As the world slips into the throes of war in 1939, nine-year-old Maciek’s once closeted existence outside Warsaw is no more. When Warsaw falls, the orphaned Maciek escapes with his sharp-tongued aunt Tania. Posing as Catholic Poles to hide their Jewish identity, they endure the war together—running, hiding, changing their names, forging documents to secure their temporary lives—as the insistent drum of the Nazi march moves ever closer to them and to their secret wartime lies.
This exquisite, acclaimed novel of the Holocaust as seen through the eyes of a young Polish boy was chosen by the New York Times as one of the Ten Best Books of the Year, nominated for the National Book Award, and won the 1991 Irish Times–Aer Lingus International Fiction Prize.
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"I couldn't put this one down - the biggest (ugly) thing I learned from this book was how the people in neighboring countries during WW2 (in this case, poland) embraced the nazis' anti-semitism with such apparent vigor. " — Julius (4 out of 5 stars)
"I couldn't put this one down - the biggest (ugly) thing I learned from this book was how the people in neighboring countries during WW2 (in this case, poland) embraced the nazis' anti-semitism with such apparent vigor. "
“Extraordinary…Rich in irony and regret…[the] people and settings are vividly realized and his prose [is] compelling in its simplicity.”
“[A] searing story of the quest for an authentic self in an insane world.”
“A moving addition to Holocaust literature and one well recommended.”
“[Written] In a stark style reminiscent of Jerzy Kosinski’s The Painted Bird.”
" Great book by an extraordinary writer. The war through a child's eyes, with adult clarity. "
" I enjoyed this book a lot. Simply written and yet so packed with story. A boy grows up during the WWII in Poland. Sad but not so detailed that is pulls you down too far. "
" A powerful book by one of our best writers. "
" i doubt i finished this "
" I couldn't put this one down - the biggest (ugly) thing I learned from this book was how the people in neighboring countries during WW2 (in this case, poland) embraced the nazis' anti-semitism with such apparent vigor. "
" This book is beautiful and desperate. It is different from any other story I've read about The Holocaust. I realize now that it is possible for people to lose more than their lives. "
" The horror of the Nazi occupation of Poland told through the innocent eyes of a child. Revealing, arresting, and very moving. "
" Thin plot about WWII Poland. "
" Begley's debut (at 57) is nothing like the novels that followed, for better or worse. The man knows writing! "
" Worth a read if you have an interest in Holocaust literature.Louis Begley is an author with a rich, personal history. "
" The Nazi's persecution and murder of the Jews created such an ethical turmoil. A young boy and his aunt assume Catholic roles in Poland to survive. There are repurcussions. "
" A very moving survival story of a young boy in Poland during WWII, the German atrocities, and what human beings are capable off. "
" Obviously the subject matter is heart wrenching. For some reason, perhaps because I chose to read this on vacation, i felt like I was skittering over the surface of this book rather than getting involved with the characters. "
" Read this book for a graduate class. It wasn't overly compelling. I've read other novels about the Holocaust that are much more interesting. "
Louis Begley lives in New York City. His previous novels are The Man Who Was Late, As Max Saw It, About Schimdt, Mistler’s Exit, Schmidt Delivered, and Shipwreck.
Stefan Rudnicki first became involved with audiobooks in 1994. Now a Grammy-winning audiobook producer, he has worked on more than five thousand audiobooks as a narrator, writer, producer, or director. He has narrated more than nine hundred audiobooks. A recipient of multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards, he was presented the coveted Audie Award for solo narration in 2005, 2007, and 2014, and was named one of AudioFile’s Golden Voices in 2012.
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