Member Reviews
ALL THE COURAGE WE HAVE FOUND by CARLY SCHABOWSKI is a beautifully written, exciting, and inspirational WW11 novel that I highly recommend. The characters are unforgettable and the plot is exciting.
When Kasia, a highly trained radio operator, leaves the Polish resistance and moves to France with an eight year old Jewish girl who she calls Elodie, because the child does not speak due to the horrors she has been through, and moves in with the rather morose philosopher and writer, Hugo Weber, things are set in motion which will change all of their lives. I like to see how Hugo’s heart is softened towards his so-called cousin Delphine Garnier and her daughter, Elodie.
Against the background of the German occupation, the author takes us through the characters’ emotions and relationships, family dynamics, secrets, fears and guilt from the past, and shows us their courage and desire to protect those they love. The average life span of a radio operator is six weeks - will Kasia be an exception to the rule as she puts her life in danger to save everyone she can from the Nazi war machine?
I do not want to spoil the read for you, so I will not tell you any more excepting to say that I could not put the book down.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bookouture. The opinions in this review are completely my own.
All the Courage We Have Found set in France 1942 during world war II MEANS it’s slow paced and so heartbreaking. It’s somehow mixed between fic and nonfic cause it’s history pattern.
The book contain adventure that brings you to tears and shocked like how is this written so beautifully! An “enjoying” read for those who loves hisfic and the theme is something that would makes you won’t even picked up anything but this book!
Also thank you NetGalley for providing me this book for an honest review!
All the Courage We Have Found is a tale of adventure, bravery and fear that celebrates those trying to survive across Europe during The Second World War. A wonderful read full of heart and authenticity, that explores the themes of loss and memory in an empathetic and humane way.
1942 Kasia rescues a mute Polish girl from a ghetto and escapes to France with her. They stay with winemaker Hugo but Kasia has a secret role to send radio messages to the Allies which puts them all in danger...
All the Courage We Have Found is an historical novel set during the Nazi occupation of France in the Second World War.
The main three characters are thrown together unexpectedly. They need to negotiate their relationships as well as contend with their own painful memories of the past. Hope for the future is tempered by the fear of the present and sorrow from the past.
A palpable tension exists from the start of the book and danger is never far away from any of the characters. Kasia has a mission to code and transmit messages, actively defying the Nazis by being part of the resistance. Hugo has attempted to outwardly conform but now his guests put him at risk.
There is a lot of emotion in the book which the characters try to block out in order to function and survive. We are shown Kasia, Hugo and the girl's perspectives and I found the latter utterly heartbreaking due to the childlike quality the author adopts. The presence of the girl allows Hugo to confront his past and show Kasia his vulnerable side.
All the Courage We Have Found is a tense and emotional historical novel.
This is a good read, and a solid addition to the saturated WWII genre. I was swept along by the courage and bravery of the characters and felt gripped by the story. There are some tough scenes as you would expect, and these are powerful and poignant.
I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to fans of historical fiction.
This story is set in France in 1942 during world war 2. Another horrific time in our history.
A mixture of fiction and non-fiction and the characters that have made this story about bravery and sacrifice that will have you in tears and make your heart beat a little faster, sometimes even holding your breath.
Another wonderful read by this author from cover to cover.
On the French coast, Hugo is a reluctant participant in the war, an unwilling participant in the resistance, doing favours for his friends and those he loves via the black market.
Kasia is working in Poland, helping those in the ghetto, when she is asked to travel to France to help further with the war effort. Her work will be within the French Resistance as a radio operator. Via a third party, they have heard that she is one of the best, and want her on side.
Kasia is keen to help, but she has a problem. A mute child who she is unexpectedly looking after, and will need to travel with her to France, increasing the risk. But travel she must, and so the pair travel to French coast.
Here Kasia and Hugo meet. Billeted to stay with Hugo via a mutual contact, it is safe to say that the two don't exactly hit it off immediately. But they know that they must work together and protect each other for any of them to survive.
As Kasia's days are spent working, Hugo find himself on childcare duties with Elodie. Trying to coax the girl out of her shell and getting her to speak is no mean feat. As the trio begin to break down barriers and form alliances, the unthinkable happens and Kasia must leave for Paris, alone.
Once again she is billeted with someone who isn't exactly an ally from the start, but then Kasia makes a discovery that will change her life forever.
All the courage we have found is a beautifully written historical fiction novel, and I look forward to the author's next.
As a reader of a fair amount of WWII historical fiction, I particularly appreciated this book for its points of difference. Of course, we followed a brave female main character who had to keep her secrets of her war work to protect those around her. But the main secrets are those being kept in relationships and the courage that is found is the courage to rebuild relationships even after tragedy has struck. A very character driven book, with the war almost being secondary to the story of each character's guilt and heartbreak.
