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Karolina's Twins by Ronald H. Balson

Karolina's Twins

by Ronald H. Balson

  • Critics' Consensus (0):
  • Readers' Rating (32):
  • Published:
  • Sep 2016, 320 pages
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There are currently 32 reader reviews for Karolina's Twins
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Marcia F. (Batavia, IL)

Karolina's Twins
Karolina's Twins is a one sitting read, it is that good! I loved it and will definitely recommend it to my book club as there is so much to discuss. The book is, suspenseful, sad and also happy; a book we should all read as this book keeps all of us from ever forgetting this horrible period in our history and we must never allow this to ever happen again.
Henry W. (Lake Barrington, IL)

A Fascinating journey
i am constantly amazed by the stories of Holocaust survivors. While this is a book of fiction it is a based on the real life experiences of incredibly brave women.At times you need to suspend belief but you know that these incredible people did many incredible acts. i could not put the book down, having some idea of the ending but eager to see how it comes to pass.The characters are true and leave you wondering where is the source of their strength. While the ending is intended to be a surprise it is amply foreshadowed. The author writes clearly and is focused on a story without embellishment. Clearly a book to be savored.
Bobbie D. (Boca Raton, FL)

Survival
"What are my footprints on the earth? I want to do something. I want to make my father proud" (Lena).

Karolina's Twins, Ronald Balson's new book, deals with determination against all odds. There are many books detailing the horrors and atrocities of Hitler and the Germans against the Jewish people and others, creating the ghettos in Poland and then sending those that are still alive to slave labor and ultimately to their death in concentration camps like Auschwitz-Birkenau where they are gassed and the bodies sent to the crematoriums. Having visited these camps, one can only begin to imagine the suffering! Balson'more
Molly B. (Longmont, CO)

Difficult subject, lovely story
I really enjoyed this story. It was constructed in a way that kept my interest - going back and forth. Before the story within the story got to be too much to bear, Blason pulled back to the present story. It was a nice balance and a relief, making it easier to bear the excruciating inner story. A big secret kept things interesting, and the fact that I guessed the secret before it was revealed didn't diminish my appreciation for this book. For me, it was a page turner, an easy read for someone who needs to be really engaged in order to keep reading. I finished it in just a few sittings. The author provided goodmore
Paula W. (East Wenatchee, WA)

Karolina's Twins a Novel by Ronald H. Balson
During the past few years I have read many novels about World War II and I was not sure if I wanted to read another one, but I am glad that I did. Lena Woodward is a Holocaust survivor from Poland. She is now 89 years old. All her adult life she she been wondering what became of her best friend Karolina's twin daughters, that had to be abandoned during the war to save their lives. She hires a husband and wife team, Catherine Lockhart is an attorney and Liam Taggart is a private investigator. She needs Catherine because her only son is taking her to court, as he is claiming she can no longer take care of herself.more
Barbara Z. (Cherry Hill, NJ)

Twins
Karolina's Twins doesn't have the opening chapter hook that would not let me put down Once We Brothers. This story is told from the prospective of Lena Scheinman, a fictional character.
Once a again, Ron Balson writes a historical fiction novel with a gripping backstory and this time focused on women during the Holocaust. The story has the emotional grip of The Nightingale.
The beginning is choppy, dialogue dry, but once the woman characters become slaves of the Nazi regime, I could not put the book down. In-depth historical content, ethical dilemmas, strong women and romance.
There is a very relevant andmore
Tracy L. (Wesley Chapel, FL)

Karolina's Twins by Ronald H. Balson
Karolina's Twins was an interesting story. It had a fascinating story line and it was easy to imagine it happening during that horrific time in Poland.
While I enjoyed the overall story, I did find it somewhat disjointed. There did not seem to be much connection between the different elements and characters. The characters had a lot of potential but their interactions felt somewhat flat to me. Also, the back story about Lena's son, Arthur, felt like an add on. It did not tie the story together as well as it should have.

Overall I was glad I read it. I would be curious to read Mr. Balson's future works to see ifmore
Cam G. (Murrells Inlet, SC)

Karolina's Twins
What I liked about this book was the way the author depicted the young Jewish women: having to live their lives in fear of being sent away, of the losses of their homes, and families, as well as being hungry and living in dire circumstances.
I did, however, feel that the ending was bit too pat; otherwise, Karolina's Twins held my attention..."man's inhumanity to man" certainly applies here.

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