The Parisian Dancer: a promise made during dark and dangerous times

The Parisian Dancer by Doron Darmon is a World War II historical novel based on a true story. Paris, 1939. Helena Fotticelli is an aspiring stage actress in the bohemian quarter of Paris. Forced to flee her homeland, she dreams of stardom while dancing at the infamous Folies Bergère night club. She befriends Marek and Annette Oppenheimer, a young Jewish couple who live in the apartment above her, along with their two young sons. One day, Marek disappears and everything changes. Helena finds herself vowing to keep and protect the boys as if they were her own. As the Nazis strengthen their grip on Paris, she learns that even the best of intentions may not be enough to protect them. Will her promise cost her her life? 

I thoroughly enjoy World War II stories. I was intrigued by the premise of The Parisian Dancer and looked forward to reading it as it appeared on my TBR list. However, the writing style was hard to get through, the story itself was dull and the characters were completely unlikeable. I particularly did not like Marek and Helena, especially Helena. She is supposedly risking her life to protect these young boys and yet, she really doesn’t. There were gaps in the timeline with little or no explanation. The alternating points of view were distracting and confusing. Overall, I did not enjoy this story. I have read other World War II books that did a much better job with a similar premise. I do not recommend The Parisian Dancer. 

The Parisian Dancer is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook

Irena's War: one woman's resistance and rescue of Jewish children

Irena’s War by James D. Shipman is based on the true story of an unlikely resistance fighter who helped save thousands of Jewish children from the Warsaw ghetto. In September 1939, the Nazis are sweeping through Europe as Irena Sendler, a social worker in Warsaw, is determined to get the food and supplies the people need, she just doesn’t know how. The answer comes when Klaus Rein, a Gestapo agent, offers her a job running the city’s soup kitchens. Reluctantly, she takes the job, anything to make sure the people do not go hungry. Klaus becomes suspicious of Irena’s activities, but has very little evidence of any wrongdoing. As the Warsaw Jews are confined to the ghetto, Irena realizes that providing food isn’t going to be enough. Working with Zegota, the Polish resistance, Irena begins to smuggle the Jewish children out of the ghetto and to safety. It is a race against time as each success brings Irena closer and closer to danger. 

Already familiar with the heroic activities of Irena Sendler, I was intrigued at Irena’s War and how the author would tell the story of this unique woman. This story was a cat-and-mouse thriller as the mouse outwits the cat at every turn. Irena Sendler has been a folk hero who fought against injustices and worked tirelessly to help as many people as she could. While her life after the war was filled with strife, she is best remembered for her rescue of over two thousand children. With the benefit of historical knowledge and the outcomes, it is easy to say that of course, she helped the  children. However, given the wartime and political climate, she was taking a great risk and readers will have to ask themselves, would have I done the same? Especially after reading how she got the children out of the ghetto, would we have done the same? Overall, I enjoyed Irena’s War. If you have never read about this courageous woman, I recommend Irena’s War. 

Irena’s War is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook