“Every Friday for the last 25 years of her life, I had lunch with Charlotte and each week she told me more of her extraordinary story. To all appearances, she was a strong and dignified survivor, with old-world courtesies, a twinkling sense of humor, and a lilting Austrian syntax. Yet deep within, she’d been scarred by a profound personal trauma.
Finally, just before she died at the age of 91, she chose to entrust me with this profound secret, and all at once I understood how it had affected her entire adult life. This is a story of friendship and strength, of courage and betrayal. It is an epic tale set against the backdrop of history.”
I had this book on my kindle and read it quickly in a couple nights during bouts of insomnia. The book is fascinating. The story is a wonderful picture of grace on the listeners part. To be a silent willing listener is such a gift to the person releasing the story. Charlotte needed to get so many things told and the author listened patiently and gleaned so much history. The fact that he shared it with us is a gift.
This story reminded me so much of my days as a charge nurse in the nursing home, listening to the stories of all the lovely residents over several years time. The amazing histories I received in verbal form were so interesting and a window into the soul of the people entrusted in my care. Which made advocating for them much easier, because I could create a picture of a whole person to the powers that be, instead of a number, or what appeared to be just a little old man or lady to an outsider.
This story reminded me so much of my days as a charge nurse in the nursing home, listening to the stories of all the lovely residents over several years time. The amazing histories I received in verbal form were so interesting and a window into the soul of the people entrusted in my care. Which made advocating for them much easier, because I could create a picture of a whole person to the powers that be, instead of a number, or what appeared to be just a little old man or lady to an outsider.
Charlotte, the story teller never seems to have recovered from a HUGE betrayal when she was just 19, it clouded her entire life for the rest of her life. Although by outward appearances there was no way to tell. The longing over wondering if she was really loved by a parent crushes you. It stays with her until her last days.
I highly recommend this book. Although I love reading Holocaust literature, and World War II history, this story in and of itself was just beautiful. May her memory be for a blessing, May she be at peace.
I highly recommend this book. Although I love reading Holocaust literature, and World War II history, this story in and of itself was just beautiful. May her memory be for a blessing, May she be at peace.
Peace.
