Review of Near the Danube Bridge
Posted: 30 Jul 2024, 01:59
[Following is a volunteer review of "Near the Danube Bridge" by Catherine Allen-Walters.]
Albert Hartig, born on October 25, 1882, is an ethnic German who gets married to a widow named Anna Kiss. As a woman with three kids already, Albert graciously adopted them and had eight more children of his own in addition to them. Things seemed to be going well for them until Anna got converted to Seventh-day Adventist in 1935, which had very different doctrines from her husband's Slovak Evangelical Church or most churches at the time. This difference in Christian doctrines brought about constant quarrels and disagreements in the family. One of their sons, Kalman, who is the main protagonist in the narrative, is caught up in the constant household religious bickering. He, however, adopts his mother's religious ideology, and this single decision would go on to shape his life's trajectory.
Catherine vividly portrays the trauma and horror of war, from the invasion of Yugoslavia to the bombing of Belgrade, and the emotional scars that linger long after the conflict has ended. The characters' personal struggles, losses, and displacement illustrate the human cost of war and the resilience required to survive and rebuild. Additionally, the theme of persecution and discrimination is a significant theme that plays out throughout the narrative.
The characters face various forms of persecution and discrimination due to their ethnicity, religion, and beliefs, which highlights the destructive nature of prejudice and intolerance. The narrative showcases the devastating consequences of discrimination, from the forced labor camps to the emotional toll on individuals and families. Kalman's experiences in the labor camp, where he was brutalized and dehumanized, illustrate the cruel treatment of those deemed "undesirable" by the ruling powers. The Kommandant's cruelty and the prisoners' suffering serve as a stark reminder of the atrocities that can result from prejudice and discrimination.
"Near the Danube Bridge" by Catherine Allen-Walters is a good book for non fiction lovers. This book is a 5 out of 5. There were no detectable errors or anything I disliked. Catherine did an astonishing job.
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Near the Danube Bridge
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Albert Hartig, born on October 25, 1882, is an ethnic German who gets married to a widow named Anna Kiss. As a woman with three kids already, Albert graciously adopted them and had eight more children of his own in addition to them. Things seemed to be going well for them until Anna got converted to Seventh-day Adventist in 1935, which had very different doctrines from her husband's Slovak Evangelical Church or most churches at the time. This difference in Christian doctrines brought about constant quarrels and disagreements in the family. One of their sons, Kalman, who is the main protagonist in the narrative, is caught up in the constant household religious bickering. He, however, adopts his mother's religious ideology, and this single decision would go on to shape his life's trajectory.
Catherine vividly portrays the trauma and horror of war, from the invasion of Yugoslavia to the bombing of Belgrade, and the emotional scars that linger long after the conflict has ended. The characters' personal struggles, losses, and displacement illustrate the human cost of war and the resilience required to survive and rebuild. Additionally, the theme of persecution and discrimination is a significant theme that plays out throughout the narrative.
The characters face various forms of persecution and discrimination due to their ethnicity, religion, and beliefs, which highlights the destructive nature of prejudice and intolerance. The narrative showcases the devastating consequences of discrimination, from the forced labor camps to the emotional toll on individuals and families. Kalman's experiences in the labor camp, where he was brutalized and dehumanized, illustrate the cruel treatment of those deemed "undesirable" by the ruling powers. The Kommandant's cruelty and the prisoners' suffering serve as a stark reminder of the atrocities that can result from prejudice and discrimination.
"Near the Danube Bridge" by Catherine Allen-Walters is a good book for non fiction lovers. This book is a 5 out of 5. There were no detectable errors or anything I disliked. Catherine did an astonishing job.
******
Near the Danube Bridge
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon