Reading the horrors of the Holocaust is always difficult. Yet, this book is the easiest I got to read on the matter.
The author wrote the story of Lale, based on what he has shared with her near the end of his life. She did an amazing job in rendering his and his beloved Gita experiences.
The short sentences makes for an easy read and relatively fast as well without dumbing down the story. The chapters are also quite short yet incredibly well sectioned so the rhythm is comfortable and pleasant. The content is to the point and emotionally loaded.
As I reached a third in the book, I wept and kept crying through it until the end. This is the only story of Auschwitz where I saw actual humanity in this inhuman time and place. I was touched by Lale's strength and kindness and I strongly believe that the latter prevails in chaos. His story is also a love story. The most humane, humble and, dare I say it, the most romantic love story I've heard of. Simply two people who fell in love regardless of the circumstances. Kindness won over Auschwitz. Love won over Auschwitz.
This is also the first time we get to know a little more about the women's experiences of Birkenau and of their situation.
Because of its light reading pace all the while maintaining the power of the trauma of Auschwitz, I think this book is, therefore, more accessible. Especially for the curious teenagers or young adults who might find biographies more difficult to read.
All in all, I feel emotionally touched and I strongly recommend this book to everyone.
The author wrote the story of Lale, based on what he has shared with her near the end of his life. She did an amazing job in rendering his and his beloved Gita experiences.
The short sentences makes for an easy read and relatively fast as well without dumbing down the story. The chapters are also quite short yet incredibly well sectioned so the rhythm is comfortable and pleasant. The content is to the point and emotionally loaded.
As I reached a third in the book, I wept and kept crying through it until the end. This is the only story of Auschwitz where I saw actual humanity in this inhuman time and place. I was touched by Lale's strength and kindness and I strongly believe that the latter prevails in chaos. His story is also a love story. The most humane, humble and, dare I say it, the most romantic love story I've heard of. Simply two people who fell in love regardless of the circumstances. Kindness won over Auschwitz. Love won over Auschwitz.
This is also the first time we get to know a little more about the women's experiences of Birkenau and of their situation.
Because of its light reading pace all the while maintaining the power of the trauma of Auschwitz, I think this book is, therefore, more accessible. Especially for the curious teenagers or young adults who might find biographies more difficult to read.
All in all, I feel emotionally touched and I strongly recommend this book to everyone.