Long Journey Home, by Lucy Lipiner

One of the torrid historical events I have read about, and researched for a school project, is the Holocaust. Whereas the information I put into the project remains forgotten, the event itself resurfaces to mind with books on the topic. No book better than Anne Frank’s diary to touch on the topic. It was recently that I came across another book on it, and I thought I’d give it a go.

Long Journey Home is the memoirs of the author Lusia (Lucy) Lipiner. She returns to Poland and her native village of Sucha Bezkidzka there, to try and find a picture of her mother’s family. She wants to give it to her mother as a gift, the best gift she can give. The journey is not only about traveling the physical miles, but also the emotional miles that seem much more, because she left the country when she was a child. She finds one, of her parents’ engagement, and it opens a path back to her past, and to this memoir. She takes us back to her childhood, introduces her family, and tells how her uncle got caught by the Gestapo. She visits her ancestral home, and takes us along with her. She takes us back to the time when war first came (on a Friday, which she remembers because of Sabbath candles) and how they ran, almost toward the Germans. She tells us how they hid, how they were captured and taken to Siberia. The memoir is about them fleeing one country to another, in a bid to remain safe.

As with any memoir, there is sadness. It makes me feel sad, feel sorry for those families that had to run from one country to another to survive. Some things bring a smile, even though the moment that follows is a sad one, like Lucy unwittingly giving away her relatives’ hiding place because of her concern that they’ll be left behind. There are those moments of wonder, of near escapes. It has photos that tell a tale in itself; that was good. The writing here, perhaps because the book is a flashback, doesn’t manage to bring out that emotion strongly. You know it’s a troubling tale, and you feel glad that Lucy and her family survived, but the narration feels very plain to me.

I don’t think I can read it again. It’s not because of that plainness, but because of the setting of the tale. But it’s worth reading at least the once, because it is a tale of survival, and that’s an inspiration in a way.

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Book: Long Journey Home: A Young Girl's Memoir of Surviving the Holocaust
Author: Lucy Lipiner
ASIN: B00H6QVRNU
Genre: Memoirs

In The Walled Gardens - Anahita Firouz

Impressions off the back:

I feel this might be a book that focuses on language and vividness of the images it tries to invoke, rather than pace and quick flowing scenes. It is a tale of love – lost and found. It is set in a world on the brink of destruction – Iran, before a revolution. It promises to be an interesting read.

My thoughts on the book:

I got what I expected from the book’s back cover. Anahita Firouz delivers strong language right from the prologue, and it evokes images to the mind. Through her words, we can picture the scenes, the actions and feel we are part of the story. As a writer, I’ve always found first person narration challenging. Firouz takes that to a whole new level. Alternating chapters with voice, the story tells of Mahastee’s first love, Reza, the son of her family estate’s caretaker. The prologue speaks of their first moment of love, in Mahastee’s voice, before the first chapter comes from Reza’s voice twenty years after that, on an evening when he sees her again after that long gap. Each chapter is delivered with panache, excellently written.

What she does excellently well with language and bringing those images of Iran before the revolution to life, she sort of brings down with the complex linking of characters. The double first person narration, though done well, leaves one confused at times as to what is happening, and how will it all tie up together. The characters seem emotionally uncaring, detached from their lives and their past. This slows down the story to an extent that the reader doesn’t feel like continuing. It’s not boring, but at times, the story lacks a little substance.

Overall impressions:

The cover page has a quote review from the Daily Mail: “Elegant, aphoristic, and wise… A kaleidoscope of memory… The novel holds the reader steadily.” . I agree. This is Anahita’s first novel, and she succeeds in conjuring images of Iran before the revolution very well. She also manages to paint good character sketches and relations, like a high class person’s lack of respect for the lower class, the warnings of the lower class family not to expect anything out of a relationship with an upper class family, the extra-marital affairs and sucking up to higher authority people to get your way etc. It does hold the reader steadily. However, the characters seem emotionally out of it, and after a while, the reader starts to feel the same. This is the drawback that is the buzzkill to me.

Rating: 3 / 5

Book Details:

Title: In The Walled Gardens

Author: Anahita Firouz

Genre: Fiction

ISBN: 0-316-71159-4

Publishers: Back Bay Books

Reviewed by: Leo

Also for the First Reads Challenge at b00k r3vi3ews blog.

A WALK IN THE SUN BY HARRY BROWN

   AUTHOR- Harry Brown

FIRST PUBLISHED- 1944 (It's time to go back to the old classics)

ISBN – 978-0803261488

GENRE- Historical Fiction / War novella

SYNOPSIS- A Platoon of Allied army (Refer World War II) lands amidst a shore invasion in the Italian Peninsula. As they loose men and confidence, the remaining platoon searches to prove their worth in battle.

EXCERPT- “Cold,” Private Judson said.

“It can’t be cold. Its sunny Italy,” said Riviera.

“You read the wrong handbook”.

“I read the soldiers handbook” said Riviera…..

They all felt better somehow. ….. It no longer mattered that they weren’t exactly sure where they were going or what they would find there.

KOUSTABH 'QUETZALCOATL' says- Yeah okay it’s a military book, starts with the description of a guy who is the lieutenant of a fictional platoon and is heading the platoon in a battle torn Italian peninsula. Guns fired, bombs drop. WOAH!! The leader (who seemed like the protagonist) is dead!!  Okay the team lands and a new leader arises, very practical and respecting the order of Army. Some pages later, he is reported DEAD!!

       And from the remaining places rises up the protagonists (yes this is a story that give equal thought and page space to many) and the story continues literally a walk in the sun. What is most amazing here is the realism in the novella. War is not always about bombs, guns and heroes who don’t die even after a whole barge of bullets are thrown at them. Here Harry Brown show even veterans give in to battle fatigue (or Shell Shock if you will), and people dying because a single bullet mistakenly found its mark. The enemy is non existent (until the last part of the novella), and injury is shown to be a vital but unavoidable part. From descriptions of helmets, to instant strategy (almost like insta-coffee) and real bang-bang in the last parts, this novella has it all, yet in ultra realistic way. The name ‘A Walk in the Sun’ itself sets up the tone. Everything happens in a single day and war is represented as a long and tiring walk, which it really is for most people until they face the bullets head on. Some walk on, while others stay back and not all of them are dead. Some are crippled and hope a purple star for bravery, others, well, just looses it!!

       So where does this ultra realistic novella having both sides of the war coin lack. It is in its pace. Realism is good, overt realism stretching through pages can be a tiring activity. Though it is seemingly interesting enough, yet I couldn’t read it in one go (maybe I am just lazy). But thinking back, maybe the stretching out makes you appreciate the witty parts and the final battle even more (I won’t say no more about the surprises).

       In the backdrop of bombs and shelling, Harry Brown brings forth some flesh and blood men in army uniforms. A new read (though it’s an old book) for those who want to see a new part of war and realistic literature.

P.S. - I’m so sorry for being out of touch for so long. Exams and other things have kept me apart. But I am back!! So Keep Reading guys and gals out there!! 

        

My Rating – 3 / 5 stars

PRICE – Rs. 876 (Flipkart price)