52 pages • 1 hour read
We Must Not Think of Ourselves: A Novel
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Book Brief
304
Novel • Fiction
Warsaw Ghetto • 1940s
2023
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
We Must Not Think of Ourselves by Lauren Grodstein follows Adam Paskow, a Jewish man in the Warsaw ghetto during World War II, as he documents the lives of his community for Emanuel Ringelblum’s Oneg Shabbat Archive while navigating complex moral decisions and relationships under Nazi oppression. The novel explores themes of resilience, memory, and the moral complexities of survival under extreme persecution. This story discusses the Holocaust, antisemitism, gun violence, death, and suicide.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Emotional
Inspirational
Heartwarming
Reviews & Readership
12,977 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
We Must Not Think of Ourselves by Lauren Grodstein is widely praised for its emotional depth and compelling narrative. Critics commend the well-developed characters and the thought-provoking themes. However, some readers find the pacing uneven. Overall, the novel’s exploration of human resilience resonates strongly, despite minor structural flaws.
Who Should Read We Must Not Think of Ourselves?
Readers who enjoy historical drama and poignant, character-driven narratives will be captivated by We Must Not Think of Ourselves by Lauren Grodstein. Fans of Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale or Anthony Doerr's All the Light We Cannot See will appreciate Grodstein's exploration of resilience and sacrifice during World War II.
12,977 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
304
Novel • Fiction
Warsaw Ghetto • 1940s
2023
Adult
18+ years
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