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The Goddess of Warsaw
From the New York Times bestselling author of Woman on Fire, the harrowing and ultimately triumphant tale of a Jewish WWII assassin turned Hollywood star ...
The Goddess Of Warsaw is an enthralling story of a legendary Hollywood screen goddess with a dark secret. When the famous actress Lena Browning is threatened by someone from her war-time past, she must put her skills into play to protect herself, her illustrious career, and those she loves, then and now.
Before she was a “Living Legend”, Lena Browning was Bina Blonski, a wealthy Polish Jew whose life and prominent family were destroyed by the Nazis and imprisoned with the rest of Warsaw's Jews in a ghastly ghetto. Determined to fight back, the beautiful, blonde Aryan-looking Bina becomes a spy and an assassin, gaining information and stealing weapons outside the Warsaw ghetto to protect her family and fellow Jews. While Bina accomplishes amazing feats of bravery, she sacrifices much in the process – including a forbidden love.
More than a decade after escaping the horrors of the war, Lena Browning rises to fame in Hollywood. Yet she cannot help but hunger for revenge against the Nazis who escaped justice after the war. Fierce and fearless, Lena uses her star power to right the past’s wrongs . . . and perhaps even finds the happy ending she never had.
A gripping page-turner of one of history’s most heroic uprisings and a glamourous actress whose personal war never ends, The Goddess of Warsaw is filled with secrets, lies, twists and turns, and a burning pursuit of justice no matter the cost.
“Jaw-dropping moments worthy of a Tarantino film . . . Unrelentingly immersive and suspenseful, The Goddess of Warsaw spins a haunting tale of the cost of survival, sacrifice, and the long-denied secrets of the past.”
—NATALIE JENNER, bestselling author of The Jane Austen Society
The Goddess Of Warsaw is an enthralling story of a legendary Hollywood screen goddess with a dark secret. When the famous actress Lena Browning is threatened by someone from her war-time past, she must put her skills into play to protect herself, her illustrious career, and those she loves, then and now.
Before she was a “Living Legend”, Lena Browning was Bina Blonski, a wealthy Polish Jew whose life and prominent family were destroyed by the Nazis and imprisoned with the rest of Warsaw's Jews in a ghastly ghetto. Determined to fight back, the beautiful, blonde Aryan-looking Bina becomes a spy and an assassin, gaining information and stealing weapons outside the Warsaw ghetto to protect her family and fellow Jews. While Bina accomplishes amazing feats of bravery, she sacrifices much in the process – including a forbidden love.
More than a decade after escaping the horrors of the war, Lena Browning rises to fame in Hollywood. Yet she cannot help but hunger for revenge against the Nazis who escaped justice after the war. Fierce and fearless, Lena uses her star power to right the past’s wrongs . . . and perhaps even finds the happy ending she never had.
A gripping page-turner of one of history’s most heroic uprisings and a glamourous actress whose personal war never ends, The Goddess of Warsaw is filled with secrets, lies, twists and turns, and a burning pursuit of justice no matter the cost.
“Jaw-dropping moments worthy of a Tarantino film . . . Unrelentingly immersive and suspenseful, The Goddess of Warsaw spins a haunting tale of the cost of survival, sacrifice, and the long-denied secrets of the past.”
—NATALIE JENNER, bestselling author of The Jane Austen Society
368 pages, Paperback
First published May 21, 2024
About the author
Lisa Barr
4 books908 followersLisa Barr is the New York Times bestselling author of WOMAN ON FIRE, THE UNBREAKABLES and the award-winning FUGITIVE COLORS. Her new historical thriller, THE GODDESS OF WARSAW debuts on May 28th, 2024. In addition, Lisa served as an editor for The Jerusalem Post, managing editor of Today's Chicago Woman, managing editor of Moment magazine, and as an editor/reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times. Among the highlights of her career, Lisa covered the famous “handshake” between the late Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, the late PLO leader Yasser Arafat, and President Bill Clinton at the White House. Lisa has been featured on Good Morning America and Today for her work as an author, journalist, and blogger. In exciting book news: Actress Sharon Stone has optioned rights to adapt WOMAN ON FIRE for film.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 723 reviews
May 19, 2024
Lena Browning is one of Hollywood leading ladies and in 2005 she’s visited by up and coming movie star Sienna Hayes, who wants to direct and star in a movie about her idols life. Lena is eighty-five years old, she wants to tell Sienna her real story and who she once was.
