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The Dollmaker of Krakow
In the land of dolls, there is magic.
In the land of humans, there is war.
Everywhere there is pain.
But together there is hope.
Karolina is a living doll whose king and queen have been overthrown. But when a strange wind spirits her away from the Land of the Dolls, she finds herself in Krakow, Poland, in the company of the Dollmaker, a man with an unusual power and a marked past.
The Dollmaker has learned to keep to himself, but Karolina's courageous and compassionate manner lead him to smile and to even befriend a violin-playing father and his daughter--that is, once the Dollmaker gets over the shock of realizing a doll is speaking to him.
But their newfound happiness is dashed when Nazi soldiers descend upon Poland. Karolina and the Dollmaker quickly realize that their Jewish friends are in grave danger, and they are determined to help save them, no matter what the risks.
In the land of humans, there is war.
Everywhere there is pain.
But together there is hope.
Karolina is a living doll whose king and queen have been overthrown. But when a strange wind spirits her away from the Land of the Dolls, she finds herself in Krakow, Poland, in the company of the Dollmaker, a man with an unusual power and a marked past.
The Dollmaker has learned to keep to himself, but Karolina's courageous and compassionate manner lead him to smile and to even befriend a violin-playing father and his daughter--that is, once the Dollmaker gets over the shock of realizing a doll is speaking to him.
But their newfound happiness is dashed when Nazi soldiers descend upon Poland. Karolina and the Dollmaker quickly realize that their Jewish friends are in grave danger, and they are determined to help save them, no matter what the risks.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published September 12, 2017
234 people are currently reading
13.9k people want to read
About the author
R.M. Romero
7 books414 followersR. M. Romero is a Jewish Latina and author of fairy tales for children and adults. She lives in Miami Beach with her cat Henry VIII and spends her summers helping to maintain Jewish cemeteries in Poland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,202 reviews
September 21, 2019
The Holocaust is a difficult subject to write about, let alone when your target audience are children, but R. M. Romero managed to pull it off in this novel. The fantasy elements can be an enticing entry point into an important and emotionally challenging topic. However, don't let the fact that it's a children's book keep you from reading it. "The Dollmaker of Krakow" is a beautifully written, profound, and poignant story that will leave its imprint on a reader of any age.
First of all, let me acknowledge that the lovely cover coaxed me into reading this book. The cover art is enchanting, and the choice of colors is a direct contrast to the dark and sad tale. The art extends within the pages as well, with beautiful character portraits, and engaging illustrations that supplement the narrative.
The historical detail within the book is interesting and accurate, and Romero cleverly weaves this together with fantasy to appeal to all type of readers. Rich with fairy-tale tropes, the book really tells two parallel stories: the fate of the Land of the Dolls, and the fate of Poland and its Jewish citizenry. Narration hops back and forth between the worlds, maintaining a straight up comparison that surely works for the intended age-group. The parallels are quite simple: A wicked witch creates a horde of fearsome, insatiable rats who overrun the Land of the Dolls -- terrorizing, abusing, and killing the doll population. Meanwhile, Hitler deploys the Nazis over Europe -- terrorizing, abusing and killing Jews.
The writing is simple but poetic, and encourages younger children to establish empathy with the victims. Through Karolina's perspective, you get to see the heartbreaking cruelty of the Nazi regime --and the crimes are told in a way that all ages could understand them. Polish folklore is incorporated into the story, adding insight on Polish culture, and on the historical context of the novel. One example is the Lakanica, the spirit of the meadow that would become the Auschwitz-Birkenau killing ground.
My favorite character in the book is undoubtedly Karolina. She is full of love, compassionate, and she will stop at nothing to help her friends. How fitting that in this tale -- a doll, normally taken as a mere copy of humanity, feels and exhibits more humaneness than actual humans who purport to decide who is a worthy human and who isn’t.
As for the human characters, they are well-crafted, and feel very -- well, human. In the story, Jozef and his daughter, Rena, are among the groups persecuted in Krakow. Through them, Romero emphasises the effects of the Holocaust on individuals who lived, breathed, and contributed to society before their persecution. This was very important as victims are often forgotten as people, and remembered as statistics instead. The dollmaker, Cyryl, despite his fears and advantages, chooses a difficult path -- showing that even one person can make a difference in the world by being brave enough to protect those he cares for.
"The Dollmaker of Krakow" displays a powerful message that hope is necessary and can be found in even the darkest times. The worst of humanity is outweighed by the very best of humanity -- from the innocence and playfulness of children, the kindness of neighbors, the bonds of friendship, the togetherness of family, to the limitless capacity of the heart to love. The book ends with a powerful note:
Please, be kind.
Please, be brave.
Please, don’t let it happen again.
First of all, let me acknowledge that the lovely cover coaxed me into reading this book. The cover art is enchanting, and the choice of colors is a direct contrast to the dark and sad tale. The art extends within the pages as well, with beautiful character portraits, and engaging illustrations that supplement the narrative.
The historical detail within the book is interesting and accurate, and Romero cleverly weaves this together with fantasy to appeal to all type of readers. Rich with fairy-tale tropes, the book really tells two parallel stories: the fate of the Land of the Dolls, and the fate of Poland and its Jewish citizenry. Narration hops back and forth between the worlds, maintaining a straight up comparison that surely works for the intended age-group. The parallels are quite simple: A wicked witch creates a horde of fearsome, insatiable rats who overrun the Land of the Dolls -- terrorizing, abusing, and killing the doll population. Meanwhile, Hitler deploys the Nazis over Europe -- terrorizing, abusing and killing Jews.
The writing is simple but poetic, and encourages younger children to establish empathy with the victims. Through Karolina's perspective, you get to see the heartbreaking cruelty of the Nazi regime --and the crimes are told in a way that all ages could understand them. Polish folklore is incorporated into the story, adding insight on Polish culture, and on the historical context of the novel. One example is the Lakanica, the spirit of the meadow that would become the Auschwitz-Birkenau killing ground.
My favorite character in the book is undoubtedly Karolina. She is full of love, compassionate, and she will stop at nothing to help her friends. How fitting that in this tale -- a doll, normally taken as a mere copy of humanity, feels and exhibits more humaneness than actual humans who purport to decide who is a worthy human and who isn’t.
As for the human characters, they are well-crafted, and feel very -- well, human. In the story, Jozef and his daughter, Rena, are among the groups persecuted in Krakow. Through them, Romero emphasises the effects of the Holocaust on individuals who lived, breathed, and contributed to society before their persecution. This was very important as victims are often forgotten as people, and remembered as statistics instead. The dollmaker, Cyryl, despite his fears and advantages, chooses a difficult path -- showing that even one person can make a difference in the world by being brave enough to protect those he cares for.
