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Klara's Truth
It is May 2014, and Dr. Klara Lieberman—forty-nine, single, professor of archaeology at a small liberal arts college in Maine, a contained person living a contained life—has just received a letter from her estranged mother, Bessie, that will dramatically change her life. Her father, she learns—the man who has been absent from her life for the last forty-three years, and about whom she has long been desperate for information—is dead. Has been for many years, in fact, which Bessie clearly knew. But now the Polish government is giving financial reparations for land it stole from its Jewish citizens during WWII, and Bessie wants the money. Klara has little interest in the money—but she does want answers about her father. She flies to Warsaw, determined to learn more.
In Poland, Klara begins to piece together her father’s, and her own, story. She also connects with extended family, begins a romantic relationship, and discovers her repairing the hundreds of forgotten, and mostly destroyed, pre-War Jewish cemeteries in Poland. Along the way, she becomes a more integrated, embodied, and interpersonally connected individual—one with the tools to make peace with her past and, for the first time in her life, build purposefully toward a bigger future.
In Poland, Klara begins to piece together her father’s, and her own, story. She also connects with extended family, begins a romantic relationship, and discovers her repairing the hundreds of forgotten, and mostly destroyed, pre-War Jewish cemeteries in Poland. Along the way, she becomes a more integrated, embodied, and interpersonally connected individual—one with the tools to make peace with her past and, for the first time in her life, build purposefully toward a bigger future.
280 pages, Paperback
Published June 11, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
February 23, 2025
TITLE: KLARAS TRUTH
AUTHOR: Susan Weissbach Friedman
PUB DATE: 06.11.2024
It is May 2014, and Dr. Klara Lieberman—forty-nine, single, professor of archaeology at a small liberal arts college in Maine, a contained person living a contained life—has just received a letter from her estranged mother, Bessie, that will dramatically change her life. Her father, she learns—the man who has been absent from her life for the last forty-three years, and about whom she has long been desperate for information—is dead —but she does want answers about her father. She flies to Warsaw, determined to learn more.
In Poland, Klara begins to piece together her father’s, and her own, story. She also connects with extended family, begins a romantic relationship, and discovers her calling: repairing the hundreds of forgotten, and mostly destroyed, pre-War Jewish cemeteries in Poland. Along the way, she becomes a more integrated, embodied, and interpersonally connected individual—one with the tools to make peace with her past and, for the first time in her life, build purposefully toward a bigger future.
THOUGHTS:
I love reading an immersive story, and following Klara's journey to finding the truth about her father's past, and the reparations after WWII. There is always so much to learn about this period and the author showcased through impeccable research the Polish Jewish community. I highly recommend this fantastic debut.
AUTHOR: Susan Weissbach Friedman
PUB DATE: 06.11.2024
It is May 2014, and Dr. Klara Lieberman—forty-nine, single, professor of archaeology at a small liberal arts college in Maine, a contained person living a contained life—has just received a letter from her estranged mother, Bessie, that will dramatically change her life. Her father, she learns—the man who has been absent from her life for the last forty-three years, and about whom she has long been desperate for information—is dead —but she does want answers about her father. She flies to Warsaw, determined to learn more.
In Poland, Klara begins to piece together her father’s, and her own, story. She also connects with extended family, begins a romantic relationship, and discovers her calling: repairing the hundreds of forgotten, and mostly destroyed, pre-War Jewish cemeteries in Poland. Along the way, she becomes a more integrated, embodied, and interpersonally connected individual—one with the tools to make peace with her past and, for the first time in her life, build purposefully toward a bigger future.
THOUGHTS:
I love reading an immersive story, and following Klara's journey to finding the truth about her father's past, and the reparations after WWII. There is always so much to learn about this period and the author showcased through impeccable research the Polish Jewish community. I highly recommend this fantastic debut.
March 1, 2025
This novel takes Dr. Klara Lieberman on an adventure of her lifetime. She is a professor of archaeology at a liberal arts college in Maine. She has spent her life estranged from her mother and her father has been part of her life since she was a small child.
She receives a letter from her mother asking her to travel to Poland because she and her mother might have financial reparations from land that was stolen from the Jewish people. Klara does not care about the money but she wants to know more about her father.
While in Poland she will discover secrets, her mother kept and a family she never knew about. Will she find what she is truly seeking? She will discover more about her past and what her father was truly like.
She receives a letter from her mother asking her to travel to Poland because she and her mother might have financial reparations from land that was stolen from the Jewish people. Klara does not care about the money but she wants to know more about her father.
While in Poland she will discover secrets, her mother kept and a family she never knew about. Will she find what she is truly seeking? She will discover more about her past and what her father was truly like.
November 9, 2023
Klara’s truth slowly emerges as the story unwinds, and it’s quite a story. As she’s about to turn fifty, Klara finally takes the plunge to discover more about secrets and disappointments that have plagued her all her life. She goes to Poland to visit long-lost relatives to learn more than she ever expected. In her finely-drawn portrait of a woman with the courage to confront herself, the author displays deep understanding of the healing process, and romance adds an extra dimension to this believable psychological drama. An admirable debut.
June 7, 2024
The time is 2014 and Klara’s estranged mother contacts her about a financial reparation from Poland, because of her father’s family history. Klara is nearing 50 and hadn’t seen her father since she was a little girl, having been told that he had abandoned her and her mother. UNTRUE. Klara finally learns this and decides to use her summer off (she’s a professor of archaeology and anthropology) to fly to Warsaw to see if she can connect with the remaining members of her father’s family and to learn more about her father’s life.
This book surprised me, in a good way. I had the impression that it would be more of a World War Ii story and it’s really not. For sure, the Holocaust is an ever-present backdrop but the story is more about Klara’s development as a person and her discovery of a vital connection to her family’s roots in Poland.
Klara was rather stunted in her interpersonal development (if that’s the right term) due to her mother’s lack of interest in her and what she thought was abandonment by her father. There is also a creepy older friend of the family who made it difficult for Klara to trust a man. I enjoyed seeing Klara gradually let go of some of her anxieties and open herself to new experiences. I was happy to see her forge a relationship with Filip, who she met in Warsaw. Her experience of the Krakow Jewish Culture Festival was delightful and balanced out the sadness of the descriptions of the desecrated/destroyed historic Jewish cemeteries throughout Poland. While the reparations thing is purely fictional, I was happy to read about a small but burgeoning Jewish presence in Poland, once more.
Thank you to Book Sparks and She Writes Press for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
This book surprised me, in a good way. I had the impression that it would be more of a World War Ii story and it’s really not. For sure, the Holocaust is an ever-present backdrop but the story is more about Klara’s development as a person and her discovery of a vital connection to her family’s roots in Poland.
Klara was rather stunted in her interpersonal development (if that’s the right term) due to her mother’s lack of interest in her and what she thought was abandonment by her father. There is also a creepy older friend of the family who made it difficult for Klara to trust a man. I enjoyed seeing Klara gradually let go of some of her anxieties and open herself to new experiences. I was happy to see her forge a relationship with Filip, who she met in Warsaw. Her experience of the Krakow Jewish Culture Festival was delightful and balanced out the sadness of the descriptions of the desecrated/destroyed historic Jewish cemeteries throughout Poland. While the reparations thing is purely fictional, I was happy to read about a small but burgeoning Jewish presence in Poland, once more.
Thank you to Book Sparks and She Writes Press for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
October 26, 2023
Klara's Truth was an enjoyable and compelling read. The characters felt real and are well developed. Klara's search for family and for herself really drew me in. I only have passing knowledge of the Polish Jewish community before, during and after the Holocaust and appreciated the opportunity to become immersed in that through this story.
June 16, 2024
Thank you Booksparks for providing me the opportunity to read Klara’s Truth in exchange for my honest opinion.
Klara has a complicated and closed-off relationship with her mother. Her father left many years ago, leaving Klara to be raised by her mother and grandfather. Discussions about her father were always taboo, and Klara grew up knowing very little about him. That changed when she received a letter from her mother informing her that the Polish government was providing reparations to Jewish families whose homes were confiscated during the Holocaust. This revelation led Klara to discover that her father was buried in Warsaw and that she might have relatives there. Leveraging her background in archaeology, Klara decides to travel to Warsaw to uncover her family’s history and possibly reconnect with any surviving relatives. In her quest, she meets Hannah, her father’s niece, and her Aunt Rachel.
The book was enjoyable and sparked my interest in learning more about the Jews of Poland. My grandfather’s family originally came from Poland, and some were fortunate enough to escape before the Holocaust. Understanding the immense tragedy and the horrific crimes committed against the Jewish people is both important and challenging. While reading, I encountered some new details about this history that deepened my curiosity and made me want to visit Poland. Although I felt empathy for Klara, I found it difficult to fully connect with her character and her emotional journey. Despite this, I appreciated the writing style and the plot. I would recommend this book and am glad I had the opportunity to read it. I would rate it four stars out of five.
Klara has a complicated and closed-off relationship with her mother. Her father left many years ago, leaving Klara to be raised by her mother and grandfather. Discussions about her father were always taboo, and Klara grew up knowing very little about him. That changed when she received a letter from her mother informing her that the Polish government was providing reparations to Jewish families whose homes were confiscated during the Holocaust. This revelation led Klara to discover that her father was buried in Warsaw and that she might have relatives there. Leveraging her background in archaeology, Klara decides to travel to Warsaw to uncover her family’s history and possibly reconnect with any surviving relatives. In her quest, she meets Hannah, her father’s niece, and her Aunt Rachel.
The book was enjoyable and sparked my interest in learning more about the Jews of Poland. My grandfather’s family originally came from Poland, and some were fortunate enough to escape before the Holocaust. Understanding the immense tragedy and the horrific crimes committed against the Jewish people is both important and challenging. While reading, I encountered some new details about this history that deepened my curiosity and made me want to visit Poland. Although I felt empathy for Klara, I found it difficult to fully connect with her character and her emotional journey. Despite this, I appreciated the writing style and the plot. I would recommend this book and am glad I had the opportunity to read it. I would rate it four stars out of five.
August 5, 2024
ARC received!! Thank you so much, She Writes Press and Netgalley!
Here is my review. The opinions are my own and unbiased.
This was a great read! I loved the historical references and that the author included many historical sights and festivals related to the Jewish community and the Holocaust. Some of Klara's actions made me cringe a bit because she occasionally seemed very immature for her age. However, that didn't put a damper on my enjoyment of the story.
Here is my review. The opinions are my own and unbiased.
This was a great read! I loved the historical references and that the author included many historical sights and festivals related to the Jewish community and the Holocaust. Some of Klara's actions made me cringe a bit because she occasionally seemed very immature for her age. However, that didn't put a damper on my enjoyment of the story.
July 16, 2024
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Klara’s Truth
Author: Susan Weissbach Friedman
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4.5/5
Diversity: American Jewish MC, Polish Jewish characters
Recommended For...: fiction book readers, historical fiction, WW2
Publication Date: June 11, 2024
Genre: Fiction
Age Relevance: 17+ (parental death, war, genocide, postpartum depression, child neglect, romance, PTSD, slight language, pregnancy, miscarriage, PPD, child molestation, narcissism)
Explanation of Above: Parental death and child molestation are mentioned in the book. There are scenes showing child neglect. War and genocide are mentioned. Postpartum depression and narcissism are shown in the book. There are scenes of PTSD episodes. There is some romance shown, but nothing is sexually shown. There is slight strong language in the book. Pregnancy and miscarriage are mentioned.
Publisher: She Writes Press
Pages: 280
Synopsis: It is May 2014, and Dr. Klara Lieberman—forty-nine, single, professor of archaeology at a small liberal arts college in Maine, a contained person living a contained life—has just received a letter from her estranged mother, Bessie, that will dramatically change her life. Her father, she learns—the man who has been absent from her life for the last forty-three years, and about whom she has long been desperate for information—is dead. Has been for many years, in fact, which Bessie clearly knew. But now the Polish government is giving financial reparations for land it stole from its Jewish citizens during WWII, and Bessie wants the money. Klara has little interest in the money—but she does want answers about her father. She flies to Warsaw, determined to learn more. In Poland, Klara begins to piece together her father’s, and her own, story. She also connects with extended family, begins a romantic relationship, and discovers her repairing the hundreds of forgotten, and mostly destroyed, pre-War Jewish cemeteries in Poland. Along the way, she becomes a more integrated, embodied, and interpersonally connected individual—one with the tools to make peace with her past and, for the first time in her life, build purposefully toward a bigger future.
Review: I thought that this was a really interesting concept for a book. This book follows our main character whose name is Klara. When Klara was young, her father supposedly walked out on her and her mother and her mother is not that great of a mother, I can empathize. Klara's mother is really emotionally distant and by the time that this book starts, Klara is an older adult about to turn 50 and she is very low contact with her mother. Klara is an archaeologist and she teaches at a university, but she has not really explored her own culture. She is Jewish but she doesn't know or participate in a lot of the culture and she doesn't really know of her father's side of the family. That is until her mother tells her of a letter that has come from her father sister and that's when our main character seizes the opportunity to figure out more about herself. I did like that the book focused on an older main character who is still trying to figure herself out, that gives a lot of Hope to people like me in their mid-thirties who have no idea what we're doing in our lives. I also liked that the book was set in 2014 that it focused a lot on learning about the past. So for her it would have been learning a lot about Jewish culture but also what has happened in the aftermath of WW2 in regards to Jewish people. This book did only really focus on Poland so it didn't really expand on other countries and the book also focuses a lot on our main character's trauma, especially that of child molestation trauma that happened when she was younger. I thought the book was really good and the concept can really be taken to heart by a lot of people, especially those who are older and still don't know what they're doing in their life or they don't really know who they are as a person or about their family. It is never too late to go figure out what you are doing on this Earth.
The only thing that I would say was a downside to this book is that it felt like there were a lot of really slow paced moments and that the book was repetitive a bit, especially in the middle.
Verdict: It was so good!
Book: Klara’s Truth
Author: Susan Weissbach Friedman
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4.5/5
Diversity: American Jewish MC, Polish Jewish characters
Recommended For...: fiction book readers, historical fiction, WW2
Publication Date: June 11, 2024
Genre: Fiction
Age Relevance: 17+ (parental death, war, genocide, postpartum depression, child neglect, romance, PTSD, slight language, pregnancy, miscarriage, PPD, child molestation, narcissism)
Explanation of Above: Parental death and child molestation are mentioned in the book. There are scenes showing child neglect. War and genocide are mentioned. Postpartum depression and narcissism are shown in the book. There are scenes of PTSD episodes. There is some romance shown, but nothing is sexually shown. There is slight strong language in the book. Pregnancy and miscarriage are mentioned.
Publisher: She Writes Press
Pages: 280
Synopsis: It is May 2014, and Dr. Klara Lieberman—forty-nine, single, professor of archaeology at a small liberal arts college in Maine, a contained person living a contained life—has just received a letter from her estranged mother, Bessie, that will dramatically change her life. Her father, she learns—the man who has been absent from her life for the last forty-three years, and about whom she has long been desperate for information—is dead. Has been for many years, in fact, which Bessie clearly knew. But now the Polish government is giving financial reparations for land it stole from its Jewish citizens during WWII, and Bessie wants the money. Klara has little interest in the money—but she does want answers about her father. She flies to Warsaw, determined to learn more. In Poland, Klara begins to piece together her father’s, and her own, story. She also connects with extended family, begins a romantic relationship, and discovers her repairing the hundreds of forgotten, and mostly destroyed, pre-War Jewish cemeteries in Poland. Along the way, she becomes a more integrated, embodied, and interpersonally connected individual—one with the tools to make peace with her past and, for the first time in her life, build purposefully toward a bigger future.
Review: I thought that this was a really interesting concept for a book. This book follows our main character whose name is Klara. When Klara was young, her father supposedly walked out on her and her mother and her mother is not that great of a mother, I can empathize. Klara's mother is really emotionally distant and by the time that this book starts, Klara is an older adult about to turn 50 and she is very low contact with her mother. Klara is an archaeologist and she teaches at a university, but she has not really explored her own culture. She is Jewish but she doesn't know or participate in a lot of the culture and she doesn't really know of her father's side of the family. That is until her mother tells her of a letter that has come from her father sister and that's when our main character seizes the opportunity to figure out more about herself. I did like that the book focused on an older main character who is still trying to figure herself out, that gives a lot of Hope to people like me in their mid-thirties who have no idea what we're doing in our lives. I also liked that the book was set in 2014 that it focused a lot on learning about the past. So for her it would have been learning a lot about Jewish culture but also what has happened in the aftermath of WW2 in regards to Jewish people. This book did only really focus on Poland so it didn't really expand on other countries and the book also focuses a lot on our main character's trauma, especially that of child molestation trauma that happened when she was younger. I thought the book was really good and the concept can really be taken to heart by a lot of people, especially those who are older and still don't know what they're doing in their life or they don't really know who they are as a person or about their family. It is never too late to go figure out what you are doing on this Earth.
The only thing that I would say was a downside to this book is that it felt like there were a lot of really slow paced moments and that the book was repetitive a bit, especially in the middle.
Verdict: It was so good!
June 10, 2024
Klara's Truth was an enjoyable and compelling read. I honestly thought this was a wwii book and it is but its much more than that! The characters felt real and are well developed. I enjoyed seeing Klara slowly let go of some of her anxieties and open herself to new experiences. Overall it's an easy read with a journey to find yourself and to learn that it's OK to be loved!
November 4, 2024
Interesting, interesting story. SUPER glad I picked this one to read. Educational, thought provoking and filled with heart.
July 2, 2024
A big thank you to @SusanWeissbachFriedman and @BookSparks for the free copy 💖
✨What it is about:
Klara, a single 49 year old professor of archaeology at a small liberal arts college in Maine, receives a letter from her estranged mother, that dramatically changes her life. In this letter she finds out that the father she thought had abandoned her, had instead died in a train accident many decades prior, and his body had been flown back to his homeland by his sister, for a proper burial. Shocked and with a many questions, Klara decides fly to Poland to meet her father’s side of the family, and visit his grave. With their help and others she meets along the way, she finds all the answers to many questions that had been haunting her all her life.✨
💭My thoughts:
This was a wonderful historical fiction debut of self discovery, healing, and transformation, with a bit of drama and a touch of romance. I was invested in what Klara had in store from the beginning, after such a tackless and awful act on her mother’s behalf. Klara ends up uprooting her whole life in hopes of finding the answers to all the questions her mother never had the decency to answer, and in the midst of that, she finds what she thought she would never have: unconditional love, support, and people that actually care for her, as well as a new found passion for restoring Jewish history in Poland. It was both interesting and heartbreaking, to learn in more detail about the effects of WWII in Poland and its Jewish citizens. This novel had heart, and I loved seeing Klara’s growth, and all the changes that her journey in Poland brought to her life. The author’s background as a psychotherapist with a specialty in women’s issues, family therapy, and trauma-focused therapy was really evident in the writing, and I appreciated seeing that.
4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read if you like:
🥖Historical fiction
🥖Found family
🥖Jewish history
🥖Older characters
🥖Complex family dynamics
⚠️CW: Parental abandonment/mistreatment, mentions of sexual abuse, death of a parent.
✨What it is about:
Klara, a single 49 year old professor of archaeology at a small liberal arts college in Maine, receives a letter from her estranged mother, that dramatically changes her life. In this letter she finds out that the father she thought had abandoned her, had instead died in a train accident many decades prior, and his body had been flown back to his homeland by his sister, for a proper burial. Shocked and with a many questions, Klara decides fly to Poland to meet her father’s side of the family, and visit his grave. With their help and others she meets along the way, she finds all the answers to many questions that had been haunting her all her life.✨
💭My thoughts:
This was a wonderful historical fiction debut of self discovery, healing, and transformation, with a bit of drama and a touch of romance. I was invested in what Klara had in store from the beginning, after such a tackless and awful act on her mother’s behalf. Klara ends up uprooting her whole life in hopes of finding the answers to all the questions her mother never had the decency to answer, and in the midst of that, she finds what she thought she would never have: unconditional love, support, and people that actually care for her, as well as a new found passion for restoring Jewish history in Poland. It was both interesting and heartbreaking, to learn in more detail about the effects of WWII in Poland and its Jewish citizens. This novel had heart, and I loved seeing Klara’s growth, and all the changes that her journey in Poland brought to her life. The author’s background as a psychotherapist with a specialty in women’s issues, family therapy, and trauma-focused therapy was really evident in the writing, and I appreciated seeing that.
4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read if you like:
🥖Historical fiction
🥖Found family
🥖Jewish history
🥖Older characters
🥖Complex family dynamics
⚠️CW: Parental abandonment/mistreatment, mentions of sexual abuse, death of a parent.
June 12, 2024
Historical fiction has become one of my favorite genres to read, especially stories of WWII. Klara's Truth gives us a look at a different spin on the war story. When Klara finds out about her past, a past her mother selfishly kept from her, she immediately travels to Poland to try to reclaim her heritage and the family that was taken from her.
Right away, I felt comfortable with the characters and enjoyed the storyline. Klara's journey of discovery was pretty rocky as well as being interesting. As she figures out her past and rediscovers what it means to have family, she also learn a lot about herself and why she feels unlovable. Can she heal from her past?
I thoroughly enjoyed Klara's Truth and recommend it to historical fiction lovers. It was a refreshing, eye-opening look at the aftermath of the war as well as giving hope to those left behind. Check it out!
Right away, I felt comfortable with the characters and enjoyed the storyline. Klara's journey of discovery was pretty rocky as well as being interesting. As she figures out her past and rediscovers what it means to have family, she also learn a lot about herself and why she feels unlovable. Can she heal from her past?
I thoroughly enjoyed Klara's Truth and recommend it to historical fiction lovers. It was a refreshing, eye-opening look at the aftermath of the war as well as giving hope to those left behind. Check it out!
