I think this book should be titled ‘The Mother’s Dream’ more than ‘The Children’s Dream’ because the main dream in the story is the mother’s not the daughter’s. It is an incredible look at life in Poland for Orthodox families during the World Wars. But I find it incredible that with the father’s work in the city he didn’t hear anything about the rise of the Nazis in Germany and what they were saying against Jews.

An orthodox Jewish family living in Poland before WW2. A mother raising her 3 daughters while facing that she´ll never have a good relationship with the man she had to marry. A gift or curse of prophetic dreams that is in her blood. And horrible nightmares about soldiers and nazi flaggs hunting her and one of her daughters.
An amazing tale of surviving the day-to-day while trying to analyze dreams. The desperation of finding someone who would listen, or beg for it to be just nightmares. A combination of longing for happiness and facing the hard truths.
Yet if I'm being honest the thought of who is stronger in my mind right now is that I desperately need more of this story ...

Set mostly in the 1930s near Warsaw, this hauntingly evocative book is the first in the Auschwitz Twins Series and is as wonderful as this author's other works. The beautiful writing hooked me immediately and didn't let me go until the remarkable end. In fact, it still hasn't released me after finishing it. We read of sorrow, despair, love, torment and several relationships. My favourite is that of sisters Naomi and Miriam.

Naomi lives with her grim husband Hershel, to whom appearance, reputation and financial comfort mean everything. Though blessed with three daughters and a nice home she is unhappy in her arranged marriage and seeks affection in another man. Her guilt is overwhelming and she believes her hardships are an atonement for her sins. She and daughter Perle are burdened with foreboding and very lucid dreams about spidery flags, blood and smokestacks. But Naomi is not the only one with secrets. And life is starting to change all around them.

The Jewish culture has always intrigued me and I am always happy to learn more from Kagan's books. I really like the use of the vernacular and introduction of customs. The premise of this series is fascinating and the writing is intoxicating. My favourite books are not all about daisies and roses but real life. Some characters are likeable, others detestable, making a great mix! All are believable and convincing making for an engaging read.

Historical Fiction readers who prefer some oomph and grit in their reading, please do read this book...and Kagan's others. She is one of my happiest discoveries in the past two years and I read hundreds of books each year.

My sincere thank you to The Book Whisperer and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this achingly beautiful book. I am anxious to discover what will happen in Book #2!