What do you think?
Rate this book
Finding Ida
1930s Warsaw. Two privileged Ida — glamorous and self-assured — and Luiza, the spirited tomboy striving to fulfil the ambitions their German-born father once held for the son he never had.
At just seventeen, Luiza's world is upended when her Polish homeland is occupied. Caught between two identities — raised speaking both German and Polish — she must now decide where her true allegiance lies. Meanwhile, Ida, newly married and expecting her first child, is living under Soviet occupation in the eastern part of Poland. When she vanishes, taking her baby with her, Luiza begins a search that will span decades.
In a cruel irony, the war that destroys Ida brings Luiza both adventure and love. But her life becomes driven by survivor’s guilt — a need to live not only for herself, but for the sister she lost.
Inspired by the life of the author’s mother, Finding Ida is a gripping family saga. It explores themes of faith, loss and forgiveness, and the enduring human drive to survive. At its heart, it is a story about identity and belonging.
At just seventeen, Luiza's world is upended when her Polish homeland is occupied. Caught between two identities — raised speaking both German and Polish — she must now decide where her true allegiance lies. Meanwhile, Ida, newly married and expecting her first child, is living under Soviet occupation in the eastern part of Poland. When she vanishes, taking her baby with her, Luiza begins a search that will span decades.
In a cruel irony, the war that destroys Ida brings Luiza both adventure and love. But her life becomes driven by survivor’s guilt — a need to live not only for herself, but for the sister she lost.
Inspired by the life of the author’s mother, Finding Ida is a gripping family saga. It explores themes of faith, loss and forgiveness, and the enduring human drive to survive. At its heart, it is a story about identity and belonging.
325 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 28, 2025
1 person is currently reading
11 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 12, 2025
❤️ Blurb -
1930s Warsaw. Two privileged Ida — glamorous and self-assured — and Luiza, the spirited tomboy striving to fulfil the ambitions their German-born father once held for the son he never had.
At just seventeen, Luiza's world is upended when her Polish homeland is occupied. Caught between two identities — raised speaking both German and Polish — she must now decide where her true allegiance lies. Meanwhile, Ida, newly married and expecting her first child, is living under Soviet occupation in the eastern part of Poland. When she vanishes, taking her baby with her, Luiza begins a search that will span decades.
In a cruel irony, the war that destroys Ida brings Luiza both adventure and love. But her life becomes driven by survivor’s guilt — a need to live not only for herself, but for the sister she lost.
Inspired by the life of the author’s mother, Finding Ida is a gripping family saga. It explores themes of faith, loss and forgiveness, and the enduring human drive to survive. At its heart, it is a story about identity and belonging.
💜 Review -
This was such a beautiful and well written novel. The author's writing had me hooked from the very first page and I kept reading until the end as I wanted to know what happened. I found the story brilliantly written, entertaining and heartfelt. Even though there were some sensitive subjects, they were handled with care. Overall, a brilliant novel that I highly recommend to other readers. I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Zooloobooktours, the author, Marya Burgess and The Book Guild for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
1930s Warsaw. Two privileged Ida — glamorous and self-assured — and Luiza, the spirited tomboy striving to fulfil the ambitions their German-born father once held for the son he never had.
At just seventeen, Luiza's world is upended when her Polish homeland is occupied. Caught between two identities — raised speaking both German and Polish — she must now decide where her true allegiance lies. Meanwhile, Ida, newly married and expecting her first child, is living under Soviet occupation in the eastern part of Poland. When she vanishes, taking her baby with her, Luiza begins a search that will span decades.
In a cruel irony, the war that destroys Ida brings Luiza both adventure and love. But her life becomes driven by survivor’s guilt — a need to live not only for herself, but for the sister she lost.
Inspired by the life of the author’s mother, Finding Ida is a gripping family saga. It explores themes of faith, loss and forgiveness, and the enduring human drive to survive. At its heart, it is a story about identity and belonging.
💜 Review -
This was such a beautiful and well written novel. The author's writing had me hooked from the very first page and I kept reading until the end as I wanted to know what happened. I found the story brilliantly written, entertaining and heartfelt. Even though there were some sensitive subjects, they were handled with care. Overall, a brilliant novel that I highly recommend to other readers. I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Zooloobooktours, the author, Marya Burgess and The Book Guild for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
December 7, 2025
Inspired by the true events of the author’s mother, this book is a story which will stay with me for a long time to come.
