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    The Medallion
    The Medallion
    The Medallion
    Audiobook14 hours

    The Medallion

    Written by Cathy Gohlke

    Narrated by Stina Nielsen

    4.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    For fans of bestselling World War II fiction like Sarah's Key and The Nightingale comes an illuminating tale of courage, sacrifice, and survival, about two couples whose lives are ravaged by Hitler's mad war yet eventually redeemed through the fate of one little girl. Seemingly overnight, the German blitzkrieg of Warsaw in 1939 turns its streets to a war zone and shatters the life of each citizen-Polish, Jewish, or otherwise. Sophie Kumiega, a British bride working in the city's library, awaits news of her husband, Janek, recently deployed with the Polish Air Force. Though Sophie is determined that she and the baby in her womb will stay safe, the days ahead will draw her into the plight of those around her, compelling her to help, whatever the danger. Rosa and Itzhak Dunovich never imagined they would welcome their longed-for first child in the Jewish ghetto, or that they would let anything tear their family apart. But as daily atrocities intensify, Rosa soon faces a terrifying reality: to save their daughter's life, she must send her into hiding. Her only hope of finding her after the war-if any of them survive-is a medallion she cuts in half and places around her neck. Inspired by true events of Poland's darkest days and brightest heroes, The Medallion paints a stunning portrait of war and its aftermath, daring us to believe that when all seems lost, God can make a way forward.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateJun 4, 2019
    ISBN9781980036593
    The Medallion
    Author

    Cathy Gohlke

    Cathy Gohlke is a Christy, Carol, and INSPY award-winning author who writes novels steeped with inspirational lessons from history. Her stories reveal how people break the chains that bind them and triumph over adversity through faith. When not traveling to historic sites for research, she and her husband, Dan, divide their time between northern Virginia and the Jersey Shore, enjoying time with their grown children and grandchildren. For more information, visit CathyGohlke.com.

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    Reviews for The Medallion

