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We Were the Lucky Ones  By  cover art

We Were the Lucky Ones

By: Georgia Hunter
Narrated by: Kathleen Gati, Robert Fass
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Editorial reviews

Editors Select, February 2017 - WWII and its heartbreaking history have served as the backdrop to some of my all-time favorite novels (Code Name Verity, The Nightingale, to name a couple). It is in these dark times that we search most desperately for a person's humanity - and these stories all share incredibly brave yet incredibly human characters. Georgia Hunter's debut novel, We Were the Lucky Ones, was born of her childhood discovery that she descended from a family of Holocaust survivors and her years-long attempt to unravel her family's history. Rich in setting, poignant in delivery, and amplified by moving performances from Robert Fass and Kathleen Gati, Hunter's novel is set to enter the impressive canon of WWII literature that touches you at your core. Katie, Audible Editor

Publisher's summary

The New York Times best seller with more than one million copies sold worldwide.

Inspired by the incredible true story of one Jewish family separated at the start of World War II, determined to survive - and to reunite - We Were the Lucky Ones is a tribute to the triumph of hope and love against all odds.

It is the spring of 1939 and three generations of the Kurc family are doing their best to live normal lives, even as the shadow of war grows closer. The talk around the family Seder table is of new babies and budding romance, not of the increasing hardships threatening Jews in their hometown of Radom, Poland. But soon the horrors overtaking Europe will become inescapable and the Kurcs will be flung to the far corners of the world, each desperately trying to navigate his or her own path to safety.

As one sibling is forced into exile, another attempts to flee the continent, while others struggle to escape certain death, either by working grueling hours on empty stomachs in the factories of the ghetto or by hiding as gentiles in plain sight. Driven by an unwavering will to survive and by the fear that they may never see one another again, the Kurcs must rely on hope, ingenuity, and inner strength to persevere.

An extraordinary, propulsive novel, We Were the Lucky Ones demonstrates how in the face of the 20th century’s darkest moment, the human spirit can endure and even thrive.

©2017 Georgia Hunter (P)2017 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Love in the face of global adversity? It couldn't be more timely.” (Glamour)

“[A] must-read.” (New York Post)

“[A] remarkable history ... Hunter sidesteps hollow sentimentality and nihilism, revealing instead the beautiful complexity and ambiguity of life in this extraordinarily moving tale.” (Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about We Were the Lucky Ones

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
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Heartwarming and genuine

This wonderfully written story is a treasure. As I listened to Kathleen Gati recount the incredible story of this family, I am reminded of what makes survivors of the Holocaust so resilient - family. While listening to this book I found myself laughing, crying, and celebrating along with the family, usually with tears in my eyes. If you are considering this book, you won't be disappointed!

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42 people found this helpful

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Absolutely Amazing Story!

Absolutely Amazing Story! I went through all emotions while listening to this book! The narrator was fantastic!

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10 people found this helpful

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Captivating and Emotionally Gripping!

What did you love best about We Were the Lucky Ones?

The narrator was fantastic and the family's story of perseverance and resilience were my favorite part of this book.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved how hard the whole family pushed through and how much their faith and family meant to them all.

What does Kathleen Gati and Robert Fass bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her accents and pronunciation of all the different languages was perfect.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely. The story gripped me right from the start and had me on the edge of my seat the whole time!

Any additional comments?

Fantastic book! Had me captivated the entire time! You can't even imagine what this family went through, but yet the story happened to many more people. This story is very important too and one that should be read to remind us of everything that has happened so that we don't repeat history.

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10 people found this helpful

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SLOW

The story line sounds wonderful but it moves so slowly. It was difficult for me to keep my interest. I turned the book off.

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5 people found this helpful

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Great historical fiction

Great and painful read about the bonds of family and the ability of the human spirit to survive.

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3 people found this helpful

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Incredible story!

One of the best books I've ever read. I was moved to tears. Thank you for telling the story of your family's fight to live through one of history's darkest hours. Thank you! Thank you!

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3 people found this helpful

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Must read (listen!)

Incredible story of survival and appreciation for the horrific consequences of WWII. Highly recommend for young and older adults to appreciate the simplicity of our own lives

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1 person found this helpful

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Incredible

Confusing at 1st, but I took a suggestion to write the characters down. It was so worth it! So much history in an inspiring story.

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What an incredible family

Loved this book. Not like any Holocaust book I have ever read before. It was filled with hope, human life that endured in the face of adversity. Georgia Hunter did an incredible job portraying her family's story.

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Good

I Love it! So many heartwarming moments. Family centered and also educational in a way.

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