The Warsaw Sisters

A Novel of World War II Poland

By: Amanda Barratt

Narrated by: Rachel Botchan, Leah Horowitz

A richly rendered portrait of courage, sacrifice, and resilience

On a golden August morning in 1939, sisters Antonina and Helena Dabrowska send their father off to defend Poland against the looming threat of German invasion. The next day, the first bombs fall on Warsaw, decimating their cherished city and shattering the world of their youth.

When Antonina’s beloved Marek is forced behind ghetto walls along with the rest of Warsaw’s Jewish population, Antonina knows she cannot stand by and soon becomes a key figure in a daring network of women risking their lives to shelter Jewish children. Meanwhile, Helena finds herself drawn into the ranks of Poland’s secret army, joining the fight to free her homeland from occupation.

But the secrets both are forced to keep threaten to tear them apart—and the cost of resistance may prove greater than either ever imagined.

©2023 Amanda Barratt (P)2023 Recorded Books

Tear Jerker! So good!

If you enjoy WW2 history you will enjoy this one. A gripping tale of two sisters and their lives during WW2 Poland. Be sure to carry a hankie with you. You might cry.

Well written

A difficult story about a dark time in history. Following two sisters as they try to survive and discover who they are in uncertain times. Once I started reading this book I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend

Amazing Story

This story was so incredibly gripping. My mother left Austria in 1938, and throughout the entire story I thanked the Lord she didn't have to go through this harrowing nightmare. These women were remarkable. The inner strength that they kept drawing on for survival for themselves and their fellow mankind.

A Difficult Story- Resplendent in Hope

Without graphic depictions of battle, the sixty-three day Nazi siege of Warsaw, Poland is eloquently told through the eyes of an exceptional writer.

Rot with examples of hardship, separation and grief, this story places two sisters amongst the antisemitism that caused the death of thousands of Jewish citizens and the eventual mass executions of both military and civilian Poles. This book’s exploration into the occupation of Poland establishes a portrait of the lowest of human qualities meshed with the desire to fight for something in the midst of war.

Barratt’s characters within this novel tend to be as complex as their setting. I felt like a spectator watching Antonina and Helena grow in emotionally distinct ways when met with the circumstances brought upon by war. These women were resilient. Bearing strength and determination they didn’t realize they had.

The audiobook version of this novel is captivating. Narrators, Rachel Botchan and Leah Horowitz, bring to life the surroundings that effect the worlds these characters live in. Both narrators were distinct, easy to understand and maintained vocal inflections that differentiated characters. The emotion displayed throughout the storyline shone through in this audiobook. I highly recommend this format for this story.

This book is suitable for teens and older with no inappropriate intimate scenes and no bad language. However, without descriptive details, two unmarried characters do spend the night together and conceive a child.

I received this book from the author/publisher free of charge, with no expectation of a positive review. I also purchased the audiobook and print versions of this title.

Outstanding novel!!

What an INCREDIBLE BOOK! Loved the history & details, although sad at times. A story that needs to be told from the past! Cannot wait to read more from Amanda Barrett!