Thank you to Net Galley and Bookouture for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
*Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me this book for an honest review*
This book was an amazing read for me. I've read it in less than two days. And I'm telling you I was sobbing like crazy. It was really heartbroken.
Yes the book is slow and split over years, nut the characters are interesting and as is the subject , real page turned
As with several of Carly Schabowski’s previous books, initially I found All The Courage We Have Found at times slow to get going but once it founds its rhythm it transformed into a marvellous, emotional and heart-breaking read. Given the subject matter and the role the lead female character, Kasia plays during the war, I presumed it would be heavily centred on specific details regarding events of the war, her movements and some sort of mystery that she must uncover or a major task she would engage in. Instead and I think this is what made me enjoy it all the more, it was more character driven and we really got to know the various personalities. The war at times and in a positive way became more of a backdrop for the passionate and touching story that unfolded.
The book is split into three distinct parts beginning in Vannes in France in 1942 and ending as the Americans arrive in the country in 1944. We are first introduced to Hugo who the residents of the town believe to be mad. He comes across as eccentric and lost in his own world. He has resisted taking in any refugees who fled to the village from Paris and to all intents and purposes he doesn’t care a jot about what is happening regarding the horrific events unfolding around him. Deep down he knows he should do more to help the resistance which operates within the village with the doctor Maurice at its centre working to help so many in need. He ensure the resistance network is kept going and that vital work is not disrupted where at all possible. But Hugo is lost in a word of his own, he has erected a shell around him that is very tough to crack. Yes Hugo does a little bit in terms of the black market but as for anything more detailed and extremely dangerous he has preferred to remain as if he knows nothing.
Hugo has let himself go but still likes to engage with a lady or two. He has lived on his own for ten years since his return from Paris preferring solitude and to let his mind stray to areas to where it shouldn’t venture as it causes him upset and anguish rather than finding some sort of resolution. The solitude within the walls he has erected for himself calm him and he prefers to spend his days in his farmhouse indulging in the wine created from his harvest. Politics or the war hold no interest for him as he curries favour with the Germans as his father was German but all that is about to change with the arrival of Kasia and a young girl they name Elodie. Hugo’s world is turned upside down and he is forced to face the realities of what led him to the point at which he exists today. The story becomes very personal with multiple layers rather than as with other books being superficial and barely scratching the surface. The author gets deep into the hearts and minds of her characters and this enables the reader to really engage with them too in a most meaningful way.
Kasia is a fantastic character whom we first meet as she works with a small group in Warsaw trying to get supplies into the ghetto. She is an absolute genius but I found her to be modest yet hardworking. Kasia has such a clever mind and is so resourceful and this superb qualities that she possesses will aid so many. She may be a small cog in a very big wheel but her contributions are worthy none the less. She is dedicated to the cause and would do anything to save those in peril and any actions she takes she always has others at the centre of everything she does. I could sense deep down there was something deeply motivating her to be so ardent in her quest to work with the resistance. Her brilliance at speaking many languages, cracking codes and taking risks for others has not gone unnoticed and soon she has caught the attention of the Special Operations Resistance Group. She is transferred to France and ends up in Hugo’s house who has reluctantly agreed to harbour here. She changes her name to Delphine and begins working alongside Maurice as his ‘nurse’ but really she is engaging in resistance work namely radio operations.
But Kasia has come with some extra baggage in the form of a young girl who has witnessed such terrors in Warsaw that has left her mute and without any family. Kasia gives her the name of Elodie and I loved how every so often there were chapters from Elodie’s perspective. Piece by piece her story is unravelled with the reader knowing things that elude both Hugo and Kasia. Elodie becomes the catalyst that inspires change within Hugo and in turn his backstory is revealed. This allows for heart-breaking and emotional moments to transpire and the story that transpired was beautiful, emotional and heartrending in equal measure. The connection/relationship that Hugo establishes with Elodie was so raw and beautiful. They were both suffering and needed each other in order to try and heal in any way shape or form. Be it big or small.
There were numerous twists and turns that emerged the further I delved into the story and the motivations of certain characters became clear. I admired Kasia’s resilience in the face of adversity. But all along I wanted to know what her driving force was and through delving back into the past these reasons become evident. She has her share of danger, anger and fear. Yet nothing seems to phase her and she puts others needs before hers and makes many sacrifices. I enjoyed how her story progressed and that some romance became apparent although it seemed so far from reach. Everything in the later half regarding the characters as the story weaved its way towards the climax was just perfect and you are constantly guessing as to what the eventual outcome will be and I love when that happens with a story.
