Cover Image: The Woman with the Blue Star

The Woman with the Blue Star

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Member Reviews

Eighteen year old Sadie is living her life day to day, always uncertain of what dangers lie ahead for her family. Each day Kraków is growing increasingly more dangerous with so many Jewish citizens disappearing each day. Late one night the time comes for the Gault family to implement their escape plan as German soldiers begin dragging people into the streets. Down into the tunnels under the city, they hide along with two other families praying that this decision will keep them safe. Desperate for connection to the life above Sadie finds herself drawn to a grate where she can see the busy street and makes eye contact with a girl above. Soon Ella becomes her lifeline to what used to be her city. The two girls who couldn't be living more opposite lives form a fast friendship but as tensions continue to rise in Poland and the threat of life or death becomes inescapable choices must be made that will alter the course of Ella and Sadie's lives forever. As I've said before I love a good His Fic story especially based in this era. But how many times can you write about WW2 without stories repeating themselves? Well, this isn't one of those stories. "The Woman in the Blue Star" made me so incredibly grateful that I did not live through this time in history. It's unimaginable the bravery that every day citizens had to find in order to survive. If you have yet to read this Pam Jenoff title and are a His Fic fan, add this one to your TBR list.

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I love historical fiction that captures my attention quickly. Jenoff does just that! This is a fast-paced, moving novel and one that I will recommend to others.

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I honestly don't think there is a Pam Jenoff novel that I have not loved so far. This book did not disappoint. I have read a lot of novels dealing with World War II, but never one about families living in a sewer to survive. Of course the book is about survival, and heartache but it is also about love and friendship. This will stick with me for a long time.

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This is my first Pam Jenoff novel and I was pleasantly surprised. After all the books I’ve read about WWII the circumstances within the story was something I had not heard about. Three Jewish families went into the underground sewer system to hide for months during the Occupation. Not only do we see their struggles with that, but we also see the other side with the individuals above ground who choose to help them. I’ll be recommending this one for sure.

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Another beautifully written book by Pam jenoff. If this is your first Pam Jenoff book you will not be disappointed! The Woman with the Blue Star is a poignantly written story of love, strength and perseverance. Ms. Jenoff creates such a realistic picture that you feel you are a part of the historical World War II experience.

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I was on a historical fiction kick in the fall and this was one I had not read yet. I have enjoyed her other books and this one was no different. it's written so beautifully and captured the beauty in the darkness so well. Like her other book, I felt like I learned so much while reading it.

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This book was hard to put down. Wonderful characters to follow along in the story. World War II was very intense and the Jewish people went through many atrocities. Hard to believe what happened in this book. Fascinating story about World War II. Highly recommend it.

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Sadie, a young woman in Kraków, Poland, and her family have been living in the Ghettos ever since Hitler decided that the Jews were no longer worthy members of society. During a raid in 1942, Sadie chooses to hide in a trunk in their apartment. When her parents return from work, they thought Sadie had been taken like the other children and family members. After the raid, Sadie’s parents knew they were no longer safe and paid a man to help them hide together…in the sewers below the city.

“I curled into a tiny ball and wrapped my arms around myself, feeling the white armband with the blue star on my sleeve that all Jews were required to wear.“

It took me several times to read this book. I received this book prior to publication and was excited to read another novel by the talented historical fiction author, Pam Jenoff. But, I have difficulty with small, dark spaces and struggled with reading this novel, especially at night. So, I tried reading it during the daytime and would still find myself struggling with the feeling of the room closing in around me. So, I set the story aside, and then I had the idea to try it on audio after I noticed that Libby had acquired it. I just had to wait my turn. It was still difficult at times to listen to Sadie and her family’s life in the sewer tunnels, but when I found it difficult I just stopped listening for a bit. However, the story was so compelling I still read it in less than a week. I’m only sharing this because, for one, I am so late in reviewing it, but also because sometimes a different format can make a difference in your reading experience and I am glad I gave this one another attempt.

Ella a non-practicing Christian, also lives in Kraków but with a much more affluent lifestyle. She lives with her stepmother after her father was killed in the war. Her stepmother chooses to consort with the German officers in Sadie’s childhood home and she can’t stand to be around them. One day while walking in the market, she spots a young woman below the grate in the city tunnels. She can’t believe what she is seeing and decides to befriend her. Sadie and Ella couldn’t be more different, but as the war strengthens in Poland, Ella is determined to help Sadie and the others hiding in the sewer.

