Carly Schabowski

This emotional story has a dual line and is told by several different POVs. It shows the lack of involvement of the Polish elite in contrast with the brutal lives of the Jewish residents and the prisoners of war. It's a story of love and forgiveness, the effect of keeping secrets and the effects of the war during and after.

Ilse was a youg woman living in Poland with her family. Her family was very rich and snobby and the war didn't seem to affect their lives. Ilse and her best friend Marlena enjoyed spending time walking across the bridge that connected Poland to Germany. They met two young boys and Ilse fell in love with one of them. When the war started, both young men joined the Polish Army. One of them became a deserter and the other ended up in a POW camp. Ilse is so immature that she thinks she can help rescue the friend in the camp without considering the danger that it would put him in. She ends up fleeing to the UK and later has a son. When her son and his wife die, she raises her granddaughter Mia and then when Mia started college, she moved back to her hometown in Poland. Mia stayed in England to work but when she lost her job and her boyfriend, she decided to go see her grandmother. She knew that Ilse had fallen but was not aware of her real health conditions. Her grandmother tells her a few things about her life in Poland during the war and she hears the rest from Marlena and one of the men who was part of her friends group in her younger days. Ilse's story shocks her and she vows to try to find the person that her grandmother had loved before the war. What she finds out makes her view her grandmother differently and she realizes that Ilse never really allowed herself to live life and be happy because of her guilt about things that happened during the war.

This book was beautifully written and well-researched. The characters were all easy to love - except for Ilse because she was so out of touch with what was going on and she wanted to do things her way no matter what the consequences might be. The story was very emotional and some of the descriptions of the POW camps were difficult to read but overall this was a fantastic book about forgiveness and love. This is my first book by this author but it definitely won't be my last.… (mais)

The Rainbow by Carly Schabowski is Dual Time Historical Fiction World War II and in the present a granddaughter researching family secrets. Interesting storyline of soldiers conscripted by the Nazis and the effects of socialism on the people. The love of family, friends and enduring first love with heart wrenching details. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 4 Stars… (mais)

This read pulled me in, and made me think. How many others were there must have been put in this horrible situation? The author lets us meet these characters up close, and see the decisions that were made. What a horrible blight on history and so much evil prevailed, but we also meet the ones that were trying to help their country and risking their lives.
I really loved how the author wrapped this book up, what a gift!
A story not to be missed, and history not repeated!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bookoutour, and was not required to give a positive review.… (mais)

historical-novel, historical-places-events, historical-research, historical-setting, history-and-culture, romantic, danger, concentration-camp, love, WW2, grief, bullies, injustice, family-dynamics, friendship*****

This is a story centered on some very ordinary but special people in very horrible time and place. It is inspired by a true story and embodies the adage that Where there is life, there is hope. The publisher's blurb is a good hook and there is no need for recap or spoilers. This is a wonderful book!
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Bookouture via NetGalley. Thank you!… (mais)