February 2, 2024
I read this book and loved it! I read it in bed at nights before going to sleep and woke up in the mornings wondering what was going to happen next with Klara. It spoke to me on many levels. It was an easy read. I can’t wait to see what comes next from this author!
March 16, 2024
A yet untold chapter in the story of Poland and her Jewish citizens, Klara’s Truth, details the journey of an archeologist on a quest to learn familial truths. In the process, she learns a few about herself.
January 7, 2024
I find myself to be an avid reader of historical fiction and this is another book I can add to my completed stack. It is a story of finding lost roots, confronting ghosts, and forging new paths.
Having endured many traumatic experiences as a youth, Klara is almost child like in her demeanor. Having said that, I found some of her interactions somewhat unbelievable, particularly the ones with Filip and Hannah.
Her relationship with her mother didn’t seem to evolve at all in the course of the book, but Klara didn't let that stop her from trying to discover her past and learn from it. The addition of the specific types of therapy Klara utilized didn’t necessarily add anything to the story. I felt that if it was going to be used there was a missed opportunity by a lack of really delving into what EDMR actually consists of and how the process fully works. I am however happy to see talk therapy cast in a positive light in the book.
I did find the book to be repetitive in its descriptions at times. The author tends to use a lot of the same phrases when she is sharing about Klara’s journey.
It read like a young adult book to me. Im not sure if that’s because of Klara’s demeanor throughout the book or how she managed her relationships, but although she was almost 50 years old, she didn’t come across that way.
Overall, it’s an easy read so far as historical fiction is concerned, It wasn’t very heavy and it offered information that was relevant to the time it was describing.
Having endured many traumatic experiences as a youth, Klara is almost child like in her demeanor. Having said that, I found some of her interactions somewhat unbelievable, particularly the ones with Filip and Hannah.
Her relationship with her mother didn’t seem to evolve at all in the course of the book, but Klara didn't let that stop her from trying to discover her past and learn from it. The addition of the specific types of therapy Klara utilized didn’t necessarily add anything to the story. I felt that if it was going to be used there was a missed opportunity by a lack of really delving into what EDMR actually consists of and how the process fully works. I am however happy to see talk therapy cast in a positive light in the book.
I did find the book to be repetitive in its descriptions at times. The author tends to use a lot of the same phrases when she is sharing about Klara’s journey.
It read like a young adult book to me. Im not sure if that’s because of Klara’s demeanor throughout the book or how she managed her relationships, but although she was almost 50 years old, she didn’t come across that way.
Overall, it’s an easy read so far as historical fiction is concerned, It wasn’t very heavy and it offered information that was relevant to the time it was describing.
June 13, 2024
I read this book in a day. It was an incredibly interesting and well written story. I found the historical part of this book fascinating, learning more about Jewish culture and what happened pre - and post-war in Poland.
This story also spoke to the consequences of war and how the trauma can be passed on through generations. But also, the importance of knowing our histories and having that connection with our pasts. For Klara, missing that knowledge of one side of her family (her father and his family of origin) definitely had negative impacts on her life and her ability to form good, meaningful connections. Klara's realization about how this shaped her life and her eventual growth throughout this book led to many emotional moments in this story.
This was a big topic, and so much could be written on it. I think the authour did a good job covering it sensitively. There were parts that felt a little rushed for me. Such as the development of the relationship between Klara and her newfound cousin. But, overall, it certainly didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story.
I just want to thank BookSparks and the authour for my copy of this fabulous story. My opinions are my own. I would definitely recommend this for history fans. There was also a sweet romance, with some angst that developed for Klara, so a great read for history fans that also like some romance in their stories.
Readers should be aware of some content warnings, not just those given the nature of the story, but Klara herself was dealing with some childhood trauma.
This story also spoke to the consequences of war and how the trauma can be passed on through generations. But also, the importance of knowing our histories and having that connection with our pasts. For Klara, missing that knowledge of one side of her family (her father and his family of origin) definitely had negative impacts on her life and her ability to form good, meaningful connections. Klara's realization about how this shaped her life and her eventual growth throughout this book led to many emotional moments in this story.
This was a big topic, and so much could be written on it. I think the authour did a good job covering it sensitively. There were parts that felt a little rushed for me. Such as the development of the relationship between Klara and her newfound cousin. But, overall, it certainly didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story.
I just want to thank BookSparks and the authour for my copy of this fabulous story. My opinions are my own. I would definitely recommend this for history fans. There was also a sweet romance, with some angst that developed for Klara, so a great read for history fans that also like some romance in their stories.
