Late-20th-century Kraków, where every stone and every brick is dear, and whose walls, when gazed upon by Pope John Paul II, inspired a heartfelt tr...
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reviews
Sep 02, 2009
Sarah
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This book appealed to the "-zewski" part of my family's former last name. Being of part Polish heritage, but not knowing anything about it, I sometimes yearn to know more about my family's history and culture. That's what drew me to Pasulka's debut book.
Two stories of very different Polands appear in alternate chapters. We see the rural Poland of World War II and those wrapped up in the Resistance, and we also see a modern young Polish woman struggling with her identity More...
Two stories of very different Polands appear in alternate chapters. We see the rural Poland of World War II and those wrapped up in the Resistance, and we also see a modern young Polish woman struggling with her identity More...
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Jan 02, 2012
Melinda
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I am reviewing the Audible.com. version of this book.
I didn't know what to expect from this book....but I truly loved it. It goes back and forth between the WWII years in Poland and the immediate aftermath and Poland in the 80's and 90's where change is still on the brink as they shed off their Soviet clothing and remember who they are as Poles. It flows easily between the two eras and the two eras are brought together in the end in a most beautiful, soft and complete way... the author More...
I didn't know what to expect from this book....but I truly loved it. It goes back and forth between the WWII years in Poland and the immediate aftermath and Poland in the 80's and 90's where change is still on the brink as they shed off their Soviet clothing and remember who they are as Poles. It flows easily between the two eras and the two eras are brought together in the end in a most beautiful, soft and complete way... the author More...
Jul 26, 2011
Stacy
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I really, really enjoyed this book. Firstly, I'm a history nerd, so I loved reading the story of Poland from it's (brief) independence between the two world wars, to it's struggle for survival during WWII, to it's suppression and subversion during the Soviet era, to the ""New Poland"" that is struggling to find itself during the post-Cold War world. This book is told in two different eras--one in pre-during-post WWII Poland and one in the ""New Poland"" of
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Jul 15, 2010
Jamie
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I love when you read a book thinking that it will probably be just a decent read but you begin to read and realize that you have a gem in your hands--a gem that you end up really loving. A Long Long Time Ago & Essentially True was that kind of experience for me.
Pasulka skillfully intertwines the two threads of the story until they become one--inextricably bound by Poland's history and the hope of a better future. The stories are told in alternating chapters. I've read books where the More...
Pasulka skillfully intertwines the two threads of the story until they become one--inextricably bound by Poland's history and the hope of a better future. The stories are told in alternating chapters. I've read books where the More...
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Mar 14, 2010
Jennyreadsexcessively
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Winner of the 2010 Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award for first novel. The reviews have been glowing. For me, however, I honestly felt that the first half dragged. The chapters alternate between the fairly standard story of a young woman making her way in modern Poland and the story of her grandparents in 1950's rural "Half-Village". I couldn't find enough story here of the NAZI invasion. And dare I say, the author is almost overindulgent in her use of authentic Polish words. (If only the
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Oct 31, 2011
Pamela
rated it:
Fiction about WWII seems to be a dime a dozen, and so whenever a new one catches my imagination and presents a new, different side of the war and how it impacted people, I’m impressed. This is the story of a family of Poles living in a mountain village when the Nazis arrive, and it is interwoven with the story of their 2nd and 3rd generation relatives in post-communist Poland. It is beautifully written, and is magical in the manner that the author interlinks the two stories of relationships, d
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Dec 17, 2010
Deana
rated it:
I honestly chose this book because I was bored while in San Fransisco - I went out exploring and found a book store, a great way to cure boredom. I stayed there for about an hour trying to choose a book to take back with me to help me stay less bored for the next few days. But this book kept drawing me back. I think it was the cover that did it; the cover is wonderful. And I couldn't escape the feeling that if I chose something different I'd be missing out.
I wasn't disappointed. I re More...
I wasn't disappointed. I re More...
Mar 18, 2011
Diane
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World War II is looming, and a young man nicknamed Pigeon, from a place called Half-Village, falls in love with the most beautiful girl of the mountain village. Pigeon knows a bit about women, growing up with eight sisters of his own. To prove his sincere intentions about the beautiful, Anielica Hetmanski, he offers to transform her family's hut-like home into something beautiful. Pigeon is said to have “golden hands” and is an extremely talented craftsman. As a result, his accomplishments and
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Jan 31, 2010
Mark
rated it:
Charming, funny, sad, witty, moving...all these describe this gorgeous first novel by Brigid Pasulka. Set in both World War II and present Poland (and the times in between), A Long, Long Time Ago and Essentially True is a ringing affirmation of the value of sacrifice of one generation for the next, whether for the building of a family or a nation.
The story is built in alternating chapters. One set tells the tale of a family in a remote Polish mountain village starting just before the More...
The story is built in alternating chapters. One set tells the tale of a family in a remote Polish mountain village starting just before the More...
