Franz Dahler and Helena Kleinova did not have a typical romance.  Franz is a wounded SS Officer assigned to head up Kanada-the sorting detail for all of the objects taken from the inmates upon arrival to Auschwitz.  Helena is a Czechloslovakian Jew being prepared for the gas chamber.  Before she is taken to the chamber, Helena is pulled from line in order to sing Happy Birthday to an SS Officer.  The Officer, Dahler is enraptured with Helena and arranges for her to be placed in Kanada, saving her life.  As Helena and Franz spend time together, a relationship forms.  Franz also rescues Helena's sister from the gas chambers and Helena eventually cannot imagine her survival without Franz.  Now, in 1947 Franz and Helena are married.  Franz is set to appear in Denazification Court for his crimes at Auschwitz.  Another Auschwitz inmate, Andrej Novák wants Dahler to be fully investigated for his crimes against Helena.  Two America psychiatrists observe the strange couple to figure out if Helena is a victim of abuse or simply a woman in love. 

 

Stories from the Holocaust are more important now than ever since the world seems to be forgetting the result of hatred towards a group of people.  Helena and Franz' story seems fictional, but is based on the very real story of Helena  Citrónová  and Franz Wunsch.  The timeline of the story goes back and forth between 1947 as Helena testifies to the court in Franz' defense and Helena and Franz' memories of Auschwitz from 1942-1945.  The writing manages to portray an uncertainty of the nature of Franz and Helena's relationship as Andrej, Helena and Franz recall the same events with different emotions and insight.  I was amazed to learn about Kanada, the sorting detail. While I knew of the vast piles of items, I was unaware that the inmates of Auschwitz were made to sort through them.  The description of Kanada and the rest of Auschwitz is detailed with historical accuracy.  While workers in Kanada were typically better fed and kept in better conditions than the rest of the inmates, they were still subject to the torture of Auschwitz and the guilt that the deaths of others kept them alive.  Also highlighted were the many SS Officers who knew what they were doing was wrong and tried to help inmates in their own small ways.  The most valuable lesson of Helena and Franz' story comes from Andrej's character- we must never stop talking about what happened, we must not let people forget the damage that hatred brings.

 

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

 

 

ELLIE AND THE HARPMAKER by Hazel Prior

This is a lovely book. Ellie, married to a controlling husband, meets Dan, who lives in solitary splendor meticulously carving exquisite harps.

The writing is detailed and engaging. Prior uses words to describe the woods and creatures surrounding the harp barn with great charm. Her characters grow and become clear as the story progresses.

Although she never uses any words to indicate Dan is autistic (or at least on the spectrum), it is readily apparent through her word pictures. She writes with sympathy and tenderness about her characters allowing the reader to see them change and develop with her eyes.

As the tale unfolds danger and fear emerge, but the overriding feeling is always sympathy and gentleness.

A good book for groups interested in music, woodworking, nature, personality development, marriage, autism, forgiveness, family dynamics, and love.

5 of 5 stars