiction. HTML:Inspired by a true story, My Motherâ??s Secret is a captivating and ultimately uplifting tale intertwining the lives of two Jewish families in hiding from the Nazis, a fleeing German soldier, and the mother and daughter who save them all. Franciszka and her daughter, Helena, are simple, ordinary people...until 1939, when the Nazis invade their homeland. Providing shelter to Jews in Nazi-occupied Poland is a death sentence, but Franciszka and Helena do exactly that. In their tiny home in Sokal, they hide a Jewish family in a loft above their pigsty, a Jewish doctor with his wife and son in a makeshift cellar under the kitchen, and a defecting German soldier in the atticâ??each party completely unknown to the others. For everyone to survive, Franciszka will have to outsmart her neighbors and the German commander. Told simply and succinctly from four different perspectivesâ??all under one roofâ??My Motherâ??s Secret is a testament to the kindness, courage, and generosity of ordinary people who chose to be… (more)
Library's review
I easily read this book in only a few sittings and although a story of the Holocaust, I found it to be both sad and uplifting at the same time. At the end of the war of Sokol’s 6,000 Jews only 30 had survived and half did so because of Franciszka’s righteous actions.
- Kathy S.
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This book may consist of a mere 185 pages, but its impact is astounding. The novel is based on the true story of Francisska Halamajowa and her
The writing is sparse; some chapters are a paragraph, but each word possesses heartfelt significance. In a time of great personal risk, without a clear reason as to why, Francisska and Helena serve as examples of the goodness that exists in this world even during a time when decency and kindness seemed nonexistent.
I highly recommend reading this book. It is not to be missed.
Although I tend to read a great deal of books based on World War II, this one stands out as something special. It is extremely readable and would be perfect for book clubs as well as teens. I especially liked the balance of characters, showing that there are truly good people everywhere in every group. I will definitely recommend this one.
The story is told from the viewpoints of Helena and the people who were rescued in very spare prose. It is a small book in terms of pages, but the impact is large and will resonate with its readers long after it's finished.
As I first started reading this book, I found myself wishing for more details about the characters and their lives, but changed my mind as I read on. The minimalistic style of this book allows us to focus on the things that are truly important: love, kindness, humanity and unwavering principle in the face of incredible danger and hardship. This is a wonderful book that I hope others take time to read!
In fact, that is really my only quibble with this book - that we don't truly get to know anyone. We are given only what we need to know. This book could easily have been lengthened with deeper character development, and while I wanted more, I do still think it packs a powerful punch. If you enjoy historical novels set in the WWII era as I do, I highly recommend this book.
Franciszka is first
This woman's heroic bravery is evidence that human kindness does exist. A story easily readable by anyone. Told in brief vignettes by each of the characters perspectives it was difficult not to read in a single sitting.
Highly recommended if wanting an inspirational read.
These two amazing women not only hid 3 Jewish families but also a German Soldier who could not do what his commanding officer was asking of him he had an acquaintance with Franciszka, who reminded him of his Oma and of course she hid him , she hid them all and none knew about the others.
This woman’s courage just floored me especially when she invited the German Commandant to dinner with 2 Jewish families in the basement and another in the shed but it made her above suspicion and when the Germans moved tanks into her yard and were a little close for comfort she talks them into moving everything out of her yard when asked how she did it she says, “Always point out what is in the best interest of the other person if you want them to do something. Works on everyone.â€
There are some great quotes in this book these are my favorites:
“Helena, there are three kinds of people in the world. One that would have seen the suffering cat and not have given it a second thought. Another that would have seen the same cat and said to themselves, ‘Oh, isn’t that a pity’ before continuing about their business. Finally, there is the kind that sees the suffering, feels the empathy, and then goes one step further by taking action to help. That is you. You didn’t leave the cat there to perish. I am proud that you are my daughter. Think what a wonderful place the world would be if everyone was like that.â€
“I always thought courageous people were those who were not afraid. Meeting Franciszka and her daughter, I realize that courageous people are afraid like everyone else. They just act despite the fear.â€
“ If you choose to do the right thing, it’s a conscious decision at first. Then it becomes second nature. You don’t have to think about what is right because doing the right thing becomes who you are, like a reflex. Your actions with time become your character.â€
This was a great book and I would highly recommend this story, it’s a short book that packs a powerful punch.
4 Stars
J. L. Witterick was captivated by the true story of Franciszka and her daughter, Helena, a simple family with a farm in rural Poland. After hearing about their selfless act of hiding 15 people in their simple home during the war, Witterick knew there was a story to tell. In MY MOTHER'S SECRET, Helena begins telling us about her life growing up in Germany with her parents and brother, Damien. As Hitler emerges as the new leader, her father takes Hitler's side and life at home becomes more difficult. At 16, Helena and her brother leave with their mother to move to Poland, leaving the abusive father behind. Through the many contacts and friends they meet during their time in Poland, Francsizka's kindness is remembered. Those connections prove to be quite valuable as war breaks out. Moving through the book we read the personal stories of the people Francisizka chooses to hide and keep safe while war and horrors take place all around them. Of those who take refuge on the farm, we meet a German soldier who can't bear to participate in any more of the horrible acts required of him, a doctor and his family whose wealth can only protect them so long, and finally, a family who can't bear to suffer another loss at the hands of the Germans.
