This book was beautifully written and I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. Centred on Nora, a Holocaust survivor and soon to be the oldest person in the world, we find out just how strong Nora is. Haunted by memories of the past, our characters all find themselves on journeys that will break your heart and cause you to fall in love at the same time.

A lovely inspiring read. The book takes you through Nora's memories as a holocost survivor. Her strength and resilience and the joy she now gets from life. A paced read but enjoyable.

When Nora asks her aide in the nursing home to take her out, she does. It is an interesting story about the oldest women in the world. She has lived threw the war as a Jewish woman, married, had kids, and lived through so much Now she wants to do things on her terms.

It is a story to learn from. It was very interested and not meant to be read quickly. It is meant to be absorbed. I really enjoyed this book.

The Curious Kidnapping of Nora W is a captivating read that makes the reader think. You really feel the struggle and emotions Nora goes through as her story slowly unfolds. A fascinating and poignant read!

"The Curious Kidnapping of Nora W" by Cate Green is a poignant and powerful novel that delves into the resilience and fortitude of a Holocaust survivor. Nora Wojnaswki, the oldest person to have ever lived and the matriarch of her family, has a buried secret from her past. When she disappears on a trip down memory lane in London's East End with her caregiver, Arifa, the truth about her wartime experiences is finally revealed.
Green's writing is touching and expressive, sincerely conveying the emotions and struggles of Nora and her family as they navigate through their shared history. Nora's character is exquisitely portrayed, highlighting her determination, courage, and resilience despite the atrocities she has suffered. The novel explores the themes of family, identity, and the potency of memory, leaving readers with an intense sense of wonder and respect for Nora's story.

Despite the hardships she has lived through, she does have money, although the amount is only mentioned as enough to live on those days. She isn't rushing toward death, but at 121 and counting, she's not in any hurry to go anywhere.

This is a story of family, and while it revolves around the woman who has lived more years than most, this is, essentially, a story of the mistakes and regrets, the memories - those of loss and horror, but also the happier ones, the ones of love.

#genernalfiction #bookrview #booktok #books #reading #bookfriends #bookworm

Many thanks to Publishers and NetGalley

This was a wonderful story and written really well. It was uplifting and inspiring.
I really liked Nora and Arifa their interactions made the story enjoyable to read.

This was a wonderful story and told with intelligence and style.
Many thanks to Harpercollins UK and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

What a beautiful, inspiring, moving and ultimately uplifting novel. I adored Nora and Arifa, and hugely enjoyed this lovely, touching story. Highly recommended.

I enjoyed this book, it was light hearted and full of love. Crossing cultures and generations gave the book an extra dimension. Whether I can believe the exploits of Nora, who is 122 years old, somehow doesn't matter.
I could say this book is gripping, as I really did want to read it through to the end. It also made me smile.
This is just the sort of book to buy someone who views old age as a negative.
It is said the main character was inspired by the author's mother and I liked that. The author also details the main character's family tree, which is helpful when there are so many generations to consider.
Well this book definitely cheered me up and will look for others by the same author.

Nora is about to become the oldest person to have ever lived and rather than sit around in her care home waiting for time to pass she asks one of her carers, Arifa to take her to the East End so she can relive her younger years.

I loved the premise of this book and loved the flashbacks where you learnt more about Nora’s harrowing history living as a jewish woman through the Holocaust.

Unfortunately the book fell flat for me with the side plot focusing on Nora’s family - I couldn’t stand any of them and think the story itself would’ve been so much better if it had just focused on Nora and Arifa, two women who had incredible stories of resilience and strength.

The Curious Kidnapping Of Nora W is the first novel by prize-winning British-born French journalist, copywriter and author, Caste Green. In early April 2018, Dinora Wojnawski is less than three weeks away from being the oldest person in the world, at 122 years and 165 days. Her great-granddaughter, Deborah Levene has been charged with organising the party, and she has the venue, the rabbi, the caterers and the entertainment all organised when Nora spits the dummy: no party, no way, bupkis

When Sylvia Wojnawski, Deb’s ever-critical mother, hears the news, she is confident she can talk her mother-in-law around, a plan that falls at the first hurdle when the family finds that Nora has signed herself out of The Cedars Care Home to live with her favourite Cedars carer, Syrian refugee Arifa Hashmi.

Considering her elderly and vulnerable, they haven’t reckoned with Nora’s strength and resilience, her tenacity and her stubbornness: no matter how much they try to reason with her, she’s determined to stay put with Arifa and her son Nasir in their Stepney flat. Not only that, but it’s very handy to where she and her late husband had their East End shop, Henry’s Fruit in Quaker Street.

Even though Arifa seems caring and deferential, Deb, her mother and her New York lawyer brother are immediately suspicious that this Middle-Eastern woman and her son are embarking on a scheme to cheat Nora out of her savings (their inheritance). Especially when young Nasif suddenly acquires a laptop computer and money starts disappearing from Nora’s bank account.