Life as you can imagine is beyond horrible in the sewers for Sadie and her family as well as the Rosenbergs who are also hiding with them. Sadie and Saul Rosenberg find ways to make the days more enjoyable by traveling to the reading annex they created in the tunnels and using the moonlight to read together. Their time in the sewer isn’t without tragedy and Sadie isn’t sure it is worth it to continue to go on. Her relationship with Ella strengthens and once their lives are in danger, Ella must do everything she can to save them.

“Anything is manageable if you can stay with the ones you love.”

The story is told in alternating chapters from Sadie and Ella’s points of view. This writing style keeps the pace of the story moving as we get the story from both perspectives. You want to keep reading to find out what happened when we last left Sadie and vice versa. I found the setting of Poland to be unique as the Jews there couldn’t fathom what was happening to their fellow Jewish friends and family. The horrors were so close, yet they had no time to react or learn what was happening. I appreciated the setting which made the danger even more severe to Sadie and to Ella rather than putting this in more common WWII settings of Germany, Paris, or London. Reading Jenoff’s bio will also help readers understand the “why” of her setting. This particular novel was based on the true story of a small group of Jews that lived in the sewers of Lviv, Poland. You can read their story in the book, IN THE SEWERS OF LVOV by Robert Marshall.

As I was nearing the end of the book, I couldn’t imagine it ending and was struggling with my emotions as I listened to the narrator. Then, Jenoff throws a small twist that will surprise you and make you want to reread the last few chapters again. Even though the ending isn’t completely happy, really what WWII story ever is, I was satisfied and completely surprised by the closure she created for the characters and the reader. This is my third novel by Pam Jenoff and I highly recommend her if you love historical fiction. Be sure to check out her newest novel, CODE NAME SAPPHIRE, scheduled to be published in February 2023.

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WWII Poland - Jewish young woman in hiding meets a young Polish woman who befriends her and tries to help. Seemed like an interesting plot. Too often it seems unlikely that No One would notice the two interacting. Weird twist wasn't surprising as much as pointless.

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The Woman with the Blue Star

by Pam Jenoff

If you are an aficionado of World War II novels, you will probably like The Woman with the Blue Star, the story of Sadie and her family who are forced into a Polish ghetto and later avoid a roundup of Jews for deportation by fleeing to the dark stench and filth of the sewers. Their survival depends on the mercy of the sewer worker who leads them there and provides them with what food could be had in Krakow in 1942. The Germans leave little for the local population and ration cards are required.

Sadie’s path crosses with Ella’s at a chance glance down through a sewer grate. Ella lives with her stepmother who maintains a fairly good standard of living by acting as a mistress to various German officers.

The author describes in detail both the disgustingly putrid conditions for the Jewish family in the sewer and the better, but still precarious, lives of the Polish citizens above ground. The characters and their reactions are generally believable. There are a number of dramatic twists in the story along with some romantic threads and a look at those involved in the Polish Home Army underground movement.

Most of the story seems realistic. I do wonder about the many occasions when Ella ventures out after the government imposed curfew, once even with Sadie above ground. Given the enormous threat of German soldiers and Polish police patrolling the streets, their adventures seem foolhardy and unlikely.

I love the epilogue which confirms something I suspected, but its revelation makes a great twist. Although it is difficult to read about the enormous hardships, this book is an important reminder of a piece of history we should never forget so we will not allow it to be repeated.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 4/5

Category: Historical Fiction, Women’s Fiction

Publication: May 4, 2021—Harlequin

Memorable Lines:

We had almost nothing by the end; it had all been sold or left behind when we moved to the ghetto. Still, the idea that people could go through our property, that we had no right to anything of our own anymore, made me feel violated, less human.

Once I could not have imagined staying in the sewer for so long. But there was simply nowhere to go. The ghetto had been emptied, all of the Jews who lived there killed or taken to the camps. If we went onto the street, we would be shot on sight or arrested.

Saul talked on and on through his tears, telling stories of his brother, as if pressing the memories of his brother between pages to preserve like dry flowers.

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A worthwhile story to read but could use a bit of editorial tightening. Still, Pam Jenoff is always a treasure.
We recommended this title to our library and book club clients.

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Pam Jenoff’s latest historical fiction novel takes place in Krakow during World War II. The story follows two girls: one Jewish and the other an affluent Polish girl. Sophie and her family live in the Krakow ghetto and must go into hiding. They end up living in the sewer. Ella lives with her stepmother, a woman who has become close with the German soldiers who are occupying Krakow. Ella hates her stepmother, but has nowhere else to live. One day, while walking, Ella looks down and sees Sadie through the sewer grate. She starts bringing food to Sadie and the girls develop a friendship. Ella does everything she can to help Sadie and the others who are hiding with her in the sewer.

