In her debut novel “BLOK 42,” Debrianna Obara illuminates a grim chapter of history, focusing on the untold suffering and resilience of women during WWII /the Holocaust. Set against the harrowing backdrop of Auschwitz’s brothels, the story dives deep into themes of love, loss, and redemption, bringing to light the extraordinary endurance required to survive such dark times. Released on March 28, 2024 by London-based Vanguard Publishing, the novel is currently available for presale on Obara’s website. on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
At the core of “BLOK 42” is Aniela Majewska, a young woman from a respected Krakow family. After marrying her childhood sweetheart Henryk Bartosz, their lives are upended by the Nazi invasion of Poland. While Henryk joins the underground resistance, Aniela must navigate the brutal realities of the Reich’s occupation, using her wit and spirit to keep her family safe. Her journey portrays the resilience required to survive, especially for women who faced unique and horrific challenges during the war.
Obara’s extensive research reveals lesser-known atrocities of the Nazi occupation, such as the Lebensborn program, which involved kidnapping Aryan-looking Polish children to be raised in German households. Obara notes, “It is estimated that 18,000 Polish children were separated in this way, and less than 10% were ever reunited with their natural parents.” Additionally, she highlights the forced sexual slavery in concentration camps, where enslaved women were forced to provide sexual services to male prisoners as a perverse means of boosting their morale amidst the brutal conditions.
Through “BLOK 42,” Obara seeks to honor these women’s experiences, presenting a more comprehensive picture of wartime life. She emphasizes, “It was important for me not to tell the story simply of borders and battles, but to explore the cost to ordinary citizens who were placed in unimaginable circumstances.” The novel underscores the profound impact of war on women, who often bear the brunt of conflict in unseen and unacknowledged ways.
Drawing from her own Polish heritage, Obara’s connection to the story is deeply personal. Her parents, born in Poland during and after WWII, instilled in her a profound interest in how the war permanently altered Polish life, history, and culture. Her discovery of BLOK 42 while working on a campaign for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and her visits to Dachau and Auschwitz, where she found scant mention of these brothels, fueled her desire to bring this hidden history to light.
Obara’s background in journalism and advertising, coupled with her passion for creative writing, culminates in a narrative that is both gripping and enlightening. She initially explored storytelling through screenplays but ultimately found the novel format more suited to the expansive tale she wished to tell. Since 2016, she has dedicated herself to writing “BLOK 42,” driven by a need to share these untold stories.
“BLOK 42” challenges readers to reflect on the progress made since WWII and the persistent struggles that remain. Obara aims to shed light on the unique suffering of Poland, from its categorization as ‘subhuman’ by the Nazis to the cultural resilience that flourished underground despite repeated partitions and invasions. Describing her novel as “Gone With the Wind of Poland,” Obara hopes it captures a moment when culture and society were tested, and where women had to summon unparalleled strength to survive. Through her poignant storytelling, Obara brings dignity and recognition to the often-overlooked experiences of women during one of history’s darkest times.
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Organization: DO Anders Publishing LLC
Contact Person: Debrianna Obara
Website: http://debriannaobara.com/
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Country:United Kingdom
Release id:16696
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