Irena’s Gift by Karen Kirsten

Back of the Book

If we seal off the past, how will we ever know the truth?

In 1942, in Nazi-occupied Poland, a Jewish child was smuggled out of the Warsaw ghetto in a backpack. That child was Karen Kirsten’s mother, but she knew nothing about this extraordinary event until one day a letter arrived from a stranger.

After Karen eventually discovered the grandparents she loved dearly were in fact not her biological grandparents, she travelled the globe to uncover her family’s past and to find the answers to baffling questions: why did her adoptive grandmother treat Karen’s mother so unkindly? Why did she hide the truth that she was her mother’s aunt? And why, if she appeared to dislike Karen’s mother, did she risk her life to save her and bring her to Australia?

Irena’s Gift weaves together a mystery, history and memoir to tell the story of a family torn apart by war. From the glittering concert halls of interbellum Warsaw to the vermin-infested prison where a Jewish woman negotiates with an SS officer to save her sister’s child, Irena’s Gift is about the lies we tell to survive and what happens when those lies unravel. It is about the extraordinary resilience of three generations of women, and the sacrifices made for love.

BOOK REVIEW

Irena’s Gift by Karen Kirsten is a touching memoir about a family’s resilience amidst the atrocities of war. The book follows the journey of Karen Kirsten, as she unravels the mysteries surrounding her mother’s smuggling out of the Warsaw ghetto during Nazi-occupied Poland. The story is heart-wrenching and an essential read for those interested in learning about the courage and bravery shown by individuals during the war.

The author’s writing style is candid and descriptive, which draws the reader in, making it difficult to put the book down. Karen Kirsten skillfully weaves together history, memoir, and mystery, making it a compelling and poignant read. It is interesting to note how the author struggled with questions such as why her adoptive grandmother treated her mother unkindly, which keeps the readers guessing till the very end.

What makes this book a standout is its powerful storytelling. It chronicles the harrowing experiences of three generations of women, each with their own struggles and sacrifices made for the sake of love. The author expertly paints a vivid picture of life in Warsaw before and after the war, making the book an immersive experience.

One of the significant themes of the book is the power of family bonds. The author showcases how despite the challenges and struggles, family members remained committed to one another. Karen Kirsten’s family story is a testimony to the extraordinary resilience and the human spirit’s ability to survive even amidst the harshest conditions.

In conclusion, Irena’s Gift is a moving tribute to the author’s family and a powerful portrayal of life during war. The book is an essential read for those interested in history, memoirs, and family narratives. The author’s candid writing style, the well-constructed plot, and the strong emotional core of the story make it an unforgettable read. However, it is worth noting that the book deals with some heavy themes and may be challenging to read for some readers.

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