The Lieutenant: A Novel

by Alice Rene

This work of fiction draws upon the events of the author's father's youth and military service in the First World War. He rose to a command position through his knowledge of German, even though he was born a poor Polish ranch boy. His success as a Viennese physician is a measure of his determination to excel in Medical School in post-war Austria.

256 pages, Paperback

Published July 11, 2023

About the author

Alice Rene wrote her award-winning memoir, Becoming Alice, after a grandson interviewed her about her early life when Hitler marched into Vienna, foreshadowing WWII. She followed this work with a historical fiction/ romantic thriller inspired by true events, The Other Side of Him. The working title of her next book at this time is The Lieutenant from Podolia.

Reviews

[Tina T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lieutenant is a quietly powerful novel that brings history to life through resilience, intelligence, and grit. Drawing from real experiences, Alice Rene crafts a moving portrait of a poor Polish ranch boy who rises through the chaos of World War I by sheer determination first as a linguistically gifted officer, then as a driven medical student in postwar Austria. Rich in atmosphere and emotional depth, this is historical fiction at its best: intimate, authentic, and deeply human. A must read for readers who appreciate character driven stories rooted in real history.