Reviews
A Child al Confino: The True Story of a Jewish Boy and His Mother in Mussolini's Italy by Eric Lamet
dannb's review against another edition
3.0
With a few exceptions, the telling didn't really get to the "inside" of the story. I realize it was written MANY years after the fact, but I had a sense that it was mostly a forced adventure in Italy in the '30s...and I know that is not true.
Loved the sense of community that was shared with those interned.
Loved the sense of community that was shared with those interned.
sewcialist_librarian's review against another edition
3.0
Good book. Reads well, but I spent most of the novel wondering how much was memory and how much was adult reflection of childhood memories.
kiwi_fruit's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting memoir, the war seen through the eyes of a child. Enrico’s fear, hopes, curiosity, interests, complicated family relationships; it all sounded so real to me. I loved the story at beginning, the time spent in Austria, then the Nazi invasion and the move to Italy. The final part was also thrilling with vivid descriptions of his escape to the monastery in the mountains and his post-war life. The middle part, where Enrico describes his many months spent in Ospitaletto, was perhaps too detailed and dull at times due to the domesticity and the limited experiences that the little village offered.
A great story of human resilience and love. 3.5 rounded up.
A great story of human resilience and love. 3.5 rounded up.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Lamet's story presents a somewhat unknown part of WW II, at least somewhat unknown to Americans. It deals with a mother and son who stay one step ahead of Hitler, eventually making thier way to Italy, where they are placed under town arrrest, confino.
In some ways, the story is not one of daring escapes. What makes the story intersting is Lamet's mother who time and time again saves her son. Lamet tells this the story from the prespective of his 11-13 year old self. Whil at first look, this might seem to weaken the story, in many ways it allows for his mother to take central stage. Instead of telling us what a great woman his mother was, Lamet simply shows us. This remove actually makes the story more compelling.
In some ways, the story is not one of daring escapes. What makes the story intersting is Lamet's mother who time and time again saves her son. Lamet tells this the story from the prespective of his 11-13 year old self. Whil at first look, this might seem to weaken the story, in many ways it allows for his mother to take central stage. Instead of telling us what a great woman his mother was, Lamet simply shows us. This remove actually makes the story more compelling.
td3's review against another edition
4.0
A different view of WW2 than what I have previously read. Lamet tells the story of how his family became separated as Hitler rose to power, and what they endured throughout the war years and afterwards. I was disappointed that he didn't go onto more details concerning his father and other family members. I did like the fact that he tells us what happened to the other internees following the war.
More...