In one moment, a quick decision changes the lives of a young German soldier and a frightened young
Jewish girl and binds them together forever.
Young Selig Kruger reluctantly joins the Hitler Youth when it becomes
law for all to do so, but finds himself indoctrinated in the cause. When he finds a young Jewish girl hiding in a closet,
though, his views change. Selig lets the girl escape and then runs away himself. When pursued by his fellow soldiers,
Selig finds he must kill them in order to save his own life. Selig then spends his life atoning for
his past as he hides the fact he was a Nazi from his family and friends.
The past, likewise, plagues Eva, the young Jewish girl. Never able to truly trust after the
atrocities endured by her people, Eva still cannot forget the young German soldier who spared her life. Nor can she
forgive him for apparently killing her parents.
Rosen’s book chronicles the lives of these two characters that
could represent many individuals of the Holocaust from shortly before they meet through adulthood when they must decide
how they fit in each other’s lives.
Rosen masterfully interweaves several story lines without being confusing
or leaving things untied. His writing is crisp and concise without being boring. His facts seem well researched
and it makes the reader want to look more closely at this part of our world’s history.
The reader will connect with the characters and feel filled when the book ends. I found this
book to be very well written and would definitely recommend it.
Reviewer: BUNNY MINER, MUSE BOOK REVIEWS
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