Book Review: The Girl with the Red Ribbon by Carly Schabowski

The Girl with the Red Ribbon is a heartrending and unforgettable historical fiction novel that will stay with readers long after the last page is turned. Carly Schabowski, author of The Watchmaker of Dachau and The Rainbow, delivers a powerful narrative that blends courage, revenge, and the indomitable strength of a young woman in Nazi-occupied Poland. With sharp emotional depth and historical richness, this novel stands out as a poignant reminder of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable loss.

Set against the backdrop of 1939 Poland, the novel follows Ania, a brilliant and resourceful young woman who witnesses the brutal murder of her family at the hands of Nazi soldiers. With only a red ribbon tied around her wrist as a reminder of her loved ones, Ania vows revenge. The harrowing tragedy pushes Ania into a journey of survival, using her intelligence and unrelenting will to take down those responsible for the destruction of her life. The novel captures her internal transformation as she evolves from a vulnerable young woman to a fierce force of resistance.

The beauty of The Girl with the Red Ribbon lies not only in Ania’s personal vengeance but also in the unlikely group she forms—a scarred Jewish man, a madwoman, a gypsy, and a quiet Russian soldier. This eclectic band of misfits, rejected by the established resistance for being too risky, becomes Ania's strength as they unite to fight the Nazis. The chemistry and camaraderie among this ragtag team are both heartwarming and inspiring, as each character brings a unique set of skills and stories that complement Ania's unyielding determination. Together, they become a symbol of hope in a world filled with brutality and despair.

Schabowski’s writing is beautiful and emotionally charged, effortlessly capturing the anguish and resilience of her characters. The novel’s pacing is perfect, allowing for moments of deep reflection, intense action, and suspense that keep the reader captivated. The emotional depth is further enhanced by the historical setting, where the horrors of war are juxtaposed with the raw humanity of those who refuse to give up. The story explores themes of loss, survival, and revenge, but at its heart, it is a testament to the power of human connection and the courage to stand up against evil, no matter the odds.

Inspired by an incredible true story from the author’s own family, this novel is an emotionally gripping journey that delves deep into the darkest days of WWII. It stands shoulder to shoulder with other unforgettable WWII fiction, such as The Tattooist of Auschwitz and The Nightingale, with Schabowski adding her own unique voice to the genre. The heartache, pain, and perseverance portrayed in The Girl with the Red Ribbon will leave readers breathless, making it a must-read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a profound emotional impact.

Rating: 5/5

The Girl with the Red Ribbon is a brilliant and moving historical novel that seamlessly blends the harsh realities of war with the enduring strength of the human spirit. Carly Schabowski has crafted a story that is both gripping and heartbreaking, filled with characters that feel real and whose struggles will resonate deeply with readers. This is a book that will stay with you long after you turn the last page—a powerful reminder of love, loss, and the courage to fight for justice.

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. This was a WWII historical fiction set in Poland with a main character, Ania, who loses her family and seeeks revenge on the Nazis. This story is a bit different as Ania is autistic or at least mentally different than others. She is crazy and that helps her not feel or react. It was disturbing to read some parts.

In this unique and emotional new World War II historical fiction novel, Carly Schabowski draws on a true story from her family history to bring war-torn Poland and the fears and horrors of the Nazi invasion to life. Following Ania after the deaths of her family force her on the run, she must use her wits to survive and support a group of misfit refugees rejected by the Polish resistance. As they join forces, Ania and her new friends will complete their revenge plans against the Nazi occupiers and take control of their lives in the face of hostile occupation. Ania is a fascinating and complex protagonist unlike other World War II historical fiction protagonists in books I’ve read, and her agency and strength are very inspiring to readers. With its found family group of main characters enhancing Ania’s narrative, readers will really appreciate Schabowski’s emphasis on character development and on character relationships. The setting of war-torn Poland during the Nazi invasion further enhances the emotional core of Ania’s motivation, though readers should be advised that sensitive topics pertaining to war and different kinds of violence do appear in this novel (though not in graphic detail) and should be prepared for that in this gripping and emotional new World War II novel.

The Girl with the Red Ribbon is written by Carly Schabowski, who has written several books based on true stories. She is an author who I have followed and will continue to follow. This book begins in 1939 with a sympathetic Polish family. They have a Jewish man staying in their barn when the family is killed by Nazis. Thus begins the story of Ania, the unconventional daughter of the family that was killed. I really enjoyed this and other stories written by Schabowski. The book does drag a bit, but that didn’t stop me from reading it.
Thanks to Boldwood Books, Carly Schabowski and NetGalley for the early release copy. The opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! The Girl with the Red Ribbon by Carly Schabowski is a work of historical fiction that will definitely make you wonder. When Ania discovers her worst fears, she is left with a burning inside her chest that she just can't describe. Having always been book smart but not able to read or understand others' emotions, she is overwhelmed by this burning sensation. She sets out on a quest to find a family friend with Benjamin, a jewish man who was being hidden in the barn. Together, they discover that being misfits in society doesn't prevent them from helping the resistance. Ania also learns the meaning of family when she agrees to live and fight with her new family of misfits. This coming of age novel will leave you trying to understand how people with mental disabilities were treated in the early 1900s. Overall, a worthwhile read that I would recommend to others.

This story follows Ania. She is a Polish girl who has some quirks about her in the story. But seems to be undiagnosed autism. This takes place during world war II. I really enjoyed how the story started and the progression it was taking. After losing her family she goes into hiding with a friend that she makes. It was interesting to see how people survived and got by during this time.

However I felt like it kind of got a little repetitive in pieces. She kept repeating her story. Maybe that's just her personality and how she is but it was a bit distracting I guess. I felt like if the pace had picked up a little bit it would have helped. It was definitely an interesting and informative read though!

Thank you netgalley for this ARC and allowing me to give my honest review.

A true story about the authors family. It’s a WWII story about a girl named Ania and the horrors she faced. A must read.

An interesting book based on a true story set mainly in Poland during WW2 but with parts in the sixties. I always love books about the Resistance fighters and I enjoyed this one as it was a bit different with its band of misfits. Heartbreaking but compelling story

It was a well written book. It was set in ww2 Poland. It was a story of people trying to survive the times and one woman trying to seek revenge to avenge the death of her family against the nazis. Did she get the revenge she was looking for? You will have to read and see!

I love stories of the resistance during WWII. Set in Poland and odd group forms to fight against the wrongs done to them and their families. Heartbreaking and thought provoking. The story remains with me days after I finished reading the book.

Thank you net galley for giving me this opportunity to read this book.
The story is a dual timeline taking place in Poland during WWII and the late 1960's.
Ania and her sister live with their father in Poland. Ania's mother died in childbirth. So, Ania' father had to raise two girls one an infant and the other toddler.

Growing up Ania was always 'different' from the other kids.

Enter WWII Ania's father was hiding people in the barn.

Then one day while Ania was in the barn with Benjamin, they heard shots. As soon as it was clear to go into the house Ania found her father and sister both shot dead.

Ania and Benjamin left to find somewhere safe to go. Along the way other people (Gosia, Wanda and Aleksi) joined in with Ania and Benjamin. These five people were misfits in their own way.

The five formed their own resistance grouo as no other groups wanted them.
Ania was a force to be reckoned with.

These are my own opinions of the story.

I was looking forward to this book as I knew it was based on a true story, but I am afraid the book just wasn’t as good as a I expected.

Ania lives with her Father and sister who seem to protect her but at the time did not realise that she was the one who didn’t appreciate what they did for her. The War comes and circumstances change for Ania she ends up joining up with Benjamin who is a Jew who was hiding in her Father’s barn. She and Benj as she ends up calling him meet up with Wanda and Aleksi who end up fighting the Germans.

I found the book was not as interesting and found it dragged and I would have given up reading it but felt I needed to find out what happened in the end.

This is a different kind of book about WWII.
Ania is a bit different, incredibly smart but indifferent to emotions.
Much of the story centers around her work as a partisan fighter in Poland.
It’s unique because I haven’t ran across a character like Ania.
The boom definitely lends itself to a different aspect of WWII historical fiction.

This story is set in Poland during the war. The main character Ania is the outcast of the family due to some strange habits she has which in fact today would be looked upon as disability, mainly autism, lack of emotional understanding. When the Nazis attack her family she manages to hide in the barn with Benjamin who her father has been hiding. Afterwards Ania decides to use her anger to get back at the attackers, but how to go about it? Benjamin who has a facial disfigurement decides he will keep Ania safe, but how to go about it. This is where Ania’s skills come into play as they set off on a journey where they will come across Wanda, Aleski, & Gosia who are all like minded people.

I really enjoyed the first part of this story, found it really interesting especially the descriptions of Anias temperament and how she dealt with it.
I just couldn’t relate to other aspects, we were continually reminded of Anias appearance, small, childlike and then it’s telling you she walked into a bar and was accepted by men! I only finished the book because I appreciate the author put a lot of effort into it, while it wasn’t for me there will be others it works for.

I first became interested in reading Carly Schabowski's books when I saw the amazing cover for The Ringmaster's Daughter. In due course, I bought that book, and a couple of her other books, but I haven't yet read them. I therefore jumped at the chance to read her first book with her new publisher, Boldwood Books.

The main character of this book is Ania. These days she would definitely be considered as autistic, but in her own time, she was considered szalony - crazy. Whilst she has a prodigious memory and thirst for knowledge, she is not good at reading the emotions of other people, including her father and sister. Ania also believes that her father and sister blame her for the death of her mother in chidlbirth.

Ania is ostracised from her fellow villagers. Her only friend is an elderly Jewish man named Isaac who feeds her thirst for learning by teaching her new languages, sharing books with her and teaching her about the world. He also tries to help her understand how she can understand other peoples emotions, which is much more difficult for her. However this is 1939 and Poland is not a safe place for any Jewish people, and so when Isaac disappears, Ania is once again left on her own.

When Ania's remaining familymembers are murdered in cold blood, she knows that she needs to run, and so she and Benjamin, a heavily scarred Jewish man who had been hiding in their barn, set off to head to the woods where she knows there are groups hiding.

Along the way, she meets an elderly woman named Gosia, a former Russian soldier named Aleksi and a gypsy named Wanda and they come together to look after each other, and to start to formulate a plan for revenge and destruction against the German invaders. Ania has something of an advantage. Not only is she extremely clever and shut off from many of her emotions, she is also very slight and looks very young which means that she can be mistaken for a child. After all, who would suspect a child of committing any resistance activities?

The main emotion that Ania does recognise within herself is rage, and this rage is what pushes her to get revenge. The way that she sees this rage is often connected to the colour red - red blood, red apples and more. However, the red ribbon that she has had since birth is a source of comfort and safety.

This is an unusual format of story. It is not quite a dual timeline although part of it is set in 1969 as one of the characters looks back at the events that occurred during WWII. It wasn't the easiest of reads either. It took me a good few days to read this book, I think because the story was so intense. This is not a light and fluffy WWII read. That doesn't mean it wasn't good, because it was. Just different. It has also been a very long time since I read anything set in Poland in WWII.

So I guess the question is given I have long been attracted to Schabowski's books, will I read more. The answer is a definite yes for me!

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted by The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews and the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge which I host here. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy.

This review is being posted as part of the The Girl With The Red Ribbon blog tour hosted by Rachel’s Random Resources.

The Girl With The Red Ribbon is the latest novel from historical fiction author Carly Schabowski. This is an incredibly powerful story exploring themes of courage, found family, resilience and survival.

This was my first time reading anything from Carly Schabowski but she is a truly marvellous storyteller and incredibly talented wordsmith. Symbolism is used throughout the book in a really powerful way and I particularly liked the focus on wind being something which brings life but also takes it away.

This is an incredibly emotional read. We get a brief sense of what is to come, particularly for Ania, through the early chapter sharing Benjamin’s perspective in 1969, but the rest of the story takes the reader on an emotional and at times tear-jerking journey. Carly Schabowski’s compelling writing style had me hooked from cover to cover and I was completely captivated by the story.

Our story is told through a dual-POV narrative which worked really well and allowed us to see things from not only Ania’s perspective but also Benjamin’s. His POV is structured around his much older self looking back on his wartime experiences so we have occasional chapters set in 1969 as well as the main 1939-1943 timeline and this was really powerful.

Ania was a brilliant and really complex protagonist. Very early on in the book it became clear to me that Ania was autistic – albeit it is not identified as such in the book and she is merely labelled as ‘different’. The chapters focusing on Ania’s perspective were very cleverly crafted to feel authentic to the typical autistic experience of the world, evidenced by how quickly I – as an autistic woman myself – identified that Ania would today be considered autistic and began to immediately resonate with her experiences. Ania goes on a brilliant journey throughout the book, finding a real purpose in her resistance work and seeking revenge against the Nazis for all they’ve done to her and her family. Her emotional detachment to her experiences doesn’t always make for an easy read but it is definitely an impactful one.

There’s a beautiful found family element to the story, with this gang of people who were outcasted by society for different reasons finding a home with each other. Similarly to Ania, all of these four characters were complex, multi-dimensional and really well written. It was brilliant following them trying to survive in war-torn Poland and gradually starting to complete resistance activities against their Nazi occupiers. I loved the way that Wanda, Gosia and Aleksi, and particularly Benjamin, treated Ania and didn’t see her as less than because of her neurodivergence. This was a refreshing read particularly after the way the earlier chapters focused on Ania being seen as less-than and challenging by her family, who simply saw her differences as something which needed to be fixed.

Overall, The Girl With The Red Ribbon is a beautifully written and powerful piece of historical fiction which is a must-read for fans of the genre, particularly those who are neurodivergent or ‘different’ in some way themselves.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I have posted my review on my blog www.yourschloe.co.uk

*Thank you to Carly Schabowski, Boldwood Books, Rachel’s Random Resources and NetGalley.

1939, Poland: World War II has begun and the Nazis are carrying out their orders.  They are approaching Poland without notice and people are fearing for their lives.  As they arrive at Ania’s house, she is the only one that flees.  She hides nearby and hears the cry’s of her family as they are taken away by the Nazis.  In that one moment Ania’s life had changed forever and will never be the same.  As she is trying to find a safe place to go, she comes across a group of others in her same situation.  Ania vows to destroy those that took her family from her.  She will stop at nothing to make sure they pay for what they did, not just to her and her family but to the thousands of innocent people they killed.

The Girl With The Red Ribbon, written by author Carly Schabowski is a phenomenal story of loss, love of family and surviving the worst of times.  I read this book as the tears flowed down my face, and my heart broke for Ania and her family.  This was such a horrible time and I am always amazed at the strength and resilience of those that endured life during this time.  Families ripped apart and still relentlessly helped those around them survive.  This unputdownable book is one that needs to be read with a box of Kleenex by your side.  Schabowski is a phenomenal author that draws the reader in to the story and never lets you go.  This wonderful book inspired by true events is one that I highly recommend.

This is a new author to me and as I like to read historical fiction, I had high hopes.
This is a powerful read and I felt emotionally connected to Ania and Benjamin.
This was a dual timeline story between the 60’s and 40’s but it was easy to follow.

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

I chose to read this as I remembered enjoying another book by this author previously, and I had quite high expectations.

From the start, I was captivated by this powerful and emotional WWII novel. The author wrote in a way that made me feel connected to Ania and Benjamin, before I knew much about them. I wanted to know their story, to understand the significance of the red ribbon.

Before long, I found myself hanging onto every word, and it felt almost as though I had become part of the story myself, as an onlooker or observer. I connected deeply, not just with Ania and Benjamin, but with the other characters too, and this heart-rending story left me close to tears.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

Ania is an extraordinary Polish woman who is teased because she’s different from the others in the village. After witnessing her family being murdered she escapes into the forests and connects with a group of misfits. Looking for revenge against those that killed her family they start planning their revenge.


This was an interesting read about a group of misunderstood misfits who were rejected by others in society and the other resistance groups. It was a dual timeline story, between the mid 60’s and the 40’s during WWII as it jumps between past and present while the story is being told and remembered. I loved the friendships between the merry band of friends. The author tells a compelling tale of bravery and those who are misunderstood by society.


Thanks to @boldwoodbooks, @rachelsrandomresources, @netgalley and the author for this ARC