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.

While Nora W has already turned 122, there are still 18 days to go before the celebration that will mark her becoming the world's oldest living person. Cate Green makes brilliant use of this impending occasion to peel back the complex layers of Nora's life and experience. Old she may be, but her life is far from over, with one essential chapter left to play out in this novel's pages. It's an inter-generational tale of family, trauma, displacement and belonging, written by Green with such a light touch, real humanity and laugh-out-loud humour. The darker moments are both well-earned and tremendously moving. And it's a brilliant portrait of family - how it might break apart, and re-knit, as we all move along the road to greater understanding. A perfect summer read, with huge heart.

This is a novel with just the right balance of elements, as emotional heft, cultural backstories and history all come together beautifully, wrapped up in a cracking plot. I loved how the dialogue rings true and characters feel real and fully formed. Can't give away the ending, but, for me, it felt pitch-perfect. It's a book that is freighted with deep meaning, but is deceptively easy read and I raced through it. Green's characters will stay with me a long time.

As the novel begins, we meet Dinora “Nora” Wojnaswki eighteen days away from becoming the oldest person in the world at 122 years and 165 days – a world record that her immediate family plans to celebrate with much pomp and show despite Nora’s unwillingness. Nora’s great-granddaughter Deborah “Debs” Levene (née Wojnawski) is the one tasked with making all the arrangements for the celebration to be attended with family coming in from all over the world – a mammoth task in itself without her family members making things even more difficult with their travel plans, food preferences, internal feuds and much more.

Nora decides to leave the care home of her own volition and moves into the home of her caregiver Arifa Hashmi, a Syrian refugee who fled her war-torn homeland in the wake of devastating tragedy. Arifa lives with her sixteen-year-old son Naser, who misses his home and the people they have left behind. Nora is a Holocaust survivor from Lodz who refuses to talk about her experiences, choosing to revisit her memories alone in her room at the assisted living facility where she currently resides. She does not want a celebration but would rather live peacefully with her memories, but her family isn’t one to listen and Nora’s antics have them concerned, upset and wary of what might come next. They also don’t hesitate to express their suspicions about Arifa and question her motives for her part in Nora’s rebellious behavior. But Nora knows what she wants and her family and Arifa have no other option but to follow her around as she celebrates her survival and a life well- lived in her very own way, revisiting moments and places from the life she and her late husband made for themselves in London’s East End.

The Curious Kidnapping of Nora W by Cate Green is a beautiful story that revolves around themes of family, war, loss, trauma, survival, healing, motherhood and family. Presented to us from the perspectives of Deb, Arifa and Nora, the narrative follows these characters over the eighteen days preceding Nora’s special day. This is not WWII fiction in the true sense of the term but rather focuses on survival and the scars that the horrors of war and loss leave in the lives of those who live through it and the generations that come after them. I loved the evolving friendship between Nora and Arifa- the empathy, respect and understanding they show for one another and well as how her interactions with them enable Debs to gain perspective on her own life, motherhood and the struggles both Nora and Arifa have faced to build new lives for themselves, generations apart and from different parts of the world. I enjoyed the dynamics between the members of Nora’s family and thought that the depiction of bias and how preconceived notions often cloud our judgment of others is handled with much sensitivity. The author writes with insight and compassion, with several light-hearted moments woven into the narrative making for an incredibly moving and enjoyable read.

DO read the beautifully-penned Author’s Note wherein the author shares the people and places that inspired this story and much more.

Many thanks to HarperCollins UK and One More Chapter for the much–appreciated digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

In eighteen days Dinora Wojnawski will be 122 years and 165 days old, making her the oldest person ever to have lived in this world. Born in 1896, she’s lived through a lot, including the Holocaust. Her family is determined to make a big deal out of it, celebrate in style. Nora isn’t really in favor of a big celebration; she figures just living through some horrible times and surviving evil people is enough. But she’s just a really old lady in a care facility and her family knows best. They think. Until Nora escapes – or is “kidnapped” by her hospital carer Arifa – and is determined to visit places from her life in London years ago.

This is not a standard historical novel. Instead, it’s a story about surviving history and finding friends and discovering connections with family when there is a strong, tragic, common bond. The story counts down the days, looking at Nora and Arifa visiting spots all around the East End and Nora’s family outrage at her having left the facility and their attempts to bring her back and punish Arifa for spiriting her away.

This is an emotional story, highlighting both the strengths and weaknesses of the characters, looking for understanding and acceptance. The ending is strong and satisfying. Thanks to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, for providing an advance copy of The Curious Kidnapping of Nora W via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

The Curious Kidnapping of Nora W was an uplifting often funny, and poignant novel of Dinora (Nora) Wojnaswki.

