The Storyteller of Krakow

by Carly Schabowski

Discover the BRAND NEW stunning, emotional wartime historical read from Carly Schabowski Praise for Carly

“A stunningly, different WW2 story… Emotional and raw… Will stay with me for a long time.” Helen Parusel, author

“A powerful and moving story… I was both intrigued and touched… Highly recommended.” Kate Hewitt, author

“Never have I read a story told in such a poignant manner… Absorbing with a beautifully-drawn cast of characters. An exquisite gift to the reader that wraps around your heart.” Jina Bacarr, author

“Oh my gosh I don’t know where to start, this book broke me… it will stay with me for a very long time... Heartbreaking, poignant, gripping and compelling, I felt every emotion… I read this book in one sitting.” Fiction Vixen Reads ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Phenomenal and heartbreaking… Amazing… Heartfelt, emotional and unputdownable… In tears… An absolute must-read.” Page Turners ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Wow!! Just wow!!… This book is brilliant! More than brilliant, amazing!!!… Absolutely gripping, addictive and captivating… I was absolutely hooked from the first page to the last!!” Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Will rip your heart out… It has heartache, pain, loss, joy, and sorrow. It’s great WWII historical fiction… Heartbreaking.” Books Read By Prairie Girl ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Left me speechless and had me wanting to roll up in a ball and cry hysterically… Heartbreaking… Had me in tears and kept me hooked until the final page… I could not stop thinking about the characters.” Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I was captivated by this powerful and emotional WWII novel… I found myself hanging onto every word, and it felt almost as though I had become part of the story… Heart-rending… left me close to tears.” Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Beautifully crafted… Moving… A vivid picture of resilience and survival… A heart-wrenching yet hopeful exploration of the human spirit… I highly recommend it to fans of WWII fiction.” Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genres: Historical Fiction

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 3, 2026

About the author

Carly Schabowski worked as a journalist in both North Cyprus and Australia before returning to Oxford, where she studied for an MA and then a PhD in creative writing at Oxford Brookes University.

Carly now teaches at Oxford Brookes University as an associate lecturer in Creative Writing for first and second-year English literature students.

The Ringmaster’s Daughter is Carly’s debut novel and will be published by Bookouture in July 2020, with her second novel, The Watchmaker of Dachau coming out later that year. These texts are both true, epic, moving historical novels centred around survival, human suffering, and the finding of love within the backdrop of the desperate and uncertain times of 1940s Europe

Reviews

[theliterateleprechaun]

4⭐

Another great historical fiction novel from a trusted author.

I enjoyed learning about Wojtek and appreciated the reminder that love and happiness don’t often arrive in the ways we expect.

I did miss the magical realism of her previous historical fiction and perhaps this was why I wasn’t pulled into this story as quickly as I expected.

I'll continue to watch out for Schabowski's next novel!

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Hana · Rating 3 out of 5]

​This book didn't disappoint, and I’m so glad I got to read the ARC. It’s a beautifully heartbreaking story spanning from roughly 1934 to 1954, framed by a present-day timeline where an older Lena recounts her life. I loved following the historical timeline and watching Lena’s determination to become a strong "warrior" who could survive and help others. The writing was engaging and perfectly paced, and Lena's fierce, protective bond with Wojtek and Anka during the terrifying uncertainties of war was a major highlight.

​A few frustrating elements lowered my rating, though. I immediately disliked Janek; he was genuinely awful, and I kept wishing Lena would escape his orbit sooner or just kill him! 😂 It was also maddening to watch Zosia blindly believe Janek's lies and freeze Lena out, despite knowing her first. Finally, while the ending fit the narrative, my heart wanted a definitively happy conclusion where Lena finds a great love and peace after everything she endured.

​Overall, it's a wonderful, deeply emotional read that I highly recommend if the premise catches your eye.

​Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura N · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The plight of the polish people during World War II has been well documented in both fiction and non-fiction alike. This book wasn't really a war novel, it was about a woman Lena who lived through that time and how she retreated into herself to cope with tragedy and loss. She used stories - those that she made up herself and those that she listened to from other to create a world for herself.

This would be a great book club book as there are multiple themes to discuss - helplessness, emotional abuse, death of loved ones, sticking up for others, gulag experience, military camps, helping enemies, etc. The author is unique in that she mentions the bear Wojtek that traveled around with the Polish "army" while in the Middle East and Italy. She weaves him into the story seamlessly. I also really enjoyed how she explored that one can fall in love with an idea or idealized version of events and that isn't the reality.