Bina Blonski is a wealthy Jewish actress, in 1943, she and her husband Jakub were imprisoned in the Warsaw Ghetto and with his brother Aleksander, Bina's father had been killed and her mother and younger sister had been sent to Treblinka.
Bina is blond and she’s able to pass as an Aryan woman and this gives her an advantage. She’s determined to survive, she does whatever it takes, and smuggles in food and medicine into the Ghetto and later becomes a member of the resistance and an unlikely assassin.
Bina makes it to the United States and becomes a star, she can never forgot what the Germans did to her and the Jewish population of Poland, she wants them to pay for their war crimes, many are hiding in America, and she hunts them down and gets justice.
You read what is was really like living in the Warsaw Ghetto, over 400,000 Jewish people were held behind the walls and it was hell. Over crowded, filthy, people were beaten and starved, children died from exposure and diseases. When they knew time was running out they prepared to fight and go out on their own terms and take as many Germans with them.
I received a copy of The Goddess of Warsaw from Edelweiss Plus and HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review. Lisa Barr has written an emotional and moving narrative about the Holocaust and the Warsaw Ghetto and it’s a story that will stay with me for a long time and the characters.
Full of secrets, lies, twist and turns that I didn’t see coming and it’s about sacrifice, bravery, losing everyone thing you own and most of all the people you love, survival, secrets, revenge, it’s never too late to make people pay and get justice.
Five stars from me, I cried so much reading this book, I highly recommend and the author’s previous novel Fugitive Colors.
Bina Blonski is a wealthy Jewish actress, in 1943, she and her husband Jakub were imprisoned in the Warsaw Ghetto and with his brother Aleksander, Bina's father had been killed and her mother and younger sister had been sent to Treblinka.
Bina is blond and she’s able to pass as an Aryan woman and this gives her an advantage. She’s determined to survive, she does whatever it takes, and smuggles in food and medicine into the Ghetto and later becomes a member of the resistance and an unlikely assassin.
Bina makes it to the United States and becomes a star, she can never forgot what the Germans did to her and the Jewish population of Poland, she wants them to pay for their war crimes, many are hiding in America, and she hunts them down and gets justice.
You read what is was really like living in the Warsaw Ghetto, over 400,000 Jewish people were held behind the walls and it was hell. Over crowded, filthy, people were beaten and starved, children died from exposure and diseases. When they knew time was running out they prepared to fight and go out on their own terms and take as many Germans with them.
I received a copy of The Goddess of Warsaw from Edelweiss Plus and HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review. Lisa Barr has written an emotional and moving narrative about the Holocaust and the Warsaw Ghetto and it’s a story that will stay with me for a long time and the characters.
Full of secrets, lies, twist and turns that I didn’t see coming and it’s about sacrifice, bravery, losing everyone thing you own and most of all the people you love, survival, secrets, revenge, it’s never too late to make people pay and get justice.
Five stars from me, I cried so much reading this book, I highly recommend and the author’s previous novel Fugitive Colors.
July 17, 2024
The Goddess of Warsaw is a captivating historical fiction read that follows the untold story of Hollywood star Lena Browning aka Bina Blonski, a Polish Jew who survived the Warsaw Ghetto. The writing was exquisite, the characters were well-developed, and even though I read a lot of Holocaust fiction, I found this to be a unique perspective.
Barr dives into the choices that people make in impossible situations, what one will do to save those they love, and has you contemplate whether you can just move on from the perils of the past without repercussions. When reading Barrs descriptions about Jewish life I got chills.
Read if interested in:
-WWII fiction
-Jewish history
-Suspense
-Hollywood movie making
Thank you Harprer Perrenial for the ARC! Pub 5/12
Barr dives into the choices that people make in impossible situations, what one will do to save those they love, and has you contemplate whether you can just move on from the perils of the past without repercussions. When reading Barrs descriptions about Jewish life I got chills.
Read if interested in:
-WWII fiction
-Jewish history
-Suspense
-Hollywood movie making
Thank you Harprer Perrenial for the ARC! Pub 5/12
June 17, 2024
If you love HF, but want something different, this book is for you! Also- Jane Oppenheimer narrated the audio so of course I recommend it!!!
