Sunday, June 10, 2018

Lilac Girls: Book Review







Lilac Girls
By Martha Hall Kelly
Review copy from Ballantine Books




You may not want to read my review. I am very critical of people writing books about the holocaust period. I have read so many books on the holocaust. They all read the same. This is just another book about the subject. I read somewhere. As you get older books read the same. So to me the book was just another one

. I only read this one because we were discussing, Lilac Girls for our book club. It was very depressing, and sad. I had a difficult time getting through the book.

Though, this is the first time I am reading a novel about the holocaust. Without it being the Jewish perspective. In this novel, the people are non-Jewish, and the author is non-Jewish. It was the first time I read a book in this time period with the characters not being Jewish. It was difficult to read. . One part disturbed me at one point. When Herta had no problem picking through Jewish property That was owned by a Jewish family. I think that was it. I didn't like the book from there.

 The three main characters, Caroline Farraday, works for the American Consulate. Herta Oberheuser, a German doctor. Kasia Kuzmerick, a Polish teenager she works for the Underground Resistance Movement. These three characters lives eventually intercept. But, not till about 3/4 of the novel.

Caroline works in the American consulate who eventually learns about the SS experiments that are being done by Nazi doctors. The doctors do horrific experiments to the Nazi prisoners in a prison camp called, Ravensbruck.

The novel is quick moving. But, at times is slow moving. I struggled through the novel. There were times I wanted to say, enough. I can't read any further. But, because I am the moderator of the book club. I was forced to finish it. I couldn't wait to finish the book. When the end came. I finally felt thank g-d.

I enjoy reading historical fiction.But, this is one I didn't particularly fall in love with. Even though the story was fast moving.

 I always remember hearing stories of experiments done in the camps. I didn't realize to what extent. I never heard of stories of women called, "Rabbits". The experiments were done to the women prisoners legs. That is all I am going to say about it without ruining the story.

The book is based on true facts. The author was inspired by visiting the real life woman's home. Where she learned about her saving these women's lives. I know I will get flack about my opinion of the book. But, this is my opinion. As you get older and you read these types of books, over, and over. They all read the same.






 photo POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png

Monday, June 4, 2018

Hellfire Club: Book Review










Hellfire Club
By Jake Tapper

Courtesy Copy: Netgalley






If you like a bit of history, political intrigue, and suspense and some twists.You will enjoy reading Jake Tapper's new novel. This is he's first attempt writing fiction. I will be reading more if he delves more into fiction. 

 I don't know much about McCarthyism, which is where the setting in time takes place in Washington, DC. The story sets up with a well meaning congressman. Who was not meant for the job. He was a teaching professor at a University. Then he, and he's wife move to Washington. He's well meaning father pulls connections for him to become a congressman. Where twists and turns happen right from the first page. He is invited to a party, then leaves. We don't know what happens. (All of a sudden. It has a Ted Kennedy feel). He finds himself laying on the ground. He must have been thrown from he's car. In he's car is a dead read head. 

Who is she? How did this happen? He doesn't remember being in the car with anyone. He finds himself thrown from the car. He's clothes all muddy. Then conveniently a man. Shows up and asked if he needs some help. He tells him,  he should dispose of the body.  A man he doesn't know. And that is just the beginning of the novel. 

I enjoyed the cameos of real people pop into the book. We have the Kennedy's, LBJ, Cohn( Who actually is Trump's follower in real life), McCarthy, Eisenhower, and many more that pop in the book. There is a secret society in government that we learn about called, . It was a secret society in England. The Hellfire Club which starts in England and is associated with Ben Franklin.( actually true history). There were some heroes, and some villains in Washington. Which I wasn't aware of. Such as Margaret Chase Smith, a senator from Maine. . She stood against McCarthy. .She spoke out with her, Declaration of Conscience.  

The book was a fun read. it was a feel good novel. When actually good people did stand up for the common good, and our country. I think Mr. Tapper was trying to convey that there are good intentioned congressmen, and senators that come to Washington hoping to do good. But then people compromise, and keep compromising until the good is no longer there..














 photo POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png