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Ask the Author: Georgia Hunter

“Ask me a question.” Georgia Hunter

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Hi Georgia, i have just finishied binge-watching „We were the lucky ones”. I came from Radom and although I do not live there anymore I know the places where your family used to live. This is so incredibly sad that all this rich jewish culture is gone from Poland. I have a question regarding the hiding place of Sol and Nechuma - do you know if the family hiding them received Righteous Among the Nations?
Georgia Hunter Hello Joanna, this is such a great question - I don't know if the family that helped to hide my great-grandparents was ever honored. I wish I did!
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I'm starting the book after becoming completely obsessed with the show . I also read a little about how you discovered your origins and I wanted to know: before you were 15yo didn't your grandfather tell you about his past? And weren't there family gatherings where these stories were shared? Besides him and Felicia, did you meet other members of the story? TY
Georgia Hunter Dear Camila,

Thanks for your message, and I’m glad to hear you liked the “We Were the Lucky Ones” series. I hope you enjoy the book too.

My grandfather spoke about his childhood in Poland and about his journey to Brazil, but not about the ravages of the Holocaust itself. I did learn about the family’s World War II past at a family reunion in 2000.

As for which relatives I knew, besides Addy, Felicia and my grandmother Caroline, I met my great aunt Halina, my cousin Josef (still alive), and of course all the children of the second generation. If you read the book, you can learn more about my family research in the Author’s Note at the end, and also on my website here.

Sending warm wishes for a happy and healthy new year!

Georgia
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I absolutely loved reading "We Were the Lucky Ones" so thank you for writing it. You said it took almost a decade of research, travel, interviews, and drafting to put out the book. I can imagine that at times, what you discovered was heavy and quite emotionally taxing. Was there ever a point you wanted to give up and drop the whole idea? And if so, what kept you going?
Georgia Hunter I'm so glad you enjoyed the book! The research was challenging, for sure, and sometimes the hardest part was imagining myself in the shoes of my relatives as they navigated the war/did all that they could to stay alive. It was quite emotionally taxing at times, but I never thought to give up on the research or the writing. I found piecing together the narrative (and in turn coming to understand my ancestry) incredibly rewarding.
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Georgia, thank you for sharing your family’s story. It is truly amazing. I have just finished watching the series which was fabulous. What an amazing heritage you are part of. Are you pleased you pursued this and shared it with the world? Sally Haldane
Georgia Hunter Hello Sally, thank you for the kind words about my book! Unearthing and recording my family's story - to the page and now to the screen - has been life-changing. Challenging in many ways, but both projects were incredibly rewarding. Beyond grateful and honored to be able to share the story with the world! Warmly, Georgia
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Would love to meet you in Houston. I am involved with the Alley Theatre who sponsors author talks called Inprint. I could set you up with a meeting, if you like. Is that something you'd be interested in?
Georgia Hunter Hello Jan, thanks for thinking of me for an author talk! I run my engagements through Penguin Speaker's Bureau - feel free to reach out to them:

https://www.prhspeakers.com/speaker/g...

Warmly,
Georgia
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Eliska is my great aunt. The ship left Nice and was held up in Casablanca. Eventually making it to Rio. My father, who still lives in Rio, has a lot of documents and possibly stories that could complement your research. My father knows of the story of Eliska and Addy. Would you be interested in me connecting you? @gord, Eliska and Jiri (my grandfather) are from Brno, Tchesklovakia.
Georgia Hunter Hello Thomas!

I had the honor of meeting Eliska in my research, before she passed. What an incredible woman she was. I wrote a blog post about my time with her:

https://georgiahunterauthor.com/on-va...

I've been in close touch since with her grand-daughter, Emma, who's been a wonderful resource. Feel free to contact me via email if you'd like to connect me with your father!

georgia@georgiahunterauthor.com

Warmly,
Georgia
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Actually, I'm way behind and just discovered the Hulu/Star+ series. I’ve always been very curious about the Holocaust, and it makes me reflect on the darker aspects of our world. I’m definitely going to buy the book, but I hope there’s a Spanish version available. Do you have any information about Felicia? Did she have any children?
Georgia Hunter
This answer contains spoilers… (view spoiler)
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I loved your book! I've read it, and listened to the audio version. I have also watched the series on Hulu at least 3 times. I'm curious as to when Sol and Nechuma died. Also, what happened to Genek and Jakob? They died very young.
Georgia Hunter Dear Donna,

Thanks for your message, and I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed “We Were the Lucky Ones” in both book and television form!

In the 1950s, several years after the families were settled in Brazil and the United States, Sol and Nechuma (born in the 1880s) and Genek and Jakob died of natural causes.

With best regards,

Georgia
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Hi Georgia! Thank you for writing We Were the Lucky Ones ❤️ the way you feel about your grandfather Addy is the same way I feel about mine. My great grandfather was a medic in WW2 and helped liberate Buchenwald concentration camp. You have inspired me to write about his life story. 🙏🏼 how old were you when you got the idea to write about your family? Were you hesitant to share it with the world?
Georgia Hunter Dear Bailee,

I’m so glad you’re inspired to write about your family history! I know it will be rewarding.

I was 15 when I first learned, thanks to a high-school research assignment, that I came from a family of Holocaust survivors. I started researching and writing in earnest in my 20’s. Once I got the blessings of all my living relatives, I was happy to share the story with the world.

I wish you the best of luck in your own writing project!

Warmly,
Georgia
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Hi Georgia, I absolutely loved your book! Just a curious question; is Felicia your cousin or Great-Aunt? I was just wondering if relationships are defined differently in Judaism. Thank you. Maria
Georgia Hunter Hi Maria, thanks for the kind words about my book! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I call Felicia my great-aunt :) Warmly, Georgia
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Is Kurc the real name of some of your family members? My family, that experienced the Holcaust in much the same way yours did, have the surname of Kurcbard. The family originally came from a small town in Poland called Konskie and settled later on in Lodz. Truly enjoyed and related to your book. Genevieve Kurcbard Juodvalkis
Georgia Hunter Hello Genevieve, yes Kurc is my family's real surname. My grandfather Americanized his name to Courts when he moved to the States but his siblings and their descendants still go by Kurc. Sounds like have some parallels in our family histories. Thank you for sharing!
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I’m trying to find a copy of your book One Good Thing. I cannot find it at used book stores, libraries, Barnes and Noble. Why isn’t it available anymore? Thank you. Carole Rose crose9946@comcast.net
Georgia Hunter Hi Carole! One Good Thing is a work in progress - keep an eye out for it in 2024/early 2025! Warmly, Georgia
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Hello, Thank you so much for writing your family’s story. I just finished the book this morning and honestly I didn’t realize till I read the Author’s Note at the end how close to the facts the individual stories were. I was curious about the family today and found information on geni.com. It looks like there was another sister named Cipora. I’m wondering about that, if that is true and what happened to her?
Georgia Hunter Hi Jean, sadly Cipora died in infancy, a not-uncommon occurrence in those days. Thanks for reaching out and I hope you enjoyed the book! Best, Georgia
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This is perhaps a thank you note for Georgia Hunter for researching, writing and sharing this profound and uplifting (in the end) account?. Her very personal and empathetic writing is healing for those of us who who read it. It is to be recommended reading for Year Nine on up to and including adults.
Georgia Hunter Hi Sarah, thank you for the kind words 🙏🏼 I love knowing how moved you were by my family’s story - it was a true labor of love to research and record ❤️ Thanks for the read and again for taking the time to write! Warmly, Georgia
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Loved your book! My family is also from Poland/Ukraine (what was formerly Galecia) so I related very much to the scenery and traditions of Polish families. I notice that Jakob and Genek did not live long lives - how did they die? Were their deaths related to the stresses of surviving the war/Holocaust? (e.g. cancer/heart disease)
Georgia Hunter Dear Susan,

Apologies for the long delay in responding to your question! As far as I know, Jakob and Genek's deaths (of heart and lung disease, respectively) were not directly related to their wartime experiences.

I'm so glad you enjoyed the book - I loved coming to understand my roots though the decade-long journey of unearthing and recording my family's story!

Warmly,
Georgia
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I just loved We Were The Lucky Ones and being able to follow the various members of the Kurc family through the trauma and trials of WWII. I love the family's strong bonds of love and how their memories of wonderful past family get togethers and holiday celebrations kept inspiring them to persevere. I loved the insight, wisdom, ingenuity and perseverance each family member displayed. Next novel due when?
Georgia Hunter Thanks, Maribeth!

I appreciate the kind words. It was a true labor of love to research and record my family's story. I, too, was inspired by the love that they shared, and the persistent hope that one day they'd reunite.

My next book is due out next year! I'm working on it now...stay tuned :)

Warmly,
Georgia
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I loved your book "We Were the Lucky Ones". I was only wondering if there were some tales from the story that weren't written or if maybe you would do something similar in an upcoming book ? I really did enjoy it and was only wondering if perhaps you had a spy novel or something a like in the works. Thanks
Georgia Hunter Dear Raul,

I'm glad you enjoyed We Were the Lucky Ones! I am currently at work on another historical fiction book, also taking place during World War II but this time set in Italy. I'm hoping it will be ready to publish in 2022. If you'd like, you can sign up for my blog to receive the latest news on my various projects (via georgiahunterauthor.com).

Warmly,
Georgia
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When is your next book being released?!!! I absulutely LOVED "We Were the Lucky Ones" and cannot wait to read the next!
Georgia Hunter Dear Jerri,

I'm so glad you liked my book! I'm currently hard at work on the next one, which will come out next year. If you'd like, you can sign up for my blog to receive the latest news on my various projects (via my site, georgiahunterauthor.com).

Thanks for writing!

Georgia
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Like others, I too went hunting for more info. about the people who inspired this story. I was saddened to learn that Genek died so young. I wondered about the long term impact of the trauma your family endured during the war and holocaust survivors in general. I also wondered whether it hastened Genek’s death or that of other family members following the war. Could you speak to this?
Georgia Hunter Dear Maria,

Thanks for your thoughtful question. Genek's death was not directly related to his wartime experiences, although we can't know for sure whether the conditions and lack of medical attention during those years had an indirect effect on his health. And in general, the family was so focused on building their new lives after the war that impact from their wartime experiences was not evident. They certainly had painful memories, but somehow managed to maintain positive attitudes for their fresh starts far away from the battlegrounds and killing fields.

In case you haven't seen it, there's a little more background about the family members, as well as my research, on my website (georgiahunterauthor.com), which you can search by name, if you are interested!

Warmly,
Georgia
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I am not exactly sure of the connection but the Low-Beer family you mention with regards to the woman that Addy falls in love with and her daunting mother is almost certainly a relative. My grandmother's grandmother was Berta Low-Beer (Moravian jews). I don't think you mention the name of the girl's mother but I couldn't find an Eliska Lowbeer on my family tree. Do you happen to know the name of Eliska's mother?
Georgia Hunter Hello Gord! Eliska's mother was Gustava. I'll be curious to know if you find a connection between her family and yours! Best of luck in your search. Warmly, Georgia
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