July 31, 2024
I had high hopes for this, seeing as it has such a high goodreads rating and the average on NetGalley is 5 stars. However, I suppose I'm in the minority. I've seen other people explaining the various reasons why this one was not a winner, so I'm not going to reiterate it too much, but here are my qualms with The Goddess of Warsaw (I DNF'd around 35%)
First, I don't love that Lisa Barr is elevating Bina to "goddess" status with this title, personally. It feels like it's just another attempt to dramatize the story, which is already done PLENTY in the prose itself. This book is SO OVER THE TOP! The Holocaust was monstrous even without the additions that Barr is making. I'm a trained historian, I very much appreciate when fiction authors properly represent the atmosphere of the time period they're writing about. BUT! Every single strife and hardship falls upon Bina and her family that could possibly happen--I understand that fiction tends to have some coincidences for the sake of driving the plot, but what I read in this novel was even more than I expected.
Bina's lust over her brother-in-law is honestly kinda gross to me. Even if he wasn't her husband's brother, the narration of her desire for him is A LOT and just made me feel icky regardless lol. Then, the other kind of lust present here: blood lust. So much of it. SO MUCH. I didn't even get very far into this book and it was inundated with killings of various kinds. There are better ways to portray these occurrences that aren't so insanely dramatic. Bina also ended up with a very important role in the resistance without really much vetting at all? That is SO unrealistic and left me feeling like I got whiplash lol--like, wait, how did we get ehre? To start, she barges into the room and demands a place in the resistance, so the lady in charge is like: "oh, okay cool. Here you go, have this super important mission even though you have no tactical background and your feelings for your brother-in-law who is standing across the room are evident enough that I'm noticing them, but I trust them not to affect your performance." I'm sorry, what??
Anyways, I'm happy for the people who liked this book, but I was definitely not one of them. Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for the ARC.
First, I don't love that Lisa Barr is elevating Bina to "goddess" status with this title, personally. It feels like it's just another attempt to dramatize the story, which is already done PLENTY in the prose itself. This book is SO OVER THE TOP! The Holocaust was monstrous even without the additions that Barr is making. I'm a trained historian, I very much appreciate when fiction authors properly represent the atmosphere of the time period they're writing about. BUT! Every single strife and hardship falls upon Bina and her family that could possibly happen--I understand that fiction tends to have some coincidences for the sake of driving the plot, but what I read in this novel was even more than I expected.
Bina's lust over her brother-in-law is honestly kinda gross to me. Even if he wasn't her husband's brother, the narration of her desire for him is A LOT and just made me feel icky regardless lol. Then, the other kind of lust present here: blood lust. So much of it. SO MUCH. I didn't even get very far into this book and it was inundated with killings of various kinds. There are better ways to portray these occurrences that aren't so insanely dramatic. Bina also ended up with a very important role in the resistance without really much vetting at all? That is SO unrealistic and left me feeling like I got whiplash lol--like, wait, how did we get ehre? To start, she barges into the room and demands a place in the resistance, so the lady in charge is like: "oh, okay cool. Here you go, have this super important mission even though you have no tactical background and your feelings for your brother-in-law who is standing across the room are evident enough that I'm noticing them, but I trust them not to affect your performance." I'm sorry, what??
Anyways, I'm happy for the people who liked this book, but I was definitely not one of them. Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for the ARC.
August 7, 2024
Where to even begin with this book?! This is another one of those gripping novels where everything feels so real, I’m convinced the story is entirely true and that every character is an actual person.
About The Goddess of Warsaw: “The Goddess of Warsaw is an enthralling tale of a legendary Hollywood screen goddess with a dark secret about her life in the Warsaw Ghetto. When the famous actress is threatened by someone from her past, she must put her skills into play to protect herself, her illustrious career, and those she loves, then and now.”
Set between Warsaw, Poland in the 1940s and Los Angeles in 2005, The Goddess of Warsaw is the story of Lena, a decades-long famous actress, who was once known as Bina, a young woman who took part in the Warsaw uprising against the Nazis. She’s not just any woman, though. She’s a femme fatale, brilliant, cunning, and a survivor.
The story is so well-written, I never stepped out of it. It’s that immersive. In many ways, Lena/Bina tries to move beyond her past, living in hiding, but at the same time, she is consumed with exacting revenge on war criminals. The Goddess of Warsaw is dramatic, and there is never a dull moment. Bina is an absolutely unforgettable protagonist.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
About The Goddess of Warsaw: “The Goddess of Warsaw is an enthralling tale of a legendary Hollywood screen goddess with a dark secret about her life in the Warsaw Ghetto. When the famous actress is threatened by someone from her past, she must put her skills into play to protect herself, her illustrious career, and those she loves, then and now.”
Set between Warsaw, Poland in the 1940s and Los Angeles in 2005, The Goddess of Warsaw is the story of Lena, a decades-long famous actress, who was once known as Bina, a young woman who took part in the Warsaw uprising against the Nazis. She’s not just any woman, though. She’s a femme fatale, brilliant, cunning, and a survivor.
The story is so well-written, I never stepped out of it. It’s that immersive. In many ways, Lena/Bina tries to move beyond her past, living in hiding, but at the same time, she is consumed with exacting revenge on war criminals. The Goddess of Warsaw is dramatic, and there is never a dull moment. Bina is an absolutely unforgettable protagonist.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
April 30, 2024
Still processing, but this will absolutely be one of my top reads of 2024. By far, Lisa's best book yet. And we all know how good WOMAN ON FIRE was.
July 14, 2024
The Goddess of Warsaw by Lisa Barr is a historical fiction novel characterized by extensive research and strong female characters. Bina, a Holocaust survivor who later becomes part of Hollywood, once a part of the resistance as a spy and assassin. She killed two Nazi leaders who were torturing Jews in the Warsaw ghetto. I very much enjoyed this novel, appreciating its unique writing style. The characters are brave and courageous, with their stories of survival lingering throughout their lives. This novel has so many wow factors in it. Bina doesn’t just die. She is resurrected to an entitled Hollywood elite who comes back to continue to right the wrongs of the Nazi War “heroes”. (Operation Paperclip) Lena is beautiful and enticingly deadly.
March 27, 2024
Exceptional! Highly, highly recommend this latest book by Lisa Barr. Its themes are eerily relevant today, and this a story that grabs hold of you and simply does not let go! Bravo.
July 15, 2024
4.5 stars ⭐️
If you think you would enjoy Evelyn Hugo who becomes a femme fatale, this is the book for you!
There are so many Historical Fiction books on WW2 but this book brought something completely different. I was roped in immediately by the “IT girl” and the “Living Legend.” The newest movie star wants to play the Legend on the movie screen but in order to do so, she has to understand the background. The background takes you to Poland, the Warsaw ghetto and the ugliness of the Nazi regime. The desire for justice has the ultimate outcome.
Just a delightful story. From start to finish. 🤌🏻
If you think you would enjoy Evelyn Hugo who becomes a femme fatale, this is the book for you!
There are so many Historical Fiction books on WW2 but this book brought something completely different. I was roped in immediately by the “IT girl” and the “Living Legend.” The newest movie star wants to play the Legend on the movie screen but in order to do so, she has to understand the background. The background takes you to Poland, the Warsaw ghetto and the ugliness of the Nazi regime. The desire for justice has the ultimate outcome.
Just a delightful story. From start to finish. 🤌🏻
May 30, 2024
This is an utterly gripping WWII story about a young Jewish actress turned assassin. It is set during the Nazi attack on Poland. The protagonist, Bina Blonsk, is the daughter of privilege and grows up in a wealthy family who consider themselves more German than Jewish. But after the Nazis attack Poland, she turns to using her looks and talent to escape the Warsaw Ghetto. Eventually, she makes her way to America. She changes her name to become "Lena Browning," a rising Hollywood star who secretly becomes an assassin targeting Nazis living freely in the United States. Fast forward to the present, where Sienna Hayes, the latest young rising star in Hollywood, wants to direct and star in a film about Lena’s legendary life as a movie star. In doing so, Sienna finds out the highly-guarded secrets of Lena's past.
The book sheds light on the often-overlooked role of strong women in bringing freedom to Jews during WWII. It provides a glimpse into life in the Warsaw Ghetto and explores the idea of trying to forget your past only to seek revenge on those who have caused immense suffering to you, your family, and your people.
To listen to my interview with the author, visit my podcast at https://zibbymedia.com/blogs/transcri...
The book sheds light on the often-overlooked role of strong women in bringing freedom to Jews during WWII. It provides a glimpse into life in the Warsaw Ghetto and explores the idea of trying to forget your past only to seek revenge on those who have caused immense suffering to you, your family, and your people.
To listen to my interview with the author, visit my podcast at https://zibbymedia.com/blogs/transcri...
May 30, 2024
Very hard book to listen to, it's well written but it was full of triggers for me. As the author said in her author's note at the end of the audiobook today's events are too close to past events and me living in Israel a lot of scenes were triggers for me.
It's a must-read book to keep remembering the past and never forget or forgive!
ספר מלא טריגרים עם תיאורי אלימות מאוד קשים כולל אלימות מינית בגטו וורשה ובכלל המהלך מלחמת העולם השנייה
It's a must-read book to keep remembering the past and never forget or forgive!
ספר מלא טריגרים עם תיאורי אלימות מאוד קשים כולל אלימות מינית בגטו וורשה ובכלל המהלך מלחמת העולם השנייה
June 16, 2024
DNF. Kind of can’t believe how good the reviews are. The writing is melodramatic and amateur. Incredibly distracted by the modern phrases and dialogue which would not have been used at that time. There are far better fiction/nonfiction books about the Warsaw ghetto that I’d recommend before this one. This is unfortunately another in a string of average and not historically accurate WWII-era books that do a disservice to what actually happened for the sake of entertainment. Would not recommend!
April 16, 2024
Opomenuli su me da moram da navedem da sam primerak dobila tako da evo napominjem: hvala Harper Kolinsu i Edelweiss platformi.
iskreno, jedna od najlošijih knjiga u mom ćivotu, dođe mi da dignem ocenu jeleni bačić alimpić posle čitanja ovog čuda.
toliko je lenjo napisana, toliko nelogična, ja sam šokirana. ej ubiješ petoro ljudi u eksploziji u najvećem holivudskom studiju i fbi kaže ma sve je ok ipak su to nacoši koji su vas ucenjivali ahahahah
kontam da će se u državi čije ime počinje na i a završava se na l ovo da ide ko alva, ali za slučaj da laguna otkupi prava setite se mojih reči NE, NIKAKO!
iskreno, jedna od najlošijih knjiga u mom ćivotu, dođe mi da dignem ocenu jeleni bačić alimpić posle čitanja ovog čuda.
toliko je lenjo napisana, toliko nelogična, ja sam šokirana. ej ubiješ petoro ljudi u eksploziji u najvećem holivudskom studiju i fbi kaže ma sve je ok ipak su to nacoši koji su vas ucenjivali ahahahah
kontam da će se u državi čije ime počinje na i a završava se na l ovo da ide ko alva, ali za slučaj da laguna otkupi prava setite se mojih reči NE, NIKAKO!
July 2, 2024
Wow, was I disappointed in this book. As a prolific reader of Holocaust fiction and non-fiction, I eagerly awaited this to come in for me at the library.
The author overdramatized the plot, the dialogue was cheesy, and the lust for the brother in law was beyond creepy and bordered on obscene at times. For the main character to be involved in every aspect of the Holocaust was laughable. She was gorgeous, looked like an Aryan and was able to get away with everything she tried. From her "spacious" apartment (for three people they had two rooms) in the ghetto, to her ability to smuggle using her looks, sex appeal, as well as her body, from her husband being involved in the Oyneg Shabbos project of keeping records, and her involvement in the resistance movement of the ghetto as a leader, it was so unbelievable.
Then to find out her best friend from her acting life prior to the war turns out to be the benefactor of the resistance - yeah right. I practically laughed at the plot and the dialogue all the way through.
The writing is overdramatic and juvenile - unrealistic in every way. I do not recommend this book.
The author overdramatized the plot, the dialogue was cheesy, and the lust for the brother in law was beyond creepy and bordered on obscene at times. For the main character to be involved in every aspect of the Holocaust was laughable. She was gorgeous, looked like an Aryan and was able to get away with everything she tried. From her "spacious" apartment (for three people they had two rooms) in the ghetto, to her ability to smuggle using her looks, sex appeal, as well as her body, from her husband being involved in the Oyneg Shabbos project of keeping records, and her involvement in the resistance movement of the ghetto as a leader, it was so unbelievable.
Then to find out her best friend from her acting life prior to the war turns out to be the benefactor of the resistance - yeah right. I practically laughed at the plot and the dialogue all the way through.
The writing is overdramatic and juvenile - unrealistic in every way. I do not recommend this book.
June 20, 2024
I hate giving bad reviews but this could not be avoided. The premise to this book sounded fantastic but the execution was not there for me. The story follows Bina Blonski, who works as a spy in WWII and uses her Aryan looks to move things into the ghetto. It sounds great, right? But then every single thought of her is about how much she wants her brother-in-law that it’s distracting. I get it – he’s hot – but this was excessive. Every sentence is overly dramatic and not in a good way. DNF. Did not want to even try.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
August 2, 2024
What a surprising, fabulous book. I couldn’t put it down. The characters leap off the page and into your heart. The writer, Lisa Barr, said in her authors note that she poured her heart into this story. That is obvious. This book has everything. Historical relevance, love stories, amazing character development, great tension and a beautiful, totally satisfying ending. Read it.
