Nocturne

by Diane Armstrong

It is Warsaw, 1939, and Elzunia is an indulged teenager who longs for a heroic life filled with romance. But the outbreak of war shatters all her dreams. As bombs fall, she meets Adam, a taciturn airman whose fate becomes entwined with hers. In despair over the occupation, Adam joins the Polish resistance, then flies bombers for the RAF.

Forced into the Warsaw Ghetto, Elzunia learns that even children must create their own rules to survive. When the Ghetto defies the invaders, and later the entire city of Warsaw rises up, Elzunia finds strength in ways she never imagined. Nocturne is a powerful and inspiring testament to resilience and courage in the face of cruelty and betrayal.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Novels, World War II, War, Polish Literature, Literary Fiction

Audible Audio

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Diane was born in Poland and arrived in Australia in 1948.

At the age of seven she decided to become a writer. Her first article, about teaching at a Blackboard Jungle school in London, was published in The Australian Women's Weekly in 1965. Diane subsequently became a freelance journalist, and over three thousand of her investigative articles, personal experience stories, profiles and travel stories have been published in newspapers and magazines such as Readers Digest, Vogue, The Bulletin, Harper's Bazaar, The Australian, The Sydney Morning Herald, Good Weekend, and The Age. Her articles have also appeared in major publications in the UK, Canada, Poland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Holland and South Africa.

Over the years she has received numerous awards for journalism, including the Pluma de Plata awarded by the Government of Mexico for the best article written about that country, and the Gold Award given by the Pacific Asia Tourist Association. In 1993 she received an award for an investigative article about Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease. In 1998, she received the George Munster Award for Independent Journalism.

Reviews

[Patricia Joynton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book because of the history of Poland during the invasion of Germany/Hitler. It made me understand how so many Polish people ended up in Canada and the US (and Alpena!). Although fiction, the book maintained historical accuracy regards events and political figures, etc. It was a good story. Rarely do I rate a book a 5, especially when I see that its average is less than 4.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a big book, I was surprised with how quickly I got through this. At the end of each chapter was a hook that was so engaging, that I had to keep on reading. Having a personal interest in Poland and WWII (due to my own family history), I found this novel about the uprisings in Warsaw fascinating and well-written. It was certainly helped by the insertion of real people and the descriptions of the events felt realistic and poignant. I was a bit put off by some of the graphic details surrounding this, particularly the deaths of certain characters which were rather gruesome and felt like overkill but they propelled the story forward in a way I wasn't expecting, and were quite emotional. My only quibble would be the resolution, because after the huge shocks delivered through the climax of the novel, it then just seemed to meander out and left a few too many unanswered questions for me. But then that's life I suppose. 4.5 stars.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book a struggle to read, but also difficult to put down. The story kicked off in a country I know fairly well due to my background along with a time period that has been extremely well documented, and then sprinkled in some compelling people and drew me into their struggles. There wasn't really a climax as such, or if there was it was pretty gentle, but I couldn't put it down. I would have preferred slightly more of a resolution than was written.

[Sherry Chiger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author Diane Armstrong is an acclaimed journalist, and it shows: This is an impeccably researched book, so much so that after reading it I almost felt I could have made my way around the Warsaw ghetto myself (did the ghetto still exist, of course). It captured the details of life in Poland during the Nazi occupation, as well as the pride, resilience, and anti-Semitism of many of the people. But the journalistic training is also apparent in the writing, which does a lot more telling than showing. In parts--particularly the heartrending depiction of the ghetto uprising--this rather cool, distancing style worked; anything else might have been too melodramatic. But particularly in the final third of the book, the characters came across less as people than as paper dolls made to fit into a plot and prove a point. Given everything they endured, I should have felt a lot more for them than I did--probably because they never truly came to life for me.

[Mary Frances Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking

There are many stories on this subject. This one portrayed the events with dignity. The writer captured the immeasurable horror committed during and after this war. You can't help but admire the courage and bravery and I must say heroism of all the people that lived this nightmare. It was a wonderful book.

[Don Halasz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nocturne is one of the most powerful stories to come from WW II and life in Poland. The Warsaw Ghetto and the uprisings of the brave people who inhabited the ghetto not of their choosing is described in a manner that makes the reader imagine that they are there experiencing it along with the characters. It delves into the politics of the many countries that were involved and the effects of the British RAF. Although I have read a many books regarding the "holocaust" this has to be one of the best in my opinion.
My thanks to Diane Armstrong for writing this novel and I will definitely also read some of her other books. Don Halasz, Plano, TX

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite being very well researched, I found that the plot dragged in this book and I was never emotionally invested. At times it was heartbreaking, especially when reading about life in the Warsaw ghetto but I felt disconnected with both Etzunia and Adam. I admired their courage as they, and others, fought the Nazis in their own way, but I didn't really like them. Adam was moody and Etzunia was too perfect.

Nocturne was okay but I thought A Winter's Journey by the same author was a much more compelling read.

[Mercedes-fleur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing.

This book gave me a brand new perspective into the happenings and everyday life of WW2. I found myself quite shocked at the delicate situation with Poland. It was something I had never heard about before. The sacrifice Poland had made was never mentioned in any of my history classes at school.I just assumed that the Allies triumphed in the end, and it was such an amazing feat. We'd beaten Germany, at a high price that no one seemed to stop and consider.
Poland had to pay. With their country and also - a reoccuring theme in Nocturne - with their honour.

Diane Armstrong, although swapping P.O.V's at the drop of a hat sometimes confused me, is a devine writer. She had me flipping page after page, hungry for the story she had to offer. You don't have to be an Historical Fiction lover to find yourself falling head over heels for Elzunia and Adam and their stories. The intricate way she weaved these two very different characters together had me eager to see when they would next meet. And of course, if they would ever get together?

I definitely recommend this story to anyone.

[Kathleen Hagen]

Nocturne, by Diane Armstrong, narrated by Deidre Rubenstein, produced by Bolinda Audio, downloaded from audible.com.

This is another of Armstrong’s novels about WW II and the Jews of Poland. Ezunia is a middle-class spoiled teenager who lives a sheltered life until the war breaks out and the Germans invade Poland. She then becomes part of the underground and the eventual resistance that held the Nazis at bay for over six weeks. Also we’re introduced to Adam, trained to the Polish air force who joins the RAF after Poland’s air force is defeated. In this book we learn that the Poles feel totally betrayed by the allies. They helped the RAF keep Hitler at bay and protected England. The allies didn’t help Poland during the war, didn’t do much to evacuate the Jews who were being sent to death camps, and when the war ended, the allies, as the Poles saw it, allowed Stalin most of Poland as a prize.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow that was one long book. I enjoyed learning so much about what happened in Poland during the war. My grandfather was born in Poland and immigrated after WW1 but I never researched it beyond knowing where they were from was not always Poland.

I found the main female character very appealing. She had spunk and they story flowed because of her. As the story turned to the main male character, I found myself waiting to get back to her.

All in all - a well written and well researched book.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Compelling characters and a gripping storyline, "Nocturne" kept me hooked from start to finish. The details were well-researched and vivid and the settings wonderfully realised. Armstrong managed to convey a great deal of information without ever seeming pedantic or losing the flow of the story. I did feel that she told more than showed a little too much, and found it difficult to credit the degree of coincidence that kept the plot together, but overall a great read, thoroughly enjoyable.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read quite a few books about the holocaust but most of them took place in Germany. This book was about Poland during the war years. It was fiction based on fact. Some of the characters were based on real people. This was not an easy book to read as it was a horrible time period but I found it interesting and very sad. I learned a lot about the country of Poland and what happened to those people during and after the war. This book is not for the faint of heart however.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fully engrossed by this story. Elzunia changes from a typical spoiled teenager to a soldier and nurse. Forced into the Ghetto during WW II, Elzunia learns that she has to create her own rules in order to survive, and to help others survive as well.

[shelby a snider · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captivating and heartbreaking...

I have a love of historical fiction with its storehouse of facts intertwined with a human story. It’s captures my attention to all things historical in a humanist mode. I would recommend this book to everyone.

[Debbie Peut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing and chilling insight

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book in about two days. Gruesome, gripping but with hope and just a tinge of the good among all the awfulness.

[Karin Christo · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many books and information about WWII but hardly ever heard about the troubles in Poland.
Excellent historical fiction.

[Philippa Mulqueen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful description of WWII from a Jewish Polish perspective. Harrowing and evocative descriptions of the struggle- of the terror and courage of individuals, the brutality and humanity which war calls forth, the extraordinary choices individuals make and the involvement of children in the struggle against German oppression kept me turning the pages. I was particularly struck by the tragedy of the British betrayal of Poland in handing it over to the Soviets at Yalta in 1945 despite having gone to war when Poland was invaded in 1939 promising to protect its independence. There are so many losers in war but this novel reminded me of the way in Eastern Europe one foreign dictator was merely replaced by another.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Authentic + made one appreciate the plight of the Poles after bring abandoned by Britain. Once again reinforcing the weakness of appeasement.
If you have values + are ethical you must be prepared to stand up to defend them. Otherwise, they are only window dressing.

A well researched book that has encouraged me to read more about the dilemmas facing locals in Austria, Germany + France in the early years of the war.

[Marc M.Levey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diane Armstrong so well captures the traumas and evils of war as well as the critical emotions of all impacted. Her historical fiction is both detailed and difficult to read as the truisms of this dark time in history is. But it cannot be forgotten. she brings the story to life with brilliant character portrayals that are both compelling and tragic. diane must be commended for taking on this most difficult yet critically important subject.

[Sarah Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elzunia is a young teen in Warsaw when the Nazis invade. Diane Armstrong’s powerful novel is the story of Elzunia’s journey living through the hell of the Warsaw ghetto, the Polish uprising and the consequences of war inflicted on Poland. Many stories have been told and written about the Warsaw ghetto but this is a gripping account from a young woman’s point of view.

Another powerful novel from Diane Armstrong.

[Mccluskey1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good interesting story.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diane Armstrong is one of my favorites when it comes to historical fiction. Her research is solid, her story compelling, and I learned so much about Poland during World War II.

[Sel Rou · Rating 5 out of 5]

An epic account of life in WW2 in Poland from the viewpoint of a young girl who becomes a nurse in the Ghettos

[kat ᕙ(`▿´)ᕗ · Rating 5 out of 5]

delectable i would consume this book and never digest it if it were possible ><

[Muphyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the first Diane Armstrong book that I just cannot finish.

All her other books (so far) have intrigued me, hooked me from the first page and kept me glued to the story. Not so with this one. I had trouble getting interested in the first place, found the shifting PoV's confusing, the story lacking in conviction, coupled with characters that left me cold and disinterested.

It's disappointing to abandon a Diane Armstrong but I just can't face returning to this story and being bored out of my brain. So, DNF it is.

[Nona]

Began listening to this CD and gave up after a couple of chapters.
I just was not interested. Don't know why.
Maybe I should further elaborate - the writing was rather mundane, trying to depict a good life before the war, then some of what happened at it's beginning. It was bland and did not foster a desire to want to know what happened to the characters.
Not recommended.