Book Summary and Reviews of Karolina's Twins by Ronald H. Balson

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Elizabeth @Silver's Reviews

Elizabeth @ Silver's Reviews - EXCELLENT
Re-telling your nightmare of living in occupied Poland during WWII would stir up emotions that I would want to forget, but Lena Scheinman Woodward wanted it told.

Lena Woodward lived in Poland during the holocaust, lost her entire family, but did find her best friend, Karolina, in the factory where they were required to work and make coats for the Germans.

?We are there as Lena tells of her experiences to an attorney and private investigator ?in hopes of getting the help she needs to fulfill the promise she made to her friend Karolina to find her twins.

Lena Woodard made a promise to her friend 70 years ago, and now at the age of 89 decided to tell her story and to try to find Karolina's children that sadly had to be abandoned because of the situation they were in.

When Lena's son finds out she is telling her story, he causes problems because he is worried about his inheritance being taken by the attorney and the investigator even though he indicates his concern is only with his mother's welfare.

?As Lena's story unfolded for her attorney, Catherine, we re-lived with her the terror and atrocities committed by the Nazis, and we learned that there was a secret Lena had been keeping for 70 years.

Lena and Catherine were two characters I loved. They were strong, determined women. Liam was fun. Arthur, Lena's son, was not pleasant. I truly enjoyed the interaction of the characters both present day and past as Lena told her story.

KAROLINA'S TWINS flowed very nicely, and was another well-researched book by Mr. Balson. Mr. Balson has a marvelous writing style and a knack for keeping readers interested by combining facts with human interest.

Mr. Balson indicated that his book is fiction, but it is similar to the life of Fay Scharf Waldman whom he met after writing his first book.

World War II buffs will add yet another layer to their interest and desire to learn the truth. 5/5

This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by the publisher in return for an honest review.

Linda Zagon

"Discovery of Past Secrets"
I enjoyed reading "Karolina's Twins" by Ronald H. Balson, author of "Once We Were Brothers" And "Saving Sophie". The genre of this book is Historical Fiction. The fictional story is the retelling of the Holocaust and life in Poland,by Lena, one of the characters. Lena wants to hire Liam Taggart private investigator and Catherine Lockhart, attorney to help with the discovery of past secrets. Lena is now in her eighties, and is determined to put her mind at ease. The author writes about hope, faith, strength,courage,family at such a terrible time in history. I did have some Kleenex moments, and would highly recommend this book.

Bev C

Karolina's Twins
"Lena Woodward, elegant and poised, has lived a comfortable life among Chicago Society since she immigrated to the US and began a new life at the end of World War II." (from Amazon synopsis)

There is a particular reason that it is time to honor an unfulfilled promise she made long ago. She requests the assistance of lawyer Catherine Lockhart and private investigator Liam Taggart and it's in their presence that this poignant tale unfolds.

I was thoroughly engaged in the life story of Lena Scheinman. Chrzanow, Poland was her birthplace (1924), the earlier years of loving familial covenant are in place and the story develops with fervor as Germany invades Poland in 1939.

Love, survival and resilience are the cornerstone of this novel,
Nazi-occupied Poland and the bond Lena shared with her childhood friend, Karolina are developed in rich detail. There is, of course, specific emphasis on the Jewish population and the injustice dealt them under Nazi occupation.

There is a subplot, which will be successfully resolved. Lena's son Arthur has reason to pursue a declaration of incompetence for his mother.

I found this rewarding historical fiction. Balson successfully transported me to this era and I came away enlightened.

The following is an author acknowledgment:

"Karolina's Twins is a work of fiction.
The story was inspired by the life of Fay Scharf Waldman...Karolina's Twins is not intended to be a biographical account of Fay's life. Lena Woodward is a fictional character. who experienced many of the travails described to me by Fay, but, some of the episodes,mthough authentic in their occurrence to others, did not involve Fay," The author has also drawn upon memoirs, Yizkor Books, museum archives and personal stories conveyed to the author.

I hope I have encouraged you to review the history of World WarII Poland and engage in a heart warming/breaking tale.

Diane D. (Blairstown, NJ)

Fascinating Book!
I have to thank Ronald H. Balson for writing this book. I feel privileged to have been able to read it before its publication date.

I've known most of the things that went on, during the Holocaust, for many years, and it still upsets me to read about it. I have to say that I think I was more upset about Arthur's pursuit of a lawsuit trying to have his mother, Lena declared incompetent & suffering from dementia in her efforts to find her friend's twins. It's obvious that he is just trying to control her money, and that really bothers me. I guess, since I'm almost 80, it brings home how vulnerable we all are, as we age.

Every time I read about what happened to the Jews, during that time, I wonder if any of my ancestors suffered in those ways. Since I have both German & Jewish ancestors, those things bother me even more. It's amazing that Lena & others were able to make it through the atrocities wreaked upon them and go on to live full lives. I know this is a novel, but it seemed SO REAL to me, and I shed many tears over it.

I enjoyed all the characters, especially Catherine and her husband, Liam. They were perfect in their roles.

Kathryn

Never forget the past...
If you like historical fiction, this is a book to consider reading. I couldn't put the book down once I started it. It is spell-binding!
Ronald Balson wrote about a difficult topic---the Holocaust---and made it very real through Lena's voice.
I am going to the library to check out more of this author's books. Well done!

Tillie

Excellent book about the Holocaust
Wow! A well-written book that was hard to put down. Although this is another book about the Holocaust, it was also a book about determination and finding love and joy amidst the horrors of the war. It is definitely a book I will consider for my senior book club. Love this book!!!!!

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