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Nov 03, 2009
Christine
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Ash and I were at the library and she picked this up because of the cover art -- then when she read the jacket, handed it to me. Yep, another WWII memoir, but a novel this time, and it has two alternating-by-chapter voices -- what happened in the late 30's, early '40's, in Poland; and then the granddaughter of the main characters from the earlier days living in a different, modern-day Poland. Having just read "Clara's War", and now this, I feel I certainly know a whole lot more about
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May 17, 2010
Ala
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I felt a kinship to this book and it had an interesting effect on me due to my heritage. There were a lot of Polish words at the beginning which I understood, and were usually explained in context, but they may not be as easy to understand for a non-native speaker. The story line was touching and seemingly historically accurate. (My knowledge being based on certain first-hand accounts from family members.) There was a section in the middle that seemed, I don't know, inconsistent maybe? Not from
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Oct 05, 2009
Mary
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The book is really two stories that eventually come together. The first is set in Krakow in the 1990s, newly democratic and out from under Soviet rule. Beata is a young woman who moves to the city to live with her aunt and erstwhile cousin, and is trying to figure out how to avoid living her life as just a Polish barmaid.
The second story is set in Poland during World War II, and it's one of the sweetest, saddest, most beautiful love stories I've ever read.
Pasulka stumbl More...
The second story is set in Poland during World War II, and it's one of the sweetest, saddest, most beautiful love stories I've ever read.
Pasulka stumbl More...
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May 04, 2011
Shannon
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Another story from my favourite genre: stories set in WW2. This book sets every second chapter as the courtship of two lovers living in a mountainside village and the onset of the war. Every other chapter is their granddaughter who is living in the postwar city. I absolutely loved the chapters about the Pigeon and Half-Village but the chapters surrounding Baba Yaga in Krakow had their charm too. The end was a heartwarming reunion, good thing to because I could use some warm fuzzies after a few h
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Feb 01, 2010
Bonnie
rated it:
I have a hard time picking out good books just by browsing at the library but this time I hit a home run. I'm not ashamed to say that it was just the cute cover design that drew me to it, but by the first couple of pages I was hooked. The novel follows two parallel stories, both of which take place in Poland. The first is the love story of a beautiful village sweetheart and her unlikely suitor: big-nosed and awkward but willing to go to the ends of the earth and beyond for her. The second st
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Dec 28, 2011
Emily
rated it:
As an American of Polish ancestry I was intrigued when my book club picked this book. It took me a little bit to get into it, but once I did I thought it flowed really well. I especially enjoyed the story of Pigeon and Anielica. Their story was so sweet, but also really sad. I did not enjoy Baba Jaga, Magda, and Irena's story as much. It was really rather depressing. They just all seemed so lost. I kept hoping with all the earlier generations struggles that their life would be better, but
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Jan 01, 2010
Jess
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Won this particular book in a contest. Wouldn't have picked it up on my own (I'm more a SFF gal), but I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was.
It's a very moving tale. It blends the stories of two families in old and new Poland, and shows how their lives are intertwined. I won't go into much detail, but this book evokes some very powerful emotional responses. The failures and triumphs of the cast of characters are so real and impactful, you can't help but be drawn in to see More...
It's a very moving tale. It blends the stories of two families in old and new Poland, and shows how their lives are intertwined. I won't go into much detail, but this book evokes some very powerful emotional responses. The failures and triumphs of the cast of characters are so real and impactful, you can't help but be drawn in to see More...
Jul 15, 2010
Greg
rated it:
"History is not dead – it is just fascinating to see it at work in the present.” (The Times UK). Pasulka toggles back and forth between WWII/Stalinist Poland and present-day Krakow. Binding them together somewhat magically is the living memory of her grandmother Anielica and her romance with "the Pigeon." The narrator, who goes by the nickname, Baba Yaga, pulls it all together in a remarkable 8 pages near the end, in two identically named chapters. Pasulka is actually quite a comi
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Sep 20, 2010
Richelle
rated it:
This was a wonderfully touching story which weaved together the lives of two Polish families over the course of fifty years while telling the history of Poland at the same time. My family is extremely proud of our Polish heritage, so I was drawn to this book mostly for that reason. There aren't many contemporary works of fiction set in Poland, so I really enjoyed reading about Poland in the 90s. Plus, the many Krakow references reminded me of my sister's and my magical trip to Poland. My only ne
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Jul 14, 2010
Tera
rated it:
A well woven story that is two stories in one. Just when one story started to get slow for me the other would pick up the pace. I alternated between wanting to read the story long long ago and the modern day story. I thought the author did a great job of creating a fairy tale and a modern story and connecting them over the course of the book. The one thing I would change was the over use of polish words. Nearly every paragraph had a polish word in it and while I understand that it lends its
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May 20, 2010
Lauren
rated it:
The story of a family in Poland at two different points in history (World War II and the end of Communism), this book has all the pieces for a wonderful book. Together, though, the two stories do not quite mesh, and the entire book feels off, as if something is missing to fully unite everything. It's honestly driving me slightly crazy that I can't put my finger on what about this book didn't work, because I feel like I should be talking about how this book knocked my socks off instead of how the
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Feb 28, 2010
Lizzy
rated it:
Pasulka tells a charming tale of intertwining lives that tugs at the place of one's heart that has ever yearned for a better life. Juxtaposing the lives of the Pigeon and Anielica and their hardships through World War II alongside Beata (Baba Yaga) and her challenges through modern day Poland, provide a poignant picture of what our ancestors struggled to grasp, which is the same that we seek out: love, purpose, and companionship. The stories are not contrived; rather, I felt as if Pasulka cou
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Jun 21, 2011
Carrie
rated it:
Picked this one up on a whim thinking it would be a good book to read at the pool - something light. What I got was a moving story of a grandmother and granddaughter, alternately, trying to live through wartime Poland and post-communism Poland. The author does a beautiful job in expressing the feelings of her characters - I really felt the push/pull of their situations. I also agree with many other reviewers that a glossary would have been a very welcome addition, as would a pronunciation gu
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Jul 20, 2010
Anderson's Bookshops
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Carol K. said: "Ah, so much about this book reminded me of my Polish grandmother, Busha. I loved the subtle humor in this novel, but mostly I loved reading about the lives of "Pigeon" and his beloved Anielica & the hardships they endured under the Germans and their stubborn resistance to Russion occupation. Modern day Poland is described through the life of Baba Yaga, granddaughter of Pigeon & Anielica, & the story alternates & contrasts these different lifestyles. Excuse me. I'
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Nov 27, 2009
Hannah
rated it:
Beautiful, poignant, sad, yet hopeful - this book is going on my yearly reread shelf. The writing is warm and personable, the characters entirely believable. Early on, I predicted where the story was going only to be proved wrong many times. But really the plot is only another character in a story of humanity. Never have I felt more attached to my little amber heart I wear everyday bought from a street vender in Krakow.
Thank you for the recommendation, Lydia. I couldn't put it down, More...
Thank you for the recommendation, Lydia. I couldn't put it down, More...
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Dec 13, 2010
Allison
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I cried at the end of this book. It was just beautiful. In the beginning I struggled a little because the Polish names and words are so difficult and it became very obvious how little I know about the history of Poland. But by the end of this book, I was completely in love. In love with the country, in love with the people, and completely amazed at their stories.
The book is a perfect meshing of past and present. I am amazed at the author's skill in telling these very different stories More...
The book is a perfect meshing of past and present. I am amazed at the author's skill in telling these very different stories More...
Jul 11, 2010
Carol
rated it:
Ah, so much about this book reminded me of my Polish grandmother, Busha. I loved the subtle humor in this novel, but mostly I loved reading about the lives of "Pigeon" and his beloved Anielica & the hardships they endured under the Germans and their stubborn resistance to Russion occupation. Modern day Poland is described through the life of Baba Yaga, granddaughter of Pigeon & Anielica, & the story alternates & contrasts these different lifestyles. Excuse me. I'm off to make mysel
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Jan 09, 2010
Tom
rated it:
A hit-and-miss first novel, the majority of the odd-numbered chapters read like a folktale in which a young man nicknamed "The Pigeon" woos his dream girl, fights Nazis, defies the communists, and makes a life for himself until the sad conclusion of that section. The rest of the book tells of the Pigeon's granddaughter Beata living in 1990s Krakow. These chapters are a bit less interesting as Beata seems to be rather directionless. This is intended, but it also makes her sections of
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Jan 08, 2012
Rachel
rated it:
A long long time ago in a little Polish village, on the eve of the Nazi invasion, there lived a girl so beautiful that she was called Anielica, because her face was that of an angel's. And there also lived a boy who was called the Pigeon, because his nose was as beaked and ugly as the bird's. The Angel was as kind as she was beautiful and the Pigeon, while not handsome, was smart and resourceful, confident and brave. In order to stand out from the scores of suitors who sought Anielica's hand, th
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Jun 13, 2011
DC
rated it:
It's such a wonderful love story, and not quite cliche. It's not just about romance though- it also deals with history, friendship and family.
It was a little difficult for me to read at the start (it seemed to be in the middle of things), but it gets easier and more gripping with each page. Also, the storytelling weaves present and past-- each interconnected, each with a unique story. All in all, it was quite nicely done; the transition of emotions and ambiances was smooth and simple. More...
It was a little difficult for me to read at the start (it seemed to be in the middle of things), but it gets easier and more gripping with each page. Also, the storytelling weaves present and past-- each interconnected, each with a unique story. All in all, it was quite nicely done; the transition of emotions and ambiances was smooth and simple. More...
Nov 10, 2011
Risa
rated it:
I had never heard of this book when I came across it at my favourite book store. I was glancing through the "new arrivals" section when its cover caught my eye. Actually, it was not the cover alone but the title itself. Who wouldn't, especially if they loved fairy tales, stop in their tracks at site of a title that begins with "a long long time ago..."? A quick glance through the blurb at the back added to my firm decision to buy this book.
I had never, until I rea More...
I had never, until I rea More...