Outings to the café that now occupies Henry’s Fruit, the Synagogue, the site of the Grand Palais, the old Jewish theatre, and the Jewish Cemetery all evoke memories for Nora, some of them joyful, others painful: Nora is a Holocaust survivor, and avoids sharing those stories with her twenty-one direct descendants. But an incident at the cemetery takes everyone’s minds off the cancelled party….

Deborah and Arifa carry the main story, with Nora’s reminiscences filling in some of the backstory. Green’s characters have depth and appeal, and she gives them wise words and insightful observations, as well as snappy dialogue that includes a good helping of humour. The sprinkling of Yiddish and Syrian Arabic words and phrases throughout adds authenticity.

The parallels between the experiences of each refugee family, similarities but also differences are quickly apparent to the reader, and clearly one of the reasons that Arifa and Nora connect so well. Green says that Nora was inspired by her late mother-in-law, ad that her aim was to write a novel about survivors of war and injustice and their lives as ordinary people with an extraordinary past, something she has definitely achieved. A moving uplifting and thought-provoking read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harper Collins UK One More Chapter.

I think this book needed to be written. I feel like people are forgetting about the Holocaust and that will cause anti-semitism to continue growing. It was hard to read this book and evoked many emotions.
Thank you to Harper UK and Net Galley for the digital ARC. This review is based on my own feelings.

The Curious Kidnapping of Nora W is one of those rare books that deals with a harrowing topic yet still feels like a massive warm hug in a book.

Nora W is about to become the oldest person to ever live. Not only that but she is a Holocaust survivor. Her life is a massive middle finger to that whole regime. Her family want to celebrate but Nora has other plans. Nora wants to spend her final years living with the same gumption that got her through the horrors of her past but will her family allow her.

Nora is the kind of old person that I want to be. I want to have the power to still be so stubborn in the face of those who feel that they know best and know exactly how to get them on side.

The Curious Kidnapping of Nora W is such a joyous read and I thoroughly recommend it.

The Curious Kidnapping of Nora W by Cate Green is available now.

For more information regarding Cate Green (@saracategreen) please visit her Twitter page.

For more information regarding Harper Collins (@HarperCollinsUK) please visit their Twitter page.

Holocaust survivor Nora Wojnaswki, is about to become the oldest woman in the world. She is very, very, old and she is tired. Her Jewish family want a huge fuss and fanfare when she breaks the world record for oldest person. Nora does NOT. She enlists the help of a sympathetic care worker from her assisted living facility to take her back to East London where many of her memories were formed.

Care worker Arifa Hashmi brings Nora to live in her home which she shares with her teenage son Nasir. Arifa is from Aleppo, Syria, and knows well the devastation and losses that war can inflict upon the innocent. Arifa has much empathy for Nora and she considers her a friend. Nora's family are suspicious of Arifa's intentions and would prefer it if Nora returned to the care home where she lived previously.

Nora's great grandaughter, Deborah Levene, is the one family member who visits Nora most often. She loves her 'Bubby' very much, but finds her trying at times. Deborah is resentful of Arifa's actions and more than a bit jealous of her relationship with Nora.

When a tragic accident mars one of the family's outings, Deborah Levene's world is turned upside down. What transpires after this accident was a story that will enrich those who read it.

"They say that the pain from giving birth is the worst a human can feel but it is not true. The pain of losing a child that grew inside you is sharper, longer, and has no anaesthetic."

This debut novel was filled with Jewish lore, customs, and history. There were some very poignant moments, but lots of humour as well. The book explores parental bereavement and the traumatic experiences of war refugees/immigrants. It takes a hard look at the culture shock that these people face. Also it delves into the parent/child relationship - universal in its emotions, guilt, and deep-seated love.

This novel was overflowing with well-drawn characters. My personal favourite was Arifa who endured her great losses and change of status with such grace and dignity.

It is a novel with themes of perseverance, survivor's guilt, hope, loss, and family. I recommend this book to those who enjoy reading books that evoke myriad emotions and those who are interested in Jewish culture.

This was an incredible moving story that will play with your emotions as it slowly draws you in.
Beautifully & vividly written this wonderful thought provoking & uplifting story will captivate you.
The story was inspired by the author’s mother-in-law, whose physical & mental resilience, not to mention bad temper & stubbornness helped her to survive the Holocaust.
Nora Wojnaswki is a 122 years old Holocaust survivor & about to become the oldest person in the world.
She has lived a long & often harrowing life that nobody should have to go through.
Her mind is quite Sharpe as well as her tongue at times & she wants to live some of the memories she holds before it’s too late.
She enlists the help of her carer Arifa to leave the care home & go back to her roots in the east end of London.
Arifa who has a son named Nasir is dealing with her own grief but she opens up her home to Nora to help her live out her final wishes.
Unfortunately the family are not pleased & don’t trust Arifa.
They have been planning a big party for Norah & she is going to be put in the Guinness book of records if all goes to plan.
There are so many threads running this story as it moves back & fourth through time.
heartbreaking yet heartwarming this book is all about family life at its worst & best & to move forward the best way we can with all that life throws at us.
This was a touching yet funny story at times of family ties & friendships made, but most of all about understanding the needs of others.
This was an interesting well thought out story that i thoroughly enjoyed.

Whilst this is a harrowing period in history, I thoroughly enjoyed this book/story. Green has captured the difficult emotions that relate to the holocaust, but she’s also been sensitive and has even included some humor in a receptive way. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author.

Fascinating and fabulous read. Nora is a Holocaust survivor and at the age of 122 about to become the oldest person in the world ever. She decides to ask her carer, Arifa, to take her away from the care home where she lives and let her return to her roots in the East End of London. Mistaking Arifa's son Nasir her own son Dovid, she relives her younger days running a corner shop with her beloved husband. Nora's family, led by great granddaughter Deborah have been planning a celebration to mark the day she becomes the world's oldest person, but Nora is resisting. The family don't trust Arifa or her son, and misunderstandings ensue. It takes a serious incident to bring matters to a head and for everyone to see that Nora may be old, but she is in full command of her faculties. An interesting take on a holocaust survivor and how she has put it all in a compartment - the similarities with what Arifa and her family have endured as refugees shows that atrocities continue. #netgalley #thecuriouskidnappingofnoraw

A heart rending and heart warming book about family, love, loss and how to move forward. It covers familial trauma, war, refugees & end of life car in a gentle, intelligent way that never feels exploitative. A beautiful book.

The Curious Kipnapping of Nora W by Cate Green was not at all what I was expecting. The title leads the reader to believe that there will be some kind of mystery involved when in fact the mystery is solved within the first quarter of the book. I will say it is a unique book with very strong female characters. Nora is a fiesty, smart, determined woman who is about to become the oldest living person on the earth, at least according to Guiness Book of World Records. Nora is a Holocaust survivor. Her story is heartbreaking, poignant, confusing, emotional and I would say life affirming.

The story is told through the three main characters. Nora, her granddaughter Deborah and the healthcare worker who takes care of Nora – Arifa. Not only do we find out that Nora is a Holocaust survivor but we find that Arifa is also a survivor who has left her country, Syria, which is in the middle of a war and now is a refugee.

There are a lot of different threads weaving in and out and around this story. The story moves back and forth in time with memories that Nora and Arifa revisit. I enjoyed all the little Jewish antidotes from Nora and her family. From their talk of chicken soup and herring to how the family interacts as a whole. The three women characters were well done and you really get to know them.

While this was definitely not a page turner it’s warmth, love, and poignancy was worth the read.

I would like to thank Cate Green, HarperCollins, UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Danora Kowalski is turning 122 and her family wants to celebrate with a party and they’re even inviting The people from the Guinness book of world records because she will be the oldest woman alive. It is 18 days before the big event. When her great great granddaughter stops by on her allotted Sunday to tell her about all the festivities she’s planning the only problem is Nora wants none of it. This sends Debra home in a in a crying fit because this party was going to set her down on top of the heap in the family lore. When James becomes concerned about Deborah and calls her mother she shows up with all the Jewish Hanks a mother can have and immediately start asking Deborah what did she do wrong. They Will eventually call Deborah‘s father Michael after making a mad dash for Cedars Rest home and finding out Nora wasn’t there. Where can a 122 year old woman scamper off to? It seems everyone in the family knows what’s best for Nora but only one person knows what Nora actually wants and that’s her caregiver Arafa Who has taken the elderly woman to stay with her at her flat. When Nora starts believing her son is actually her beloved David Arafa tell her 16-year-old boy to just play along and make an old lady happy. The family thinks she is just a gold digging immigrant but there is way more to Arafa then the family knows eventually Norrell and a teenager will become close and her and her caretaker will become even closer when they talk about the wars they have experience they may as well be talking about the same one because the pain and loss is no different. This was such a good book I found at the beginning I had to get used to the writing because it is hard to convey sarcasm in text but once you wrap your head around it this book is funny heartwarming and a pleasure to read I absolutely love this book and the ending is phenomenal and sad. I did find it confusing that Nora was sad David didn’t visit her at Cedars when he was only a few floors away and didn’t understand why they couldn’t just take him to see her good either way this was a great book and a book I highly recommend if you love feel good fiction then you definitely need to read The Curious Kidnapping Of Nora W it is Kate Green‘s debut book and what a showing bravo to her it is a great example of never assume anything and definitely don’t think you know someone just father nationality and appearance you will be sadly or pleasantly mistaken. I love this book so much I want to thank netGalley, HarperCollins UK and one more chapter for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.