We Were the Lucky Ones, Week 2

Welcome to Week 2 of the Online Book Club discussion of We Were the Lucky Ones.

Did you enjoy the beginning of the book? It was so interesting to read about how each member of the family was having such a different experience in the war! Could you believe how spread out everyone was by the end of this first section? Did you have a hard time keeping track of all of the characters? I thought everyone was so well-described that it was pretty easy to keep everyone straight. 

The first person we meet is Addy, who is actually the author's grandfather. His story has been so interesting. I was glad that he didn't go back to be with his family as the war was breaking out, even though that meant that he had no idea what was happening with them. I can't imagine what it was like to not hear anything from your family for years. The stress of that would be so overwhelming. Addy showed so much bravery when he talked to the Ambassador, so that he could get a visa to Brazil. That ambassador, Luiz Martins de Souza Dantas, was so incredible. He saved so many Jewish people by issuing those visas. Check out more about him on his Wikipedia page. Addy's journey to Brazil is not going as he imagined--by the end of this section, he is trying to get to Tangiers and hopes to make it to the Spanish coast after that. Are you surprised that he is spending so much time in limbo? 

The story that I had the hardest time reading about was Mila and Felicia's story. I just cannot get my head around how good and brave Felicia was at such a young age. It's almost incomprehensible! She was so good to play in the scraps at her mother's feet at work, and then, near the end of this section when she had to hide from the soldiers, she kept her composure! It was incredible. I was scared just reading that scene. I can't imagine what it would have been like to experience it. I can't imagine how stressed Mila was on a daily basis, trying to keep both herself and Felicia safe. 

I also couldn't believe all of the things that Herta and Genek went through. The train ride to Siberia was so scary. I don't know how anyone survived with all of the sickness and death and decay in such a cramped space. I was glad that they were both together. I think that helped them keep some semblance of hope alive. I don't know how they would be able to continue on after seeing so many horrific images. They were so incredibly brave. I can't imagine what they thought when they realized that they were going to have a baby. I'm sure they were filled with joy with the idea of new life, but I can't imagine how scared they were because of all of the things they and the baby would experience. Wasn't your heart in your throat when you read Genek's fears about the future? I don't know how a baby could survive in those conditions. 

Were you surprised how the family was able to do normal things like get married during these turbulent times? Bella and Jakob's wedding wasn't what they imagined it would be, but it still seemed like a joyful and sacred ceremony. Bella was so brave to crawl through a field all by herself to reach Jakob. Everyone displayed so much courage on a daily basis. Halina had a similar experience when she waded through the river with their cousin. I hope we hear more about Halina in the next section. 

Did you find yourself looking forward to reading more about one person more than the other people? Did you struggle that the stories were so spread out? It was hard to be patient when I wanted to make sure that everyone was staying safe! Do you have any idea what might happen to the family in the next section? 

Before you go, check out the video below in which author, Georgia Hunter, talks about how she found out about her family's incredible story. Have you ever looked up your family's history? 

I hope you are enjoying the book so far! Make sure to leave me a comment to let me know what you liked the most about the first section. Make sure to read through chapter 42 before checking back next week!