While there are many novels, memoirs, and biographies about the Holocaust, none match up to this one. At the age of 100, which is a feat itself, Eddie Jaku writes to his readers, who he calls his friends, about the struggle of survival as a refugee and as a death camp survivor during WWII. But this memoir is so much more than a war novel. Eddie writes of his life after the war as an immigrant in Australia and his inner struggle to cope with his past and how to look and move forward to a happy future. He also examines his experiences through a psychological perspective, wondering how his neighbors went from having dinner with his family to throwing stones at them and cursing them only because they were Jewish, despite he and his family considering themselves as Germans first and Jews second. It is hard to write a review for this book because you have to read the book for yourself to fully immerse yourself in Eddie’s story. No review or synopsis can sum up his incredible life story.
I will tell you that I read Eddie’s memoir in two days, and after I finished it, I told my mom to read it. My mom, who has not read a book in over 10 years, could not put this one down and she read it in three days. Eddie’s words are powerful and captivating, yet reading his book is like having a conversation with a friend at a coffee shop in that his words are casual, comforting, and warm. I cried, I laughed, and I felt grateful for the life I had, and I feel as though I have gained a new friend.
“There are always miracles in the world, even when all seems hopeless. And when there are no miracles, you can make them happen. With a simple act of kindness, you can save another person from despair, and that might just save their life. And this is the greatest miracle of all.”
This book is a quick yet powerful read and I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for hope, support, and most importantly, a friend, because Eddie provides all of that through his words.
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