Once We Were Brothers by Ronald H. Balson – 379 pages
Book Blurb:
FromNazi-occupied Poland to a Chicago courtroom Elliot Rosenzweig, a respected civic leader and wealthy philanthropist, is attending a fundraiser when he is suddenly accosted and accused of being a former Nazi SS officer named Otto Piatek. Although the charges are denounced as preposterous, his accuser, Ben Solomon, is convinced he is right. Solomon urges attorney Catherine Lockhart to take his case, revealing that Otto Piatek was abandoned as a child and raised by Solomon’s family only to betray them during the Nazi occupation. But has he accused the right man? Once We Were Brothers is the compelling tale of two boys and a family that struggles to survive in war-torn Poland. It is also the story of a young lawyer who must face not only a powerful adversary, but her own self-doubts. Two lives, two worlds and sixty years all on course to collide in a fast-paced legal thriller. The author, Ronald H. Balson, is a Chicago trial attorney and educator. His practice has taken him to international venues, including small villages in Poland, which have inspired this novel.
My Review: 5 stars
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Holy sleepless nights batman! I couldn’t put this book down. Elegant, smooth prose, phenomenal story line mixed with a deep connection to the main characters left me sleepless. I can’t get over the historic detail that was s0 effortlessly added into this legal thriller and holocaust nightmare. This story is a constant reminder of the importance of tolerance and acceptance. It’s also a beautiful love story at heart. Family, determination, hard-work, allegiance and honor are predominant themes throughout the story. Chicago setting was perfect and I so look forward to the next novel by this author. Highly recommend!
Lucky me! I got to meet Mr. Balson in early 2014.
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Loved this book, could close my eyes and picture it as a movie. Easy read, characters we’re lovable. It was one of the books I could not put down, and dreaded it to end
Kim, I loved this too!!! I want a sequel!
Thank you, Goodbookfairy.
Ron
I, too, loved this book and have recommended it to everyone who would listen.
Marilyn
What an amazing book! Our book club has read a number of books about WW II, the Nazi’s and the terrible things done to the Jewish people. I have read some that really touched me but this book grabbed me from the start and wouldn’t let me go. The characters were real to me – I could feel Ben and Hannah dancing for the first time, I could feel the love that Abraham and Leah once had for Otto and then I could feel their complete disbelief in who he had become. Liam and Catherine another love story that I felt will last forever. Lauren thanks so much for adding this book to your review – I loved it!
laurie d, i’m so glad you liked this book. As you know, I was captured from the start to and still find myself thinking about them weeks after I finished the book!
Great book. I agreed with Kim, I could see this as a movie too. I hated it to end. Loved the way it was written, super fast read.
Thanks!!!
This was a great book. I was hesitant to read it when I saw how long it was, but once I started it, I could not but it down!
^ Lauren Pond, Little did I know just how different and moving this atypical Holocaust story would be. So glad I read it. The author is local. We should ring his doorbell and ask about what’s next!
Great Book! I picked it for my Book Club choice this month. Wish I could find out more information about the author, though!
Dottie, Thanks for reaching out. This book will make for a great book club discussion! Have you checked out his website for info about him. His new book that comes out next week was GREAT. It’s called Saving Sophie.
I loved that one too!