Beginning in 1955, we meet Luiza, the youngest daughter of Hugo and Zosia Wolfer, who has been searching for years for the sister she lost during the occupation of Poland. After this introduction to Luiza’s life, her story returns to 1927 and beginning of her and her family’s life, from the carefree days to the inevitable existence of living through the occupation. I was truly horrified at the treatment of innocent men, women and children during this terrible time, but at times I was shown the determination and love of family and friends. To be honest, I am struggling to review this book as it is based on real life experiences and I do not want to detract from this very emotional story. All I can say is that this book needs to be shared and read as a tribute to the bravery and strength shown not only by Luiza, but everyone whose life was affected and is still affected by this awful time in our history.
Finding Ida is a story where the love and loyalty of family and friends shows how faith and humanity can find a way towards the light of peace and reunion. I cannot thank Marya enough for sharing with me her Mother’s story.
Beginning in 1955, we meet Luiza, the youngest daughter of Hugo and Zosia Wolfer, who has been searching for years for the sister she lost during the occupation of Poland. After this introduction to Luiza’s life, her story returns to 1927 and beginning of her and her family’s life, from the carefree days to the inevitable existence of living through the occupation. I was truly horrified at the treatment of innocent men, women and children during this terrible time, but at times I was shown the determination and love of family and friends. To be honest, I am struggling to review this book as it is based on real life experiences and I do not want to detract from this very emotional story. All I can say is that this book needs to be shared and read as a tribute to the bravery and strength shown not only by Luiza, but everyone whose life was affected and is still affected by this awful time in our history.
Finding Ida is a story where the love and loyalty of family and friends shows how faith and humanity can find a way towards the light of peace and reunion. I cannot thank Marya enough for sharing with me her Mother’s story.
December 14, 2025
You probably all know by now that I don't really read a lot of historical fiction novels.
However, I do like to expand my reading and try to fit the odd one into my reading schedule every so often.
Now the funny thing is, is that I tend to always get to the end of the read and wonder why on earth I don't read more like it!
And this was definitely the case with Finding Ida.
This is such a moving story and I think it resonated more because this was based on a true account of the real events of the author's own mother and so was certainly written from a place of pure love.
Set in an occupied Poland, this story takes us on a journey through such a difficult period of time where fear and uncertainty was rife - but where the bonds of family, love and hope gave people a strength that is hard to imagine in such circumstances.
Although this made for a really tough read due to the horrifying events, the writing really draws us in and has us rooting for the characters.
I can't imagine living life like this and it's hard to understand just how far spread the effects of the war were and just how long it lasted overall.
An important and inspiring read that will stay with me for some time.
However, I do like to expand my reading and try to fit the odd one into my reading schedule every so often.
Now the funny thing is, is that I tend to always get to the end of the read and wonder why on earth I don't read more like it!
And this was definitely the case with Finding Ida.
This is such a moving story and I think it resonated more because this was based on a true account of the real events of the author's own mother and so was certainly written from a place of pure love.
Set in an occupied Poland, this story takes us on a journey through such a difficult period of time where fear and uncertainty was rife - but where the bonds of family, love and hope gave people a strength that is hard to imagine in such circumstances.
Although this made for a really tough read due to the horrifying events, the writing really draws us in and has us rooting for the characters.
I can't imagine living life like this and it's hard to understand just how far spread the effects of the war were and just how long it lasted overall.
An important and inspiring read that will stay with me for some time.
December 1, 2025
I have a lot of books on my TBR so when I finish a book I usually delete it from my kindle because I know I’ll never have the time to re-read. But every so often I come across a book that I can’t bear to delete, that I would read again if I had the time, so I save it to a different folder - and this is one of those books. Definitely one of the best I have read this year! I couldn’t put it down. It tells the story of sisters Luiza and Ida, from when Luiza is five up until adulthood, and it’s a fascinating picture of life growing up in 1930s Poland - in some ways, more or less normal life, with the war just going on around them at first. They’re not Jewish, there are brief mentions of the Jews and the ghetto, but this isn’t a typical WWII book. We see Poland split by the Nazis and the Soviets, with Ida caught up in the eastern half, and it never ceases to amaze me at how the Nazis were actually the lesser of the two evils when it comes to the Red Army!
January 14, 2026
Finding Ida begins with an evocation of a comfortable, privileged childhood in 1930s central Europe with a strong sense of time and culture. This is slowly disrupted by a gradual, growing awareness of the impending conflict. The consequences of huge geopolitical ruptures are reflected in the day to day lives of the 2 sisters. I especially appreciated the movement between descriptions of the intimate family life and the events that remind us of the horrors to come. Burgess captures the sense of loss experienced by the younger sister as she watches her older sister moving on from their shared childhood. This loss then develops into a total absence and the search that follows is at the heart of the book.