July 9, 2024
Barr has set the bar with her research and amazing story. The emotional details will keep you invested in this novel. Looking forward to more of her work. I love historical fiction and love finding new was to explore parts of history that I am unfamiliar with. Thank you, Barr for this truly noteworthy novel.
January 12, 2024
The Goddess of Warsaw is a captivating historical fiction read that follows the untold story of Hollywood star Lena Browning aka Bina Blonski, a Polish Jew who survived the Warsaw Ghetto. The writing was exquisite, the characters were well-developed, and even though I read a lot of Holocaust fiction, I found this to be a unique perspective.
Barr dives into the choices that people make in impossible situations, what one will do to save those they love, and has you contemplate whether you can just move on from the perils of the past without repercussions. When reading Barrs descriptions about Jewish life I got chills.
Read if interested in:
-WWII fiction
-Jewish history
-Suspense
-Hollywood movie making
Thank you Harprer Perrenial for the ARC! Pub 5/12
Barr dives into the choices that people make in impossible situations, what one will do to save those they love, and has you contemplate whether you can just move on from the perils of the past without repercussions. When reading Barrs descriptions about Jewish life I got chills.
Read if interested in:
-WWII fiction
-Jewish history
-Suspense
-Hollywood movie making
Thank you Harprer Perrenial for the ARC! Pub 5/12
July 7, 2024
I rarely rate a book this low, but my GAWD this was painful. So overly dramatic and constant sensationalism. Way over the top in almost every way.
February 13, 2024
Lisa Barr is back with another winner full of Jewish representation and badass female characters. With powerful scenes set during the Holocaust as well as a more modern timeline in Hollywood, this book is Barr at her best and will capture your attention from start to finish.
June 3, 2024
If you are looking for riveting, emotional, beautifully written historical fiction- 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐎𝐃𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝗪𝐀𝐑𝐒𝐀𝗪 is for you. I read this based on @beyondthebookends rave review alone and I'm so grateful.
I love badass female heroines full of gumption and resilience and Bina Blonski had that in spades. Once I started reading her story I had a hard time putting it down. It was palpable- the fear, the desire, the anticipation and the glimpses of hope. While this is set in Poland during WWII, it shines a light on themes and issues that are still relevant today. An absolutely satisfying read from beginning to end.
I love badass female heroines full of gumption and resilience and Bina Blonski had that in spades. Once I started reading her story I had a hard time putting it down. It was palpable- the fear, the desire, the anticipation and the glimpses of hope. While this is set in Poland during WWII, it shines a light on themes and issues that are still relevant today. An absolutely satisfying read from beginning to end.
July 20, 2024
The Goddess Of Warsaw is officially on my list of Top Five books ever!
The book tells the story of how Hollywood Living Legend Lena Browning agrees to allow ingenue Sienna Hayes make a movie about her life, which proceeds to be replayed via flashbacks to Warsaw starting in 1939 through 1950's Hollywood.
Think Evelyn Hugo if she survived the Nazi Occupation of Poland and became a movie star/ femme fatale covert Nazi hunter in 1950's Hollywood. It was super sad, but had a beautiful love story woven in. It was an amazing book!
It was also an important reminder that we must fight to stop genocide in any form. And antisemitism, Islamophobia and any other form of hate based on religion, race or ethnicity must alsways be denounced.
The story was fantastic and the message was important - I cannot recommend this book enough.
Thank you so much to Harper for sending me an advance copy of this book!
The book tells the story of how Hollywood Living Legend Lena Browning agrees to allow ingenue Sienna Hayes make a movie about her life, which proceeds to be replayed via flashbacks to Warsaw starting in 1939 through 1950's Hollywood.
Think Evelyn Hugo if she survived the Nazi Occupation of Poland and became a movie star/ femme fatale covert Nazi hunter in 1950's Hollywood. It was super sad, but had a beautiful love story woven in. It was an amazing book!
It was also an important reminder that we must fight to stop genocide in any form. And antisemitism, Islamophobia and any other form of hate based on religion, race or ethnicity must alsways be denounced.
The story was fantastic and the message was important - I cannot recommend this book enough.
Thank you so much to Harper for sending me an advance copy of this book!
May 21, 2024
Wow I loved this!!! It’s 2005 and legendary actress Lena Browning has finally agreed to tell her life story, knowing it will shock the world. We are the transported back to the Warsaw Ghetto in 1943 where Bita Blonski works with a resistance group. We follow Bitas life during the war and her eventual transformated to Lena. I couldn’t put this down. The story is harrowing and a true show of strength and resistance. There was a twist at the end that made my jaw drop. So good. Out 5/28.
May 26, 2024
This was the first book I've read by Lisa Barr, and it was heartbreaking and stunning. Obviously, the Jewish representation in the story was super important to me. I couldn't stop reading. I wanted to know everything that was going to happen. While this was beautifully written, it was also super heavy and emotional. I felt like I was witnessing these events firsthand which is just a testament to Barr's writing style. It's also crazy how the themes of a book set in 1943 translate to what's happening in 2024. This book was exceptional. There were twists and turns I didn't see coming, and I've read a ton of Holocaust historical fiction, but this take and perspective was unlike other stories I've read before. I thought the different timelines were really important and I liked seeing Bina's journey throughout each one. I loved this book and I'll definitely be exploring Barr's backlist titles. Thank you to Harper Perennial for sending me and ARC to read and review!
April 6, 2024
Words can not express how much I LOVED The Goddess of Warsaw! Within the first few pages, I was utterly captivated by Lena Browning, aka Bina Blonski, and her compelling life story. Lena was an incredible character, whose resilience shone through every page. I found her strength and power inspiring, and I was cheering for her success every step of the way.
Lisa Barr's writing skillfully weaves a captivating narrative exploring resilience and the enduring strength of the human spirit. Through her vivid storytelling, she draws readers into a journey filled with anxiety, hope, and eventual triumph, delving into the scars left by war. This beautifully crafted story is both enthralling and profound, leaving a lasting impact long after the final page.
This book is not just an engaging read but an important one. It offers a powerful reflection on themes that resonate deeply in today's world. The Goddess of Warsaw is a must-read, standing out as a significant piece of historical fiction and one of the most impactful books of the year. It is a novel that not only entertains but enlightens, reminding us of the power of literature's ability to illuminate the complexities of human history and the unyielding nature of the human spirit.
****
The Goddess of Warsaw is a gripping work of historical fiction, that follows the life of Lena Browning, also known as Bina Blonski, a Polish Jew who rose to Hollywood fame. Set against the backdrop of the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939, the story spans from the onset of the war to 1943, capturing the perseverance and challenges of Jewish survivors who make their way to America in the 1950s. The story then jumps to the early 2000s where it offers insight into the lasting effects of history on those who lived through it.
THANK YOU Harper Paperbacks for an advanced copy!
Lisa Barr's writing skillfully weaves a captivating narrative exploring resilience and the enduring strength of the human spirit. Through her vivid storytelling, she draws readers into a journey filled with anxiety, hope, and eventual triumph, delving into the scars left by war. This beautifully crafted story is both enthralling and profound, leaving a lasting impact long after the final page.
This book is not just an engaging read but an important one. It offers a powerful reflection on themes that resonate deeply in today's world. The Goddess of Warsaw is a must-read, standing out as a significant piece of historical fiction and one of the most impactful books of the year. It is a novel that not only entertains but enlightens, reminding us of the power of literature's ability to illuminate the complexities of human history and the unyielding nature of the human spirit.
****
The Goddess of Warsaw is a gripping work of historical fiction, that follows the life of Lena Browning, also known as Bina Blonski, a Polish Jew who rose to Hollywood fame. Set against the backdrop of the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939, the story spans from the onset of the war to 1943, capturing the perseverance and challenges of Jewish survivors who make their way to America in the 1950s. The story then jumps to the early 2000s where it offers insight into the lasting effects of history on those who lived through it.
THANK YOU Harper Paperbacks for an advanced copy!
May 13, 2024
The best way to describe this book is 'Evelyn Hugo meets The Book of Lost Names with elements of Hamilton sprinkled in (Angelica stepping aside for her Eliza... you'll see). I liked this book but I hate to admit that it also felt a little disjointed for me - there was just so much going on and most of it seemed highly implausible. I just couldn't feel totally invested in this book and I can't put my finger on why - perhaps if we got to know the characters a little better in the beginning I would have felt more connected to them, but it just quickly jumped into Bina pining for her brother in law, which in my mind played too strong of a role considering everything going on around them.
