Historical fiction books set during World War II are everywhere. This one was recommended by a friend who said it was worth sharing with her (older) children. My son doesn't need any supplemental reading (since he doesn't read anything not explicitly assigned), but my daughter will (because she can never have a long enough reading list). I decided it was worth reading even if I don't need it for another three years.
The book follows young Josef, a Jew in Vienna who comes of age between the world wars. Though his family is not religious, he comes to believe in God. He marries and becomes a father as World War II looms. His joys, sorrows, and struggles form the thread of the tale, weaving a story of all those close to him.
All of the usual griefs attend this story. There are those who suffer, those who die, those who live but continue to suffer. Josef's greatest friend, Friedrich, saves him, his wife, and his child. He also saves Josef's cousin, hiding her in his attic. But Josef learns how difficult it is to balance the treasure of the lives saved against everything else Friedrich did during the war, a balance Friedrich struggles to find as well.
This is definitely a book for older, more mature teens. There are intimate scenes and violent ones.
The writing is beautiful. I loved the descriptions of Josef's love for his wife and of his experience of fatherhood.
New life comes into the world, the quiet seems to tell me, but you will be forever counting up and up, because the subtraction at the other end of life will never be un-birth. We go out a different door than the one we came in through. (p. 73)
Josef's faith remains firm, grounding him through his many years of work and waiting. His aching prayers to heaven are sprinkled through the book.
Oh, Lord--he begins to pray, but he has no other words, just his heart between his two thin hands. He offers it up, in case it should mean anything. (p. 138)
This is a book I intend to share with First Daughter when she's a little older, certainly by the time she studies World War II in history in high school.
I have received nothing in exchange for this post. Links to Amazon are affiliate links. I purchased the book used.
