"The Tree of Life, Itzhak! I vow, my husband, to wear it always." And so she did, wear it always. Rosa Dunovich's treasured medallion, gifted to her on her wedding day was a reminder of the God whose eternal gift of life had blessed her with a loving husband. Sadly, the newlyweds' joy was short-lived; moving to Poland during the ensuing German occupation brought temporary happiness ahead of eternal sadness. How were they to know that normal, everyday decisions could never be reversed, only redeemed.
Another young woman is caught within the borders of war-torn Poland. Sophie Kumiega is not Jewish, but an Englishwoman, awaiting news of her husband who has been deployed with the Polish Air Force. Persuaded to assume a new identity, she begins the dangerous task of hiding Jewish families and educating small groups of children living inside Warsaw's ghettos. When tragedy strikes the underground network of which she is a part, Sophie is caring for a beautiful little girl. Provided with an opportunity to flee Poland, Sophie insists that her "daughter" leave with her; the little one with half of a gold medallion around her neck.
Reading this epic narrative was a bit like stepping into a holy sanctuary, surrounded by voices from the past, pleading to be remembered, to be honored, to be emulated. While the weight of sadness permeates this glimpse back into unimaginable chapters of world history, sacred grief is gloriously counter-weighted with everlasting hope; hope in the One who whispers, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest".
What a glorious display of story!
What a glorious display of story!
*I borrowed this story and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. It has strong spiritual undertone.
BackCover Blurb:
For fans of bestselling World War II fiction like Sarah’s Key and The Nightingale
comes an illuminating tale of courage, sacrifice, and survival, about
two couples whose lives are ravaged by Hitler’s mad war yet eventually
redeemed through the fate of one little girl.
Seemingly overnight, the German blitzkrieg of Warsaw in 1939 turns its streets to a war zone and shatters the life of each citizen—Polish, Jewish, or otherwise. Sophie Kumiega, a British bride working in the city’s library, awaits news of her husband, Janek, recently deployed with the Polish Air Force. Though Sophie is determined that she and the baby in her womb will stay safe, the days ahead will draw her into the plight of those around her, compelling her to help, whatever the danger.
Rosa and Itzhak Dunovich never imagined they would welcome their longed-for first child in the Jewish ghetto, or that they would let anything tear their family apart. But as daily atrocities intensify, Rosa soon faces a terrifying reality: to save their daughter’s life, she must send her into hiding. Her only hope of finding her after the war—if any of them survive—is a medallion she cuts in half and places around her neck.
Inspired by true events of Poland’s darkest days and brightest heroes, The Medallion paints a stunning portrait of war and its aftermath, daring us to believe that when all seems lost, God can make a way forward.
Seemingly overnight, the German blitzkrieg of Warsaw in 1939 turns its streets to a war zone and shatters the life of each citizen—Polish, Jewish, or otherwise. Sophie Kumiega, a British bride working in the city’s library, awaits news of her husband, Janek, recently deployed with the Polish Air Force. Though Sophie is determined that she and the baby in her womb will stay safe, the days ahead will draw her into the plight of those around her, compelling her to help, whatever the danger.
Rosa and Itzhak Dunovich never imagined they would welcome their longed-for first child in the Jewish ghetto, or that they would let anything tear their family apart. But as daily atrocities intensify, Rosa soon faces a terrifying reality: to save their daughter’s life, she must send her into hiding. Her only hope of finding her after the war—if any of them survive—is a medallion she cuts in half and places around her neck.
Inspired by true events of Poland’s darkest days and brightest heroes, The Medallion paints a stunning portrait of war and its aftermath, daring us to believe that when all seems lost, God can make a way forward.
Tyndale House, June 2019
Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover and audiobook:
Such a fantastic, inspirational book! I highly recommend this!
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