Book Review – A Lucky Child

A Lucky Child
Written By: Thomas Buergenthal
Forward By: Elie Wiesel
Published By: Little, Brown and Company an Imprint of Hachette Book Group, 2009, First Edition, 256 pages, hardcover
ISBN 978-0316043403

 

 

 

 

  

“A Lucky Child is the deeply compelling, straightforward story of a boy’s survival in Auschwitz; he retained his humanity despite the horrors surrounding him on a daily basis.”

Product Description – From Amazon.com
“Thomas Buergenthal, now a Judge in the International Court of Justice in The Hague, tells his astonishing experiences as a young boy in his memoir A LUCKY CHILD. He arrived at Auschwitz at age 10 after surviving two ghettos and a labor camp. Separated first from his mother and then his father, Buergenthal managed by his wits and some remarkable strokes of luck to survive on his own. Almost two years after his liberation, Buergenthal was miraculously reunited with his mother and in 1951 arrived in the U.S. to start a new life.
Now dedicated to helping those subjected to tyranny throughout the world, Buergenthal writes his story with a simple clarity that highlights the stark details of unimaginable hardship. A LUCKY CHILD is a book that demands to be read by all.”

The Lucky Child is a poignant memoir, allowing the reader to envision and feel all of the emotions and terror that Thomas (as a young boy) must have felt, while at the same time, maintaining a more detached approach (less gruesome) then many of the Holocaust books I have previously read. I was instantly drawn into this story and pulled into the absorbing narrative; this story is absolutely riveting! This smoothly flowing story has perfect momentum and keeps the reader’s interest from beginning to end. Thomas’ invaluable story really brought the Holocaust ‘home’, to me. As the reader visualizes what life was like for this young boy (and many others like him) during those horrendous times, it makes his experiences even more vivid and heartbreaking. I don’t want to give away any part of this book because it is Thomas’ unforgettable story to tell; only he can properly share with you the misery, wretchedness and the desolation that he felt while he was imprisoned.  Included in this book are 16 beautiful, black & white photographs and a black & white map (2 full pages).You simply MUST read this book!
I very highly recommend this book to everyone!!!

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ (10 out of 10 Diamonds) – Absolutely LOVED it!!
 

Link to Information about the Author:
http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/books_9780316043403.htm
Link to the Publisher’s Website:
http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/

** To watch a video interview with Thomas, please click here.

A special thanks to Anna at Hachette Book Group for sending me a copy to review.