Readers should be aware of some content warnings, not just those given the nature of the story, but Klara herself was dealing with some childhood trauma.
June 11, 2024
Klara has just discovered her mother has lied to Klara her whole life. Klara has been told that her dad left them, abandoned her. When the truth is, he was killed in a train accident. When Klara discovers the truth, she immediately takes a sabbatical from her job as a professor and travels to Poland to uncover her father’s past and to reconnect with his family. It is not as easy as she expects.
Klara has been neglected for most of her life by her mom. So, my heart really went out to her when she discovers the truth. But, this does not stop her. I loved her tenacity and her intelligence. She also has some hang ups from her childhood and she struggles to overcome these challenges as she tries to navigate her new world.
This story is full of self-discovery history, mystery, family drama and a little bit of romance. I enjoyed the setting of Poland and especially the family history and emotional tales of the Holocaust.
Need a novel about family that is full of history and drama…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
Klara has been neglected for most of her life by her mom. So, my heart really went out to her when she discovers the truth. But, this does not stop her. I loved her tenacity and her intelligence. She also has some hang ups from her childhood and she struggles to overcome these challenges as she tries to navigate her new world.
This story is full of self-discovery history, mystery, family drama and a little bit of romance. I enjoyed the setting of Poland and especially the family history and emotional tales of the Holocaust.
Need a novel about family that is full of history and drama…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
March 18, 2024
Klara is a 50 year old professor at a small college in Maine where it is easy for her to live a quiet life far from her difficult, cold mother. Klara was always told that she was abandoned by her father, who was a Jewish immigrant from Poland, and she never had the inclination to pursue her family members still living in Poland.
Unexpectedly, Klara receives a letter from her mother encouraging her to go to Poland where she is in a position to apply for government reparations due to her father’s status as a victim of the Holocaust. Bravely, Klara takes a leave of absence and embarks upon a life altering journey during which she finds that all she believed has no basis in reality.
The story is beautifully told and touched my heart. There is an important message within the pages. It is never too late to begin anew. It is never to late to be loved. Although I had difficulty believing the quick turnaround in an important relationship with one of Klara ‘s cousins, I was able to let go of my own logic and stay within the intent of the author.
This book will be published on June 11, 2024. I recommend it for fans of historical fiction and more. Many thanks to NetGalley and She Writes publishing for an ARC in return for my review.
Unexpectedly, Klara receives a letter from her mother encouraging her to go to Poland where she is in a position to apply for government reparations due to her father’s status as a victim of the Holocaust. Bravely, Klara takes a leave of absence and embarks upon a life altering journey during which she finds that all she believed has no basis in reality.
The story is beautifully told and touched my heart. There is an important message within the pages. It is never too late to begin anew. It is never to late to be loved. Although I had difficulty believing the quick turnaround in an important relationship with one of Klara ‘s cousins, I was able to let go of my own logic and stay within the intent of the author.
This book will be published on June 11, 2024. I recommend it for fans of historical fiction and more. Many thanks to NetGalley and She Writes publishing for an ARC in return for my review.
June 13, 2024
This novel takes you through Klara’s trip to Poland in pursuit to discover her family and learn of her Jewish heritage. She finds more than anticipated. Taking place in modern day, this book gives you a chance to learn of the effects of WWII on Poland and its Jewish citizens, in a story of finding old family and finding love.
I really enjoyed this book. It taught me much of Poland and how it had been affected during the war. I appreciated all of the historical contexts, and the character’s interest in learning more. However, it was heartbreaking to hear of different sites and their history, too - to hear more in depth of how Poland’s Jewish citizens were affected. I also really thought it was all incorporated well into the story.
It was a novel of finding lost family and discovering family heritage. I loved seeing Klara connect with her extended family, and the friendships forged. It was great seeing the relationships begin.
All in all I really enjoyed this book!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, received from BookSparks and Susan Weissbach Friedman. However, all thoughts and views reflected are strictly my own opinions.
I really enjoyed this book. It taught me much of Poland and how it had been affected during the war. I appreciated all of the historical contexts, and the character’s interest in learning more. However, it was heartbreaking to hear of different sites and their history, too - to hear more in depth of how Poland’s Jewish citizens were affected. I also really thought it was all incorporated well into the story.
It was a novel of finding lost family and discovering family heritage. I loved seeing Klara connect with her extended family, and the friendships forged. It was great seeing the relationships begin.
