The Lost Daughters of Ukraine by Erin Litteken- 2023- 410 Pages

 The Lost Daughters of Ukraine by Erin Litteken- 2023- 410 Pages

This is the second marvelously done work of historical fictuon, set in Ukraine, by Erin Litteken I have had the pleasure of reading.

The Lost Daughters of Ukraine takes us into the World War Two and after years in the Ukraine. It tells a story of the barbaric treatment of people who just wanted to live in peace. The Ukraine was a battle ground for the Germans and the Russians.

The Germans begin to select Ukrainians, ultimately any healthy person over ten, for shipping to work camps. We see their anguish knowing the weapons they make will be used to kill other Ukrainians.

A person's ethnic background was of prime importance.

As the two sisters are driven from their home they are separated from their loved ones, trying to keep hope alive.

There are many exciting events. (The depiction of the bombing of Dresden, where they were living, reminded me of Slaughter House Five by Kurt Vonnegut)

This is the best treatment of life in a displaced person's camp I have ever read.

The ending is very gratifying. The characters are perfectly done.  

The Lost Daughters of Ukraine is included in The Kindle Unlimited Program.

note from the author

"It’s been one year since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In that time, countless war crimes have been committed. Throughout it all, the world has witnessed the strength and tenacity of Ukrainians battling for their right to exist. But Ukraine’s earth is soaked in the blood of generations of its brave defenders.

The Lost Daughters of Ukraine — combines history, fiction, and my own family’s experiences in Ukraine and as refugees to create the story of a family ripped apart by World War II. I’m honored to share this deeply personal novel with you, but I am, sadly, once again releasing a book about a past attack on Ukraine during the current invasion.

Keep Ukraine in your hearts. Listen to and elevate the voices of people living through this horror. Learn about their culture and the tragic and beautiful parts of their history to understand why they fight so valiantly for their country. And please continue to support Ukraine in every way you can.

Slava Ukrayini!

Erin"

The Lost Daughters of Ukraine is a great edition to World War Two literature. Litteken provides a list of non-fiction works on the war in Ukraine for which I am grateful.

Mel Ulm