    4.5/5

    55 ratings14 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Absolutely the best I’ve read from her’s so far. Riveting!
    • 5/5
      The history, love, atrocities, characters, made me listen straight through! *****
    • 5/5
      Excellent portrayal of how things were or could have been during harsh times of war. Well read and the wrap-up after the ending is the “icing on the cake”. Thanks to all who help bring us opportunities to learn.
    • 5/5
      Once again Cathy Gohlke has written a masterful story about WWII with "The Medallion". Any work on that time period has to include the atrocities and horrors which occurred then. As hard as it is to read about, she mixes in courage, hope, and the goodness of others as God works in the midst of all the evil. He raises up people to stand with and for Him. It is an amazing story as well as being inspirational. A must-read for anyone studying or interested in WWII.
    • 3/5
      I have such mixed feelings about The Medallion by Cathy Gohlke. The well-written narrative oozed with historical research that created a very authentic atmosphere. Plot twists and sympathetic characters held my attention night after night as I read this. Unfortunately, the atrocities depicted in the novel are deeply disturbing. The Medallion was a heavy read that felt so very dark and sad. In spite of the good actions of some characters and a hopeful ending, I wasn’t able push past the darkness of the tragedies. Sadly, it was the darkness, not the hope, that lingered in my mind for days after reading The Medallion.
    • 5/5
      Cathy Gohlke has a talent for writing heart-wrenching stories, and The Medallion is no exception. Inspired by true events, it’s a story that stirs all the emotions and lingers long after the last page is read. I highly recommend it.As only a war can, World War II disrupts the lives of two couples living in Warsaw. Struggling to survive, Sophie, Janek, Rosa, and Itzhak face heartbreaking challenges and opportunities. To endure them, it takes sacrifice, risk, courage, love, and a whole lot of hope.The Medallion is an emotional story (be prepared with tissues!), but one you will not regret reading. It’s historical fiction at its finest, as well as an experience I will not soon forget.I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.
    • 5/5
      With each stroke of the pen a word brings life into a story that deepens your emotions and grabs your soul with heartbreak. The author has delivered one of the most soul searching stories ever written. We don’t just read what the characters go through, she allows us to feel it with penetrating words. Survival is a strong word in this story as characters must hide from an enemy who wants nothing more than to eliminate them. It is hard to imagine that hatred of a certain race was so prevalent that the only outcome for many was death. The camps were deplorable and food was so scarce that a morsel was a treasure to get. There are a few characters that really stand out for their determination and bravery. As I read the story I cried for the lost souls who died because of prejudice. There was no mercy, only pain and agonizing suffering . Can you imagine what it would be like to send your child away to keep them safe not knowing if you would ever reunite with them? Freedom for some is just a word said in passing. Freedom for some is being able to walk the streets without fear, to worship without retribution and freedom is everything to these characters that the author shares with us. Her ability to make a story play out in front of you is a gift only a few can accomplish. This sentence broke me as I read it; “ You don’t even know what it’s like to be hungry , to be so cold you fear you might die before morning if you sleep -you fear and you hope.” That is what the characters in this book endured and the author helps us understand what being captive, hated and tortured means . I couldn't put the book down because the characters had become like family. I needed to know if they were safe. I prayed that the gift given to a small child would bring her back to her family.I needed to finish the story and remind myself that freedom is not to be taken for granted.I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
    • 4/5
      The Medallion by Cathy Gohlke is a stand-alone story of World War Two. Warsaw, Poland was a very dangerous place to be in 1939. The Nazis had invaded and were bent on the annihilation of all Jews. This is a story of just some of the heroes. When it looks like the very end has come Rosa sends her small daughter out of the ghetto with only a half of a medallion as her hope of ever finding her again after the war. The courage and sacrifice of the people during the war is always so powerful. As I read this story it was at times, hard to see the print because of the tears in my eyes. The author did such a great job of bringing the characters to life. Their struggles, their fears and finally their courage to not give up knowing that God is always in control and will not leave you even in your darkest moments.I received this book from Celebrate-Lit in exchange for my honest review.
    • 5/5
      Title: The MedallionAuthor: Cathy GohlkePages: 432Year: 2019Publisher: TyndaleMy rating: 5 out of 5 starsCathy Gohlke’s novels are very touching and are able to impact the heart via one of her stories. Here is one of her best! The story takes place in Poland, beginning in 1938 with the wedding of Itzak and Rosa Dunovich. From there, readers are thrust in the turmoil that occurs in Poland during WWII. The author does a fantastic job of switching between the Dunovich couple to the Kumiega’s. At first, I didn’t see where or how these two couples’ lives would intersect. As I read the Author’s Note to Readers section at the end of the book, fact and fiction were revealed.As I progressed through the book, there were times I found my heart in my throat as I was caught up in the lives of the characters. The scenes painted with words truly draw the readers into the suffering, sorrow, pain, turmoil and hatred that was present, especially during the war against the Jewish people and anyone who dared assist them in anyway.I knew the story would be in a real way hard to read because it presents fictionally, though based in fact, what people suffered, especially the children. I am glad though that I didn’t stop with the story but persevered till the very end. The story is truly magnificent in many ways, but what I will remember is the power of love, sacrifice, and forgiveness that shines brighter and brighter in the novel.If you haven’t ever read Cathy’s books, you’re definitely missing experiences that reach into the soul of readers, taking them through a tale to the point where the reality of God is evident. I was touched by the true heroes and heroines in the book based on real people who dared to fight against pure evil. There is such hope that is felt as pages are turned and the story of the couples mentioned above intertwine to show how God can bring beauty from ashes.I believe that the real people who did what they could for the Jewish people weren’t looking for any kind of reward or acknowledgment. Many lost their lives when they were found out. Families were torn apart and generations lost. We should learn from those who have gone before us and stand against any type of anti-Semitism. I thank Cathy for writing the story and sharing it with people. It is a very moving book and one I highly recommend it!Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.
    • 5/5
      I believe that this will be one of my all time favorite books ever by Cathy Gohlke. It will also be on my top ten books I have ever read. I don’t think that I have ever read such an in depth look at WWll in the eyes of the Polish people. I don’t think I ever knew just how horribly they were treated. This does hit close to home because some of my relatives came from Poland. I laughed and cried a lot during this book. I could not put this down. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
    • 5/5
