I have read quite a few books of historical fiction based around wars. It is different to read one written at the time by someone who actually experienced something similar to the story’s plot. The introduction carried with it its own piece of surprise that had me feeling sad even before I started reading the story. The cruel twist of fate seemed too much of a coincidence to be true, but unfortunately, it was.
This is a reprint of a book first published in 1939. It focuses the narrative on a seemingly unimportant part of the issues plaguing the jews at the time, but their new normal was pretty harsh to watch unfold, especially from the point of one who was only partially affected until everything started to boil over. Our lead protagonist is a Jewish man who does not have the outward appearance of one and a Christian wife. He has begun the process of leaving the country, but there are many obstacles in his path.
On a seemingly ordinary day, he finds himself in immediate danger, and he sets off in an attempt to escape. The futility of the exercise and every conversation he has on the way is what the book is all about. It is not a big volume but felt like a very different read!
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
