The Warsaw Orphan: A WWII Novel - book cover
  • Publisher : Graydon House; Original edition
  • Published : 01 Jun 2021
  • Pages : 416
  • ISBN-10 : 1525895990
  • ISBN-13 : 9781525895999
  • Language : English

The Warsaw Orphan: A WWII Novel

Instant New York Times bestseller!

Inspired by the real-life heroine who saved thousands of Jewish children during WWII, The Warsaw Orphan is Kelly Rimmer's most anticipated novel since her bestselling sensation, The Things We Cannot Say.


"Gripping… This one easily stands on its own." -Publishers Weekly
"Heart-stopping." – Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
"A surefire hit." – Kristin Harmel, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

In the spring of 1942, young Elzbieta Rabinek is aware of the swiftly growing discord just beyond the courtyard of her comfortable Warsaw home. She has no fondness for the Germans who patrol her streets and impose their curfews, but has never given much thought to what goes on behind the walls that contain her Jewish neighbors. She knows all too well about German brutality--and that it's the reason she must conceal her true identity. But in befriending Sara, a nurse who shares her apartment floor, Elzbieta makes a discovery that propels her into a dangerous world of deception and heroism.

Using Sara's credentials to smuggle children out of the ghetto brings Elzbieta face-to-face with the reality of the war behind its walls, and to the plight of the Gorka family, who must make the impossible decision to give up their newborn daughter or watch her starve. For Roman Gorka, this final injustice stirs him to rebellion with a zeal not even his newfound love for Elzbieta can suppress. But his recklessness brings unwanted attention to Sara's cause, unwittingly putting Elzbieta and her family in harm's way until one violent act threatens to destroy their chance at freedom forever. 

From Nazi occupation to the threat of a communist regime, The Warsaw Orphan is the unforgettable story of Elzbieta and Roman's perilous attempt to reclaim the love and life they once knew.
 

Editorial Reviews

"Rimmer's heart-stopping rendering of the war in Nazi occupied Poland-of life, resistance, survival, and love-will captivate readers page-by-page. Elisabeita's tale offers a carefully-researched portrayal of history's darkest hours and one orphan's search for her place in the world." -Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Before We Were Yours and The Book of Lost Friends?

"A surefire hit [and] a heartbreaking and hopeful story of family, duty, love, salvation, and resistance. The Warsaw Orphan [is] a thoughtful, beautiful novel." -Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost Names

"What a fantastic book! Intensely moving, this story of the horrors of the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II is also a wonderful, ultimately life-affirming love story. Bravo, Kelly Rimmer! I'm going to be recommending this book to everyone I know." -Karen Robards, New York Times bestselling author of The Black Swan of Paris


"Gripping… Rimmer does a great job of bringing WWII Warsaw to life… This one easily stands on its own." -Publishers Weekly


"Compelling and emotional, and the historical context is well researched." -Booklist

"Illuminating…engrossing [and] harrowing…Rimmer's suspenseful narrative will enthrall and move readers." -Publishers Weekly, starred review of Truths I Never Told You

"The back-and-forth between Beth in the 1990s and Grace's notes from the 1950s creates momentum, and readers of epistolary novels will nod at Grace's depiction of the lack of choices for women of that time. Contrasting that with the stigma of getting mental health help, which was still strong in the ‘90s, Rimmer paints a picture of women finding their strength then and now." –Booklist on Truths I Never Told You

"Best-selling author Rimmer expertly illustrates a heartbreaking portrayal of postpartum depression through multiple perspectives in dual time lines. For fans who appreciate emotionally wrenching reads such as those by Sarah Jio or Kristin Hannah." –Library Journal on Truths I Never Told You

"Everything Kelly Rimmer writes turns to gold." –SheReads

"An intense story of survival, hardship, and heartbreak, The Things We Cannot Say is sure to evoke emotion in even the most cynical reader." -New York Journal of Books

"Straddling the past and the present, The Things We Cannot Say is a mesmerizing tale of family, memory, forgiveness, and unconditional love, but it is also about retrieving lost stories…a true achievement in World War II fiction." -Historical Novel Society

"Fans of Kris...

Readers Top Reviews

Louise S PattersonM.
Kelly Summer is a wonderful writer. Warsaw during WW 2, a story of love and family as well as terror and shock. I couldn't put it down once I started, just the kind of story and characters to draw in the reader and make you care. very moving.
Grandma
This is an amazing book! Loving, emotional, infuriating, heartbreaking and touching. Although this is fiction, have heard stories like this from survivors. Awful what atrocities this war brought, but the courage and love of families were unbelievable. Had to get the tissues out a few times. Highly recommend this book.
A. Goldstein
It's one thing read about the history of the Warsaw Uprising. But, it's even more real and frightening reading this story about two young people trying to survive, first the Nazis, and then, the Soviet soldiers who "rescued" Poland. The irony is that neither of the central characters is Jewish. Any person with an ounce of humanity found it impossible to ignore the events surrounding Germany's cruelty and the Holocaust. Thank you to the author for writing this "historical novel" at a time when Trumpian hatred is permeating the world.
M B Mitchell
A Catholic young girl, a Ghetto inhabitant, a militant, a nurse - all fighting in their own ways to save the Jewish children during the Nazi and Russian invasions of Poland. Well written, well-researched. Inspiring and powerful.
Tia
Spoiler!! First off, I was so excited to see that Emilia’s story was carried on in this book! And even though I didn’t think it possible, for me reading this was even better than the first one. I really appreciated that Kelly made Emilia’s character so realistic. She didn’t give her these generic heroic qualities but painted in her such a realistic light. For example, Emilia’s humanity was very evident when faced with some of the shocking realities of the ghetto. By Emilia exhibiting her fear, confusion and even second guessing her decision to be involved made her really human. I do appreciate that the author didn’t go into grace detail about Emilia’s rape by the Red Army soldiers. I think she did an excellent job painting a clear image of what happened in the aftermath. I love how Emilia’s character grew and her display of emotional intelligence in the latter half was so awesome and showed her characters maturity. I appreciated the reality of her decision to not be with Roman because of their differences. I do feel like things with them in the end were kind of forced together. I thought it would have been powerful for them to go their separate ways and stay true to what they believed in. All in all great read! And thank you Kelly for a part 2!! That was such a treat.