When the book opens Nora is 18 days away from being the oldest woman in the world at 122 years and 165 days old. She is in a care home in the grandest room with her son in a room on a different floor. Her great grand-daughter Deborah is planning a party for her with Guinness book of World Records and family from all over the world in attendence. Then Nora throws a spanner in the works.. She insists that she does not want a party and with the assistance of her caregiver Arifa checks herself out of the care home and goes on one last adventure to her old haunt in London’s East side. Nora and her husband owned a grocery store in the East side and Nora wants to spend time remembering her old life, Deborah and the rest of the family are less than thrilled.

The story touches on Nora’s background, from her life in Poland before the war, to her time in a concentration camp and the decimation of her family, to her happy times with her husband Henry and son Dovid and the life they built in England after the war. Arifa, Nora’s caretaker is another survivor of war, the war in Syria in her case and she too has lost loved ones along the way. The two women have a bond that many people never have and hopefully never will. The bond of surviving unimaginable horrors and coming out the other side.

The novel was sometimes funny, with all the dramas that encompass a big family, and sometimes poignant with the tragedies those same families have to endure and the repercussions of those traumas through the generations. I really enjoyed my time with Nora, Arifa and especially Deborah who has way more patience than me.

Thanks to Netgalley, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and the author for the chance to read and review this book.

I absolutely loved "The Curious Kidnapping of Nora W" by Cate Green! 122 year old Nora is definitely one of my favorite literary characters of this year, and probably of all time. As Nora's family finalize the preparations for her party celebrating the day she becomes the oldest person in the world, Nora, a Holocaust survivor, turns their plans upside down when she signs herself out of her nursing home and goes to live with her Muslim caretaker in what used to be her old neighborhood for a trip down memory lane. As the story, both heart wrenching and amusing, unfolds, the reader sees the parallels between Nora's and Afira's lives, and between the wars that changed the courses of their lives. This is a beautiful story of motherhood, loss, family and their misplaced good intentions, injustice, hope, and healing. The vividly written characters become real people to the reader and they will haunt me for quite some time. I loved the author's writing style and her use of language kept me turning page after page. I was actually sad when I finished the last page; I wasn't ready to leave Nora's world! I highly recommend this book to all readers who like to become thoroughly invested in a book's characters and to those who want their hearts to be touched while reading. Five, bright shiny stars of perfection!

Many thanks to NetGalley, One More Chapter, and to Cate Green for the privilege of reading an advanced copy of this incredible book.

The Curious Kidnapping of Nora W by Cate Green is a fabulously rich story about a Holocaust survivor's perseverance, grief, little joys and hope. Nora is about to turn 122, the oldest human in the world, and her family is eager to celebrate. However, Nora has other ideas. She and Arifa, her carer who is a Syrian refugee, go off on their own adventure of a very different sort. They are anxious to find answers to old mysteries. Different characters, different wars. But their harrowing war experiences bond them with empathy and understanding. Nora's great grand daughter Debbie, party organizer extraordinaire, is left with de-planning. As the story gets deeper and deeper, the characters grow along with it.

Cate Green's writing style is wonderful, her characters are believable and the premise is fascinating. Nora is based on the author's late mother in law. There is so much to enjoy about this book! If you long for something different with an excellent balance of sorrow and touching moments, this may very well be for you.

My sincere thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this uplifting book.

Thought provoking

This is a book that will stay with you for a while after finishing it. It manages to cover a lot of emotional territory while providing interesting plot and characters. Yes, it is a bit different to follow sometimes with the three points of view and a lot of Yiddish and British slang, but I think this adds to the messages. Be aware of possible trigger warnings, holocaust, grief, loss of children, war, problems of refugees (historical and present), multi generational communication.

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time limited e-arc via netgalley with no obligation. This review is optional and my own opinion.

Interesting concept based on the author’s mother-in-law.
I did find the narrative hard ti follow at times. I’d lose the train and have to backtrack to pick up the thread.
I didn’t really connect with any of the characters.

An elderly lady refuses to play the game. Norah is soon to become the oldest person in the world. She knows her own mind so absconds with her carer to avoid attending the huge party carefully planned by her great-granddaughter. Norah's a great character who has seen many things in her long life, including the Holocaust. The book started off well enough but got confusing when there were three different viewpoints and the Yiddish was hard to follow.

Family matriarch and Holocaust survivor Nora Wojnaswji is about to become the oldest woman in the world, and her family are determined to celebrate in style. Her great granddaughter, Debs, however, is not too happy about being left in charge of the [arty. It's been a struggle to the Rabbi to commit to a date and the large Wojnaswji clan can't agree on what food should be served. Debs problems are just beginning/ Because Nora isn't your average centenarian, and she has other ideas....

One of my pet peeves is when a book title has nothing to do with the story, so if you'rer looking for a book about a kidnapping, this won't be the book for you.

Nora is about to turn a 122 and doesn't want the party her family wants to throw for her. She's the oldest woman in world and a Holocaust survivor. Nora decides to go on a trip down memory lane in the East End of London. She takes her favourite carer, Arifa, a Syrian refugee, with her. The story covers - war, religion and family feuds with a little bit of humour. The characters are well developed, and the story is told from Nora, Arifa and Debs perspectives. This is a touching and thought provoking read.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #CateGreen for my ARC of #TheCuriousKidnappingOfNoraW in exchange for an honest review.

