Klara's Truth

A Novel

De: Susan Weissbach Friedman

Narrado por: Justine Reiss

It is May 2014, and Dr. Klara Lieberman—forty-nine, single, professor of archaeology at a small liberal arts college in Maine, a contained person living a contained life—has just received a letter from her estranged mother, Bessie, that will dramatically change her life. Her father, she learns—the man who has been absent from her life for the last forty-three years, and about whom she has long been desperate for information—is dead. Has been for many years, in fact, which Bessie clearly knew. But now the Polish government is giving financial reparations for land it stole from its Jewish citizens during WWII, and Bessie wants the money. Klara has little interest in the money—but she does want answers about her father. She flies to Warsaw, determined to learn more.

In Poland, Klara begins to piece together her father’s, and her own, story. She also connects with extended family, begins a romantic relationship, and discovers her calling: repairing the hundreds of forgotten, and mostly destroyed, pre-War Jewish cemeteries in Poland. Along the way, she becomes a more integrated, embodied, and interpersonally connected individual—one with the tools to make peace with her past and, for the first time in her life, build purposefully toward a bigger future.

©2024 Susan Weissbach Friedman (P)2024 Susan Weissbach Friedman

Kiara’s Truth

I loved listening to Klara's Truth. It is a story of family drama, secrets, and healing. I loved that although it's not actually a historical novel, as it takes place in 2014, it includes so much history from WWII in Poland.

I also loved how the narrator made the story come even more alive through her use of different accents, intonations, and expression of emotion.

It's a highly engaging story and I strongly recommend it.

Audio Review - emotion, emphasis & intention

Synopsis: Klara’s estranged mother kept a secret about her deceased father only when she informed Klara of the reparations being paid to Jewish families for property stolen by the Nazi. Klara was not interested in the money, but more interested in learning about her deceased father and family. Through her adventure in Poland, she learned what happened to her father, she connected with her lost family members, she acquired self-discovery, and she gained relationships.

Thoughts: I appreciate how this story communicates therapy (normalize therapy) and there’s a focus on forgiveness and family. I also enjoyed the facts on history; it’s clear the author of this book took her time to write this story and review the facts on Poland.

Audiobook Review: One of my favorite genres to read is historical fiction, especially relating to the Holocaust/WWII era. I listened to this book via audible and I am so glad I listened to it verses read it. The narrator of this story did a fantastic job of recording the book with such emotion, emphasis, and intention. There was so much care in her voice, I could “feel” the story; I had tears, smiles, and anger throughout this story. I appreciate the accent change and tone in her voice to decipher between characters. It made listening to this story easy to understand and feel like real life.

A fabulous read!

If you’re looking for an intriguing page-turner about one woman’s journey into her past who ultimately finds a deep and meaningful life purpose – this book is for you. This author beautifully weaves together the joys and strains of relationships - familial and romantic – all the while underscoring how much identity and experience intertwine to make up a life of meaning.

Loved it!

I was really moved by Klara's journey with healing her long-standing trauma and how it connected with the larger story of the trauma her ancestors experienced in the Holocaust. Generational trauma is real, but we don't get to see those dots connected very often, and the way it was woven into Klara's life was incredibly compelling. As someone who has done my fair share of trauma healing, I recognized many universal truths and realities in this book, causing more than a few "aha" moments. Also, the narration was spot on-- I felt like I was listening to a secret conversation much of the time. It's definitely one of those stories you will fly through but one that will also touch you on a deep level. Highly recommend!!

Magnificent History, Stellar Narration

Klara believed her father had abandoned her in childhood. A journey to Poland, as an adult, proved otherwise. Klara's mother sent her on a mission to claim the reparations promised by the Polish government to families of Jewish victims of the holocaust. Klara went with an intention much dearer to her heart. Be prepared to cry, cheer, rage, laugh and more as Klara delves into her ancestry, uncovers secrets and finds love.

The story is masterfully performed, as well. Thanks to the narrator, the story, sometimes heavy with history accounts, remains engaging and impactful. In the voicing, we hear the transition to a foreign country and an unfamiliar language and customs and we feel the depth of emotion through the highs, the lows and everything in between.

Great read! Highly recommend it!