Love and loss, and courage and compassion, collide in this brilliantly told story of survival against the odds. Based on the true story of her grandmother, Paula Lichtarowicz’s exquisite novel takes readers on a family journey full of passion, longing, regret, and eventual acceptance of choices made a lifetime ago. In these riveting, heartfelt, and brutally honest pages, Lena keeps a lifetime of secrets and dreams from her loved ones, but never allows them to stop her from loving in return.”—Heather Morris, New York Times bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz
“This is historical fiction at its absolute best--epic in scope and intimate in detail. Paula Lichtarowicz reminds us that even in the most brutal of circumstances, hope, love, and forgiveness sustain us.”—Lauren Fox, New York Times bestselling author of Send for Me
“Lichtarowicz delivers a dramatic story of a Polish woman’s coming-of-age during WWII. . . . The gripping narrative of Lena’s wartime experiences contrasts bleak deprivation and suffering with sumptuous scenes of familial affection and the ache of true love. This will transport readers.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“The Snow Hare by Paula Lichtarowicz is an extraordinary novel of fate, hope, love and determination. Lichtarowicz’ beautifully drawn story, set against a backdrop of real historical events, is every bit as heart-wrenching as it is inspiring. The Snow Hare brings the past to life in a vivid, evocative way--reminding us that history echoes through time, and hope can sustain us even through the most difficult of circumstances. This is one of the finest historical fiction novels I've read in years.”—Kelly Rimmer, New York Times bestselling author of The Warsaw Orphan
“Lichtarowicz is a writer of great talent, with the ability to portray hardship and grief shot through with humour and hope. The gorgeous prose, compelling storyline, and emotional depth ensure that The Snow Hare remains in the reader’s mind long after the last page. I can’t wait to read her other books.”—Frances Liardet, New York Times bestselling author of We Must Be Brave
“The Snow Hare is a profound and moving novel of the first order. Lichtarowicz brings a lost world to life with vivid and electric prose, attentive to the richness of her characters and acutely aware of the coming tragedy looming over their shoulders. At the center of all this is Lena—as unforgettable a protagonist as one could imagine in contemporary fiction: driven, brilliant, and haunted. Her story turns in unexpected directions that are so masterfully crafted as to feel like the inevitability of history.”—Brian Castleberry, author of Nine Shiny Objects
"There is much to admire in Paula Lichtarowicz’s novel The Snow Hare: the crisp and vivid prose, the lively portrayal of family dynamics, the taut pacing and tension, the skilful conveying of historical context. From the very beginning, I knew I was in the hands of an expert storyteller. I especially loved the character of Lena. Spirited and stubborn, fierce and flawed, she carried the story from the villages and mountains of Poland, to the brutal labour camp on the Siberian steppe, to her final days in England. The Snow Hare is an excellent novel, and I relished every page." —Melissa Fu, author of Peach Blossom Spring
We love talking about books and writing (and more) with authors and B&N Book Club members at our monthly Virtual Book Club discussion events. You can watch past events here on B&N’s YouTube channel and follow our national Eventbrite for event announcements and free registration. Some of our stores host in-person book club discussion events, […]
As we look ahead to the winter and colder days keeping us inside, we’re looking forward to plenty of new paperbacks, including our 2021 Book of the Year, a Pulitzer Prize-winning biography, pulse-pounding tales and more.
An incredible novel that expertly weaves together sadness and love, courage and loss, hardship and hope. Everything comes rushing back toward the end of Lena’s life: memories of her childhood, first love, early motherhood … as well as the staggering darkness of being forced into a Siberian work camp. Profound and moving, this story of a woman finding hope in the face of impossible odds will linger with readers long after the last page. Keep reading for a guest post about how Paula Lichtarowicz was inspired by her grandmother after she recorded her grandmother’s experiences in a Siberian work camp.
January flew by, and February is bringing us a special Valentine – new books! We’re in love with our most anticipated books this upcoming month, filling our shelves with fiction and nonfiction alike. There are books to cozy up with, adventure through, and learn from, and we know you’ll find the perfect match for you.