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Matka
Zosia, a faithless Catholic and grieving widow, has sacrificed herself to save her dying son from the Gestapo. She takes his place as a prisoner and is sent to work as a slave on a farm in Germany, where the only things keeping her alive are the hope of her children's survival and the occasional stolen chicken.
Once World War II ends and peace settles over Europe, Zosia's driving goal is to return to Poland, to the children she left behind. Instead, she's collected into a refugee camp in Wildflecken, Germany, to wait for some semblance of stability in Poland. While there, she digs for clues about her family. With her homeland in ruins and thousands of other refugees also searching, the truth is impossible to uncover. Zosia finds herself trapped in a never-ending purgatory.
Despite her initial resistance, she falls in love with Czeslaw, who uses his network of outlaws within the black market to help with her search. When Zosia becomes pregnant, Czeslaw offers marriage and the promise of a new life but is unable to return to Poland and the tragedy he left behind.
The refugee camps throughout Europe are closing and time is running out. Zosia is faced with an impossible decision: return to the remnants of Poland alone to find her older children, or follow Czeslaw into the unknown, to a better future for her fragile new family.
Once World War II ends and peace settles over Europe, Zosia's driving goal is to return to Poland, to the children she left behind. Instead, she's collected into a refugee camp in Wildflecken, Germany, to wait for some semblance of stability in Poland. While there, she digs for clues about her family. With her homeland in ruins and thousands of other refugees also searching, the truth is impossible to uncover. Zosia finds herself trapped in a never-ending purgatory.
Despite her initial resistance, she falls in love with Czeslaw, who uses his network of outlaws within the black market to help with her search. When Zosia becomes pregnant, Czeslaw offers marriage and the promise of a new life but is unable to return to Poland and the tragedy he left behind.
The refugee camps throughout Europe are closing and time is running out. Zosia is faced with an impossible decision: return to the remnants of Poland alone to find her older children, or follow Czeslaw into the unknown, to a better future for her fragile new family.
362 pages, Paperback
Published August 23, 2018
52 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 12, 2020
Based on a true story this was really very good WWII and after... the struggle and journey of Polish family to emigrate to US. Great read !
January 1, 2019
I love historical fiction, but I tend to shy away from stories related to war, because the horrors and injustices we as a human race inflicts on one another leave me feeling depressed for weeks. Yet, I found myself unable to put Matka, by Sarah Hanley down. Maybe it is because I have met this wonderful author in person, maybe it is because the novel is based on the true story of her grandparent's harrowing survial in the Nazi slave and POW camps. Sarah Hanley brings to life the voice of the greatest generation least we forget that hate and prejudice destroy and only love and forgiveness can save. Her protagonist Zosia's heart wrenching story and her relentless search for her children she has been separated from and her unyeilding determination is relatable in any culture or language. I feel her pain, hopes and despair pour from this beautifully written prose. Sarah honor's not only her grandparents, but all who's stories have gone untold. I am inpsired by her words and will forever remember Petronela Kloc's words to Zosia in her greatest moments of doubt, "when you have no other choice muster the spirit of courage."
February 6, 2021
Based on a true story we follow the life of Zosia, a widow of 3 children, during WWII. During a round up in Poland, she exchanges herself to free her sick child from capture. Zosia survives the horrors of war and married in a displaced persons camp always cognizant of her determination to find her children while keeping her new husband and 2 children close. A true testament to a mother’s love, devotion and strength to protect her children. I must also note that this author donates a portion of this books proceeds to The Alzheimer’s Association.
May 18, 2020
This book is written by the granddaughter of immigrants from WWII (Poland) to Lansford, ND.
The story follows the life of a mother (matka) who is thrown into the war to save her sick child, leaving behind 2 sons and a daughter. After the war, Zoisa goes to a closed Nazi camp with hundreds of others, waiting word that she can return to Poland to her children.
The story follows the life of a mother (matka) who is thrown into the war to save her sick child, leaving behind 2 sons and a daughter. After the war, Zoisa goes to a closed Nazi camp with hundreds of others, waiting word that she can return to Poland to her children.
November 11, 2023
Excellent book about the heartbreaking reality of mother's searching for children they were separated from during WWII. They had to endure unbelievable hardships, for a lack of better word, and then the reality of maybe never seeing their children again. The book also gives hope. The hope of new life and the hope of possibly finding parts of an old life.
January 6, 2019
Beautiful
This wonderful book will remain with me for a long time. A beautiful and sad story of a real family torn apart by WWII but their will to survive. I highly recommend reading Sophie and Chester's story.
This wonderful book will remain with me for a long time. A beautiful and sad story of a real family torn apart by WWII but their will to survive. I highly recommend reading Sophie and Chester's story.
April 1, 2019
A engaging book.
A good story with many interesting facts along with a gripping story. Was sad to read that the true story didn't end so happily. wIsh I hadn't seen that note at the closing of the book.
A good story with many interesting facts along with a gripping story. Was sad to read that the true story didn't end so happily. wIsh I hadn't seen that note at the closing of the book.
