We were the lucky ones is the fictionalized account of the true story of the kurc family and their experiences during wwii beginning in their home town of radom, poland in 1939. Sep 20, 2018 thomas kails old 320 sycamore has optioned georgia hunters new york times bestselling novel we were the lucky ones to adapt for television. Courtney naliboff, georgia hunter is just as courageous as the characters her writing will never let us forget. All 121 characters in we were the lucky ones are alphabetically listed along with character descriptions.
We were the lucky ones, an interview with georgia hunter. Following the footsteps of the characters in we were the lucky ones author georgia hunter uses this interactive map to show where one jewish family, separated at the start of world war ii, ended up. In the midst of this happy occasion, yoffe says, righting himself, we should not forget how fragile life truly is. The author chose to provide historical context through factual snippets inserted between some of the chapters, rather than through the eyes of the characters. The performances are so good, they carry the film right along. Thomas kail options we were the lucky ones novel for. When georgia hunter was fifteen years old, she learned that she came from a family of. They really were the lucky ones, we discover as we make our way through the book, traveling with them throughout poland, to a siberian gulag, from montmartre to.
The volatile, concentrated world of the lucky ones immediately surrounds the reader. We were the lucky ones, written by georgia hunter and published in 2017, is a historical novel based on the actual experiences of the authors family during world war ii. World war ii annihilated over 90% of polands jews and all but about 300 of the 30,000 jews from radom, georgia hunters ancestors home. We were the lucky ones is the harrowing and unlikely story of a jewish family literally torn from each other and flung to far reaches of distant continents during wwii. The novel begins in paris where addy, middle son of the kurc family, is living as a composer. Before world war ii, her greatgrandparents, nechuma and sol, owned a thriving business and with their five children, lived a comfortable life in radom, poland. The extraordinary story of a family of polish jews that scatters at the start of wwii, determined to survive, and to reunite. Why do you think the author, having amassed a thorough factual history of the familys saga, chose to write we were the lucky ones as historical fiction rather than nonfiction. The following version of this book was used to create this study guide. At this point, more than half a centurys worth of fiction and film has been. It is luck that keeps the members of the kurc family safe during world war ii in georgia hunters debut novel, we were the lucky ones. The kurc familys experience during world war ii, beginning in poland and stretching to siberia, italy, and. This emotionally resonant, gripping portrait of the war is filled with beautifully drawn and wonderfully heroic characters i wont soon forget.
Addy kurc is the 25yearold son of nechuma and sol kurc. We were the lucky ones is the most gripping novel ive read in years. To ask other readers questions about we were the lucky ones, please sign up. We were the lucky ones audiobook by georgia hunter. We were the lucky ones is the harrowing and unlikely story of a jewish family literally torn from each other and flung to far reaches of. This emotionally resonant, gripping portrait of the war is filled with beautifully drawn and wonderfully heroic characters i. There are also so many characters that it was dizzying being swept from one. The breaking of glassa symbol of the destruction of the temple in jerusalem, of mans short life on earth. Author georgia hunter uses this interactive map to show where one jewish family.
We were the lucky ones by georgia hunter is based on the true story of the kurc family, living in radom, poland during the beginning of 1939. We were the lucky ones mapping the true storys characters. Her debut novel, we were the lucky ones, weaves the facts of their remarkable stories into a firstperson, fictional narrative that, as publishers weekly notes, sidesteps hollow sentimentality and nihilism, revealing instead the beautiful complexity and ambiguity of life in this extraordinarily moving novel. In a look inside the lucky ones, a bonus feature included in the films dvd release, he explained he intentionally avoided mentioning iraq because he wanted the audience to concentrate on the heart of the characters rather than focus on the specific war they were fighting. We were the lucky ones by georgia hunter book summary. The circumstances her characters endure are excruciatingly traumatic. The kurc familys experience during world war ii, beginning in poland and stretching to siberia, italy, and brazil is thank you to my friend, georgia hunter, viking books, and netgalley for providing me with an advance copy of we were the lucky ones. New york times bestseller inspired by the incredible true story of one jewish family separated at the start of world war ii, determined to surviveand to reunitewe were the lucky ones is a tribute to the. Roger ebert of the chicago suntimes observed, what makes the lucky ones so gratifying to me is anything but gravitas. The book spans eight years as we follow the kurc family members to several countries and continents including austria, italy, argentina, south america, and siberia, russia as the war continues and finally ends. The extraordinary story of a family of polish jews that scatters at the start of wwii, determined to survive, and to. As world war ii ravages poland from germany in the east and russia in the west, the kurcs, a large, very close jewish family, try to survive by any means possible. It is the spring of 1939 and three generations of the kurc family are doing their best to live normal lives, even as the shadow of war grows closer. Hunter s grandfather, addy kurc, came from a family of jews in radom, poland.
We are compelled to follow julianne pachico deep into the fears, fantasies, and denials of her characters, whose susceptibilities we must recognize as our own. We were the lucky ones is based on the story of how they did it. Jan 03, 2018 why our church no longer plays bethel or hillsong music, pastor explains false teachings duration. We were the lucky ones by georgia hunter we were the. Its also an amazing piece of historical reconstruction, expertly translated into fiction. In the aftermath of the war, finding each other proved largely futile. All 121 characters in we were the lucky ones are listed by chapter with character descriptions included. Georgia hunter has written an epic novel, we were the lucky ones, based on a true family story. We were the lucky ones is the incredible story of the members of one jewish family in poland during world war iiparents, five grown children and their spouses, and their young childreneach struggling for survival as the world crumbles around them, sometimes ripping them from their family at a moments notice. We were the lucky ones is going on my potential favorites of the year list. Inspired by the incredible true story of one jewish family separated at the start of world war ii, determined to surviveand to reunitewe were the lucky ones is a sweeping novel spanning six years and five continents and a tribute to the triumph of hope and love against all odds. We were the lucky ones by georgia hunter discussion. Georgia hunter is just as courageous as the characters her writing will never let us forget. Still, the characters remain flat and unknowable, while the novel itself is predictable.
