Official Review: Noemi's Father by Erika Bekesi

[Alys Sterk]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Noemi's Father" by Erika Bekesi.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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“Look behind her eyes and you’ll see her sorrow.” Noemi’s Father, written by Erika Bekesi, is the story of love and loss during the years following World War 2. In Hungary, young Elsie is sent away from her parents to work as a servant in a wealthy household. Her father is loving and encouraging, but her stern mother seems resentful and has little patience for her. As the German army sweeps through Europe, many young men are called to serve in the German army. One of these men is Henrik, with whom Elsie has fallen in love. He survives the war, and the two marry and start a family. The Soviets liberate the country from the Germans, and Henrik is taken to Siberia to work in a labor camp as punishment for his serving in the German army. In three years, he returns home and discovers that his family has moved on, believing that he was dead. The way of life as he knew it in his beloved country has changed with the new Soviet “liberators,” and he must find a way to reclaim his former life.

Noemi’s Father focuses on several characters who are dealing with the turmoil brought about by World War 2. At the beginning of each chapter, there is a short paragraph that explains the historical background of the time. What I liked best about this book is the characterization. Each of the characters is assiduously real with a history and an experience that adds to the energy of the plot; each one shaped by Hungary’s reality during the war. The characters are faced with choices and must accept the consequences of those choices. For example, young Elsie reflects on the harsh words of her mother, harboring a deep sense of shame that compromises her self-esteem when she realizes she has acquired a sibling. Henrik has an epiphany when he realizes that the abhorrent attitudes of his captors are eerily similar to the attitudes he has had against his Gypsy neighbors.

Many, many books have been written about this time period. Students in schools around the world read about the Holocaust, the liberation of Europe, and the brave souls who resisted occupation and helped hide the “undesirables” in their houses. Not many books have been told from the perspective of countries like Hungary, a country that was sandwiched between the aggressive Nazi forces and the formidable Soviet army. Under communist rule, these countries’ stories have been held in secret. This is a story that needs to be told, as many readers have not read narratives from this perspective. Ms. Bekesi did a thorough job of illustrating for readers the government’s tight control over its citizens, and the descriptions were very specific. This provides a clear insight into the thoughts and actions of the characters.

The only negative thing about this book is the editing. There are frequent mistakes in grammar throughout the text, and these errors do distract from the flow of the book. Many of the editing problems are with subject-verb agreement and the use of the comma. The author is not a native speaker and English is a difficult language, especially for those from Eastern Europe. More careful editing from a native speaker will prevent errors and make this the remarkable story that it is. For these reasons, I give this book 3 out of 4 stars. Had there been fewer errors, I would have given it a perfect rating. The storyline was so captivating that I looked up some of the events in the story to get more information. From the very beginning, I had a map out and followed Henrik’s journey across Europe and Asia.

I recommend this book to all readers. Those who love history and a good character-driven novel will most appreciate its themes of perseverance and forgiveness. Through the thoughts and words of the characters, all readers will gain a better understanding of human nature and will discover the far-reaching impact of war. For many, the war did not end when the fighting stopped. I applaud this author for reminding all of us that no matter on which side we find ourselves, the scars left run deep, penetrate every aspect of life, and last a lifetime. “Look behind her eyes and you'll see her sorrow.”

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Noemi's Father
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[Amy747]

Wow! I cant imagine how traumatic it would be to return home after only a few years to find your family had moved on without you.

[Cristina Chifane]

I'd definitely like to read a book on Hungary during World War II. Henrik looks like a character at least equally interesting to Elsie. I wonder how he copes with the postwar atmosphere and if he can recuperate his family. Thanks for a great review!

[xoxoAnushka]

I do love stories where 'the love has blossomed during the misfortunes of war.'
Beautiful review btw!

[JoyALB]

Wow, so fascinating! As you mentioned, many books have been written on WW2 so it is refreshing to hear that there is this untapped perspective available for perusal. Really looking forward to reading this. Thank you for the great review!

[Alys Sterk]

I'd definitely like to read a book on Hungary during World War II. Henrik looks like a character at least equally interesting to Elsie. I wonder how he copes with the postwar atmosphere and if he can recuperate his family. Thanks for a great review!

This is a very interesting perspective. I learned a lot from this book about that part of the world!

[Alys Sterk]

Wow, so fascinating! As you mentioned, many books have been written on WW2 so it is refreshing to hear that there is this untapped perspective available for perusal. Really looking forward to reading this. Thank you for the great review!

The book did a great job of showing this particular country. You're right - many untold stories. With Hitler, he messed with different countries and they told...with Stalin, he was abusing his own people, and they could not tell.

[Alys Sterk]

Wow! I cant imagine how traumatic it would be to return home after only a few years to find your family had moved on without you.

Yes, I know what you mean! Great book that evokes many emotions!

[Avishi]

I got here after reading the author's interview; it's fascinating that the story's protagonists are the author's parents. Your review is excellent. This review sums up why this book is a must-read for me. If I had the chance, I would read this book.

[Carolina Guerra]

I read the interview and I wanted some more information about the book. Your review answered to every doubt I had; thank you. This seems like a very personal and moving story and I'd love to learn more about the context through this perspective. Looking forward to reading this book.