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About the Book
Book: The Medallion
Author: Cathy Gohlke
Genre: Historical Fiction (World War II)
Release date: June 4, 2019
For
fans of bestselling World War II fiction like Sarah’s Key and The
Nightingale comes an illuminating tale of courage, sacrifice, and
survival, about two couples whose lives are ravaged by Hitler’s mad war
yet eventually redeemed through the fate of one little girl.
Seemingly overnight, the German blitzkrieg of Warsaw in 1939 turns
its streets to a war zone and shatters the life of each citizen—Polish,
Jewish, or otherwise. Sophie Kumiega, a British bride working in the
city’s library, awaits news of her husband, Janek, recently deployed
with the Polish Air Force. Though Sophie is determined that she and the
baby in her womb will stay safe, the days ahead will draw her into the
plight of those around her, compelling her to help, whatever the danger.
Rosa and Itzhak Dunovich never imagined they would welcome their
longed-for first child in the Jewish ghetto, or that they would let
anything tear their family apart. But as daily atrocities intensify,
Rosa soon faces a terrifying reality: to save their daughter’s life, she
must send her into hiding. Her only hope of finding her after the
war—if any of them survive—is a medallion she cuts in half and places
around her neck.
Inspired by true events of Poland’s darkest days and brightest
heroes, The Medallion paints a stunning portrait of war and its
aftermath, daring us to believe that when all seems lost, God can make a
way forward.
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About the Author
Three-time
Christy and two-time Carol and INSPY Award–winning and bestselling
author Cathy Gohlke writes novels steeped with inspirational lessons,
speaking of world and life events through the lens of history. She
champions the battle against oppression, celebrating the freedom found
only in Christ. Cathy has worked as a school librarian, drama director,
and director of children’s and education ministries. When not traveling
to historic sites for research, she, her husband, and their dog, Reilly,
divide their time between northern Virginia and the Jersey Shore,
enjoying time with their grown children and grandchildren. Visit her
website at
www.cathygohlke.com and find her on Facebook at CathyGohlkeBooks.
More from Cathy
Every story begins with a journey. Sharing that journey is twice the joy.
The Medallion was inspired by two true stories—the first was
the WWII account of Itzhak Dugin and his Jewish family, persecuted in
Lithuania. Their heart-wrenching story made world news when the tunnel
from which Itzhak escaped the Nazis was discovered using modern
technology.
The second was the story of Irena Sendler, a Polish Catholic social
worker within Żegota (an underground Polish Council to Aid Jews), who
developed a network to rescue children. Despite terrible risks, they
smuggled 2500 Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto and certain death
at the hands of the Nazis, then hid them in Polish homes, convents,
churches and hospitals until the end of the war. Approximately 2,000 of
those children were found after the war. Theories abound regarding the
whereabouts of those missing. I couldn’t help but wonder, and imagine:
What became of those 400 to 500 missing children? What became of one?
Set in WWII Poland and post-war England, The Medallion is a story of courage, sacrifice, love, forgiveness and redemption.
My Thoughts
I am a big fan of Cathy Gohlke. While this book was a tad slower for me I still really enjoyed it. Also I love the cover! I think I enjoyed Sophie's story the most but both take you on a crazy adventure during world WWII. It is difficult I think for us to imagine a time and place with so much hate and so much pain. Those that lived it are truly remarkable and Cathy does such a wonderful job portraying the history and people of this time. Rosa and Itzhak are another couple in the book and their story will leave you tattered.
If history interests you this is a great book to pick up and read!
Four stars
"I received this book from the publisher for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."