All in all I really enjoyed this book!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, received from BookSparks and Susan Weissbach Friedman. However, all thoughts and views reflected are strictly my own opinions.
June 28, 2024
This book was interesting and I was super excited to read it. It wasn’t what I expected by the summary and that was a bit of a let down. The things I enjoyed were the setting and the emphasis on Polish Jews. I teach Schindler’s List to my sophomores so it was interesting to read about these places from another time period. I also really enjoyed Hanna’s character! She said all the things I was thinking. Now, what I didn’t jive with…the writing style. There were times that the history was blurted out by characters in almost a textbooky way. I didn’t think it helped drive the plot in the way it was presented. I also could not connect with Klara as an MC. She was SO immature for 49 years old and it was very annoying.
June 14, 2024
I am a historical fiction fan reader and one of the era I enjoyed the most is the WWII. This particular one is about Dr Klara Lieberman seeking hers and her family’s past lives. I love how this book added a bit of romance to Dr Lieberman’s busy life. I have read many historical fiction and this one is how Klara goes back to Poland to restore, seek and preserve what she achingly wanted to find. I shed some tears on some parts and laughed on some enticing moments. This is a fascinating book and I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves dual timelines of current and historical situations.
February 25, 2025
This book does a beautiful job of chronicling one woman’s search to find her father‘s family while at the same time telling the story about the Polish Jews during World War II.
This isn’t a World War II historical fiction novel, but it does give lots of information about what happened in Warsaw and other places in Poland to the Jewish population during and after World War II.
The main character, Klara, has baggage from her mother which has affected her and all of her relationships. That part of the story as well as the fact that Klara is almost 50 years old adds much richness to a book filled with an appreciation for heritage.
This isn’t a World War II historical fiction novel, but it does give lots of information about what happened in Warsaw and other places in Poland to the Jewish population during and after World War II.
The main character, Klara, has baggage from her mother which has affected her and all of her relationships. That part of the story as well as the fact that Klara is almost 50 years old adds much richness to a book filled with an appreciation for heritage.
June 13, 2024
The author has beautifully crafted a story that incorporates her knowledge as a trauma therapist with a story of healing and transformation.
A single letter uproots Klara’s life. She finds herself in a foreign country unraveling the past of the man she called, father. Its in Poland where Klara finds family, love and passion for restoring Jewish history.
This debut novel is an engrossing family saga. The reader feels the effects of a war torn country after WWII, and the intergenerational trauma it had on families. How does one reconcile the past to build a brighter future?
Thank you, BookSparks for the complimentary copy.
A single letter uproots Klara’s life. She finds herself in a foreign country unraveling the past of the man she called, father. Its in Poland where Klara finds family, love and passion for restoring Jewish history.
This debut novel is an engrossing family saga. The reader feels the effects of a war torn country after WWII, and the intergenerational trauma it had on families. How does one reconcile the past to build a brighter future?
Thank you, BookSparks for the complimentary copy.
January 8, 2025
This was such a meaningful historical fiction story. It touched me deeply and I also learned a lot. I’m blown away by the extensive research that the author did and appreciated the author’s note. Klara was a guarded character which was understandable as her story unfolded. I loved so much that after studying the history and cultures of others for many years she was finally able to learn more about her own heritage. I was cheering her on big time!
February 22, 2024
I just finished reading Klara's Truth~
I thoroughly enjoyed taking this journey with Klara as she reconnected with her family, her roots and finally found true love in the process.
Watching this character finally find the ability to stand up for herself was very rewarding. We should all be as strong as Klara.
I thoroughly enjoyed taking this journey with Klara as she reconnected with her family, her roots and finally found true love in the process.
Watching this character finally find the ability to stand up for herself was very rewarding. We should all be as strong as Klara.
August 21, 2024
I liked the storyline. But the characters were not developed enough. I would have like to know more background about the characters, especially Klara's mother. I learned a lot about Poland post WW 2 and that was wondeful.
August 25, 2024
Klara’s Truth is a beautifully written story following a woman’s journey of discovering the truth about her father’s past, connecting with family and opening herself to love while learning about her Jewish heritage in Poland. I really enjoyed reading this book!
September 7, 2024
Enjoyed following the path with Klara to discover her past and the new relationships built through this discovery. New family, new love and a renewal of life. Though this is not considered historical fiction, there is plenty of World War 2 Polish history here. Fast reading! Really enjoyed
July 23, 2025
Excellent story with solid characters. I love learning about the Jewish experience in pre-WWII and post-WWII Poland. I could feel the tension in every page and the growth of the main characters.
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