"The Curious Kidnapping of Nora W" was an engaging and emotional read. Even though this is not a genre I usually read, I still found it interesting and enjoyable.
The story focuses on Nora W, who is on the cusp of becoming the oldest person in the world. Along with her caretaker, Arifa, Nora embarks on a journey down memory lane, revisiting her past. Her memories get jumbled up, but she is still quite sharp especially considering she is almost 122 ½.
The book touches on the after-effects of war on people, with Arifa being a Syrian refugee still grappling with the traumatic experiences she faced and Nora still struggling from her experiences in the Holocaust. It highlights that war trauma remains prevalent in today's world, and the book does an excellent job of exploring this theme in an approachable way. Additionally, the book reminds us of the importance of treasuring the people of our past and present. The characters are well written and developed, but I did struggle a bit to determine the perspective in the first few chapters. However, as I read further, I discovered that the book was written from the perspectives of three characters - Nora, Arifa, and Deborah, who is Nora's great-granddaughter and the family party planner. Although this caused some initial confusion, later on, it really could see how different the characters were.
The family tree and notes provided at the beginning of the book were helpful in keeping track of the characters and giving context behind the novel.
Overall, I highly recommend this touching and thought-provoking book to anyone looking for a good read.

Thank you, Harpercollins, One More Chapter, for this lovely arc!

'I am the oldest person ever to have lived in this world. I am the one who lived through their monster camps and brought the ones left of my family to London to make more family. I am the one to laugh at those angry, evil people and tell them, you see, I made it through. We made it through. This is enough. It is my world's record.'

This story was inspired by the author’s late mother-in-law, who was born in 1925 in Łódź up to the Nazi invasion of Poland. Along with thousands of other Polish Jews, her family lived inside the ghetto there, her father died there - of starvation. A year later, along with her mother, they were deported to Auschwitz. When they arrived there, her mother was shot and killed as she stepped off the train. One of Norma’s brothers was also killed, but her other brother and sister survived.

This is less about the Holocaust than it is about the effect it had on those that survived, as well as those who love them. The memories that haunt, but also the gratitude to have lived, despite those memories they can never forget. But there are other memories, ones filled with happy moments, as well.

’My great-grandmother has only eighteen days to go. There’s no need for alarm though. The doctors have not predicted her precise date of death, nor has she threatened hyper-geriatric suicide on that specific date. No, in eighteen days’ time she will become the world’s oldest person. Ever.’

The problem is that her great-grandmother wants nothing to do with this celebration of her 122nd birthday. The person who currently holds the record is a woman who ’was the last living person to have knowingly met Vincent van Gogh.’ But the family wants to celebrate her life, even if she doesn’t want to - at least not surrounded by people, and especially not with a camera crew.

Despite the hardships she has lived through, she does have money, although the amount is never mentioned, but enough to live on until those days come to an end. She isn’t rushing toward death, but at 121 and counting, she’s not in any hurry to go anywhere.

This is a story of family, and while it revolves around the woman who has lived more years than most, this is, essentially, a story of the mistakes and regrets, the memories - those of loss and horror, but also the happier ones, the ones of love.


Pub Date: 20 Jul 2023

Many thanks for the ARC provided by HarperCollinsUK, One More Chapter

Thank you Netgalley. I was so excited to be chosen to get an ARC of this title. I really struggled through to the end of the book. I enjoyed the writing style and the flow of the story was seamless. I couldn't stand any of the characters. While Nora was strong and resilient I did not find her endearing in any way. I wanted to love this book and I am sad that I just did not.

"The Curious Kidnapping of Nora W" by Cate Green is a powerful and moving novel that explores the resilience and strength of a Holocaust survivor. Nora Wojnaswki, the family matriarch and the oldest person ever to have lived, has a secret buried deep within her past. As she disappears with her carer Arifa on a trip down memory lane in London's East End, the truth about her wartime experiences is finally revealed.

Green's writing is poignant and evocative, capturing the emotions and struggles of Nora and her family as they navigate their shared history. Nora's character is beautifully portrayed, showcasing her determination, courage, and resilience despite the horrors she has faced. The novel delves into the themes of family, identity, and the power of memory, leaving readers with a deep sense of awe and admiration for Nora's story.

"The Curious Kidnapping of Nora W" is a unique and captivating read that will stay with readers long after they turn the last page. Green's storytelling is both heart-wrenching and heartwarming, drawing readers into Nora's world and showcasing the indomitable human spirit. This novel is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and those interested in stories of survival and triumph in the face of adversity.