We Must Not Think of Ourselves

Reviews

"This book is a masterpiece: profound, gripping, urgent, and beautiful. In its clear-eyed and devastating portrait of the past, Grodstein invites us into the present; to bear witness to the lives that have come before us, while finding meaning and courage for our own." ——Madeline Miller, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Circe and The Song of Achilles

“In We Must Not Think of Ourselves, Lauren Grodstein writes with such a blazing commitment to the truth of the Warsaw Ghetto that sometimes I had to stop reading and catch my breath. But in the midst of the brutality, she clears a path for the parallel stories of love and decency. Make no mistake: this is a heartbreaking portrait of a dark moment. But this novel shimmers with light.”

——Lauren Fox, New York Times bestselling author of Send for Me We Must Not Think of Ourselves is one of those rare books—beautifully written, seamlessly constructed, quietly devastating—that manages to tell an old story in a new way with no pyrotechnics beyond perfect storytelling, including an ending that will stay with me always. It is far and away my favorite novel of the year, of many years, and I know I will be recommending it to readers forevermore.——Laurie Frankel, New York Times bestselling author of One Two Three “Grodstein brings to life a critical piece of history with her strong sense of place and complex characters... [The Oneg Shabbat archive] is represented beautifully in Grodstein’s first historical novel, supported by her intensive research and the book’s dynamic relationships that show the value of everyday intimacies. Recommended for readers who enjoy stories from all time periods about the extraordinary actions of ordinary people.”——Library Journal “[A] moving chronicle, a worthy tribute to those who fought to survive the unthinkable.”——Booklist “This heart-wrenching tale explores love, defiance, and sacrifice in the face of unimaginable circumstances, making it a compelling addition to the literary World War II fiction genre.”——Beyond The Bookends “[A] delicate, warm account of a brutal, cold time, grounded in humanity, small details, and unwavering clarity.”——Kirkus Reviews “Grodstein makes her persecuted characters achingly human... This will stay with readers.”——Publishers Weekly "[R]ealistic, heartrending… with intimate, detailed portraits… Thought-provoking, tender, and horrifying, this memorable novel of Jewish lives in the Warsaw Ghetto offers timeless lessons."——Shelf Awareness "[A] gripping historical novel."——Washington Post "Five remarkable narrators create an unforgettable portrait of the Warsaw Ghetto during WWII. Listeners will feel as though they are witnessing history. A must-listen."—Audiofile Earphones Award Winner Expand reviews