The story is based upon true events in which some Jewish families in Krakow escaped the Germans by hiding in the sewers. Jenoff does a good job conveying how terrifying it was to live though the German occupation of Poland. In the midst of a tragic and horrifying story, the characters are strong and courageous.

I highly recommend The Woman With the Blue Star. It is a well-written historical fiction novel. I have not read any of Pam Jenoff’s other novels. I definitely want to read her previous novels and I look forward to any new ones she writes.

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for providing me with an advanced review copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

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In 1942, Sadie’s family and another Jewish family escape the Jewish Ghetto in Krakow, Poland to find shelter in the sewers under the city. One day Sadie is enjoying the light from a sewer grate and is spotted by a girl her own age on the street above. When Ella hears about Sadie’s situation, Ella decides to help Sadie however she can.

This is another wonderfully written book by Pam Jenoff!
The story is so captivating, that I couldn’t put it down! The characters are so likable and there is a new challenge to overcome in every chapter. The chapters alternate between Sadie and Ella’s points of view, giving the reader a full perspective of what is happening from each side of the story. I was really surprised by the twist at the end of the book! This story is based on the true story #inthesewersoflvov by Robert Marshall. I highly recommend this book to historical fiction fans and book clubs everywhere!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin-Trade Publishing for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

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An enjoyable book, although I felt it read more like YA since the main characters, although ostensibly adults, behaved like children, perhaps mid-teens. Very well written and a good story, as Jenoff's books seem to all be. I definitely look forward to reading more of her works in the future.

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The Woman with the Blue Star by Pam Jenoff is set in Poland during World War II. This powerful story of friendship was a good read.

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The Woman with the Blue Star drew me in from the beginning! It still amazes me and breaks my heart every time I read a book about how the Jewish people were treated in WWll. In the midst of horrific circmustances, a beautiful friendship develops between Sadie, who is living in a sewer with others trying to hide from the Nazis, and Ella, an affluent Polish girl. A beautiful, heartbreaking story that rated 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

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During World War II in Nazi occupied Poland, Sadie, her pregnant mother and another family escape to live in the sewers to avoid being sent to the camps. Ella is a rich girl living a life of ease that one day looks down and sees the girl in the sewer. Together they work to keep Sadie’s family alive and avoid Ella’s involvement being found out.
This is a heartbreaking tale of the depths people would go to for survival. It is beyond sad the idea of being forced to exist in a sewer for months without and end in sight, but knowing that the alternative would be much worse. Throughout the despair, the ability of the human spirit to make the best of a situation - to make friends, fall in love and find a new family.
Pam Jenoff is a master of historical fiction. This is a perfect book for fans of the Nightingale, the Book Thief, Sarah’s Key, the Tattooist of Auschwitz, Lilac Girls, etc.

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To be a Jew hiding from the Nazis during World War II Poland would be terrifying, but to be forced to hide in the sewers beneath a bustling city of 250,000 people would be beyond revolting. Can you imagine the stench of a roiling river of excrement? What little food you had and the clothing you wore would be tainted. There would be no fresh air, no hope, no joy. It would be claustrophobic and cold. You would have no idea what was occurring on the streets above you. The sense of despair must have been unimaginable. Yet, some survived despite their circumstances.

Such is the backdrop of The Woman with the Blue Star by Pam Jenoff, to date, her most highly rated novel on Goodreads. With each WWII book I read I learn something new. In this case, I didn’t know that different countries/regions used different versions of a “Jewish Star.” I didn’t know people were so desperate they hid in sewers for years at a time. Her characterization was splendid as was the revulsion of those who lived underground. The heroic actions of the Poles who rescued them reminded me of the good in humanity.

Although the plot was appropriately intense, it was just too much. Too tragic, too melodramatic, and too redundant. 4 stars.

Genre: Historical fiction
Read-alikes: The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer, The Good Doctor of Warsaw by Elisabeth Gifford, We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter

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This was an intriguing WWII novel, focused on the lives of a group of Jews who hid in the sewers to avoid the Germans and one young woman above ground who forms a friendship with one of the Jews. The sewer angle felt like a new take on Jews hiding. The story as a whole was filled with ups and downs and plenty of emotions to keep the readers going. I found it an engaging story and while I enjoyed it, in the sea of WWII novels, it just hits the mark - not going above and beyond to make me want to rave about. There was nothing inherently wrong with it, so it might just be WWII reader overload. I still would add it to a list of WWII books worth reading.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Loved, loved, loved this story. Although it was so hard to imagine the way these people were forced to live, the author makes you feel as though you are right there with them. A must read for historical fiction readers!

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