Fountain of Wisdom  Posts: 5,054 Joined: Aug 2010 Thanked 5 times What I Read
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The discussion of The Warsaw Anagrams is now open.
A book is like a garden carried in the pocket. ~Chinese Proverb
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Junior Member  Posts: 5 Joined: May 2011 Thanked 0 times |
RE: Bookclub: The discussion of The Warsaw AnagramsAll the best, Richard Zimler |
Posting Freak Posts: 621 Joined: May 2011 Thanked 1 times What I Read
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RE: Bookclub: The discussion of The Warsaw AnagramsI enjoyed the book hugely and thought it was terrifically well written and because of that I'll defintely read The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon . I really liked the character of Erik and his approach to the mystery - partly because I work in child psychiatry, but also because of Erik's downbeat approach to life. He reminded me of Rabbi Lionel Blue's radio "Thoughts for the Day" in the UK - my favourite being something like "Well, who knows what a budgie is thinking between meals, anyway?" Erik's constant inner conversations about mental as well as physical survival in the ghetto were fascinating and uplifting. It was a huge contrast to the previous Book Club choice The Gift of Rain which was rich in external description of Penang and Malaysia but where the characters' inner world was taken for granted. The trouble was I enjoyed the tale of life in the ghetto so much I was beginning to feel rather guilty. So when the denouement arrives and the motive for the murders is revealed it comes as an almost paralysing jolt. And the final visceral anger and loss almost made me feel like it was two separate books of contrasting light and darkness. On a technical-ish point. My teenage patients have never even heard of Freud - let alone be able to weave in bits of one of his famous analyses into their story! But of course I loved it anyway and I'll watch out for it just in case! Finally did you tell your publisher that they had printed the Hebrew in the glossary left to right instead of right to left!! Tony Arab proverb: Only a fool lends his books and only a fool returns them.
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Junior Member Posts: 5 Joined: May 2011 Thanked 0 times |
RE: Bookclub: The discussion of The Warsaw AnagramsTHANK YOU so much for you kind and generous words about the book. "Contrasting light and darkness" seems about right for a description. I tried to keep the book from becoming depressing; it didn't seem to to me that that would be useful in any way. And it wouldn't be true to Erik and Izzy. Yes, I also quite like "Who knows what a budgie is thinking between meals, anyway?" I'm sure you are right about adolescents not knowing Freud. But Irene had studied hard for the performance she gave. She knew Erik would know Freud's writings back to front, so through Freud's famous dream she was able to imply what she needed to say without actually saying it. She was obviously an intelligent and talented young woman! Thanks again! Richard |
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Fountain of Wisdom Posts: 5,054 Joined: Aug 2010 Thanked 5 times What I Read
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RE: Bookclub: The discussion of The Warsaw AnagramsIt is beautifully written, very moving and full of anguish, but never depressing. I fell in love with the characters, with their faults and with their bravery and humanity. Richard Zimler says he wanted to give uniqueness back to our dead in writing this story. He did that. Erik Cohen, Izzy and the other characters represent the Jews of the Warsaw Ghetto and they have indeed restored individuality to all those people who died. Erik appearing as a ghost to tell his story is extremely well done, magical and very poignant. This is a book I will read again, I think a second reading will bring out the beauty of the story even more – the word “beauty” may seem the wrong word, but there was beauty in their strength and their love for each other. Thank you, Richard. A book is like a garden carried in the pocket. ~Chinese Proverb
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Junior Member Posts: 5 Joined: May 2011 Thanked 0 times |
RE: Bookclub: The discussion of The Warsaw AnagramsI meant my post for you! Very sorry! I am new to this and I saw Suzanne's name in the thread and assumed it was from her. Ooops. Apologies! Richard |
Super Moderator Posts: 2,986 Joined: Mar 2011 Thanked 24 times What I Read
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RE: Bookclub: The discussion of The Warsaw AnagramsTo me, if a book makes me feel like I am the only person reading it, and it has been written especially for me, then it is a success, and this one definitely did that. By the end of the book, I felt I knew so much about the central characters, it is as though they were part of my family. I don't think any of us will ever really understand the suffering and harrowing tragedy that these people went through, but when you read a book like this, you feel that you have had a small insight into their harrowing lives. Thank you for such a brilliantly written book, it made a brilliant choice for the book club and like Susanne, it is one I will definitely read again. Only happy when I am immersed in a good Kindle book
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Official KUF eBook Reviewer  Posts: 97 Joined: Dec 2010 Thanked 0 times What I Read
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RE: Bookclub: The discussion of The Warsaw AnagramsThis post was last modified: 02 Sep 2011 06:17 PM by john.
I have read some excellent books since I joined KUF. I don't think I have ever read one as good as this. The Warsaw Anagrams is an amazing book and so well written. This is the sort of book that should be used in schools as I am sure people don't believe any of this happened. Yes this is certainly a book to read again as it is such a good book. It has definitely left it's mark on me.
How good it is to have the author taking part in these reviews. It is a superb book. If you can dream it you can do it...Walt Disney
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Master of Verbosity Posts: 1,042 Joined: Feb 2011 Thanked 3 times What I Read
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RE: Bookclub: The discussion of The Warsaw AnagramsThis post was last modified: 02 Sep 2011 06:51 PM by Phil.
Another great book picked by the book club and one I probably wouldn't have read had it not been for KUF Welcome to the forum Richard, it's great to see authors participating on the forums. |
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