One of the most engrossing books I've read recently - definitely unputdownable.
This is a fictionalised account of the Roma (gypsy) experience in Czechslovakia before and during WWII. Although it started out slow, once the Nazis began rounding up the undesirables and transporting them, the book came to life. The conditions and experiences in the dentention camp made my skin crawl.
The last part of the book is set in Prague. Having just come back from a holiday which included a few days in Prague it was interesting to read about places which I could now visualise in my mind. Even if you've not been to Prague you can enjoy - it just made it all that more 'real' to me having been there and knowing the streets/sights that were referenced.
If you have an interest in historical fiction and are looking for something different, then pick up this book. There's so little written from the Roma perspective that this definitely was a treat to read despite the depressing subject matter.
This is a fictionalised account of the Roma (gypsy) experience in Czechslovakia before and during WWII. Although it started out slow, once the Nazis began rounding up the undesirables and transporting them, the book came to life. The conditions and experiences in the dentention camp made my skin crawl.
The last part of the book is set in Prague. Having just come back from a holiday which included a few days in Prague it was interesting to read about places which I could now visualise in my mind. Even if you've not been to Prague you can enjoy - it just made it all that more 'real' to me having been there and knowing the streets/sights that were referenced.
If you have an interest in historical fiction and are looking for something different, then pick up this book. There's so little written from the Roma perspective that this definitely was a treat to read despite the depressing subject matter.
Helpful Score: 3
This is a great book about the Roma (gypsies) during World War II. I have always been intrigued by the society of gypsies (which I believe is actually a derogatory term). They were persecuted by the Nazis and many died alongside Jews during the Holocaust; this is a novel based on historic fact during that time period. It is a sad story of survival that left me wondering what exactly happened to the Sinti Roma, and finding that there is not a whole lot of information on them. Nonetheless, this is a very readable book about a terrible time in history.
Helpful Score: 2
well written but depressing account of gypsies in WW2. My book club was split on their opinions about this book.
Helpful Score: 1
A fascinating look at the Gypsies in WWII. A page turner.
A good read, very enjoyable.
Not that I did not not like this book,however I expected a little more on the Gypsy life style their traditions and the reasons behind them. I wanted to know why women had gold coins in their hair and why they gave secret names to their children and more on the family structure. I got a taste of that ,however it was more about them being interned in a concentration camp{Which was very well written the horror these people the forgotten people were treated) and the subsequent escape of one of the characters and how this experience changed his life experience.I found the ending disappointing I would have liked to know which life the character chose.
1927 when prosperity still reigns in Central Europe...a family of gypsies who raise their son during relative calm of the 1930's only to be thrown into dangerous times when Germany invades Czechoslovakia and the conflicts of WWII unfold. One gypsy family during an extraordinary time in history.
