Books and Jams Readalong discussion

Now that we're into the story a bit, what are your thoughts? Have any of your initial impressions changed? How do you feel about the pacing and structure of the book? Do any of the girls stand out to you for some reason? Which one do you find yourself most interested in reading about?

I'm not sure I like where Herta's character story is going! I love how caring Caroline's character is, and it's interesting how life was slowly changing in the US due to the impending war. Love Kasia too!

I'm not done with this section yet, but wanted to pop in to say I want to punch Herta's uncle in the neck. Ugh. What a pig. I'm glad that I now care a bit more about Herta's character, but am sad it took this to get there. Grrrrrr.

Krista wrote: "I'm not done with this section yet, but wanted to pop in to say I want to punch Herta's uncle in the neck. Ugh. What a pig. I'm glad that I now care a bit more about Herta's character, but am sad i..."

Yes, what an awful character! But you're right, in that moment you feel a bit for Herta and see that she does have a bit of a heart. Hopefully, this is the start of a turn around for her.

Robyn wrote: "I'm not sure I like where Herta's character story is going! I love how caring Caroline's character is, and it's interesting how life was slowly changing in the US due to the impending war. Love Kas..."

Yes, I find reading about the impacts on the US interesting too.

Krista wrote: "I'm not done with this section yet, but wanted to pop in to say I want to punch Herta's uncle in the neck. Ugh. What a pig. I'm glad that I now care a bit more about Herta's character, but am sad i..."

I agree, Krista. That scene was the first point in Herta's narration that I felt any sort of sympathy for her character. Her uncle is disgusting, but sadly my sympathy for her quickly faded. I've finished the book and by the end felt only disgust for Herta.

Jenn wrote: "Krista wrote: "I'm not done with this section yet, but wanted to pop in to say I want to punch Herta's uncle in the neck. Ugh. What a pig. I'm glad that I now care a bit more about Herta's characte..."
Me too! I totally thought her storyline was going to go a different direction.

Jenn wrote: "Krista wrote: "I'm not done with this section yet, but wanted to pop in to say I want to punch Herta's uncle in the neck. Ugh. What a pig. I'm glad that I now care a bit more about Herta's characte..."

That stinks. I just got through this section and am hopeful by Herta's initial reactions on arriving at Ravensbrook.

I am also not thrilled with Caroline and her affair with the married man.

I'm hoping to get a good chunk closer to the ending this weekend. I've got some good reading time scheduled. :)

I hope my comment wasn't a spoiler for you, Krista.

I also really struggled with the sections of the book that discuss Caroline's and Paul's affair. It helped me to know that Paul's character is completely fictional. He and the real Caroline Ferriday never had an affair.

"Krista wrote: "I'm not done with this section yet, but wanted to pop in to say I want to punch Herta's uncle in the neck. Ugh. What a pig. I'm glad that I now care a bit more about Herta's characte..."

Also, Herta Oberhuser was a real doctor at Ravensbruck. I knew this going into reading the book, which I'm sure lead to my lack of compassion for her character. After WWII she was convicted of the same war crimes that she commits in Lilac Girls.

Again, sorry if that's a spoiler for you. I've never been part of a book club where you discuss the book as you go. I've only participated in clubs where everyone gets together once they've all completed the book. Sorry.

Jenn wrote: ""Krista wrote: "I'm not done with this section yet, but wanted to pop in to say I want to punch Herta's uncle in the neck. Ugh. What a pig. I'm glad that I now care a bit more about Herta's charact..."

No worries at all! I'm learning as I go with this group! I do break it up into sections so that we can do our best to avoid spoilers. You didn't give details though so it's totally fine!

I didn't realize that these women are based on real women! Are all 3 of them? After I finish I am going to do some research! That makes it way more interesting to read!

Krista wrote: "Jenn wrote: ""Krista wrote: "I'm not done with this section yet, but wanted to pop in to say I want to punch Herta's uncle in the neck. Ugh. What a pig. I'm glad that I now care a bit more about He..."

I didn't realize that they were based on real women either. Just another benefit to reading books as a group and learning from eachother. :)

Krista wrote: "I didn't realize that these women are based on real women! Are all 3 of them? After I finish I am going to do some research! That makes it way more interesting to read!"

Yes, I believe that all three women were real people.

I'm listening to the audiobook so it's kind of hard to tell sometimes, but I think I'm on Chapter 6 (specifically on Herta's chapter after Kasia's chapter where she just got to the camp). Wow, this is getting intense! Listening to it I think adds to the shock of what's happening. When the dog went after her teacher, I started tearing up a bit, and that usually doesn't happen for me while reading.

JenTheLibrarian wrote: "I'm listening to the audiobook so it's kind of hard to tell sometimes, but I think I'm on Chapter 6 (specifically on Herta's chapter after Kasia's chapter where she just got to the camp). Wow, this..."

I can imagine that the audio is pretty intense! I have felt so many emotions! I still get shocked when I read WWII stories. It's just so hard to think about people treating other people so horribly! Makes me incredibly angry! It's hard to think about what I would have done in any of these girls shoes. It was not an easy time to live, that's for sure. Heartbreaking and horrifying.

It made me sick to read Herta's chapters. And I'm pretty sure it's only going to get worse. And Krista, I'm with you. I always struggle with portrayals of infidelity. I know that Paul says his wife doesn't care and has affairs of her own, and maybe that's supposed to make us feel better about it?? But it definitely doesn't make *me* feel better about it.

Katie wrote: "It made me sick to read Herta's chapters. And I'm pretty sure it's only going to get worse. And Krista, I'm with you. I always struggle with portrayals of infidelity. I know that Paul says his wife..."

I felt the same way, Katie. In the end I really enjoyed this book, but I found it very difficult to read Herta's chapters...and some of Caroline's as well.

Katie wrote: "It made me sick to read Herta's chapters. And I'm pretty sure it's only going to get worse. And Krista, I'm with you. I always struggle with portrayals of infidelity. I know that Paul says his wife..."

What made it even more frustrating for me is that though most of the book is based on real people and real events, the "Paul" storyline was completely fictional!! I don't think it was necessary at all!

Krista wrote: "Katie wrote: "It made me sick to read Herta's chapters. And I'm pretty sure it's only going to get worse. And Krista, I'm with you. I always struggle with portrayals of infidelity. I know that Paul..."

I completely agree, Krista. I'm not a fan of romance in general, particularly when it involves infidelity. I would have preferred if the author left "Paul's" character out. I don't feel like it added anything to Caroline's narrative.