Despite what I felt to be a slow first half or so the first chapter or two did bring us straight to the story with no unnecessary preamble I just felt after this juncture things moved at a slow pace before the real heart of the book began to emerge. But pushing this issue aside, overall All The Courage We Have Found is a very good read. I found to different from the vast range of World War Two historical fiction books that are currently out there. It was brilliant that the story was told from three different viewpoints as it also allowed the reader to analyse situations, actions and emotions from various perspectives. It meant I didn’t come down firmly or judge too quickly one character over another.
Carly keeps her readers guessing until the last possible moment with a very much unexpected plot twist although I did find it slightly abrupt and the ending seemed rushed. I would have loved one or two more chapters but perhaps that’s me being selfish and it shows how invested I had come to be in Kasia, Hugo and Elodie. This is a story highlighting bravery in the face of differing adversities. It sheds light upon so much courage and the many sacrifices brave and admirable people made during the war and it is certainly well worth a read.
All The Courage We Have Found grabbed my attention from page one. I read a lot of Historical Fiction set in WWI and WWII to learn more about the history of these years, especially the roles women played as members of the Resistance. This book did not disappoint in either instance.
Kasia, the major character in this novel, is an exceptional code breaker, a woman sought for her mathematical genius in breaking German codes, working in a field dominated by men.
Able to enter the Warsaw ghetto by bribing a guard, Kasia is asked to take a young girl, who does not speak, out of the Ghetto when she leaves. Reluctant as she is to take on this responsibility as it is not part of her mission, Kasia bribes the guard and leaves with the girl. Thus begins the story of Kasia, Hugo, Maurice, a young girl they name Elodie and the complicated story of her relationship with her sister, Maja.
I enjoy this book very much. Reading All The Courage We Have Found added to my knowledge of how the women of the resistance movement in Poland and France operated; how many risks they were willing to take against the Germans who invaded their countries; how they loved and lost, yet kept going determined to succeed in their missions. Of course, there is more than one romance in this novel but the love stories are not overdone and not the principle focus of most of this novel.
I would have rated this five stars but, for me, the book ended somewhat abruptly. The outcomes were pretty much as I expected, with a twist. I wanted to turn another page to see what happened next but the story was over. I hoped for more information on what was “real” as opposed to fiction in the Author’s Notes and was disappointed to find just a few paragraphs.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of All The Courage We Have Found.
Please imagine that you recently helped a friend of yours to organise a dinner party. It was the first time that they had done such a thing in a long while, and he/she invariably felt a little bit nervous. However, you had had some previous experience of his/her cooking and were confident that you, and all the other guests would love it. Even if this hadn’t been the case, you still wanted to offer your full support. And so you were glad to accept your invitation to the party, knowing but choosing to ignore that your ex-partner would also be there.
You really wished you could have loved it. But despite all of your best intentions, the atmosphere in the room for the whole night was a bit strained. As a result, you couldn’t enjoy the experience as much as you had hoped. And worse still was the fact that your friend was well aware of it. So, even though you know that you couldn’t have done a lot differently, you left at the end of the night with an overwhelming sense of guilt at the thought of having let your friend down.
That’s a little bit like how it felt for me to have read All The Courage We Have Found. And for this, I really only have myself to blame.
I was thrilled at having been approved to join Bookouture’s approved list of reviewers for their blog tours. Of course, I could have played it safe and waited until one of at least four of their authors, whose previous works I have loved, released their next book. But I was too excited to wait. So instead I selected this historical fiction novel, choosing not to pay close attention to the part of the blurb that mentioned two characters “growing closer” over “whispered candlelight conversations”. This was a problem for me because whilst historical fiction is something that I can enjoy, I’m a stereotypical middle-aged man. Which means that romantic fiction is not.
I can see that there is a lot to like in this book. The characters of Hugo and Kesia are relatable, their personal stories are believable and the story behind young Elodie’s refusal to speak is one that proves to be heartbreaking, and yet heartwarming at the same time.
The trouble is that for me, the historical fiction novels that I most enjoy are the ones that bring the history to life through the characters. There are a few books I’ve read recently that have achieved this. An Ordinary Life by Amanda Prowse immediately comes to mind. So too does All That Lingers by Irene Wittig. And I can’t not mention A Shadow Beyond by Emma-nicole Lewis, which even though it’s about a different period in history brings it to life in a spectacular way.
But apart from a few brief moments - most notably a statement that people working in Kesia’s role had a typical life expectancy of just six weeks (my God) - All The Courage We Have Found didn’t manage to achieve this. It felt as though I was reading a romantic or domestic fiction novel that just happened to take place during the Second World War.
If this sounds like it might be to your taste, then I really hope this book is for you. But I have to conclude by saying that it’s not the book for me. For which I can only apologise.
My thanks to the author and Bookouture for my inclusion on the blog tour, I’ll try and choose my next book a little bit more carefully.
France, 1942: Kasia is leaving Poland to work as a radio operator in France during World War II. She is working for the Resistance and is taking her life into her hands crossing the border. But right before Kasia is to leave Poland she meets a little girl, Elodie who doesn’t speak. Kasia can’t just leave her to fend for herself, so she decides to take Elodie with her to France to take care of her. Once they arrive in France, she meets a man named Hugo that owns a farmhouse. He knows the danger, but allows Kasia and Elodie to stay there. Kasia sneaks around in the dead of night sending radio transmissions. She knows that her mission is one, that if she is discovered, would surely get her killed. Kasia’s mission will save countless lives of the soldiers, but she must consider the lives of those that she loves the most.
This phenomenal story of love, friendship, courage, and survival was both heart-warming and heartbreaking. I loved the message of forgiveness, trust and strength in such a difficult time in history. The characters were very likable and I felt emotionally attached to them. My heartbeat quickened as this story came alive and the words leaped off the page. This unputdownable story had me reading faster and faster as I felt the brisk night air on my face. I felt every possible emotion within the pages of this story. I wish I could give ten stars because five isn’t enough to express how fantastic this book is. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you Carly Schabowski for another wonderful story. This book was absolutely phenomenal. I loved it and highly recommend it.
Kasia touched my heart and I immediately loved her as a character.
A quick read and one historical fiction fans will enjoy!
Thank you, Bookouture, NetGalley and Carly Schabowski for my advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
All the Courage We Have Found by Carly Schabowski Narrated by: Daphne Kouma, Philippe Spall was a good audio book however, sadly it did not have the sparkle of Carly's other books I have read in the past. I read a lot of WWII historical fiction this storyline was good and the characters were good but did not draw me in.
Kasia is about to leave Poland to work as a radio operator in France. Her work for the Resistance is top secret and crossing the border will be no easy task. The night before Kasia is to leave, she meets a little girl who apparently is mute and so she calls her Elodie. This beautiful little girl has an unusual characteristic that reminds Kasia of someone from her past, and she feels compelled to bring Elodie with her.
They are secreted in a farmhouse with a man named Hugo who is very resistant to the plan, but he does help Kasia and Elodie keep hidden. Hugo is a tough character and is actually someone who does not appear very likable from the start. However he does find strength in Kasia in the work that she does but he also grows quite fond of Elodie.
Meanwhile, Kasia’s work is very tenuous and with a real threat of being exposed, she is forced to make a very difficult decision. While doing her best to continue her work, Kasia’s thoughts of her past relationship with a man that she once thought she would marry as well as her broken relationship with her sister never remain far from her. She is torn between her loyalty to the Resistance as well as mending fences from her past. Meanwhile, there is the question is what will happen with Hugo and Elodie.
What a remarkable story from an author who is new to me. The story touched me on many levels, as it was both heartbreaking and heartwarming at a time when strength, courage, love and forgiveness all played into the story. With danger never being far behind for Kasia, all while the bonds of love were forming, this story brought yet another satisfying read during a difficult time in history.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Please enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/evTPWXtSihA
Quick and Dirty
-WWII fiction
-third person multiple POV
-Resistance work
-fast read
Synopsis
Kasia has been running from her memories for a long time, fighting to prove to herself and everyone else she is just as interesting and clever as her younger sister. Her skills in mathematics has helped her secure work in the local resistance in Poland, which is when she first encounters the orphaned girl without a voice. Soon the two are traveling to France under the auspices of mother and daughter, destined for a small beachside cottage on the shores of the English Channel. Kasia will find herself torn between her work with the Resistance, her own inner demons, and her growing affection for the child and a stranger she didn't know she could love.
Musings
This book took me by surprise. For such a short book it packed a big punch. I was absolutely invested in the characters and their inner-woven stories, hoping for a happy ending despite knowing most of the really good WWII books don't end on happy notes. The relationship between Hugo and Elodie was by far the most compelling, but Kasia's storyline brought tension and action that propelled the book forward. The ending was a bit abrupt, but it wrapped the story up neatly. Overall, this was a solid WWII fiction that I think most historical fiction readers will enjoy.
All The Courage We Have Found is a WWII novel and is about a young Polish woman who becomes a Resistance group member in France as a radio operator. It is a heartbreakingly gripping story which takes us on a journey with Kasia as she evades the Germans. Highly recommend.
I love World War 2 historical Fiction. I haven't read loads but the ones I have read have left a profound effect on me.
This novel is set during the time that Germany invaded Poland and France which is a new perspective for me.
The characters Kasia and Hugo are written very well and their experiences are heartbreaking to read.
The women of the resistance is always an experience in itself to read about and this one was no different.
The story, characters and the setting are excellent and you will not regret reading this book.