The Snow Hare

A Novel

By: Paula Lichtarowicz

Narrated by: Rose Ackroyd

In this "riveting, heartfelt" novel of love and consequences (Heather Morris, New York Times bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz), a woman dreams of becoming a doctor until World War II leads her instead into an astonishing love—and a fateful choice.

Is it possible to fall in love at the edge of life?

Lena has lived a long, quiet life on her farm in Wales, alongside her husband and child. But as her end approaches, buried memories begin to return. Of her childhood in Poland, and her passion for science. Of the early days of her marriage, reluctant wife to an army officer. Of the birth of her daughter, whose arrival changed everything.

Memories less welcome return, too. Her Polish village, transformed overnight by the Soviets, and the war that doomed her entire family to the frigid work camps of the Siberian tundra. And buried in that blinding snow, amongst the darkness of survival, the most haunting memory of all: that of an extraordinary new love.

Exploring motherhood, marriage, consequences, and our incredible human capacity for hope, The Snow Hare is the story of a woman who dares to love and to dream in the face of impossible odds, and of the peace we each must make with our choices, even long after the years have gone by.

Critic reviews

“Love and loss, and courage and compassion, collide in this brilliantly told story of survival against the odds. Based on the true story of her grandmother, Paula Lichtarowicz’s exquisite novel takes readers on a family journey full of passion, longing, regret, and eventual acceptance of choices made a lifetime ago. In these riveting, heartfelt, and brutally honest pages, Lena keeps a lifetime of secrets and dreams from her loved ones, but never allows them to stop her from loving in return.”—Heather Morris, New York Times bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz

A very different book

The first part of the book was slow and then it really picked up to be an exciting and wonderful story. The ending was sad, but that’s life. It was very worthwhile reading and I did enjoy it. 

Devastating, But Well Written

Two trigger warnings before you read this: 1) SA occurs in this book. It is brief and non-descriptive, but nevertheless, it occurs. 2) There is mention of suicide and child loss.

My review: This book was infuriating, gut-wrenching, absolutely soul shattering, but it was beautifully written. You’re confused as you delve into the mind of a dying woman whose mind is unraveling, remembering the horrors of a WWII life in Poland and Siberia, and the scattered pieces all come together in the end. It is written with the true stories of the author’s acquaintances in mind, but is completely fictitious. It is not overly gory, and it is NOT “trauma p*rn”, but is relevant and accurate of people’s experiences in that time. It’s a story of suffering, morality, forgiveness, perseverance, the human condition, and much more. If you are looking for a book with a happy ending, this is not for you. I loved this book, I loved the narrator, and though the story ripped my heart to shreds and made me sob, I would read it again. The writing is sophisticated, mature, and flows well. Many say it starts slow, but it makes sense as in the beginning the protagonists mind is clear, and things begin to progress and shift rapidly as her mind and condition deteriorates. Very well done book, I applaud the author.

Overall Great

Very slow start but loved it. If you can get through the first 3 hours you won’t be sorry.

Not a great audio book, at least for me

The middle was the best part. I also felt like the author didn’t do a good job of transitioning from Lena’s early life to later. Perhaps this was because I was listening to the book rather than reading it and the changes would have been more obvious is print.
This book just won’t go down as a favorite.

Emotional novel

Awesome! Deeply touching, realistic, historical, engrossing, and emotional. Characters are well developed and so realistic. Early life decisions made due to class turn to decisions made for survival. Excellently narrated. Wonderful!