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Irena's Gift

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Irena's Gift

By: Karen Kirsten
Narrated by: Karen Kirsten
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About this listen

In 1942, in Nazi-occupied Poland, a Jewish child was smuggled out of the Warsaw ghetto in a backpack. That child was Karen Kirsten's mother, but she knew nothing about this extraordinary event until one day a letter arrived from a stranger.

After eventually discovering the grandparents she loved dearly were in fact not her biological grandparents, Karen travelled the globe to uncover her family's past and to find the answers to baffling questions: why did her adoptive grandmother treat Karen's mother so unkindly? Why did she hide the truth that she was actually her mother's aunt? And why, if she appeared to dislike Karen's mother, did she risk her life to save her and bring her to Australia?

Irena's Gift weaves together a mystery, history and memoir to tell the story of a family torn apart by war. From the glittering concert halls of interbellum Warsaw to the vermin-infested prison where a Jewish woman negotiates with an SS officer to save her sister's child, Irena's Gift is about the lies we tell to survive and what happens when those lies unravel. It is about the extraordinary resilience of three generations of women, and the sacrifices made for love.

© 2023 Karen Kirsten (P)2023 Penguin Random House Australia 20th Century Jewish Heritage Military Modern War Thought-Provoking Survival Holocaust
All stars
Most relevant  
Beautifully narrated by the author, heart wrenching story of family history.
Had me at the first chapter, it just was so easy yet painful at times to listen to.
All my senses were stimulated as I read about the pain and suffering so many people endured. How truth is the only way to find your peace
5 star deserved

Family is everything

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An absorbing and utterly compelling story narrted by the author that explores the psychological puzzle of family dynamics in the wake of the Holocaust. Kirsten weaves her own observations, meticulous research and reflections on what she uncovers with vivid recreations of historical events to create a moving and profound story of family secrets and their impact in vivid and lyrical prose. I savoured this story and did not want it to finish. Five plus stars.

Absorbing, compelling

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Quite simply, an incredible book.
An intriguing and heartbreaking story on so many levels. The courage and bravery shown is something we all aspire to.
Even though this literally had me sobbing many times, it was impossible to stop listening.
Narration by the author was fabulous.
I will recommend all my friends and family read this.
Thankyou for your dedication in writing this, Karen.

Utterly brilliant!

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‘Irene’s Gift’ is an intoxicating tale which will intrigue your mind and entangle your heart. This is a hugely important work, which has poignant resonance in today’s ‘cancel culture’ world. Those who ignore the lessons of history are more likely to repeat those mistakes. I see a feature film beckoning. Thank you Karen for sharing your family’s story.

Intrigue, pathos and love

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Hurting people commonly hurt others. This story introduces many hurt people, some who thrive on forgiveness and some who struggle to forgive. For me it was an incredible book about living your life and helping others. Karen’s mother is an outstanding example of living and forgiving. Excellent writing and storytelling by the author

Forgiving the impossible

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A wonderful story with two time lines that seamlessly weaves past and present to tell a story of a family torn apart by war. A brilliant narration / read.

Riveting Story

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Yet another unique story to be reminded that no two stories of survival are the same. An important addition to the growing voice of the second and third generation. Thoroughly researched and brilliantly told. This book is an encouragement for us all to have the bravery, tenacity and strength to find answers to questions we didn’t even know we had. Thank you!

Fantastic- learnt a lot - cried more

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