49 pages • 1 hour read
A Long Long Time Ago And Essentially True
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Book Brief
368
Novel • Fiction
Poland • Second World War
2009
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
A Long, Long Time Ago & Essentially True by Brigid Pasulka alternates between 1939 and 1992, with a protagonist narrating her ancestors' WWII struggles and her own post-communist journey in Poland. In 1939, Czesław and Anielica's love faces Nazi devastation, leading to their separation. In 1992, Beata, their granddaughter, grieves her grandmother and discovers her path amid Kraków's tumult. The novel explores themes of Transcending the Past, Building a Future, and Claiming an Identity. It includes incidents of antisemitism, rape, alcohol addiction, and wartime violence.
Bittersweet
Nostalgic
Melancholic
Romantic
Reviews & Readership
2,376 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Brigid Pasulka's A Long Long Time Ago and Essentially True blends historical and contemporary tales in Poland, captivating with its rich, lyrical prose and vivid characters. While some found the dual narratives occasionally challenging to follow, most appreciated the imaginative storytelling and depth. This debut novel marries romance, humor, and history effectively.
Who Should Read A Long Long Time Ago And Essentially True?
Readers who cherish multi-generational sagas, historical fiction, and rich, lyrical prose will be captivated by Brigid Pasulka’s A Long Long Time Ago And Essentially True. Fans of Markus Zusak's The Book Thief and Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude will find Pasulka's novel equally enchanting and evocative.
2,376 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
368
Novel • Fiction
Poland • Second World War
2009
Adult
18+ years
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