"The Dollmaker of Krakow" displays a powerful message that hope is necessary and can be found in even the darkest times. The worst of humanity is outweighed by the very best of humanity -- from the innocence and playfulness of children, the kindness of neighbors, the bonds of friendship, the togetherness of family, to the limitless capacity of the heart to love. The book ends with a powerful note:
Please, be kind.
Please, be brave.
Please, don’t let it happen again.
April 26, 2022
Holocausto e Magia — Quem Diria
Este livro é lindo:
- Demoramo-nos na capa, porque é bela
- Demoramo-nos nas páginas emolduradas em filigranas
- Demoramo-nos nas figuras que encabeçam cada capítulo
- Demoramo-nos na leitura, pelo simples culto do prazer...
A quem se destina?
- Aos amantes do belo e… aos jovens
É uma história mágica sobre o Holocausto, que resultou dum excelente projeto:
Sensibilizar a nova geração para que não aconteça de novo, pois o futuro a eles pertence!...
“Podemos escolher participar em atos odiosos, fechar os nossos olhos... ou aliviar a dor que vemos no mundo através da coragem e da bondade.
Por favor, sejam bondosos.
Por favor, sejam corajosos.
Por favor, não permitam que aconteça outra vez.”
Antes desta leitura, nunca na vida me ocorrera encontrar um livro capaz de combinar holocausto e magia, mas a verdade é que tal façanha foi um tiro na mouche!...
Holocausto e magia, sim... quem diria?! 😲🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Este livro é lindo:
- Demoramo-nos na capa, porque é bela
- Demoramo-nos nas páginas emolduradas em filigranas
- Demoramo-nos nas figuras que encabeçam cada capítulo
- Demoramo-nos na leitura, pelo simples culto do prazer...
A quem se destina?
- Aos amantes do belo e… aos jovens
É uma história mágica sobre o Holocausto, que resultou dum excelente projeto:
Sensibilizar a nova geração para que não aconteça de novo, pois o futuro a eles pertence!...
“Podemos escolher participar em atos odiosos, fechar os nossos olhos... ou aliviar a dor que vemos no mundo através da coragem e da bondade.
Por favor, sejam bondosos.
Por favor, sejam corajosos.
Por favor, não permitam que aconteça outra vez.”
Antes desta leitura, nunca na vida me ocorrera encontrar um livro capaz de combinar holocausto e magia, mas a verdade é que tal façanha foi um tiro na mouche!...
Holocausto e magia, sim... quem diria?! 😲🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
![Profile Image for Jessi ❤️ H. Vojsk [if villain, why hot?].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1734731991i%2F66224803._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
November 23, 2017
Actual rating 4.6⭐️
Story ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Karolina is a doll that lived in the land of dolls, before waking up in krakow in the shop of a dollmaker. It’s 1940 and the nazis march into Poland and from there on Jews are being treated differently.
It’s a great story for everyone above 8-10 years, that shows them what it was like under the nazi regime. With the little magic in it, it makes the story so much more appealing.
Characters ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
All of the characters are wonderful and I fell in love with them from the start. They are really well written and have great different personalities.
World ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In this world magic exist, not much and not great world-destroying-magic. But even with little magic, things can change.
Relationships ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Friendships are a big part of this story and the fact that sometimes friendships feel like family and you want to protect your family.
Writing style ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It was a really nice and beautiful writing and I enjoyed it as well as the story itself.
Story ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Karolina is a doll that lived in the land of dolls, before waking up in krakow in the shop of a dollmaker. It’s 1940 and the nazis march into Poland and from there on Jews are being treated differently.
It’s a great story for everyone above 8-10 years, that shows them what it was like under the nazi regime. With the little magic in it, it makes the story so much more appealing.
Characters ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
All of the characters are wonderful and I fell in love with them from the start. They are really well written and have great different personalities.
World ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In this world magic exist, not much and not great world-destroying-magic. But even with little magic, things can change.
Relationships ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Friendships are a big part of this story and the fact that sometimes friendships feel like family and you want to protect your family.
Writing style ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It was a really nice and beautiful writing and I enjoyed it as well as the story itself.
October 29, 2017
“FOR THE CHILDREN WHO DIED IN THE HOLOCAUST”- Dedication by R.M. Romero
Books are an affair of the heart, and this one hit the arrow straight into its target.
In two different worlds a war has broken out. One world is the Land of the Dolls, and the other being our world during WWII. Karolina is a doll, a seamstress in her kingdom, where dolls like her go after they have been abandoned by their human owners or are not wanted anymore.
“When their wood and cloth and porcelain could sustain their souls no longer, they went back to the land of the Dolls.” - R.M. Romero
Karolina has no interest in ever going back into the human world, but finds herself destined to return and wakes up in a dollmakers’ shop in Krakow, the Republic of Poland.
“Karolina awoke in her new world with a glass heart. It felt as if both roses and their thorns grew within that heart, for it held all the happiness and sorrow she had ever experienced in the Land of the Dolls.” - R.M. Romero
The dollmaker is a very skilled craftsman. The best in town. He is working on a beautiful dollhouse when Karolina comes to life and speaks to him. Naturally, the dollmaker likes to stay to himself, but he is learning, that he possesses this magic to bring dolls to life.
The two of them develop a bond of deep friendship during their time together, as in both worlds the situation grows more and more dyer. Together they witness their Jewish friends being taken away. They experience confrontations of German officers as they are trying to help. At some point, the dollmaker reluctantly accepts to be a “Volksdeutscher” on paper, so he can get extra rations to help out the remaining children in the ghetto. And together, despite many dangers, Karolina and her human friend will go beyond boundaries to do their part of resistance in this war in the human world. But will they make it through the war together, and what will happen to the Land of the Dolls?
"He was trying to etch the sight of it into his heart....and that meant the dollmaker didn't think that they would ever see Krakow again.” - R.M. Romero
Where would I be in my life without the evoking books like these? The elixir of emotions….
Speaking to my inner child as well as my reasonable adult being, the interweaving whimsical, magical way to portrait such horrible events in history with an imaginative world, was a great way to write this novel and introduce young readers to the reality of WWII. In a very gentle approach, this novel inches closer and closer to the happenings in concentration camps and Hitler’s “Final Solution” plan.
Most adults, familiar with the history, will not learn anything new in this novel. There is no happy end to the tragedies that have happened, and although age appropriately written, the reality is not hushed over or made into a fairytale ending in this novel. I thought that was a very interesting and strong point.
“No one is ever really lost as long as their story still exists.” - R.M. Romero
What stood out to me in this novel were the humbling characters that tried to do good in a bad world. A chronology of historical events is found in the back of the book with the authors note and a message to young people:
Please, be kind.
Please, be brave.
Please, don’t let it happen again. – R.M. Romero
I enjoyed all the little drawings mixed in and the descriptions of polish art and places. Just look at that cover, isn’t it beautiful.
Simply a poignant, exquisite read.
Books are an affair of the heart, and this one hit the arrow straight into its target.
In two different worlds a war has broken out. One world is the Land of the Dolls, and the other being our world during WWII. Karolina is a doll, a seamstress in her kingdom, where dolls like her go after they have been abandoned by their human owners or are not wanted anymore.
“When their wood and cloth and porcelain could sustain their souls no longer, they went back to the land of the Dolls.” - R.M. Romero
Karolina has no interest in ever going back into the human world, but finds herself destined to return and wakes up in a dollmakers’ shop in Krakow, the Republic of Poland.
“Karolina awoke in her new world with a glass heart. It felt as if both roses and their thorns grew within that heart, for it held all the happiness and sorrow she had ever experienced in the Land of the Dolls.” - R.M. Romero
The dollmaker is a very skilled craftsman. The best in town. He is working on a beautiful dollhouse when Karolina comes to life and speaks to him. Naturally, the dollmaker likes to stay to himself, but he is learning, that he possesses this magic to bring dolls to life.
The two of them develop a bond of deep friendship during their time together, as in both worlds the situation grows more and more dyer. Together they witness their Jewish friends being taken away. They experience confrontations of German officers as they are trying to help. At some point, the dollmaker reluctantly accepts to be a “Volksdeutscher” on paper, so he can get extra rations to help out the remaining children in the ghetto. And together, despite many dangers, Karolina and her human friend will go beyond boundaries to do their part of resistance in this war in the human world. But will they make it through the war together, and what will happen to the Land of the Dolls?
"He was trying to etch the sight of it into his heart....and that meant the dollmaker didn't think that they would ever see Krakow again.” - R.M. Romero
Where would I be in my life without the evoking books like these? The elixir of emotions….
Speaking to my inner child as well as my reasonable adult being, the interweaving whimsical, magical way to portrait such horrible events in history with an imaginative world, was a great way to write this novel and introduce young readers to the reality of WWII. In a very gentle approach, this novel inches closer and closer to the happenings in concentration camps and Hitler’s “Final Solution” plan.
Most adults, familiar with the history, will not learn anything new in this novel. There is no happy end to the tragedies that have happened, and although age appropriately written, the reality is not hushed over or made into a fairytale ending in this novel. I thought that was a very interesting and strong point.
“No one is ever really lost as long as their story still exists.” - R.M. Romero
What stood out to me in this novel were the humbling characters that tried to do good in a bad world. A chronology of historical events is found in the back of the book with the authors note and a message to young people:
Please, be kind.
Please, be brave.
Please, don’t let it happen again. – R.M. Romero
I enjoyed all the little drawings mixed in and the descriptions of polish art and places. Just look at that cover, isn’t it beautiful.
Simply a poignant, exquisite read.
July 10, 2017
I'm very happy to be able to share this book with all of you this fall!
August 10, 2022
Recomiendo encarecidamente este libro, bajo mi punto de vista es una historia que debería de promoverse en colegios e institutos.
Combinación perfecta entre fantasía y realidad la cual nos transmite unos valores preciosos en medio de una época tan cruel como fue la segunda guerra mundial.
¡ENSERIO, UNA HISTORIA PRECIOSA!
Para más curiosidades, próximamente más en mi instagram @gerberainwonderland7
Combinación perfecta entre fantasía y realidad la cual nos transmite unos valores preciosos en medio de una época tan cruel como fue la segunda guerra mundial.
¡ENSERIO, UNA HISTORIA PRECIOSA!
Para más curiosidades, próximamente más en mi instagram @gerberainwonderland7
January 23, 2018
When I went into this story, I knew it would be sad, given the contents, but I never thought that it would be so beautiful, or so haunting. I never could have expected it to nestle itself so deeply in my heart. This story devastated me in the best way, and I will cherish it forever.
All Karolina wants is to save the land of dolls from the evil rat invaders, but when she comes to life in our world, she’s surprised to learn that there is a terrible war brewing in Poland, too. Despite her concerns about her home, which we learn in snippets through flashbacks and memories, Karolina’s efforts quickly become wholeheartedly committed to doing whatever is in her small powers to help the Jewish individuals in Poland. I adored her character so much – she is sassy, clever, and above all, kind. She loves the Dollmaker with her whole heart, and will go to any lengths to comfort him, and their Jewish friends, during the terrible times ahead.
The part of this story that most took me by surprise was how heartfelt and genuine the love between Karolina and the Dollmaker is. Karolina is precisely the friend that the Dollmaker needed, and she never grows weary of his depression, anxiety, or self-deprecating thoughts. No matter how dark his thoughts become, Karolina is always there to support and encourage him. She is tremendously concerned for his well-being, especially concerning his lost leg and the ways his disability ails him both physically and mentally, and I felt like her behavior was a beautiful example of how we can love someone without requiring them to be happy or whole all of the time.
Of course, Karolina and the Dollmaker don’t only love each other; they also love their Jewish friends, Jozef and Rena, who they go to great lengths in attempts to protect and comfort. Watching Karolina as an outsider, slowly coming to realize that the Jewish people were not simply moving away, but being taken to face terrifying fates, was such a brutal and unique perspective on a holocaust story.
Of course, despite how beautiful the imagery of Romero’s writing is, or how sweet Karolina and the Dollmaker’s friendship can be, this is ultimately a tale about the utter havoc that is wreaked by blind hatred. I was broken in the best way by the ending, and honestly, there were moments that had me crying so hard, I had to take a breather because I couldn’t see the words on the pages. Despite being a middle grade novel, this is not an easy or light read in the slightest, but it is so incredibly important, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. To quote the heartfelt author’s note itself,
“Magic is an odd thing,” he said. “It never takes the form you expect.”
All Karolina wants is to save the land of dolls from the evil rat invaders, but when she comes to life in our world, she’s surprised to learn that there is a terrible war brewing in Poland, too. Despite her concerns about her home, which we learn in snippets through flashbacks and memories, Karolina’s efforts quickly become wholeheartedly committed to doing whatever is in her small powers to help the Jewish individuals in Poland. I adored her character so much – she is sassy, clever, and above all, kind. She loves the Dollmaker with her whole heart, and will go to any lengths to comfort him, and their Jewish friends, during the terrible times ahead.
“Even if I’m so old that my bones are as brittle as chalk, I’ll find you. Even if there is an ocean between us, I will find you.”
The part of this story that most took me by surprise was how heartfelt and genuine the love between Karolina and the Dollmaker is. Karolina is precisely the friend that the Dollmaker needed, and she never grows weary of his depression, anxiety, or self-deprecating thoughts. No matter how dark his thoughts become, Karolina is always there to support and encourage him. She is tremendously concerned for his well-being, especially concerning his lost leg and the ways his disability ails him both physically and mentally, and I felt like her behavior was a beautiful example of how we can love someone without requiring them to be happy or whole all of the time.
“No one is ever really lost as long as their story still exists.”
Of course, Karolina and the Dollmaker don’t only love each other; they also love their Jewish friends, Jozef and Rena, who they go to great lengths in attempts to protect and comfort. Watching Karolina as an outsider, slowly coming to realize that the Jewish people were not simply moving away, but being taken to face terrifying fates, was such a brutal and unique perspective on a holocaust story.
Krakow had become a prison for all Jews, and Karolina’s heart went out to them.
Of course, despite how beautiful the imagery of Romero’s writing is, or how sweet Karolina and the Dollmaker’s friendship can be, this is ultimately a tale about the utter havoc that is wreaked by blind hatred. I was broken in the best way by the ending, and honestly, there were moments that had me crying so hard, I had to take a breather because I couldn’t see the words on the pages. Despite being a middle grade novel, this is not an easy or light read in the slightest, but it is so incredibly important, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. To quote the heartfelt author’s note itself,
Please, be kind.
Please, be brave.
Please, don’t let it happen again.
June 15, 2018
Book Reviewed by Nia on www.whisperingstories.com
This book is a strong contender for my favourite book of 2018, it’s going to take a lot to beat my enjoyment of this book!
If you do buy yourself a copy of this book (which you should), you should absolutely buy the hardback edition. Not only is the cover beautiful, the pages smell divine (if you’re into that kind of thing) and there are illustrated embellishments to the pages that you just don’t see these days that makes the book feel extra special.
The story itself comprises of two parts in alternating chapters; a war in the Land of Dolls where rats have come from across the sea to eat all the gingerbread houses and sugar flowers, and the development of WW2 in Krakow, Poland.
When Karolina, a doll, is brought to life by a WW1 veteran dollmaker in Krakow, they form an unbreakable bond and she sees familiar atrocities take place as the Germans invade the city. HOWEVER. This book reads like a fairy tale, a magical talking doll and her human friend see the magic in the world, the pain of loneliness and the importance of being kind. The writing is so beautiful, you read the human aspect of the war through the eyes of a doll with all the compassion you’d expect from a doll designed to comfort children.
The Dollmaker himself gains so much from having her around, pushing him to make connections with the people around him. Karolina is brave, intelligent and strong willed when it comes to protecting those around her.
I usually avoid books about the world wars because they make me bawl my eyes out, and this was no exception. Everything about it is bittersweet but the overriding message is one of loyalty, kindness, and magic in the worst of times. Reading this book was a great experience and one to be highly recommended!
This book is a strong contender for my favourite book of 2018, it’s going to take a lot to beat my enjoyment of this book!
If you do buy yourself a copy of this book (which you should), you should absolutely buy the hardback edition. Not only is the cover beautiful, the pages smell divine (if you’re into that kind of thing) and there are illustrated embellishments to the pages that you just don’t see these days that makes the book feel extra special.
The story itself comprises of two parts in alternating chapters; a war in the Land of Dolls where rats have come from across the sea to eat all the gingerbread houses and sugar flowers, and the development of WW2 in Krakow, Poland.
When Karolina, a doll, is brought to life by a WW1 veteran dollmaker in Krakow, they form an unbreakable bond and she sees familiar atrocities take place as the Germans invade the city. HOWEVER. This book reads like a fairy tale, a magical talking doll and her human friend see the magic in the world, the pain of loneliness and the importance of being kind. The writing is so beautiful, you read the human aspect of the war through the eyes of a doll with all the compassion you’d expect from a doll designed to comfort children.
The Dollmaker himself gains so much from having her around, pushing him to make connections with the people around him. Karolina is brave, intelligent and strong willed when it comes to protecting those around her.
I usually avoid books about the world wars because they make me bawl my eyes out, and this was no exception. Everything about it is bittersweet but the overriding message is one of loyalty, kindness, and magic in the worst of times. Reading this book was a great experience and one to be highly recommended!
December 9, 2018
A Weird Kind of Blend
Holocaust and Magic -- what a strange combination!
And you know what?!
It really works!
How?
That's up to you to find out! ;)
Why?
The author's purpose was writing a book with a message "Never Again" enough apealing to kids.
Kids are about to be leaders and rulers. Like it or not, sooner than later they’ll be the architects of human society. So... “Never Again” — makes sense, doesn't it?!
Holocaust and Magic -- what a strange combination!
And you know what?!
It really works!
How?
That's up to you to find out! ;)
Why?
The author's purpose was writing a book with a message "Never Again" enough apealing to kids.
Kids are about to be leaders and rulers. Like it or not, sooner than later they’ll be the architects of human society. So... “Never Again” — makes sense, doesn't it?!
August 11, 2023
The Dollmaker of Krakow is a beautiful story that parallels a country called The Land of Dolls with 1940’s Kraków, Poland. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters of both the Dollmaker and Karolina. I loved the fact that this story had whimsy, endearing friendships and hope right along with tragedy, destruction and cruelty. There is so much to love about The Dollmaker of Krakow! This story is such a winner for me and I absolutely loved it.!
This review is based on a complimentary book I received from NetGalley. It is an honest and voluntary review. The complimentary receipt of it in no way affected my review or rating.
This review is based on a complimentary book I received from NetGalley. It is an honest and voluntary review. The complimentary receipt of it in no way affected my review or rating.
November 30, 2018
DNF'd at chapter 14.
I enjoyed the first few chapters, but the more I continued to read the less interest I had in the story and the characters.
I picked up this book because I thought it would be interesting and something I would enjoy reading. But I couldn't get into it.
I did not like the writing style.
I enjoyed the first few chapters, but the more I continued to read the less interest I had in the story and the characters.
I picked up this book because I thought it would be interesting and something I would enjoy reading. But I couldn't get into it.
I did not like the writing style.
October 1, 2018
Cudownie baśniowa, przeszywająca serce milionami utraconych głosów opowieść o piętnie wojny. Historia niewyobrażalnego cierpienia, wszechpotężnego zła, ale także prawdziwego dobra, które w chwilach największej ciemności było ostatnim ze świateł. "Lalkarz z Krakowa" poruszy młodszych i starszych czytelników, przypominając, że zawsze jest wybór, zawsze jest nadzieja. To lektura, w której dylematy bohaterów zrozumie każdy z nas, bo jedyny wybór jaki mamy, to albo być człowiekiem dla drugiego człowieka albo wilkiem. Albo aniołem albo demonem. Tego nie trzeba tłumaczyć, ta historia jest uniwersalna i przemówi swoją magią do każdego czytelnika, także tego, który nie potrafi jeszcze zrozumieć, albo który już nie potrafi pojąć ogromu grozy jaki niesie za sobą wojna.