There were definitely aspects I liked though - who wouldn't appreciate a female Jewish resistance fighter turned actress who goes on to hunt Nazis after the war?! There was a lot to unpack in this book and the ending was wild - definitely a different take on a WWII historical fiction novel and I'm definitely not sad I read it. I also liked that it touched on Operation Paperclip, something I learned of when I read Kelly Rimmer's 'The German Wife' so I was intrigued when it made an appearance in this book as well. Overall a solid WWII historical fiction, I just wish I felt more feelings.
There were definitely aspects I liked though - who wouldn't appreciate a female Jewish resistance fighter turned actress who goes on to hunt Nazis after the war?! There was a lot to unpack in this book and the ending was wild - definitely a different take on a WWII historical fiction novel and I'm definitely not sad I read it. I also liked that it touched on Operation Paperclip, something I learned of when I read Kelly Rimmer's 'The German Wife' so I was intrigued when it made an appearance in this book as well. Overall a solid WWII historical fiction, I just wish I felt more feelings.
July 4, 2024
Is literature dead?
We have reduced every “strong female lead” to simply mean bitchy and sexually liberated.
First, it opens feeling exactly like Evelyn Hugo. They even make a comment that “this is not Liz Taylor and her seven husbands,” so you know they know you are thinking about Evelyn Hugo. Then it flashes back to a WWII ghetto in which a married woman is lustfully praying to God that, after all she’s been through, He will allow her to have sex with the hunk in front of her. Not just have sex, but IN DETAIL what she wants and how BAD she wants it. Hahahahaha. WHAT A WINNER. Definitely a heroic woman young girls should aspire to imitate.
Perhaps this story is about a strong woman surviving unbelievable circumstances but you lost me in the first 1% of her portrayal and the comic book writing.
We have reduced every “strong female lead” to simply mean bitchy and sexually liberated.
First, it opens feeling exactly like Evelyn Hugo. They even make a comment that “this is not Liz Taylor and her seven husbands,” so you know they know you are thinking about Evelyn Hugo. Then it flashes back to a WWII ghetto in which a married woman is lustfully praying to God that, after all she’s been through, He will allow her to have sex with the hunk in front of her. Not just have sex, but IN DETAIL what she wants and how BAD she wants it. Hahahahaha. WHAT A WINNER. Definitely a heroic woman young girls should aspire to imitate.
Perhaps this story is about a strong woman surviving unbelievable circumstances but you lost me in the first 1% of her portrayal and the comic book writing.
April 18, 2024
4.5 rounded up!
This story was absolutely incredible. I felt a palpable sense of loss alongside the characters and even though a deep sadness surrounded the novel there was a redemption story woven in that really balanced the plot line wonderfully. It actually took a little bit to understand and connect to the woman at the center of this story but once I did I was completely invested and unable to put it down!
There are some factual events told in this story that will break your heart but it’s necessary to know exactly what occurred. To feel it deep in your bones and try to understand just a little of what the Warsaw Ghetto was like. I’ve only read one other book, Mila 18, that showed life in the ghetto in such a raw and honest way. This was powerful, utterly heart-rending, and poignant. A phenomenal historical fiction and I can guarantee if you loved Woman on Fire you’ll love this!
Thank you Harper Perennial for the #gifted advanced copy!
This story was absolutely incredible. I felt a palpable sense of loss alongside the characters and even though a deep sadness surrounded the novel there was a redemption story woven in that really balanced the plot line wonderfully. It actually took a little bit to understand and connect to the woman at the center of this story but once I did I was completely invested and unable to put it down!
There are some factual events told in this story that will break your heart but it’s necessary to know exactly what occurred. To feel it deep in your bones and try to understand just a little of what the Warsaw Ghetto was like. I’ve only read one other book, Mila 18, that showed life in the ghetto in such a raw and honest way. This was powerful, utterly heart-rending, and poignant. A phenomenal historical fiction and I can guarantee if you loved Woman on Fire you’ll love this!
Thank you Harper Perennial for the #gifted advanced copy!
March 21, 2024
I don’t know if I’ll ever be done processing this. Lisa’s storytelling ability is unmatched in this book and she uses it in such a powerful way. I already know this will be one of the best books this year (right up there with the ever popular The Women recently published) and is one of the best historical fiction books I have ever read. It tells such an important story and I feel like everyone should read it. I don’t even know how to write a review to do this justice.
May 26, 2024
I did not care for the book. Too much fiction!
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