I love this story so much! A Holocaust surivivor who's a real person and not only a sort fo symbol, a poignant and funny story, a tighly knitted plot.
The author is a talented storyteller and this story kept me hooked.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Nora is about to become the oldest person on the planet. Her great-granddaughter is planning her Guinness World Record party, but Nora doesn’t want a party. Nora wants to leave the care home she lives in. She might be frail, but manages to get a family member to sign off on her paperwork and Nora goes to live with her carer Arifa, another woman who has survived a war.

A story about survival, about family and friendship. I enjoyed this slow story, but it took me some time to get used to the writing style and the POVs of the three women.

Nora is about to become the oldest person ever living and her family arrange a party, Nora leave s her care facility with her carer. The family are very unhappy at her choice and displeased that she has no desire to celebrate the special day. Thee book is scattered with Yiddish which is not always easy to follow. There are some oddities in the book which are strange. I found that I did not care what happened in the end but ploughed on. The book itself was well written. Thanks to Net Galley for an ARC.

Inspired by the harrowing true story of the authors late mother in law who lived in the ghetto in Łódź Poland after the Nazis occupied the country before being taken to Auschwitz. Holocaust survivor Nora Wojnaswki is 122 and in 18 days time she will be the oldest person to have lived. Her family are planning a big celebration. This is the story of those 18 days… Told from three POV’s Nora, Arifa, and Deborah, who is Nora's great-granddaughter.

Briefly, despite her age Nora has a mind of her own and she doesn’t want a party so she ‘escapes’ from the care home she has been living aided by Arica, one of her carers and herself a woman who escaped persecution in Syria, along with her teenage son. The plan is to take a trip down memory lane to recall her family in the UK but Nora has secrets she has never told any of her family.

Quite a slow burning read this is a moving story about a rather cantankerous old lady who has lived through some of the worst imaginable times and whose family have not been caring for her in the way they should. Nora and Arifa were two wonderful characters and I fell in love with both of them. Not so the other female adults in Nora’s family, both of whom were actually rather unpleasant for most of the book. There are some terribly sad and harrowing moments and some humorous happy ones but largely it is an uplifting story about family and love and memories. An enjoyable read.

Holocaust survivor Nora Wojnawski (known as Bubby to her family) is about to become the oldest person ever. Her family intend to celebrate the huge milestone with a glitzy party, but Nora herself has other ideas. When she leaves her care home in the company of carer Arifa, her family are determined to return her to the home and have the celebrations they have planned. Will Nora accept their wishes, or will she have the trip down memory lane she wishes?

A beautiful story, with lots of revelations and flashbacks. The author shows how families have lots to learn from their elders, and what you see isn't always what you get. Well written, and very emotive.

The Curious Kidnapping of Nora W is a fictional story that makes you consider aging from an older person’s perspective, how Nora has lost her independence, her beloved husband...,all she has left is her memories, and her remaining family want her to break a Guinness World Record and it's something she doesn't give two hoots about! Cate Green’s debut novel brings up many emotions: survivors guilt, keeping a child's death a secret, and getting revenge, all of which Nora has and has done by living so long. This is an outstanding debut! My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

P.S. I have known many Holocaust survivors and their families. The emotions of the past, along with the guilt of surviving have made for many a difficult life...not only for the survivors but for their children as well. It's sad and you have to wonder how their lives go on as the past is always there to haunt them.

WW2, memories, historical-novel, historical-places-events, historical-figures, historical-research, history-and-culture, cultural-exploration, cultural-differences, cultural-heritage, Europe, centenarian, emigree, empathic, survivors, war-experiences, wartime, family-history, family-dynamics, friendship, frustration, refugees, care-center, caretaker, Holocaust, Jews, Jewish, Moslem****

History wrapped in fiction.
An inspired story of one Jewish woman who managed to survive the horrors of a war and years of aftermath while being cared for as a very old woman by other women who are survivors of current wars and forced to flee their homes. It is a story of perseverance through horrible times, unsettled times, loving times, and through the trials of extreme old age so to triumph over oppressors by becoming the oldest of all on her own terms. A fascinating read.
I requested and received an EARC from HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter via NetGalley. Thank you!

This was definitely a lovely uplifting story of survival, friendship and who people deal with tragedy and loss. I love the strength and courage of Holocaust survivor Nora Wojnaswki and she really did make this story worth reading.

There are moments of humour, and lots of family memories, stories of the past and of course there has to be a long held secret to be revealed. The author has written a story that will touch you at the head and the heart and it keeps you thinking long after you have finished reading.

A wonderful read that was inspired by the authors family which brings a realness to the book. It is history, humour, compassion, family and friendship all in one great read.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.