The novel is written in a way that it can be shared with your teenager or your grandparents. The chapters are short and even though the pain of the words are difficult, it is a quick read. There are many lessons to learn while reading this book, including living without regrets, giving selflessly to help others, and that acts kindness will be rewarded. Even when Franciszka should have given up and been as angry as any other person who had suffered during the war, she found a way to give to others, to keep hope alive, and choose to do the right thing when she had so much to lose.
This would make an excellent choice for book clubs or for schools to use in their Holocaust studies. Discussion questions are included in the back of the book, but even without them, you will find much to discuss in the stories of Franciszka, Helena, and the families they meet. MY MOTHER'S SECRET is an amazing story and one that should be shared with generations to come.
Taking her daughter and her son, leaving her husband, an avowed
She would eventually hide two different Jewish families and one young eighteen yr. Old German soldier. Just because it was the right thing to do. We hear from her daughter, the soldier and the two men of the families. In this town which once had 6000 Jews, only thirty would survive. Franciska saved fifteen. How amazing and this is based on a true story and a real person.
This book is more about the message because the tone is rather informal. It is told in a very unemotional way and in a way I felt it kept me from feeling connected to the characters. The book was easy to read and it was wonderful reading about someone who helped with no question or soul searching.
Germany invades Poland in 1939. Hitler’s popularity is growing and he seems to have a hypnotic power over the people. In 1941 things go from bad to
Franciszka is an incredible woman who displays motivation, cleverness and courage. She is a warm and loving mother to Helena, but is willing to risk their lives to save others. She hides two Jewish families and a German soldier in a small house and shed, and she never asks for anything in return. A touching story, indeed! This story is told in the simplest way and is a book quite appropriate for YA’s. 5 stars.
Helena is a good daughter, she gets a job as a secretary at a garment factory to help out with the family, and falls in love with her boss Casmir.
Damian gets a job at an oil refinery, where he excels. As a valued laborer, the military leaves him alone as it builds an army to purge Poland of those individuals of Jewish heritage.
Being who she is, Franciszka cannot turn away those in need, and she winds up hiding a number of people throughout the war, risking her own life and that of her children.
My final word: This was an easy, fast read. It is inspired by true events, and the real Franciszka Halamajowa, "who with her daughter saved the lives of fifteen Jews in Poland and during the Second World War. She also hid a young German soldier in her attic at the same time." The book feels authentic. You can imagine that this is what it was like for these people, and it is a great tribute to both those who survived and those who died during the war and an attempted eradication. For those seeking to learn more of Holocaust experience, this is a fine semi-fictional exploration.
In Sokal, Poland, Franciszka Halamajowa, small but strong, uses her wits to stand against hatred. She teaches love and kindness to her daughter Helena, and son Damian. The three aid Jews during the Holocaust; until
The story is written candidly and unpretentiously, in short chapters and simple words to soften the intensity of what life was like. Witterick honors Franciska, Damian and Helena, exceptional people for their brave, kind, good hearts and souls, wise decisions, and their robust moral will.
Outstanding read.
At only 208 pages, Ms. Witterick does not go into great detail about the events at the Halamajowa household, but what she does show gives us four different viewpoints of the war and living in occupied Poland. We get a partial understanding of the desperation required to ask for help in hiding from the Nazis, and we also get an idea that not all Nazis relished their roles in occupying countries and terminating the Jews. More importantly, we can glean an idea of the humanity it takes to hide not one but two families as well as a German deserter from the enemy.
Again, My Mother’s Secret is more a novella than a novel, so there is no depth, no insight into the characters or the story. Instead, we get a very simplistic view of the generosity of spirit and the creativity it took to protect those most at risk during the Nazi occupation. Coming off of four years of inflamed hatred and burgeoning fascism, My Mother’s Secret inspires as it provides proof that humanity can be better than what the news media reports.
"Hope is a strategy after all".
"Love is the only thing that you get more of when you give it away".
If you are a avid fan of these types of books than you need to check this book out. You won't regret it. In fact, you might want to read it over and over again. So on second thought purchase two copies so that you can read one over and over again and the other one can be kept safe on your bookshelf or electronic ereader.
This story is a relatively short story. I managed to finish this really fast. For me, unlike
I would recommend this book to those who enjoy WWII historical fiction.
[I received this book from a Librarything Early Reviewer's Giveaway. The content of my review is in no way affected by that.]