Review by J_Kang -- Hidden: Nistar by Batya Casper

J_Kang · Post by **J_Kang** » 30 Aug 2019, 10:33

[Following is a volunteer review of "Hidden: Nistar" by Batya Casper.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Hidden: Nistar by Batya Casper consists of 2 compelling short stories, the first set in 1930 Israel, the second in war-time England.

The first story starts by presenting the reader with a mystery - the death of an old man and a woman living upstairs in his house whom no one has ever laid eyes on. The young and curious Tikvah seeks for answers while her grandmother, the cynical Mrs L guards her secrets. Through a series of 2 flashbacks, the first focusing on the Lazamof household where Tikvah is raised, the second focusing on the past of the Lazamof household which led to its current state, the mystery slowly unravels itself.

The second story presents us with a gripping tale on war and its consequences. Titled Hanover Gardens, the second story is set during World War 2. Myra and her sister Annie, 2 Jewish girls are sent to safety by taking refuge under Inda and her family in England. As the story proceeds we learn about Myra and her troubles adapting to the new environment, as well as her relationship with Billy and Claire, who are Inda’s children.

While I was rather taken in by the first Story, I felt that it did not start well. The first chapter started by introducing multiple characters, dropping names at the reader, making it a confusing read. However, I liked that the story was able to maintain its air of mystery throughout the book. The author reveals information slowly, step by step, keeping me hooked to the story from the start to the end. The characters were all rather flashed out and I was able to appreciate the unique and colourful personality of each individual. One particular character that stood out to me was Tikvah. The author managed to capture the curiosity and childishness that is unique to a child, making Tikvah a character to remember.

The author excels at characterisation, and this particularly stood out in the second story, Hanover Gardens, as it is presented through the eyes of several characters. I enjoyed being able to witness how each characters' past and upbringing shaped their mindset and actions. As the author chose to use a group of children as the main characters, the themes of war and loss were conveyed clearly. The tragedy of war is emphasised through children who are forced to grow up much too quickly.

Overall the book was exceptionally well edited, lacking in any noticeable typos or grammatical errors. I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. The stories are both fresh and touching, able to tackle sensitive topics and bring out the common theme of loss well. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading Historical Fiction or is looking for a quick read. I really enjoyed this book and hope that others will feel the same.

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Hidden: Nistar
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