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Irina
Irina's story begins in what should have been a quiet period in Europe's turbulent history, but in 1378's Poznan, Poland, her life turns upside down when her family disowns her because of an unexpected pregnancy by the son of a wealthy Jewish merchant where Irina had been sent to work as a servant. The Joselewicz family, including their son who loved her, could not welcome Irina because as Jews, they were blamed for the latest visitation of the Black Death, and burned alive for their faith--and their wealth. Completely alone, this young peasant girl must find her way in a world ruled by the church and dominated by men. In saving herself, she makes unyielding enemies willing to do everything possible to expose her secret, even to the point of murdering her and her unborn child.How Irina escapes the plague on a journey across Europe, how she comes to understand the God she believed let her down, and how she becomes a member of French nobility is what she recalls as she nears life's end. Despite a life of success, guilt makes her wonder how, in the ledgers of heaven, she will fare at the final accounting. Yet, as she considers the men in her life who'd come and gone, who'd loved and hated her, another question remains. The only son for whom she'd devoted her life has gone, and she's heard nothing. Will she see him again? Irina's story is one of good and evil, of despair and satisfaction, of a life well lived. What she comes to believe about the existence of God, about her soul, and about the value of life are what sets her story apart. Will you come along on her journey?
434 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2021
2 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Philip Warren
3 books18 followersMy first years were in western New York State, then in a small town near Cedar Point, Ohio, where I finished high school. One of the first in my family to go to college, I received my BS in History/Political Science from Xavier University in 1968, then enlisted in the US Army Security Agency as a linguist (Chinese Mandarin) and served nearly four years in the US and overseas.
My first real job after the Army was as an Investigator with the US Civil Service Commission, later the Office of Personnel Management, where I rose through the ranks to Chief of Investigations for a key division in the program. When privatization came along, I joined the new company, USIS, as VP of Operations, and rose to Chief Operating Officer of the large national security firm before retiring in early 2004.
Since, I've served on two college boards of trustees, numerous other non-profit boards, and have published four novels, two under Philip Warren, and my first two, Turnover and TurnAround under John P. Warren, both pen names springing from my birth name.
I doubt that I'll ever retire. A sequel to "Winter's Dead" with Fletcher Strand is in the works!
My first real job after the Army was as an Investigator with the US Civil Service Commission, later the Office of Personnel Management, where I rose through the ranks to Chief of Investigations for a key division in the program. When privatization came along, I joined the new company, USIS, as VP of Operations, and rose to Chief Operating Officer of the large national security firm before retiring in early 2004.
Since, I've served on two college boards of trustees, numerous other non-profit boards, and have published four novels, two under Philip Warren, and my first two, Turnover and TurnAround under John P. Warren, both pen names springing from my birth name.
I doubt that I'll ever retire. A sequel to "Winter's Dead" with Fletcher Strand is in the works!
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June 16, 2021IRINA is a powerful historical novel about the transformation of a bright and curious farm girl into a successful noble businesswoman through nothing but her own daring, ingenuity and fortitude.
Read our full review here:
https://booktrib.com/2021/06/14/servi...
Read our full review here:
https://booktrib.com/2021/06/14/servi...
July 25, 2021
Irina, a novel by Philip Warren. We've heard the expression that clothes make the man - or the woman also, in this historical fiction novel of life in Europe in the 12th and 13th centuries. I enjoyed the Polish language pronunciation list, too, since my Oklahoma ear says "eye-reene-uh"! What a strong and intelligent woman Irina turns out to be, not willing to be an easy victim or a person without the gumption to make her life better for her unborn child. Beginning with the quick thinking and courage that allows to her to seize a new identity after a horrific scene of murder and loss, Irina and her companion adapt to an opportunity to escape their homeland for an uncertain future. Recurring epidemics of the Black Death add to the dangers of life in those years, where some lose all and others find new chances. The political intrigue adds information about the same battles for power and resources that trickle down to the common people throughout time. Irina's philosophical and religious conversations with a kind, wise monk also are relevant and thought-provoking; coming to grips with evil and with the nature of God are enduring questions and well-presented. The crafts of both glassmaking and furniture making added tangible information and fascinating historical detail. I admired the concepts of class distinction, birthright, and slavery (both literal and virtual) that were illustrated and explored through a cast of interesting characters. I cheered at a fitting end for a despicable villain, too!
July 20, 2021
A deliciously complex story, illuminating a fascinating period of history
1378 Poznan. Irina steps past the burning flesh on ulica Zydowska (Jewish Street) her eyes locking for one last time with her beloved Berek Joselewicz. She places her fingers on her belly, and he smiles. Velka and the dog Yip are the only survivors. Two of the attackers, Tomasz and Franciszek, are from Duke Zygmunt’s household.
The Kwasniewskis once were wealthy, but her parents Ignacz and Maria were poor, with many mouths to feed. Since the age of 12, working for Panie (Mrs) Eva Joselewicz in Poznan, she has had warmer boots to wear. Panie Eva had told Irina of a secret hiding place, and she retrieves the Joselewicz gold.
Duke Zygmunt sends his squire Jan Brezchwa to summon Father Madrosh. There is news from Gniezno. Black Death. ‘Some blame it on the Jews,’ he said. Madrosh scoffs, but the man continues, ‘It is said they poison our wells.’ Madrosh argues, ‘the Jews die of Plague, just as we do.’
The king of France has called all the nobility of Europe to convene in Paris. Dressed in Panie Eva’s rich clothing, with Velka posing as the lady’s maid, they join Duke Zygmunt’s party.
Their travels are interrupted by the imperialist designs of King Louis I of Hungary and Poland, as well as the vengeful ambitions of Tomasz. Duke Zygmunt and Margrave Wenceslas trap the invading Hungarians in a bloodbath at Krosno.
Irina marries squire Jan Brezchwa, and they raise Irina’s son Shashu and begin a successful furniture dealership in Giverny.
Along the way Irina doubts her faith, and Madrosh gives religious instruction–a clever device, by which we rehearse the theological beliefs debates of the period, though perhaps it went on a bit long—across many, many chapters. Understandably, Irina questions the meaning of good and evil, having seen the violence against the Jews of Poznan and that meted out to the Hungarians at Krosno, but did we really need to read everything St Augustine and St Thomas Aquinas argued? The lengthy treatise might have been better placed in a novel about churchmen or philosophers. The long voyage to Paris also gives us time to learn a bit of the complicated history and politics of mediaeval Poland and Hungary.
At first, it was hard to get into, as, while we’re still unfamiliar with the story, the Irina plotline and the Duke Zygmunt plotline jump back and forth too quickly. It doesn’t give us time to absorb the information. The story alternates throughout between Irina’s youth and old age, which is also confusing.
The writing quality and the editing are good, and the research involved was admirable. This is a complex story, with multiple interconnecting plotlines, and one with many characters—too many—with names we need to learn how to pronounce, but the complexity, once you learn the multiple characters, is delicious.
1378 Poznan. Irina steps past the burning flesh on ulica Zydowska (Jewish Street) her eyes locking for one last time with her beloved Berek Joselewicz. She places her fingers on her belly, and he smiles. Velka and the dog Yip are the only survivors. Two of the attackers, Tomasz and Franciszek, are from Duke Zygmunt’s household.
The Kwasniewskis once were wealthy, but her parents Ignacz and Maria were poor, with many mouths to feed. Since the age of 12, working for Panie (Mrs) Eva Joselewicz in Poznan, she has had warmer boots to wear. Panie Eva had told Irina of a secret hiding place, and she retrieves the Joselewicz gold.
Duke Zygmunt sends his squire Jan Brezchwa to summon Father Madrosh. There is news from Gniezno. Black Death. ‘Some blame it on the Jews,’ he said. Madrosh scoffs, but the man continues, ‘It is said they poison our wells.’ Madrosh argues, ‘the Jews die of Plague, just as we do.’
The king of France has called all the nobility of Europe to convene in Paris. Dressed in Panie Eva’s rich clothing, with Velka posing as the lady’s maid, they join Duke Zygmunt’s party.
Their travels are interrupted by the imperialist designs of King Louis I of Hungary and Poland, as well as the vengeful ambitions of Tomasz. Duke Zygmunt and Margrave Wenceslas trap the invading Hungarians in a bloodbath at Krosno.
Irina marries squire Jan Brezchwa, and they raise Irina’s son Shashu and begin a successful furniture dealership in Giverny.
Along the way Irina doubts her faith, and Madrosh gives religious instruction–a clever device, by which we rehearse the theological beliefs debates of the period, though perhaps it went on a bit long—across many, many chapters. Understandably, Irina questions the meaning of good and evil, having seen the violence against the Jews of Poznan and that meted out to the Hungarians at Krosno, but did we really need to read everything St Augustine and St Thomas Aquinas argued? The lengthy treatise might have been better placed in a novel about churchmen or philosophers. The long voyage to Paris also gives us time to learn a bit of the complicated history and politics of mediaeval Poland and Hungary.
At first, it was hard to get into, as, while we’re still unfamiliar with the story, the Irina plotline and the Duke Zygmunt plotline jump back and forth too quickly. It doesn’t give us time to absorb the information. The story alternates throughout between Irina’s youth and old age, which is also confusing.
The writing quality and the editing are good, and the research involved was admirable. This is a complex story, with multiple interconnecting plotlines, and one with many characters—too many—with names we need to learn how to pronounce, but the complexity, once you learn the multiple characters, is delicious.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews