We Were The Lucky Ones is a story of a resilient family that swore to hold onto each other despite what life put them through. It captured the pain and torment that Jewish people had to either accept or run away from endlessly during World War II. A story that nearly got buried in history, but as it was always meant to be shared with the world, it made it first into a best-selling book and then a Hulu series.
We Were The Lucky Ones: A History That Should Be Remembered
Writing We Were The Lucky Ones started from a simple high school project that introduced the author, Georgia Hunter, to the cruel reality her grandfather and his family had to endure merely for being Jewish during World War II. Hunter did not expect her beloved grandfather to be a Holocaust survivor.
One year after his death, she interviewed her grandmother to learn more about her roots. What was meant to be a simple English course project turned into discovering a whole new side to her grandfather’s life. She learned a history that she felt should be acknowledged and told.
Hunter’s grandfather Addy Kurc, his parents, and his four siblings with their spouses and children were from Radom, Poland. In 1939, The Nazis were already looming over Poland, and it was a matter of time before war broke out there too. And when it did, this family was torn apart. They were scattered around the world, but they all had to live through excruciating circumstances while holding onto a sliver of hope that they would eventually be reunited.
Some had to live in the ghettos, and others had to evacuate their homes and hide in other houses. They had to live under pseudo-identities, pretend to be Christians, and join catholic schools. They were forced to work under the Nazis, fight in the militaries of other countries, and endure torture and abuse in jails. They were exiled and forced to labor camps in Siberia. They saw it all, and it broke irreparable pieces of their souls, but they still had to believe that this could never be their doom. They had a family to live for. They knew they had to survive. And so they did.
With Courage, Perseverance, And Love
Courage, Perseverance, And Love are words that Hunter signed in each book. She believed they encapsulated her family. It was a true surprise to Hunter to learn about the history of her family, but according to her, it never felt like a burden. She was honored to be given this story, and so she decided to do it justice as much as she could.
Researching all the missing pieces was her first mission. She spent 9 years researching, conducting interviews, and uncovering new bits and anecdotes that nobody in her family would have ever known about if not for her.
Regardless of that, the author categorizes the book as historical fiction because she said she had to fill in certain gaps, such as the internal thoughts, feelings, and monologues. Such details were not passed down during her research, but she wanted to add them in an effort to humanize the story more, make it more visceral, and help the readers take a more intimate glimpse into these people’s lives at that time.
Hulu Series: From Our Shelves To Our Screens
Hulu adapted the book into a series of 8 episodes. Seeing the atrocities this family and countless Jewish people underwent in motion was agonizing, but it was crucial to witness. Everyone knows about the Holocaust, but so few people truly understand how gruesome and harrowing it was.
Hunter shared that there were several attempts to pitch the story to be a movie or series, but it was not until the pandemic hit that Hulu signed it. She believed that everyone worldwide somehow got to experience what it felt like to not know where our lives were heading. “We don’t know when we’re going to see each other again.” She continued, “Obviously, it’s not the same. But we were very isolated and very afraid for a long time.”
On the other hand, history repeats itself. Today, more than ever, we have to be reminded of these stories. To know about the brutality of war. It is hard to imagine if not experienced, but hearing, reading, and watching personal and raw stories like this help us a little to see the world through their eyes, empathize with them, and be their voice when they are silenced.
We Were The Lucky Ones is an important story to know. The book is a gorgeous read, and the series adaptation did a wonderful job of capturing most of the nuances of this unbelievably brave and loving family. It’ll be worth your time!
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