We were the lucky ones by georgia hunter dear author. Mar 05, 2018 we were the lucky ones was born of her quest to uncover her familys staggering history. Plus the title is comforting because i kept reminding myself they will find a way through this situation. This study guide consists of approximately 63 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of we were the lucky ones. The shifting point of view is elegantly executed and always clear, and hunter evokes. Hunters website, offers a behindthescenes glimpse at the extensive research this project has entailed. What follows is an incredible account of each family members. An extraordinary, propulsive novel based on the true story of a family of polish jews who are separated at the start of the second world war, determined to surviveand to reunite. Characters know only what they would have known at the time so i was on pins and needles as i continued to read. We were the lucky ones georgia hunter, 2017 penguin publishing 416 pp. What matters, she tells herself, is that even on the hardest days, when the grief is so heavy she can barely breathe, she must carry on. The film, which takes no position on the war, is the first iraq war.
We were the lucky ones is a compelling read, notable for hunters clear portraits of her plucky, resilient family, and for her ability to build suspense and investment without emotional manipulation. We were the lucky ones is a skillfully woven reimagining of hunters own familys struggle for survival during world war ii. Following the footsteps of the characters in we were the lucky ones. Georgia hunter will present her debut novel, we were the lucky ones, at the fairfield university bookstore on monday, february 27 th, at 7. Copies of the book will be available for purchasesigning. We were the lucky ones is structured like a concerto grosso, interweaving the stories of hunters greatgrandparents, grandfather, greataunts and uncles, and second cousins. We were the lucky ones by georgia hunter we were the lucky. This kind of historical fiction has to do something extra special to draw me in. New york times best seller inspired by the incredible true story of one jewish family separated at the start of world war ii, determined to survive and to reunite we were the lucky ones is a tribute to the triumph of hope and love against all odds. Her debut novel, we were the lucky ones, weaves the facts of their remarkable stories into a firstperson. We were the lucky ones by georgia hunter goodreads. We were the lucky ones is the incredible story of the members of one jewish family in poland during world war iiparents, five grown children and their spouses, and their young childreneach struggling for survival as the world crumbles around them. Mar 12, 2018 we were the lucky ones is a skillfully woven reimagining of hunters own familys struggle for survival during world war ii. Featured content includes commentary on major characters, 25 important quotes, essay topics, and key themes like the power of family and the importance of home.
The story that so grippingly comes across in the pages of we were the lucky ones isnt strictly fictionthe characters and events that inhabit this holocaust survival story are based on her familys own history. Why our church no longer plays bethel or hillsong music, pastor explains false teachings duration. We were the lucky ones was born of her quest to uncover her familys staggering history. New york times bestseller inspired by the incredible true story of one jewish family separated at the start of world war ii, determined to surviveand to reunitewe were the lucky ones is a tribute to the triumph of hope and love against all odds. We were the lucky ones is a story that crosses continents and generations to provide a unique and heartbreaking story of the cruelty and devastation of world war ii.
New york times best seller inspired by the incredible true story of one jewish family separated at the start of world war ii, determined to survive and to reunite we were the lucky ones is a tribute to the. Georgia hunter pulled me into another world, vivid, horrifying, astonishing, and heartbreaking. The shifting point of view is elegantly executed and always clear, and hunter evokes prewar poland with loving detail, clearly showing what was left behind and lost. We were the lucky ones characters listed with descriptions. As world war ii ravages poland from germany in the east and russia in the west, the. Hitler has invaded czechoslovakia and annexed austria. Inspired by the incredible true story of one jewish family separated at the start of world war ii, determined to survive and to reunite we were the lucky ones is a tribute to the triumph of hope and love against all odds.
Mar 23, 2018 as with any ww11 survival story there are some difficult parts, but it is balanced nicely with humor, hope, and lovely characters. Georgia hunter interview we were the lucky ones youtube. In a look inside the lucky ones, a bonus feature included in the films dvd release, he explained he intentionally avoided mentioning iraq because he wanted the audience to. This emotionally resonant, gripping portrait of the war is filled with beautifully drawn and. We were the lucky ones by georgia hunter reading guide. Unlike millions of their polish compatriots, georgia hunters jewish ancestors managed to survive the gulags, ghettos and pogroms of 1940s europe. What follows is an incredible account of each family members experience from this crucial point in time to the end of wwii. We were the lucky ones characters alphabetically listed. The story that so grippingly comes across in the pages of we were the lucky ones isnt strictly fictionthe characters and events that inhabit this holocaust. In a novel of breathtaking sweep and scope that spans five continents and six years and transports readers from the jazz clubs of paris to krakows most brutal prison to the ports of northern africa and the farthest reaches of the siberian gulag, we were the lucky ones demonstrates how in the face of the twentieth centurys darkest moment.
542 186 1201 534 722 794 1184 1465 997 1522 1255 600 1519 1095 364 1370 1305 455 947 1584 443 1419 374 754 614 85 480 1383 932 852 996 1298 607 146 166 883 1031 1202 836 787 289 901 1347 683 330 506