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Title: Light in Hidden Places, The
Authors: Cameron, Sharon
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 401
Year: 2015
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Language: English
Description: When the Germans invade the Polish city of Przemysl during WWII, it is just sixteen-year-old Fusia and her six-year-old sister Helena against the world ... but before long Max Diamant turns up on their doorstep, having escaped from a train heading to a concentration camp. Already close to the Diamant family, Fusia doesn't hesitate to offer refuge to Max, little realising that he will be the first of thirteen people she and Helena will hide in their apartment.

Based on the true story of Polish war heroine Stefania Podgorska and supported with photos and Author's Note, this is a gripping, inspiring and suspenseful story of ordinary people doing remarkable things in the worst of times.

Categories: Fiction, War theme, Cross-over, Culture/Ethnic/Racial, Faction, Historical, Human Rights, Inspirational, Morals/Ethics, Poland, Jewish Culture, 2022 Titles

Reviews

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By: DOUBT 001 2024-02-22 10:22:01
3.5 
Majority felt it was a well-written, easy to read, and moving story of incredible bravery and survival.

By: KURO 001 2024-01-23 12:27:40
5 
Amazing story. Lots of discussion about what influences people to make choices.

By: WHANG 033 2024-01-22 13:44:24
4 
Compelling yet confronting story of courage, resilience, resourcefulness and integrity. Accessible and easy to read.

By: MAST 007 2024-01-11 10:27:19
4.5 
Valuable reading, amazing woman.

By: CHCH 194 2023-11-24 14:32:18
3.5 
The story leaves one in awe of the courage of ordinary people in extreme difficulties. Very well-written to convey an everyday feel at times - and yet leave one on edge for when it's all going to crash.

By: HAMIL 062 2023-11-02 14:27:21
4.5 
Unanimously loved and praised by group who found it well researched and written with nothing unimportant written about. Some of us were reluctant to read another harrowing war/ Nazi/ Jew story, but it was so much more- full of love, courage, wry humor and a wonderful turn of phrase. We were all in awe of the main character who was resilient, resourceful, and enormously courageous, and it was hard to believe she was a teenager. Interesting to know more about the war from the Polish perspective. Great epilogue at back with photos and follow up on what became of the characters.

By: TIMAR 011 2023-10-30 09:50:01
4.5 
Good to see history told through real, ordinary people. Everyone read it, and in spite of its confronting content, found it a very worthwhile and compelling read. Hard to use 'enjoyable' for a book like this - but it was readable and some commented that they felt they were alongside Fusia... Overall, an important book and an excellent read.

By: NELS 089 2023-08-16 13:20:25
2.5 
Definitely pitched at/written for young adults. Good, lightweight story.

By: THAM 008 2023-07-12 11:32:41
4 
Lovely story.

By: NELS 054 2023-06-27 14:19:29
5 
We all loved this book and its amazing story of resilience and hope.

By: PALMN 006 2023-06-26 12:01:43
4 
We all loved this book. Most popular one this year. Amazing story and so well-written.

By: NEWP 022 2023-04-17 12:22:52
4.5 
All enjoyed reading and discussing this book. Everyone had differing viewpoints on the happenings within the book which made it an interesting discussion.

By: WELL 117 2023-03-13 09:36:52
4.5 
All in our group considered the book outstanding. At times not an easy read, given the subject matter, but in the end a most worthwhile and satisfying book.

By: WHANGA 002 2023-01-09 10:03:52
4.5 
'The Light in Hidden Places' was appreciated by the majority of the Group. One member felt it was just another war story. However the fact that it was based on a true story gave it a different perspective. The photographs of the main characters, together with their post war stories made it all the more believable. We had a great discussion, and it provided a valuable history lesson. The notes were useful.

By: TAUP 011 2022-11-17 11:58:30
5 
The group all found it easy to read but wouldn't say "enjoyed it" as it was such an horrific story. Some found it really confronting as it showed how cruel humanity can be especially when we hear of what is happening in Ukraine at the moment. It is a history which needs to be told. We were all amazed at how the survivors managed to get their lives together after the war. Definitely a 5.

By: BLENH 003 2022-11-16 13:14:03
4.5 
A dark book but well-written. Thought provoking. Including photos made the story more real.

By: GORE 006 2022-10-21 11:10:07
4.5 
Excellent book, very well-written.

By: DUNED 113 2022-10-20 12:41:00
4.5 
We all enjoyed this book - very informative.

By: WANAK 008 2022-09-30 10:18:21
4 
Most of us enjoyed the book. We all felt the fear throughout the book. Not a book to read at nighttime as couldn't get to sleep from the stress of the situation.

By: AUCK 181 2022-08-18 10:08:51
5 
Loved it. extraordinary story. Thank you.

By: ROTO 012 2022-08-03 11:19:45
5 
An impressive story. All members were in awe of the courage shown by many of the characters, but most of all Stefania and her sister.

By: AUCK 293 2022-07-21 11:39:17
4 
Stefania was an exceptional woman, as was her young sister Helena. So brave to hide 13 Jews in her attic for so long. Helena showed great perception for a six year old, her cleverness saved them many a time. Stefania's fear was palpable, and Sharon Cameron ( the author) did an excellent job of relaying this. Overall an amazing story. Well worth reading.

By: WELL 041 2022-07-18 12:20:24
4.5 
An absorbing and beautifully written book - honest and without detracting from the cruelty and viciousness of the Germans towards the Jewish community. The fact that this is a 'true' story, carefully researched and written as a 'novel' makes it even more powerful yet wonderful. What an amazing young woman Stefania was. We all felt the strength and fear throughout the book. We thoroughly recommend 'The Light in Hidden Places'.

By: CHCH 508 2022-06-15 13:43:52
4.5 
Very well-written, hard to put down. Stunning story.

By: WHANGA 004 2022-04-27 16:11:42
4.5 
A well-written read, albeit another war story. Very poignant given the Russian/Ukrainian war!

By: DUNED 089 2022-02-28 14:14:04
4 
All members in our group enjoyed this book, though in places it was harrowing, and hard to imagine one person coping with such adversity and staying sane! Gave us more of an insight to Polish history and the issues this country dealt with. Well researched. We enjoyed the writing style of the author.

 
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