„Lalkarz z Krakowa” nie tylko dla dzieci, niemniej przede wszystkim dla dzieci, by w metaforyczny, alegoryczny sposób, przy pomocy magii i prostych niedopowiedzeń snuć opowieść o tym, co najważniejsze.
„Lalkarz z Krakowa” nie tylko dla dzieci, niemniej przede wszystkim dla dzieci, by w metaforyczny, alegoryczny sposób, przy pomocy magii i prostych niedopowiedzeń snuć opowieść o tym, co najważniejsze.
February 13, 2020
"No one is ever truely lost as long as their story still exists."
This is a true gem that just doesn't get enough attention. I'm truely grateful that this was recommended to me.
I don't really have the words to say how much I loved this book and how important it is that people read it. It's a story about a very cruel time that should not be forgotten. I advise that you carry tissues while reading - you will need them. Also: do NOT read this in public! Unless you don't mind bawling your eyes out on a bus... The story is very touching and the Dollmaker and Karolina became so very dear to me, as did Jozef and Rena. The writing was beautiful and I didn't mind switching between Poland and The Land of Dolls.
Romero created something so very beautiful and I can only say that everyone should read this. I will definetly read this again. It's magical in every possible way.
November 19, 2017
Originally posted on A Frolic Through Fiction
*Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book. This in no way affects my opinion.
A fairytale in a bleak world, The Dollmaker of Krakow is a whimsical story set with a tragic background.
Following Karolina, a living doll lost in the world of war-torn Poland, this middle-grade/children’s novel seems to me the perfect way to set a book during the war without it being *too* hard-hitting. Don’t get me wrong, the dark, bleak world is very much there, but the magical – almost adventurous – side to the story helps to alleviate the horrific side of war while still discussing the events that took place. Perfect for a slightly younger audience.
But though this is a children’s novel, it’s a story that could be enjoyed at any age. I’m sure most people still have heart for that comforting feeling a magical story brings, and this one was no different. Charming seems to be the perfect word to describe it. Which brings to mind fairy tales of princes slaying dragons but…not quite. How about magic dolls teaming up with a toymaker to save their friends during the war, instead? It still holds that fanciful, adventurous, almost nostalgic feel. The writing alone has the traditional “storytelling” feel associated with childhood tales.
Not only is the story stunning, but the book itself is too. The cover is one to fawn over, but the inside pages really give it that extra li’l something. Each chapter has a dedicated illustration, and the chapters dedicated to Karolina’s backstory are outlined with thick, intricate borders with tiny details relating to the story. It was so lovely turning the pages and seeing the designs, knowing full well they were helping to bring the descriptions alive in their own little way.
Needless to say, this book is just gorgeous. A quick read that can capture your heart, I really believe this would be the perfect way to introduce a younger audience to historical fiction, or even a way for people like me to revisit what feels like an old favourite.
June 16, 2018
****3.5 stars****
Me gustó mucho.
Pronto les contaré más.
Me gustó mucho.
Pronto les contaré más.
September 6, 2019
Kolejne beztalencie bierze się za temat wojny i Holokaustu i polewa go nieznośnym lukrem. Za to powinny być kary.
July 11, 2018
Juguetes, niños, muñecas, magia y el horror nazi. ¿Qué podía fallar? Una bellísima historia durante la ocupación nazi de Polonia. La creatividad, el amor y su magia luchando contra la barbarie y el sinsentido del odio racial. Una obra de arte a la altura de 'El niño del pijama de rayas', un cuento dentro de la brutal realidad.
Cuando vi este libro y leí su sinopsis algo me dijo que iba a ser bueno; no me equivoqué ni un ápice. Sin duda no hay que perder a su autora de vista porque nos traerá grandes cosas. Totalmente recomendable.
Cuando vi este libro y leí su sinopsis algo me dijo que iba a ser bueno; no me equivoqué ni un ápice. Sin duda no hay que perder a su autora de vista porque nos traerá grandes cosas. Totalmente recomendable.
March 5, 2018
3,75/5
Ha sido un libro con una historia muy bonita y dura. Una mezcla entre cuento y realidad.
Reseña completa: http://addicionaloslibros.blogspot.co...
Ha sido un libro con una historia muy bonita y dura. Una mezcla entre cuento y realidad.
Reseña completa: http://addicionaloslibros.blogspot.co...
October 13, 2020
Красива приказка, с жестока история, несъмнено не по-малко тежка от всяка история, в която Аушвиц е замесен, но в пъти по-въздействаща за мен от някои други популярни заглавия.
March 29, 2018
Мила и тъжна приказка, подходяща за деца между 10 и 13-14 години.
Специално искам да спомена чудесната корица, която предлага сетивно удоволствие дори на тактилно ниво.
Специално искам да спомена чудесната корица, която предлага сетивно удоволствие дори на тактилно ниво.
December 7, 2017
Anytime you pick up a book that is set during WWII you must be prepared for a sad or at the very least a bittersweet ending; even when it's a middle-grade book.
The Setting & Characters
The Dollmaker of Krakow is set in German occupied Poland. As a survivor of WWI whose missing a leg, the Dollmaker is a quiet, downtrodden older man. To me he felt like the kind of old man that you just want to hug and listen to all day long. I adore him.
As this is a middle grade (ages 9-11) book it conveys the horror of the treatment of the Jews and the Polish people in a way that children can understand. And even though I knew how it was likely to end and that not everyone could get out, I still couldn't wait to read more each time I had to put it down.
Our other main character is a doll that has come to life. This doll named Karolina, lived in the Land of the Dolls first and experienced a war herself. She is unlike Pinocchio in every way and instead is our Jiminy Cricket of the story, always telling us what is right and wrong.
Plot
The focus of the book is the telling of two parallel stories. One of the Land of the Dolls being invaded by rats (told in past tense) and the other of Poland being invaded by Germans (told as its transpiring). As the story is told from Karolina's perspective we have a constant voice asking why people are doing these things and questioning why the Germans are so awful; but also questioning why the adults don't fight back. This allows the story to be told in a way that keeps the message clear; the actions of the soldiers are wrong and immoral and that the Polish are afraid and most are not at fault. I like this treatment of the story and morality a lot. It allows R.M. Romero to keep the story true to actual events (ie: Jews being moved around and eventually onto the trains if the Germans aren't just outright killing them in the streets) without the need to lie about what happened.
I believe it's important we tell children the truth of events and situations so that they can know not to repeat these actions. If we ignore history and it's awful moments then I fear humans will make the same mistakes again. We must teach our children to have their eyes open and be able to identify fascism, racism, injustice, etc. early and then to try and give them the tools to fight back long before an army is invading.
Magic
There is some fictional magic in this book. It's used sparingly and really only to allow for two major events. First for Karolina to exist at all in our world (talking doll and all) and second for a major plot point to be plausible. I think it's brilliantly used and absolutely love that it's very specific and used sparingly. It helps keep the majority of the events in the story realistic.
