Customer Reviews

Necessary Lies

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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This fascinating novel traces the ambiguities of truths and lies in personal histories of its characters, in the history of Central Europe, in exilic experience, and in the topographies of two cities: Wroclaw (Breslau) and Montreal. It takes its readers on a journey to Poland and Germany, and to their painful wartime past, to the time of unprecedented changes in recent European history, initiated in 1980 with the "Solidarity" movement and completed in 1989 with the fall of Communism. But it is also a book on exile, and on the trauma that even a very successful exile can bring. The particular strength of this book lies in its ability to bring to life not only the story, but also the scents, textures, colors, and other details of the world in which the characters live and try to make some sense of their lives. The search for personal truth becomes an inquiry into the ambiguities of other, more important and more complex truths.

Once I started reading it was hard to put down. An amazing story mixing Polish History and experiences of Immigration to Canada. A fascinating set of characters make this one of the most enjoyable books I have read recently.

This is a novel one can't put away. It describes a very complicated and controversial issue of emigration, betrayal and forgiveness. There are no solution to any of these problems in this novel, and maybe that's why the entire story is real and very interesting. Many of us came to Canada leaving behind our lives, families, etc. Did we really had to come here? What is moral? What is not? The same questions are asked by the author of this novel.

I really enjoyed reading "Necessary Lies" by Eva Stachniak. The story is gripping and the characters are interesting. I especially enjoyed the interplay of different countries and times in the book, and the mysteries--behind the lives of the protagonists--that surface as the story develops. The book is a page-turner that I recommend to everyone!

Interesting backgrounds, common point, the city of Breslau, seen from the perspective of different generations and historical conditions. Exciting story of love, betrayal, and rejection. Returns to the past, looking for why? and... finally reconciliations with both the past and the rejection. When you start reading you can't put the book away until you finish.

Necessary Lies Reviewer name: Dianne Flynn E-mail: flynndd@hotmail.com Display e-mail: Yes Rating: 5 Location: Toronto, Ontario Reviewer Title: Suspense, history, drama Review: I was unable to put this book down. Not only did I learn about the history of Poland, esp. during WWII, but I was engaged in a love story, which was full of drama and suspense. A beautiful piece of literature, set in Montreal and displaying a tremendous amout of knowledge of the history of Poland, Germany & Russ

very interesting book, touches interesting problems of people born in different historical realities - trying to understand each other. I could easily identify with the author of the book and her characters since I lived in Poland of Solidarity - political hopes and economical depression. I also decided to leave Poland and stay in a different country - a difficult choice with new challenges. The sudden change of the culture allowed me - just like it allowed Anna - a main character of the book - to understand the world and people's fate from a different perspective - I really recommend - great reading, deep story - one can learn a lot!

Necessary Lies by Eva Stachniak is one of the excellent novels I've ever read. I can't put it down when I read it. The story of Anna is eye catching. This well-educated woman left her family in Wroclaw and came to Montreal for advanced studies. The author developed the character with interesting details. Some dramatic events happened in Anna's life while the fall of Berlin Wall changed history. Lies or truth were woven in real life. Searching for truth led Anna to an exploration. From this novel, I've learned about the woman's cross-cultural experience and also more about the important historical period I'm interested.

Thoughtful, moving and fascinating.
A novel set in Wroclaw, one of the cities that became part of Poland after the end of the second world war. Intelligent and well rounded characters whom we really care about.

I really like this writer, that being said -- If you are a reader like me and you like your reading material to be both interesting and fun then this book is right up your alley!