Thank you to Netgalley and Mandel Vilar Press for sharing a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Hanna Slivka is on the cusp of fourteen when Hitler’s army crosses the border into Soviet-occupied Ukraine. Soon, the Gestapo closes in, determined to make the shtetele she lives in “free of Jews.” Until the German occupation, Hanna spent her time exploring Kwasova with her younger siblings, admiring the drawings of the handsome Leon Stadnick, and helping her neighbor dye decorative pysanky eggs. But now she, Leon, and their families are forced to flee and hide in the forest outside their shtetele—and then in the dark caves beneath the rolling meadows, rumored to harbor evil spirits. Underground, they battle sickness and starvation, while the hunt continues above. When Hanna’s father disappears, suddenly it’s up to Hanna to find him—and to find a way to keep the rest of her family, and friends, alive. Hanna's story hit me from the very first page. Masih writes with raw emotion and I applaud her talent. I was instantly immersed in the story: I could imagine every scene, and feel the love Hanna has for her family. And the capacity of that love is overwhelming. Hanna has the fiercest determination to ensure the survival of her family, which ages her beyond her years throughout the novel. This story is beautifully told, and the gravity intwined throughout is felt on every page. I cannot pretend at expertise on what work of fiction might do the horrors of the Holocaust justice, but My Real Name is Hanna is exceptionally well-researched and inspired by a real family's story, and I wouldn't hesitate to include it on any list of historical must-reads. Readers will see that because of Hanna's age, the novel also functions as a coming-of-age-story, if a rather brutal one. It has notes of tenderness throughout, and the care Masih takes to develop each character should be noted. Her award-winning writing is clearly on display here, and her attention to detail throughout is immaculate. 5/5 stars. Gorgeously wrought--there's honestly not much else I can say other than simply: this book is a necessary read.
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The BaronessHey, I'm Shreya! I love to read, write, travel, and drink tea. Disclosure: I am an affiliate of bookshop.org and I will earn a small commission if you click the above link and make a purchase.
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