Book Reviews: The True Story of Hansel and Gretel

Author: Louise Murphy ISBN 0-14-200307-7

As a Jewish kid, I grew up hearing and reading nothing but Holocaust and other persecution based stories of woe and heroism in the face of death. Jewish history cannot be told without it, and that very same history has shaped who we are as Jews today. So as you can imagine, when someone suggested that I read yet another book based on the Holocaust, I was somewhat skeptical as to its informational and entertainment value.

This, however, is not a book about Jews fighting to survive the camps or the ghettos, though some of that is part of this book. Its focus is the heroism and sacrifice of those Poles who fought and defied the Nazis throughout the war. The story is centered around two Jewish children reluctantly abandoned by their parents on the run from the Nazis, having escaped the Bialystok Ghetto, who are then subsequently taken in by well-meaning and kind hearted Poles in the deep forest.

I liked the realism of this book. In a subtle, yet very direct manner, Murphy expresses the very real and very natural emotions of war-torn Nazi-occupied villagers. There are traitors, collaborators, lovers, and unexpected heroes. She is descriptive enough in her writing that she makes you feel part of the story, but she leaves no doubt as to the outcome. There is no happy ending for our heroine, the mysterious Magda, and though the reuniting of the children with their father is a bit far-fetched, you are not disappointed when it happens. Murphy even gets the attitudes of German soldiers, in reference to their hatred and distrust of their SS counterparts, absolutely right. Her characters, minus the SS lunatic, are perfectly normal people coping, best as they can, in terribly difficult circumstances.

This is not a children’s book. There is graphic violence and sexuality, but not over-the-top, and all in context of the storyline. This book is not a long read either, and should take you probably three or four good reading days to finish. I liked it very much.

Part of what I look for in a good book are lines from the story or dialogue that stand out and say something more than the story, and in many ways bring the characters to life. Here is one from this book that touched me.

(from page17)

Gretel couldn’t think of an answer. She stared at the hut and saw another piece of bread and then another on the boards. “Why do you put bread on your house?”

“The birds feed on it.”

“That’s wasteful.” Gretel frowned at her.

“Wasting a little shows you believe in tomorrow.”