The author grew up in the Midwest of the American century. But her Polish-born mother and half-sister endured dehumanizing conditions during World War II as slave laborers in Siberia. War and exile created a profound bond between mother and older daughter, one that the author would struggle to find with either of them. A gripping study of family dynamics, this is also a must-read for World War II history buffs. Reverberating and enlightening in its unique perspective and honesty.