Book Review: The Ruins in Which We Bleed by Steve N. Lee (World War II Historical Fiction #3)

 

Rating: 4.5⭐

Having read and enjoyed the author’s previous works of WWII fiction, A Song of Silence and To Dream Of Shadows, I was eager to read Steve N. Lee’s latest offering and I’m glad to say the author does not disappoint.

Set in WWII Warsaw and inspired by true events, The Ruins in Which We Bleed follows thirteen-year-old Helena Sliwicka in the years following the Nazi invasion of Poland. Though the novel begins in 1943 Poland where we meet sixteen-year-old Helena, the narrative moves back and forth between 1939 and 1943 slowly shedding light on the events that impact the lives of Helena and those around her.

The vividly described setting and the author’s meticulous attention to detail transport you to WWII Warsaw and life in the Ghetto with Helena and her family. The descriptions of the living conditions within the Ghetto, the hardships faced by those struggling to survive and the violence inflicted upon them by the Nazis, render this an emotionally intense and heart-wrenching read. The author sensitively portrays the physical, emotional and psychological impact of the horrors Helena experiences and witnesses. I was moved by her attachment to Sparkles and Mati amid the devastation around her. The author beautifully captures Helena’s love for her family, her courage and her resilience in the face of much adversity.

The pacing of the narrative is on the slower side, but the story flows well and I was completely invested in Helena’s journey.

Overall, I found this novel to be a well-written, informative and emotionally impactful work of historical fiction that I would not hesitate to recommend to those who are interested in reading Holocaust fiction inspired by true events. Helena is a memorable protagonist and her story will stay with me for a long time.

Do read the author’s “The Story Behind the Story” wherein he discusses the people, places and events that inspired this work of historical fiction. The author also provides glimpses into his research along with photographs from his travels. This segment (downloadable via the link provided at the end of the novel) certainly enriches the overall reading experience .

I voluntarily reviewed a digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.