J.L. WitterickMy Mother's Secret: A Novel Based on a True Holocaust Story

At under 200 pages, I read this in 2 days. It’s very good and hard to put down. The characters were well portrayed and I felt like I knew all of them by the end of the book

This was a fascinating book; it is a novelization of a true story. Set in Sokal, Poland during the German Invasion and all the Jews are being rounded up and put into the ghetto or being killed outright and anyone who helps the Jews is summarily executed for their efforts. That’s what makes Franciszka and her daughter, Helena true heroes these women put their lives on the line for people they barely knew, they gave them a place to hide, food and gave them their lives because none of these people would have survived the Nazi’s, well Vilheim may have survived but his soul would have become so scared by what he was forced to do that he would have never been the same.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.”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.”“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.”“ 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.”This was a great book and I would highly recommend this story, it’s a short book that packs a powerful punch.4 Stars

This is a short story, and yet so filled with the memory of love and fear, that becomes the book you pick up WW2 battles dates and google them! I am a speed reader but was unable to put this down. I forced myself from missing the subtle sense of goodness and silent love in the story. A story based on real events, people, grief, and love. You should......no, you MUST read this book if you are looking at current world news in depression!!!!!

But I do. I love this book. I initially bought it simply because I was drawn in by the description on Amazon. Usually I temper the description with a glance at the number of pages in the book - but oddly for a person driven by the joy of a well thought out routine - I didn’t even see the length of this book. I’m so glad I didn’t. I wouldn’t have taken a chance on a new author if I had. I read way too fast for short books to be of good value to a miser such as myself! A few pages in I noticed the very short chapters with dismay - and then the rapidly rising percentage of book pages read in the bottom right corner... But soon I noticed only the words - eloquent and whirling into a story I could not - I did not put down. Yes - I read this book from start to finish in about an hour. And resoundingly yes - I will read anything else this author has written or will write in the future. And maybe - just maybe I will reconsider and possibly tweak my rote algorithm for choosing books to purchase and love... (I mean - anyone can change - right?! And I’ve already managed to stop long enough before the next book - to write a review I wouldn’t ordinarily make time for so...)

How can I criticize a story of heroism set in one of the most brutal times of the 20th Century? Surely Franciszka and Helena are heroes and the survival of 8 people is miraculous. However, the book is written at a grade school level with simplistic sentence structure and chapters that lack substance. This would aptly be marketed to elementary school libraries.Tracking down the true stories of the survivors may have been nearly impossible, but depicting them in a more compelling way would enhance the adult reader’s experience. Surprisingly, at the end of the book we learn from the author that the real Franciszka actually saved 20 people!

What a wonderful story of bravery and heroism! I enjoyed the different points of view. A great, terrific, fast read.

Great story of bravery

Oh what a good little book this was to read. I so enjoyed it and didn't want to put it down. What a nice story of a smart woman trying to help the Jews and a soldier hide during the war. I wished the story was a bit longer that's how much I enjoyed this book. It was an easy read as well.