July 27, 2020
An amazing story of perseverance based around many of the actual circumstances of the author's grandparents who were from Poland. I had the opportunity to hear the author speak about the book which made me appreciate the historical significance of the story even more.
January 4, 2021
My first book of 2021. Great story and compelling. I’ve ready many WW2 books but never one specific to post war and displaced persons. I recently met someone who was adopted after the war and moved to MN and thought of her as I read the book sometimes.
February 7, 2021
Heartbreaking and heartwarming
This book gripped me from the beginning. No matter how many accounts I read of the camps, I am still stricken by the brutality. This book addressed the Britt bit also showed love and hope.
This book gripped me from the beginning. No matter how many accounts I read of the camps, I am still stricken by the brutality. This book addressed the Britt bit also showed love and hope.
August 10, 2025
Based on sacrifice and family. Matka will pay a heavy price for trying to save her children from the Germans. She will never stop searching for her children. Zosia will struggle to trust the world once the war is over for disappointment met her at her doorstep on a daily basis.
May 3, 2020
Wonderful story! I read it in a day. So glad I did. Thank you for this beautiful story.
February 8, 2021
Another WWII book but this one takes us on a journey on what happens after the war has ended. A Polish woman is stuck in a German refuge camp and tries to move on with life while trying to find her children she left behind. Very moving and refreshing to learn about the aftermath of the war
May 2, 2024
Tragic story but compelling.
July 22, 2024
This book with both heartbreaking and filled with determination. The things this mother did to sacrifice for her kids. And filled with the hope that she would somehow find a better life.
December 22, 2025
WWII story strongly based on true lives. A view of WW2 after the war ends. Tells the story of what happened to people in the prison camps in Poland went through after the war ended.
December 24, 2018
I have not read much about the immediate fate of the Polish prisoners liberated from the labor camps following WW II. Author Sarah Hanley shines a light on this time period with gritty precision, telling the story of Zosia, a Polish mother who takes her son’s place as a Gestapo prisoner in hopes of saving him. From the first heart wrenching pages of this debut novel, Matka takes its readers on an emotional roller coaster ride through the horrors of life as a slave laborer and then into a post-war displaced persons facility. In addition to the beautiful writing, haunting characters and absorbing story line, the author puts a fine point on her novel with meticulous historical research. This is raw story, made even more poignant by the fact that it is based on the life of the author’s grandparents. Matka takes it rightful place alongside such standout WW II novels as Sarah’s Key, Suite Francaise, and 22 Britannia Road. I look forward to more from this author.
November 21, 2019
I really meant to rate this book 4.50, but I couldn't seem to do it.
I really enjoyed this book! I have read a lot of other books about World War II survival, but this book gave a new perspective that I haven't seen before. I learned a lot about the conditions in Europe after the war, especially about the plight of displaced survivors. I'm so glad that I read it.
Sarah is a very talented writer, excelling at helping the reader to feel the emotions of the characters.
For the most part, the story is deeply interesting and gripping
I didn't rate the book a 5 because there were a few places where there are unneeded details and the story drags. Also, there is a chapter near the end of the book, where people are taking severe risks during a winter storm, when a simple phone call would have been helpful.
However, if you like books about World War II, don't miss this one!
I really enjoyed this book! I have read a lot of other books about World War II survival, but this book gave a new perspective that I haven't seen before. I learned a lot about the conditions in Europe after the war, especially about the plight of displaced survivors. I'm so glad that I read it.
Sarah is a very talented writer, excelling at helping the reader to feel the emotions of the characters.
For the most part, the story is deeply interesting and gripping
I didn't rate the book a 5 because there were a few places where there are unneeded details and the story drags. Also, there is a chapter near the end of the book, where people are taking severe risks during a winter storm, when a simple phone call would have been helpful.
However, if you like books about World War II, don't miss this one!
August 31, 2018
This one is a page-turner! I love historical fiction and this book, based on a true story, is even better! At first I thought it might be similar to some of the other WWII focused books I have read in the past, but it really does offer a fresh perspective and surprisingly different slant on the unimaginable choices survivors were faced with both during and after the war. Such a gripping story and the writing is superb! Highly recommend this book!
March 7, 2020
The author tells a story based on true events from her history. It is about the resettlement of Polish people after World War II. First they were in Nazi camps during the war and following the war they were in Allied camps until they could be resettled due to the need to go someplace other than Poland where the country was devastated. It was eye opening to me in regard to how people lived in camps following the war and under difficult circumstances.
August 30, 2018
Very interesting and beautifully written story. While I have read many books about WWII, I haven't read much about the aftermath or life in the Polish refugee camps. Highly recommended!
January 13, 2019
This was truly the BEST book I have EVER read!!!
June 25, 2019
Informative on life in displaced person camps after WWII.
December 4, 2019
This is a Historical Fiction book based on the author’s Grandmother during and after World War II. Excellent read!
July 3, 2020
I read it in 3 days! I will definitely be reading her new book.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews