I hate books that make me cry. I hate movies that make me
cry. I hate when life makes me cry.
I dislike crying at a book so much that I have been known to
glance at the ending of a book that I suspect might end sadly to see if the
main character is still living and breathing. Nothing makes me feel more
cheated than having a character of whom I have grown fond die of some deadly
disease at the end.
Having said that, I must tell you that I LOVED this book. I
simply couldn't put it down. I would walk around the house reading it. I took
it with me to the bathroom. If my hands weren't otherwise occupied, I was
reading this book.
And obviously it wasn't because I wanted to see what happens
next. I know how the Holocaust ends. And besides, they tell you in the first
chapter that Lenka and Josef find one another.
I found Richman's writing to be hauntingly beautiful. I
reread passage after passage just because I liked the way the words sounded.
The story was about love. Through all of the atrocities, in
the end, the story spoke about the love people had for one another. Not just
Lenka's and Josef's love, though that was intense. The love of Lenka for her
family. The love of Lucie for Lenka's mother and her whole family. Even the
love that Lenka and Josef had for their respective spouses.
I thought that the love displayed by the people in the
concentration camps for one another was amazing (though there were some
disturbing stories of people stealing from each other, but given the
circumstances, it's not surprising). But what about when Theresa (the artist
who could paint with such detail that Lenka thought she had gotten ahold of
gold leaf) made that flower for Rita so that she had something beautiful to
wear when she married? That almost took my breath away.
The stories about life in the concentration camp will haunt
me for a long time. But I loved the will that people had to live. I
particularly loved the idea that Lenka's mother kind of came out of her shell
while teaching the children at Terezin.
I cried and cried and cried while reading this book. It
scares me to think that there is a possibility of people forgetting that this
happened or pretending that it didn't once all of the survivors have died.
I loved Richman's use of color to describe people and
situations. I guess that probably tied in with Lenka being an artist. It made
me sad to think that she was unable to make art after life in Auschwitz. But I
was very happy that she found happiness (or some degree of happiness anyway) in
her life with Carl
Didn't you just love Carl? The passages describing how Lenka
stayed with Carl as he died were so touching and probably made me cry as hard
as any other part of the book.
How did this book impact you? Did you learn anything new
about the Holocaust?
While I think it's probably high time we read a more cheerful book, I have to say that this is one of my favorite books that I've ever read. Five stars in my opinion.
While I think it's probably high time we read a more cheerful book, I have to say that this is one of my favorite books that I've ever read. Five stars in my opinion.
Although this book was my first choice of the options, I was nervous about reading a book about the holocaust. Like Kris, I too get very emotional when I read a book, get attached to a character, and experience a bad ending. However, I kid u not when I tell u that I was hooked after reading the very first page. From the very first page, I thought Richmon's writing was rhythmic, musical and beautiful. And I think that is a difficult thing do do, especially when writing about a time as horrific as the holocaust.
ReplyDeleteI experienced something strange while reading this book. Usually when I read about this time in history I get very sad, angry, and bitter. I cannot fathom the atrocities that people experienced. However, while I did cry (a lot) my reactions and emotions were different. They were ones of appreciation and gratitude. I was thankful. This may seem strange, but I was thankful that I did not and more importantly that my family did not have to experience such oppression and bigotry. And I am hopeful that my children will not experience anything of the sort. I am thankful to be an American.
I thought that Lenka had an amazing spirit and was full of strength and grace. The pain and loss she endured during her lifetime was enough to take anyone down, but she continued time and time again to pick herself up. She also seemed to gain strength by showing such compassion and love for others. She was willing to do things for others even if it meant risking her own safety.
I, similar to Kris, connected to the theme about love. Again, as a writer, Richmon did an amazing thing...love was poetically interwoven into this book, that was about one of the most horrific times in recent history. The love that the families had for one another; the love that Josef and Lenka had for one another; and the love that the prisoners had for one another turned a terrible topic into a beautiful story.
I was thrilled that Lenka eventually found love with Carl. It was fitting that she was able to enjoy her relationship with her husband-as different as it was from the one she imagined with Josef. However, I found it sad that Josef did not experience the same. I think he loved Amalia in a way, but I felt like he punished himself all of his life by marrying a woman that he knew would never be able to pull him outside of himself and help him heel. (And vice versatile for Amalia.)
I give this book a 5 as well. I loved it and would like to read another book by this author.
Josey
And I spelled the author's name wrong...Richman. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis book is 3 for 3 - I give it 5 stars as well. I, too, thought the author's writing was beautiful and I was also hooked from the first page.
ReplyDeleteI have always been drawn to books during this time period. I think because it was a horrific, life changing world event that took place during my grandparents and parents lifetime. Richman made it all come alive as if I was there. I loved how the early chapters spoke about their everyday lives. We could have gone along reading that love story very well. And then this atrocity begins. Don't we find ourselves thinking, that could never happen to us. I have no doubt that's what the people that ended up in camps believed as well. It made me conscious of not taking for granted the blessings I experience daily in my life.
I have found myself pondering many times since reading the book, would I have stayed with my family as Lenka did? I think I would have gone with my husband with the belief that I could get them to America. As a parent, I know I would have felt as Lenka's father did. That was a compelling part in the book for me.
Many times when I read a book that I love I can't wait to read more from that author. And often I'm disappointed. I can't imagine I would not enjoy any book this author writes. Bravo to Richman!