The one thing I didn't like was the title of the book, It feels like there are so many books out there with a similar title sequence "The Storyteller of..." She could have just called it The Storyteller or something else. I feel like it may get overlooked with that title. I also wish there was a pronunciation guide with the Polish places and names.

[Dawn Lawrence Read_with_Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this WWII fiction book, it was so different to anything else I have read. It’s not so much about the war, although this features heavily, it’s more about loss, survival, isolation, friendship and healing.

It’s a dual timeline story, Lena is a cranky 90 year old that keeps herself to herself and doesn’t mix well with others. She lives in the past with her stories from Krakow during the war, I. Particular her stories of Wojtek the bear. She becomes close with a mother and daughter and found the family she didn’t know she needed.

The other timeline in the story is Lena during the war, the loss of people she loved and how she navigates the war moving from camp,to camp working with the Polish army and of course Wojtek the bear!

A very sad but engrossing read, it certainly makes you think about war, friends and family. Highly recommend it’s a really sensitively written book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. Publication date 3 October 2026.

[Sophie Whitworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a World War 2 historical fiction following the mc Lena. This is a duel time line book, starting in 2014 when we first meet 90 year old Lena. Through her stories we are then transported back in time to the war. The war begins for Lena when her brother enlists in the military and her family is uprooted from their home in Poland by the Russian military.
This is a story full of love, friendship, courage, hope and perseverance. It is also tragic and heart breaking in places with themes of found family. Throughout her time under Russian control, Lena befriends a bear, Wojtek, who becomes her support and closest confidant. The relationship between Lena and Wojtek adds warmth to the book and helped me to relate to Lena a little bit more.
Some of Lena's decisions and the choices she makes are a bit questionable, but who knows what they would do under similar circumstances?!?
If you love historical fiction, then I would definitely give this book a read
Would I recommend this book? Yes

[Big Bertha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lena has a tale to tell, at ninety years old she's a survivor and this beautifully written novel told in dual timelines wasn't just engaging it was interesting too. A different direction from most of my previous WWII reading, this novel tells of a Polish army, liberated from the Siberian gulags and making their way across Asia to join the allied troops on the front line.

An epic journey but this novel isn't just about the history and the war its also about the friendships that were made along the way and an orphaned brown bear cub that the Polish troops adopted, called Wotjek and took with them. The author doesn't shy away from the atrocities of war, the loss or the hardship but the uplifting positives made this a wonderful, poignant read.

My thanks to Boldwood books for the early read, all opinions expressed are my own.

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book for so many reasons. The main character, Lena , survived so many different experiences yet remained true to herself and at ninety, was still looking out for other people. Her interactions with Wojtek, the bear were wonderful to read about, and all the more so because he was a real character from history. This book covers a lot of themes, including the reliability of memory, coercive control, friendship, morality and kindness. This was another way of telling a war story, by having the main character looking back at her experiences and recounting them. If you like historical fiction, I recommend this book to you. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a complimentary copy and the chance to express my thoughts.

[Cynthia Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading The Storyteller of Krakow, and I read it in only two days! This was such a sad, but also beautiful, story.

The story follows a woman looking back on a life filled with so much—war, death, loss, and the heartbreak of losing people she loved. Yet even after everything she had been through, she found herself drawing closer to a family she never knew she needed.

I loved the characters and how the story unfolded. It was beautifully written, emotional, and really made me think about how the things we experience shape who we become.

I definitely give this one 5 stars for the likable characters, beautiful writing, and well-thought-out plot. ❤️📚

[Heather Howarth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author but I suspect it will not be the last!

This story centres around Lena - as a 90 year old woman remembering her past triggered by the mention of the bear, Wojtek. As she befriends, Hana, the daughter of one of the care home staff, the story of her life before, during and after the war is told.

She endures the gulag, losing her parents, joins the free Polish army and serves in Italy as an ambulance driver. She tells of her relationship with Wojtek, her defining friendships and her first love - with an enemy soldier.

She suffered, learnt to rely only on herself and stayed alone. She worked as a doctor and made an impact particularly on the health and welfare of women. Even in her 90s she protects Hana and her mother. A brave woman shaped by her sufferings.

A heartbreaking tale - one which will stay with me.

[Trina Dixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love historical fiction novels and this one certainly didn't disappoint. It follows the life of Lena, a woman in her 90's living in a care home, who shares her memories of the 2nd World War with Hana, a carers daughter.
What makes this novel more special is we also read about Wojtek the bear who was made a corporal in the Polish Army. I hadn't heard about Wojtek before so this made it slightly different to any other WW2 novel I've read..