      ‘The world can be better if there’s love, tolerance and humility’ - Irena Sendler August 1938 ‘I give you this medallion for you and for our children’s children’. Its 1939 and Warsaw is being bombed by the Germans. Safety seems to be a thing of the past. New identities are being forged for those who might be questioned and arrested. The Jewish people are required to wear a band on their sleeve to identify themselves. Curfew is set and one dare not break it lest you be shot. The ghetto is being built and the Jews are ‘encouraged to move in for their safety’! Food is scarce and people are dying in the streets. I can’t imagine the fear the mothers felt when they gave their babies to Yolanda (Irena Sendler) to be cared for by willing strangers. Was it possible that they would ever see them again?Help when help is needed regardless of the cost - a statement that I have to wonder how many of us would be ready to pay that cost. The extraordinary detail given by the author captivated my thoughts even after I was no longer reading. It really is hard to believe the savagery that was perpetrated against the Jewish people and those who sympathized with them. These atrocities must never happen again! ‘Nothing will happen is you do not believe, if you do not hope!’ Hope is seen in many characters, not the least of which is a little girl who brings some healing to two different families. I highly recommend this fabulous book which will have you crying, sitting on the edge of your seat holding your breath and wondering if learning to live is even possible after surviving such horror. I received this ARC through NetGalley and CelebrateLit. A positive review was not expected and the impressions and opinions given are my own.
    • 5/5
      Cathy Gohlke is a new-to-me author. I have seen her books all over the web, but hadn’t had a chance to read any until her latest WWII-era novel, The Medallion, was released. I am now a big fan of this talented author and cannot wait to dig into more of her books. The Medallion is a challenging read — it is filled with heartbreak and despair, yet has an underlying message of hope and love in the midst of the cruelest of situations. And though many of its images were hard to take, I just could not put down this riveting novel. Told with sensitivity and grace, The Medallion is one of the best novels I have read all year. It definitely earns a very highly recommended rating.Set from the time of the Nazi invasion of Poland through the harrowing war years and the rebuilding following the demise of the Nazi regime, The Medallion focuses on the heroism of ordinary people determined to do whatever they can to save lives, especially those of the children of Warsaw’s ghetto. There are two parallel stories — Itzhak and Rosa, a young Jewish couple with an infant who are forced into the ghetto, and Sophie, a British woman married to a Polish pilot who resolves not to play it safe, but to work against the enemy. The two stories intersect and intertwine midway through the book. The abrupt devastation that the invasion brought to both Poles and Jews is vividly described. Even though I have read many books set in this time period, Gohlke communicated it in a way I have never experienced. Sacrifice, danger, daring, and bravery are exhibited throughout the book, even in the midst of circumstances that were truly hopeless. The characters are both ordinary and extraordinary — they faced fears and doubts, yet drew from a deep well of tenacity, perseverance, and faith. I loved how the author drew upon real life events and historical figures to bring a greater depth to the reading experience. The message of God’s sovereignty is powerfully portrayed, yet the book is never preachy. Many lived out their convictions in the face of great danger and often certain death. I especially loved how God’s orchestration of events is shown in spite of man’s attempts to manipulate them.I could go on and on about this many layered story. But instead I will just say, read this book! The Medallion is one that will stay with you for a very long time. I promise you will want to talk about it, so just go ahead and get your book club or group of friends reading it too. You (and them) will not be sorry!Very Highly Recommended.Great for book clubs.Audience: adults.(Thanks to Celebrate Lit for a complimentary copy. All opinion expressed are mine alone.)
    • 4/5
      This is one of the most difficult books that I have ever read. In all honesty, were it not for the fact that I was reading it for review, I would have set it aside or at least read it in small portions. I took English classes focused on the Holocaust during college and have read a fair amount of literature from and about that time period. However, Cathy Gohlke’s “The Medallion” really struck a nerve. It took me a while to adjust to the alternating viewpoints of the chapters, which eventually converge, because from the very beginning I fell headlong into the harrowing world Gohlke describes and had to reset my mind when the characters changed with the next chapter so that I did not confuse one storyline with the other. Several of the characters in the story are real historical figures, and some of the plotline is inspired by true events. That, coupled with the focus on relationships and hardships both during and after WWII, truly tore at my heartstrings. Be forewarned: this is not a light, happily-ever-after read. The devastation and horror are compounded by the realization that they are historically accurate. This story raises many tough questions, some of which are addressed in the discussion questions provided at the end of the book. “The Medallion” takes readers from the early days of the war to its aftermath, and the journey is heartbreaking. Sophie Kumiega is not Jewish but encounters the dangers and desolation wrought by the German occupation of Poland, leading her to work for the underground and to take over care of a Jewish toddler, Ania. Through Rosa and Itzhak Dunovich, Ania’s parents, readers witness life in the Warsaw ghetto and what comes after. Unlike many Holocaust narratives, “The Medallion” does not take place in a concentration camp, save for a brief scene. Learning about the work of the underground and those working within that network to save lives sheds light on the heroics of those who challenged the Nazi agenda. Just as compelling is part two, which takes place after the war ends. It is an important reminder of how unsettled and dangerous the world still was for the refugees. Post-traumatic stress plays a role as well, and I was glad that the author included this because it was doubtless a struggle for all of the survivors, including those who were not Jewish, and obviously the struggle did not end when peace was declared. The fate of the children aided through the underground network and what it meant for their future becomes a key element in the second section. Although “The Medallion” is heartrending and sobering, I would still recommend it, especially for anyone who is not familiar with the impact of the German occupation of Poland during WWII. The faith element offers both a refuge in the midst of the tragedy and the hope of redemption. One thing that opened my eyes was that the Jewish aversion to Jesus resulted in part because the German oppressors claimed to be Christians. Still, faith in God guides the characters, Jewish and Gentile alike, throughout the trials of war and its reverberations, and it is the same faith that is available to each and every one of us today. This is one of the main messages of the story, that true faith means taking action and putting others before oneself, hopefully causing onlookers to question their unbelief. I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
    • 5/5
      How could a book based on fact and telling about true events have even happened, a world gone mad? Hate so very evil, and then I think, all these years later that hate is still there.We are putting faces on those that lived in, mostly Poland, during that horrible time in history. The author does a wonderful job bringing this time alive, and we need not forget. We also get a twist with a survivor child and the emotions of all that has happened come to a head. You will see how broken hearts mend, and who is there in the end having survived, but how?A don’t miss read, and it is that good! I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Tyndale House, and was not required to give a positive review.