abeth_parker's review against another edition
3.0
A good and interesting story that went on a bit too long. Holocaust stories are always intriguing, and narrating the perspective of a Romany (gypsy) was definitely different. I liked the book overall. The most interesting part was the Author's Note that said the detention camp that many gypsies were in is now a resort with one of the former barracks housing the table tennis tables. I found that disturbing.
claire_melanie's review against another edition
5.0
This was an excellent book about the fate of the roma and sinti during the Holocaust. kept me thoroughly involved even during my flight. very interesting, well written and engaging. highly recommended.
asbookreviewsforfun_alicia's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jeanetterenee's review against another edition
5.0
This one really kept me occupied on a dreary, foggy Sunday afternoon. I read nearly 200 pages in one day! I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a different perspective on World War II fiction.
The story is about a Czech Rom (Gypsy) family between the years of 1927 and 1945. It's a fascinating portrait of the lifestyle and superstitions of the Romany people. They were made to register and were eventually rounded up and put in concentration camps just as the Jews were, but it's a less frequently told story. The book ends with coverage of the uprising in Prague in 1945 when the news came that Hitler was dead. This book really sparked my interest about the Gypsy culture of Eastern Europe, and I've put some nonfiction books about them on my "to read" list.
The story is about a Czech Rom (Gypsy) family between the years of 1927 and 1945. It's a fascinating portrait of the lifestyle and superstitions of the Romany people. They were made to register and were eventually rounded up and put in concentration camps just as the Jews were, but it's a less frequently told story. The book ends with coverage of the uprising in Prague in 1945 when the news came that Hitler was dead. This book really sparked my interest about the Gypsy culture of Eastern Europe, and I've put some nonfiction books about them on my "to read" list.
cherylanntownsend's review against another edition
5.0
Not since D.M. Thomas' The White Hotel have I been so deeply affected by a book about the horrors of the Holocaust. This is a historically rich story of one gypsy family and the persecution they suffered before, during, and after the worst era in history. It is a story of strength and honor, tenacity and loss."
lgl88's review
5.0
this book was very dark. it focuses on a romani family and their experience of racism in eastern europe, culminating with their experience of the holocaust and concentration camps. I’ve read many books about the holocaust, but never one about the treatment of the roma people, and I think this book should have a more prominent place in holocaust canon. I chose this book, written by an author of romani descent, to read in honor of international roma day.
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