Words
I have only one major complaint about this book. Which frankly is amazing as even some of my favourite books still have multiple issues.
Word choice is something that really good authors pay a lot of attention to and actually think about.
All of the vocabulary in The Dollmaker of Krakow is well chosen (for reading comprehension of the 9-11 age bracket and for tone and impact to the story). All except for one word.
Witch
This is what Karolina calls the Germans. Some are worst witches than others in the dolls mind and she does discuss that briefly. There is also a distinction made between magicians and witches (I will concede that witch is lowercase on all uses at least). A magician can be good or bad. I'm not sure why Romero decided to use the word witch, but I really hate it. Using it to describe the Germans soldiers perpetuates the use of witch as a word for someone evil or wrong.
In actual fact there are people who identify as Witches in modern day (yes my caps usage is intentional). Witches are commonly followers of Wicca but can be Pagans in general depending on who you ask. Witches are generally people who believe in nature as the strongest force in the world and follow the sentiment of 'If ye harm none, do what you will'. An obvious hurt no one belief and certainly contrary to the definition used.
I believe this is likely an innocent mistake by Romero to choose the word but it's still a mistake. If Romero wants a word for monster or evil that children would understand easily I believe there are much better choices.
Overall
Despite my cringe each time Karolina called a soldier a witch, I still absolutely loved this book. The Dollmaker of Krakow is a gem. Written in the magical voice of a little doll who comforts and helps a lonely old man; it's impossible not to be in love from the opening word to the final period.
If you are a crier I would recommend some tissues for sure. I'm not a crier but still nearly succumbed at one point. For me that is a showing of how amazing and powerful this story is.
This is a book that transcends age or genre. It tells the truth, and reminds the reader at every turn of what is right and wrong. In the scenarios in The Dollmaker of Krakow there are very few grey moments of morality. Instead it is black and white which I believe will help children understand the travesties better. Destroying people is never okay; whether the destruction is running people from their homes, starving them or (obviously) ending their lives.
A Special Spot
A spot next to The Book Thief and The Sky is Falling. is now being reserved on my shelf for The Dollmaker of Krakow. I can't imagine not adding it to my permanent library in a place of honour. It definitely deserves to be there next to other fantastic WWII children's novels.
To read this and more of my reviews visit my blog at Epic Reading
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
The Setting & Characters
The Dollmaker of Krakow is set in German occupied Poland. As a survivor of WWI whose missing a leg, the Dollmaker is a quiet, downtrodden older man. To me he felt like the kind of old man that you just want to hug and listen to all day long. I adore him.
As this is a middle grade (ages 9-11) book it conveys the horror of the treatment of the Jews and the Polish people in a way that children can understand. And even though I knew how it was likely to end and that not everyone could get out, I still couldn't wait to read more each time I had to put it down.
Our other main character is a doll that has come to life. This doll named Karolina, lived in the Land of the Dolls first and experienced a war herself. She is unlike Pinocchio in every way and instead is our Jiminy Cricket of the story, always telling us what is right and wrong.
Plot
The focus of the book is the telling of two parallel stories. One of the Land of the Dolls being invaded by rats (told in past tense) and the other of Poland being invaded by Germans (told as its transpiring). As the story is told from Karolina's perspective we have a constant voice asking why people are doing these things and questioning why the Germans are so awful; but also questioning why the adults don't fight back. This allows the story to be told in a way that keeps the message clear; the actions of the soldiers are wrong and immoral and that the Polish are afraid and most are not at fault. I like this treatment of the story and morality a lot. It allows R.M. Romero to keep the story true to actual events (ie: Jews being moved around and eventually onto the trains if the Germans aren't just outright killing them in the streets) without the need to lie about what happened.
I believe it's important we tell children the truth of events and situations so that they can know not to repeat these actions. If we ignore history and it's awful moments then I fear humans will make the same mistakes again. We must teach our children to have their eyes open and be able to identify fascism, racism, injustice, etc. early and then to try and give them the tools to fight back long before an army is invading.
Magic
There is some fictional magic in this book. It's used sparingly and really only to allow for two major events. First for Karolina to exist at all in our world (talking doll and all) and second for a major plot point to be plausible. I think it's brilliantly used and absolutely love that it's very specific and used sparingly. It helps keep the majority of the events in the story realistic.
Words
I have only one major complaint about this book. Which frankly is amazing as even some of my favourite books still have multiple issues.
Word choice is something that really good authors pay a lot of attention to and actually think about.
All of the vocabulary in The Dollmaker of Krakow is well chosen (for reading comprehension of the 9-11 age bracket and for tone and impact to the story). All except for one word.
Witch
This is what Karolina calls the Germans. Some are worst witches than others in the dolls mind and she does discuss that briefly. There is also a distinction made between magicians and witches (I will concede that witch is lowercase on all uses at least). A magician can be good or bad. I'm not sure why Romero decided to use the word witch, but I really hate it. Using it to describe the Germans soldiers perpetuates the use of witch as a word for someone evil or wrong.
In actual fact there are people who identify as Witches in modern day (yes my caps usage is intentional). Witches are commonly followers of Wicca but can be Pagans in general depending on who you ask. Witches are generally people who believe in nature as the strongest force in the world and follow the sentiment of 'If ye harm none, do what you will'. An obvious hurt no one belief and certainly contrary to the definition used.
I believe this is likely an innocent mistake by Romero to choose the word but it's still a mistake. If Romero wants a word for monster or evil that children would understand easily I believe there are much better choices.
Overall
Despite my cringe each time Karolina called a soldier a witch, I still absolutely loved this book. The Dollmaker of Krakow is a gem. Written in the magical voice of a little doll who comforts and helps a lonely old man; it's impossible not to be in love from the opening word to the final period.
If you are a crier I would recommend some tissues for sure. I'm not a crier but still nearly succumbed at one point. For me that is a showing of how amazing and powerful this story is.
This is a book that transcends age or genre. It tells the truth, and reminds the reader at every turn of what is right and wrong. In the scenarios in The Dollmaker of Krakow there are very few grey moments of morality. Instead it is black and white which I believe will help children understand the travesties better. Destroying people is never okay; whether the destruction is running people from their homes, starving them or (obviously) ending their lives.
A Special Spot
A spot next to The Book Thief and The Sky is Falling. is now being reserved on my shelf for The Dollmaker of Krakow. I can't imagine not adding it to my permanent library in a place of honour. It definitely deserves to be there next to other fantastic WWII children's novels.
To read this and more of my reviews visit my blog at Epic Reading
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
December 31, 2021
La verdad es que no se muy bien como empezar a reseñar este libro por como te sientes al leerlo...
Para empezar, la historia de este libro tiene dos protagonistas, una muñeca la cual vive en su mundo mágico, el País de las Muñecas, y un Polaco, nuestro protagonista, el Fabricante de muñecas, el cual vive en Cracovia.
Tras la guerra, y el derrocamiento de los reyes en el País de las Muñecas, Karolina, viaja hasta Cracovia, para encontrarse con el Fabricante de Muñecas, en el momento en que los alemanes están invadiendo Polonia durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial.
Ambos protas, se harán amigos, ambos se necesitan entre ellos, el tiene la capacidad de hacer magia, es capaz de transformar personas en muñecos... en esta guerra ambos se apoyaran y ayudaran mutuamente.
Nuestros dos protagonistas, se harán amigos, de dos judíos, y por los cuales harán lo que sea por salvarlos de la Guerra. Estos serán llevados a un Gueto y es ahí donde nuestros protagonistas harán de todo por ayudarlos..
Es una historia dura, porque el tema que trata sabemos que es muy duro, pero la autora es capaz de escribir esta historia de una manera tan sútil y "alegre" que la historia se hace super bonita y menos dura de lo que realmente es... muestra las cosas tal y como son pero de tal manera que puedes llegar a imaginarlo como realmente quieras, ya que mezcla magía y mundo real y eso es lo que hace que esta historia sea tan bonita.
Quizá me esperaba un poco mas, ya que al principio se hace algo lento, son las ultimas 50 páginas las que hacen que no puedas dejar el libro, las que mantiene un ritmo mas frenético...
Aun asi, es una historia muy recomendada, siempre recomiendo estas historias y estos temas, ya que todos debemos ser conscientes de lo que el ser humano es capaz de hacer a otro ser humano
Para empezar, la historia de este libro tiene dos protagonistas, una muñeca la cual vive en su mundo mágico, el País de las Muñecas, y un Polaco, nuestro protagonista, el Fabricante de muñecas, el cual vive en Cracovia.
Tras la guerra, y el derrocamiento de los reyes en el País de las Muñecas, Karolina, viaja hasta Cracovia, para encontrarse con el Fabricante de Muñecas, en el momento en que los alemanes están invadiendo Polonia durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial.
Ambos protas, se harán amigos, ambos se necesitan entre ellos, el tiene la capacidad de hacer magia, es capaz de transformar personas en muñecos... en esta guerra ambos se apoyaran y ayudaran mutuamente.
Nuestros dos protagonistas, se harán amigos, de dos judíos, y por los cuales harán lo que sea por salvarlos de la Guerra. Estos serán llevados a un Gueto y es ahí donde nuestros protagonistas harán de todo por ayudarlos..
Es una historia dura, porque el tema que trata sabemos que es muy duro, pero la autora es capaz de escribir esta historia de una manera tan sútil y "alegre" que la historia se hace super bonita y menos dura de lo que realmente es... muestra las cosas tal y como son pero de tal manera que puedes llegar a imaginarlo como realmente quieras, ya que mezcla magía y mundo real y eso es lo que hace que esta historia sea tan bonita.
Quizá me esperaba un poco mas, ya que al principio se hace algo lento, son las ultimas 50 páginas las que hacen que no puedas dejar el libro, las que mantiene un ritmo mas frenético...
Aun asi, es una historia muy recomendada, siempre recomiendo estas historias y estos temas, ya que todos debemos ser conscientes de lo que el ser humano es capaz de hacer a otro ser humano
May 29, 2018
I usually don't enjoy books with Polish touch written by not-Polish authors, because most often they are based on stereotypes and harmful presuppositions about Poles and Poland itself (see Bone Gap). But I like reading such books just to complain about them (yup, I’m one of those). I learned about “The Dollmaker of Kraków” from one of Regan’s (PeruseProject) videos and it caught my attention, because 1. the author is definitely not from Poland, and 2. it is set in Kraków, where I live atm and it is concerned with the Jews’ situation during the WWII. So yeah, it sounded like a beautiful disaster right away, I had to read it as soon as possible!
Since then, I was looking for the book everywhere and I finally managed to get it when I was in Warsaw last weekend. It’s fairly short and the font is quite big, so I went through it in just a couple of days. And, surprise surprise, I actually really enjoyed it! Yeah, some of the Polish names were misspelled, but so what? The story itself really nicely incorporates magical elements with the atrocities of war and life in an occupied city. “The Dollmaker of Kraków” is targeted at slightly younger audience, so the language wasn’t explicit at all, and yet the author managed to capture perfectly the situation of Poles and Jews with the use of metaphor and fantasy. In a nutshell, I really liked it, and you should read it.
I don’t know if a similar story exist in Polish literature, but I would love to see a Polish translation of “The Dollmaker of Kraków”. Job well done, Miss Romero!
Since then, I was looking for the book everywhere and I finally managed to get it when I was in Warsaw last weekend. It’s fairly short and the font is quite big, so I went through it in just a couple of days. And, surprise surprise, I actually really enjoyed it! Yeah, some of the Polish names were misspelled, but so what? The story itself really nicely incorporates magical elements with the atrocities of war and life in an occupied city. “The Dollmaker of Kraków” is targeted at slightly younger audience, so the language wasn’t explicit at all, and yet the author managed to capture perfectly the situation of Poles and Jews with the use of metaphor and fantasy. In a nutshell, I really liked it, and you should read it.
I don’t know if a similar story exist in Polish literature, but I would love to see a Polish translation of “The Dollmaker of Kraków”. Job well done, Miss Romero!
Read
July 22, 2017"You can destroy a person...but destroying their story is far more difficult. No one is ever really lost as long as their story still exists."
August 20, 2017
I really didn't know where to place this book - but not in a good way. I felt disconnected throughout the book, and will not be buying this for the library. The problem is that the author R.M. Romero seems not to know which audience she is actually writing the book for. One the one hand you have a dark story written about the second world war, set in Poland, which covers the treatment of the Jews by Hitler, ending up in the infamous camp of Auschwitz. This is dark and compelling, and would suit an audience of about 13-15 year olds. On the other hand the story is told through the eyes of a magical doll who has come to life and lives with a dollmaker in Krakow, who experiences these things. The dolly constantly harks back to a parallel life in the Land of the Dolls where everything is made of sweeties and gingerbread. This strand of the story would suit girls of around 7-9. Combining the two strands and very disparate audiences into one story sets your teeth on edge. I really couldn't get to grips with this book, even though I read it to the end to see if it got better. Not recommended at all.
July 17, 2018
Definitivamente uno de mis favoritos este año! Siempre me ha interesado leer sobre el holocausto, pero ¡wow!, esta lectura ha sido especial. Juguetes, niños, muñecas, magia y el horror nazi. ¿Qué podía fallar? Una bellísima historia durante la ocupación nazi de Polonia. La creatividad, el amor y su magia luchando contra la barbarie y el sinsentido del odio racial. Una obra de arte a la altura de 'El niño del pijama de rayas', un cuento dentro de la brutal realidad. Los capítulos finales me apachurraron mucho el corazón :'(
En resumen, El fabricante de muñecas es una maravillosa historia de pérdida, pero también una historia de esperanza y amor, que se encuentra en los momentos más oscuros.
Cafetería de Audrey... la isla perdida
En resumen, El fabricante de muñecas es una maravillosa historia de pérdida, pero también una historia de esperanza y amor, que se encuentra en los momentos más oscuros.
Cafetería de Audrey... la isla perdida
December 14, 2020
Un cuento precioso dentro de una situación horrorosa. Todo un canto a la esperanza, la amistad, el derecho a elegir de qué lado estás.
El fabricante de muñecas es un personaje adorable, achuchable, de esos que se quedan contigo.
Muy recomendable.
El fabricante de muñecas es un personaje adorable, achuchable, de esos que se quedan contigo.
Muy recomendable.
June 24, 2018
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Don’t read this in public,
F**********ck
Violets are blue,
Don’t read this in public,
F**********ck
August 23, 2019
4.5
"This world was marching into the dark, and Karolina was being pulled along with it. And in the dark, she knew that she would know loss in whatever terrible form it took."
...
The Dollmaker of Krakow by R.M. Romero is a story set during World War II in Krakow, Poland. When a lonely Dollmaker breathes life into a doll named Karolina, their lives are forever changed. The two form a fast friendship with a Jewish father and daughter, Jozef and Rena, and the happiness they share begins to eclipse the Dollmaker's loneliness. This shatters, however, when Nazi Germany invades Poland. New laws have been put into place that limit the freedom of Krakow's Jewish population, and the Dollmaker and Karolina will do whatever it takes to make sure Jozef and Rena are safe.
It's difficult for me to talk about this book, partly because the wounds it inflicted upon me are still raw. But oh, was it so good. I've found that middle-grade stories haven't really done it for me as of late, but The Dollmaker of Krakow surprised me. I haven't felt this enamored with a middle-grade book in a long time.
I think it's because this story could be read and enjoyed by anyone of all ages.
For one, Romero's writing was beautiful. She conveys deep emotion within a scene effortlessly. Granted, it was rather simplistic, but I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style, and Romero seamlessly blended magic and history into the story.
The characters were also delightful. I loved everyone.
Karolina was spunky and spirited, and her voice was a vibrant narrator for the story. She had a rigid sense of right and wrong that was ultimately put to question; how could good people turn their backs on the suffering of others? How could young men blame their misfortunes on a group of people that did nothing to them? In this story, Karolina is exposed to the horrors or war, and the messy nature of humanity.
But the living doll also experiences love, and family.
The Dollmaker, Cyril, was lovely. His growth throughout the story was incredibly rewarding, and the friendships he established, with Karolina, Jozef, and Rena were beautiful. In World War II, there were good people who turned their backs to suffering. But there were also heroes like the Dollmaker, who sacrificed everything for the people he loved. Like Cyril, you come to love Jozef and Rena too, and I felt bonded to this little found family.
Magic is blended into this historical fiction story, and it added a sense of whimsy to the narrative that never lessened the emotional impact of the story. Cyril, for one, has the ability to bring the toys in his shop to life. Sure, some things are left unexplained, but it never bothered me. My favorite magical element of the story was Janosik, the mystical thief with fiery red hair whose feet never touched the ground. I honestly wish we'd gotten more from him.
By the end of this story, I was emotionally drained. I truly do believe this is one of the best middle grade stories I've ever read. The elements of friendship, magic, and whimsy all coalesced beautifully in the war-torn setting of Krakow, Poland. If I were to describe this book by combining alike stories, I'd say this book is the lovechild of The Book Thief and Toy Story.
I highly recommend this lovely story!
"This world was marching into the dark, and Karolina was being pulled along with it. And in the dark, she knew that she would know loss in whatever terrible form it took."
...
The Dollmaker of Krakow by R.M. Romero is a story set during World War II in Krakow, Poland. When a lonely Dollmaker breathes life into a doll named Karolina, their lives are forever changed. The two form a fast friendship with a Jewish father and daughter, Jozef and Rena, and the happiness they share begins to eclipse the Dollmaker's loneliness. This shatters, however, when Nazi Germany invades Poland. New laws have been put into place that limit the freedom of Krakow's Jewish population, and the Dollmaker and Karolina will do whatever it takes to make sure Jozef and Rena are safe.
It's difficult for me to talk about this book, partly because the wounds it inflicted upon me are still raw. But oh, was it so good. I've found that middle-grade stories haven't really done it for me as of late, but The Dollmaker of Krakow surprised me. I haven't felt this enamored with a middle-grade book in a long time.
I think it's because this story could be read and enjoyed by anyone of all ages.
For one, Romero's writing was beautiful. She conveys deep emotion within a scene effortlessly. Granted, it was rather simplistic, but I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style, and Romero seamlessly blended magic and history into the story.
The characters were also delightful. I loved everyone.
Karolina was spunky and spirited, and her voice was a vibrant narrator for the story. She had a rigid sense of right and wrong that was ultimately put to question; how could good people turn their backs on the suffering of others? How could young men blame their misfortunes on a group of people that did nothing to them? In this story, Karolina is exposed to the horrors or war, and the messy nature of humanity.
But the living doll also experiences love, and family.
The Dollmaker, Cyril, was lovely. His growth throughout the story was incredibly rewarding, and the friendships he established, with Karolina, Jozef, and Rena were beautiful. In World War II, there were good people who turned their backs to suffering. But there were also heroes like the Dollmaker, who sacrificed everything for the people he loved. Like Cyril, you come to love Jozef and Rena too, and I felt bonded to this little found family.
Magic is blended into this historical fiction story, and it added a sense of whimsy to the narrative that never lessened the emotional impact of the story. Cyril, for one, has the ability to bring the toys in his shop to life. Sure, some things are left unexplained, but it never bothered me. My favorite magical element of the story was Janosik, the mystical thief with fiery red hair whose feet never touched the ground. I honestly wish we'd gotten more from him.
By the end of this story, I was emotionally drained. I truly do believe this is one of the best middle grade stories I've ever read. The elements of friendship, magic, and whimsy all coalesced beautifully in the war-torn setting of Krakow, Poland. If I were to describe this book by combining alike stories, I'd say this book is the lovechild of The Book Thief and Toy Story.
I highly recommend this lovely story!
October 3, 2018
Is it awful that I, a Jewish person, didn’t connect with this story? I liked it okay I guess? Don’t get me wrong, it was beautifully written and the each character had their own personality, but I just didn’t connect. I still liked the message it spread: it doesn’t matter if in the end you end up helping one person, it’s still one person more than no one.
3.5
3.5
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