I thoroughly recommend this novel as it encourages us to reflect on and understand how continuing wars disrupt and destroy ordinary lives lived by ordinary people.
I thoroughly recommend this novel as it encourages us to reflect on and understand how continuing wars disrupt and destroy ordinary lives lived by ordinary people.
December 4, 2025
This is a remarkable book that tells a remarkable story based on real events and real people. It is the life journey of two sisters, golden girl Ida and tom boy Luiza Wolfer, their mother Zosia and German born father Hugo. What a life journey-caught between being German and Polish in the 1930’s and 1940’s during war, anti semitism and occupation. It was so difficult for them to know who to trust, where to go, when to stay.
Fundamentally the book is about family - the bond of siblings, love, identity and survival. The end of the book had me crying genuine tears. I loved the subtlety of the sepia photograph on the cover, you have to really look to see it. What a wonderful love letter this book is and, I reiterate, a remarkable story. A must read.
Fundamentally the book is about family - the bond of siblings, love, identity and survival. The end of the book had me crying genuine tears. I loved the subtlety of the sepia photograph on the cover, you have to really look to see it. What a wonderful love letter this book is and, I reiterate, a remarkable story. A must read.
December 5, 2025
I'm reviewing this as part of a tour with Zooloo's Book Tours.
This is the powerful story of two sisters - Luiza and Ida. When they are driven apart by WWII and the German occupation of Poland, Luiza wonders if she will ever see Ida again, but she refuses to give up hope.
Sisters share a special and unique bond, and a story like this speaks to the importance of such a bond, and the importance of family as a whole. I liked the contrast between the two sisters’ personalities too. I found this a little too much to read in one sitting, and it was a book to be savoured. It was both heartwarming and a tearjerker, and it was beautiful to read.
Thank you to Zooloo's Book Tours for the opportunity to read and review this.
This is the powerful story of two sisters - Luiza and Ida. When they are driven apart by WWII and the German occupation of Poland, Luiza wonders if she will ever see Ida again, but she refuses to give up hope.
Sisters share a special and unique bond, and a story like this speaks to the importance of such a bond, and the importance of family as a whole. I liked the contrast between the two sisters’ personalities too. I found this a little too much to read in one sitting, and it was a book to be savoured. It was both heartwarming and a tearjerker, and it was beautiful to read.
Thank you to Zooloo's Book Tours for the opportunity to read and review this.
January 6, 2026
My formal review of this book will be published in the Historical Novel Society's Historical Novels Review, and when that has been released, I will post it on Goodreads, but I must say right now that I really enjoyed Finding Ida. Written from the perspective of a child growing up and coming of age in Poland in the years before and during ww2, the narrative explores the politics and social background of the time - as well as its impact on familial relationships - in a way that is detailed, charming and highly relatable. For me, the author's epilogue was the jewel in the crown.
January 9, 2026
A timely and touching account of how authoritarianism can tear families apart - a must read
Just finished reading this a remarkable book based on the real-life experiences of the author’s mother (and her family). At a time when the world is in its own turbulent state, this is a timely reminder of the dangers of authoritarianism and its ability to tear families apart. But it’s not a polemic - it’s a beautifully written story of love, family, loss and yet also hope and strength.
I read it just after I finished ‘Crooked Cross’ by Sally Carson which is also a remarkable book, written in 1934 about a family negotiating the rise of Nazism. And ‘Finding Ida’ is up there with it.
Not just highly recommended, but required reading!
Just finished reading this a remarkable book based on the real-life experiences of the author’s mother (and her family). At a time when the world is in its own turbulent state, this is a timely reminder of the dangers of authoritarianism and its ability to tear families apart. But it’s not a polemic - it’s a beautifully written story of love, family, loss and yet also hope and strength.
I read it just after I finished ‘Crooked Cross’ by Sally Carson which is also a remarkable book, written in 1934 about a family negotiating the rise of Nazism. And ‘Finding Ida’ is up there with it.
Not just highly recommended, but required reading!
January 12, 2026
This book is a memoir inspired fiction following a privileged German-Polish family, through life before, during, and after WW2. I went in expecting a WW2 narrative, but ended up finding the pre-war build up to be quite interesting as well. It is simply narrated and a lot of previous knowledge of WW2 and its horrors supplemented my reading of this book as the book itself is not very war heavy. There were quite a few perspectives and privileged offered to some of the characters which made me reflect on how some advantages can be carried forward if you're lucky enough to have the access.
If you want to pick this book up, do not expect a focus on WW2 itself, but rather on living along side this family for a bit.
Thank you Net Galley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
If you want to pick this book up, do not expect a focus on WW2 itself, but rather on living along side this family for a bit.
Thank you Net Galley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 6, 2025
I love historical fiction that helps me piece together parts of the war I didn't know about before, and the hardships this family faced were unimaginable. Marya Burgess has a gift for building characters and bringing them to life. I could picture everyone so vividly - glamorous Ida, tomboy Luiza, and their wonderful headstrong father. It felt like I was right there, experiencing those moments alongside them - both the joys and challenges of growing up and then the pain of wartime.
The story is beautifully written with memorable characters and taught me a lot about pre-war Poland. If you enjoy books by Kristin Hannah or Louisa Young, you’ll love Finding Ida.
The story is beautifully written with memorable characters and taught me a lot about pre-war Poland. If you enjoy books by Kristin Hannah or Louisa Young, you’ll love Finding Ida.
December 8, 2025
A few years ago I would have not considered Finding Ida but I am so glad that has changed. For me the stand out was the writing second only to the plot. It was so easy to get invested in the story and wanting to know what happened. The historical setting and realism was refreshing. I also enjoyed the gentleness that was offered to some of the more difficult themes. This was a really beautiful read that I am sure I will re-read in the future. The fact it was partly inspired by real events only added to the charm and enjoyment.
As always thank you to Zooloo’s Book Tours and author for the copy to review, My reviews are always honest, truthful and given freely.
As always thank you to Zooloo’s Book Tours and author for the copy to review, My reviews are always honest, truthful and given freely.
December 13, 2025
Finding Ida is a deeply personal story. Inspired by the author's mother and sister, it's a tale of a fragmented family, torn apart by WWII and the difficulties of occupation, spanning the late 1930's to the early 1970s, it's quite a remarkable story of love, family, identity, survival and redemption.
I must say, this is definitely not my usual type of read, but I think it's important for authors to have the perspective of readers who are not necessarily their target audience, so I try to read outside of my comfort zone as often as possible and I'm glad I gave this a go, as it's just so well written.
Wonderful.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
I must say, this is definitely not my usual type of read, but I think it's important for authors to have the perspective of readers who are not necessarily their target audience, so I try to read outside of my comfort zone as often as possible and I'm glad I gave this a go, as it's just so well written.
Wonderful.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
December 1, 2025
A beautifully told account of the lives of two sisters, torn apart by the Second World War and the German occupation of Poland. Ida and Luiza, the central characters, are heart-warmingly described in the first half of the book. I felt I really understood and knew their relationship and the tensions of their family life before their separation, which makes it all the more tragic and poignant. Despite the challenging subject matter, the writing is fresh, with plenty of light-hearted descriptions bringing to life a typical family with all its dynamics. It's a great read, I highly recommend.
January 8, 2026
An adventure from the heart. I really enjoyed getting to know and appreciate the people and the settings Marya illustrated in the book. Her ability to paint a picture with words was amazing! She kept me waiting for the eventual crisis that we all knew would happen in September 1939 in Poland. I had a clear picture of the hardships and joy the characters felt. I am now waiting for Marya to produce another book that expands on the trauma the family felt after the occupation and more detail on the adventure Ida went on after the war. Brilliant!
January 16, 2026
I loved this - I enjoyed the personal story behind huge world events, and the brilliant evocative writing. Knowing it was based in reality made it even more dynamic and moving.
I was in absolute floods at the end.
It’s an incredible read, great storytelling about Europe at its nadir, but brought to life through individuals who you really care about. Knowing that so many displaced people are going through such upheaval at the moment makes it so much more poignant. It’s evocative and page turning. A triumph
I was in absolute floods at the end.
It’s an incredible read, great storytelling about Europe at its nadir, but brought to life through individuals who you really care about. Knowing that so many displaced people are going through such upheaval at the moment makes it so much more poignant. It’s evocative and page turning. A triumph
December 7, 2025
4.5 🌟
Thank-you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book!
This is a mix of memoir and fiction. The story is based on the author's mother's experiences during WWII. I deducted half a star due to the drawn out beginning and introduction of multiple characters along the way. At times it was confusing how the characters were involved in the main character's life. The 2nd half of the book is a solid 5. Overall a great story of this family's experience in WWII.
Thank-you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book!
This is a mix of memoir and fiction. The story is based on the author's mother's experiences during WWII. I deducted half a star due to the drawn out beginning and introduction of multiple characters along the way. At times it was confusing how the characters were involved in the main character's life. The 2nd half of the book is a solid 5. Overall a great story of this family's experience in WWII.
December 6, 2025
Ida and Luiza are sisters who live in Poland with their mother and German born father. When Luiza is seventeen, her world changes when the Nazis occupy Poland.
Ida is now married and lives in the eastern part of Poland, which is occupied by Russia. When Ida goes missing, Luiza and her father are worried about her.
The story is based on the true story of the author’s mother and her mother’s sister.
An inspiring story, I found the words flowed beautifully throughout. I was immersed in the story and the history.
Two loving sisters whose characters were completely different but shared a wonderful bond.
It was an emotional read at times, but also an extremely powerful story that made me smile as well as cry.
Ida is now married and lives in the eastern part of Poland, which is occupied by Russia. When Ida goes missing, Luiza and her father are worried about her.
The story is based on the true story of the author’s mother and her mother’s sister.
An inspiring story, I found the words flowed beautifully throughout. I was immersed in the story and the history.
Two loving sisters whose characters were completely different but shared a wonderful bond.
It was an emotional read at times, but also an extremely powerful story that made me smile as well as cry.
January 8, 2026
This powerful, true story of familial love and loss should be a bestseller!
It’s an engrossing page-tuner, as the lives of two sisters are fractured by the choices they make in wartime Poland.
Beneath the surface, Finding Ida explores themes such as identity and belonging, and with colourful descriptions of pre-Soviet Poland, there’s a magical freshness to the story.
A highly recommended emotional rollercoaster with the most unlikely - yet wonderfully true - climax.
It’s an engrossing page-tuner, as the lives of two sisters are fractured by the choices they make in wartime Poland.
Beneath the surface, Finding Ida explores themes such as identity and belonging, and with colourful descriptions of pre-Soviet Poland, there’s a magical freshness to the story.
A highly recommended emotional rollercoaster with the most unlikely - yet wonderfully true - climax.
December 6, 2025
Finding Ida is based on the true story of the author’s mother and her sister. A story that depicts how the Second World War ripped families apart, leaving them scattered and broken. It is the story of two sisters whose lives were dispersed in the most remarkably opposite ways. A story that is enlightening, fascinating, painfully shocking, yet full of love and the will to survive.
“Their small family was fragmented, and Luiza felt desolate, powerless. They were being buffeted by the decisions of others.”
The book takes us from the summer of 1927 when the sisters are children; spanning the decades through to June 1971. Yet I would happily have read more. How I would love to sit with the author and hear more of her family’s story after 1971.
Finding Ida is a personal story that needs to be heard and shared. A story that will stay with me as a lasting reminder of how separation is such a harrowing human cost of war.
“Their small family was fragmented, and Luiza felt desolate, powerless. They were being buffeted by the decisions of others.”
The book takes us from the summer of 1927 when the sisters are children; spanning the decades through to June 1971. Yet I would happily have read more. How I would love to sit with the author and hear more of her family’s story after 1971.
Finding Ida is a personal story that needs to be heard and shared. A story that will stay with me as a lasting reminder of how separation is such a harrowing human cost of war.
November 27, 2025
Warsaw in the 1930’s, based on the authors mother. This is a story of suffering and the love that is needed to survive. It’s heartbreaking. I recommend it.
December 11, 2025
Gripping story, told sympathetically. This would make a great TV serial
December 9, 2025
This historical story is inspired by the life of the author’s mother and it really shows by the level of love and emotion poured into the book. War time fiction is one of my favourite genres to read. I am fascinated by the stories of people around the world, with different backgrounds and the different ways the war affected them.
This one is set in occupied Poland. The level of fear that the people living there at the time must have felt comes through strongly. Luiza is torn between family allegiance and keeping herself safe. She needs to fit into this terrifying place whilst also keeping hold of her identity. Meanwhile her sister and nephew, in a soviet occupied region of Poland, have gone missing. Luiza searches for decades, her guilt for having a family and finding happiness always in her mind.
This was an emotional and also enthralling read with a story that is going to stay with me.
This one is set in occupied Poland. The level of fear that the people living there at the time must have felt comes through strongly. Luiza is torn between family allegiance and keeping herself safe. She needs to fit into this terrifying place whilst also keeping hold of her identity. Meanwhile her sister and nephew, in a soviet occupied region of Poland, have gone missing. Luiza searches for decades, her guilt for having a family and finding happiness always in her mind.
This was an emotional and also enthralling read with a story that is going to stay with me.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews