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111th out of 386 books
—
1,416 voters
Anya
Anya Karinsky's beautiful life seemed like one long and perfect dream that would spin on forever.
But her wonderful world of dances, travel, medical school, and her beloved family ended one day late in the summer of 1939, when Hitler invaded Poland. The bombs that leveled her Warsaw home that day marked the beginning of her soul-stirring odyssey of endurance and escape, thr...more
But her wonderful world of dances, travel, medical school, and her beloved family ended one day late in the summer of 1939, when Hitler invaded Poland. The bombs that leveled her Warsaw home that day marked the beginning of her soul-stirring odyssey of endurance and escape, thr...more
Paperback, 512 pages
Published
February 17th 2004
by W. W. Norton & Company
(first published January 1st 1976)
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Finished: Most of us have read about the genocide of Jews in WW2, so why read another book on this subject? What will it give the reader that the others haven't? First of all the crimes of WW2 are just so mind boggling that there is no definitive answer. There is always more to consider. I will say it right off, it was the author's style of writing that made this book different from the others I have read. I enjoyed the mix of happiness and unbelievable horror. I cannot swallow JUST h...more
Finished: Most of us have read about the genocide of Jews in WW2, so why read another book on this subject? What will it give the reader that the others haven't? First of all the crimes of WW2 are just so mind boggling that there is no definitive answer. There is always more to consider. I will say it right off, it was the author's style of writing that made this book different from the others I have read. I enjoyed the mix of happiness and unbelievable horror. I cannot swallow JUST h...more
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I read this book many years ago as a teenager. It's a book that takes some concentration to get through with achingly long descriptions. However, without the descriptions you cannot appreciate the rest. This was the first book I had ever read about the Halocaust. It is very vivid and your mind's eye opens to place you with Anya throughout her life. Her suffering is shocking and yet many other details remind you she is more than a victim. You follow her from childhood through adulthood with a dau...more
The story is about a Russian Jewish family that moved to Poland a few years before the 2nd-world war. Their life was genteel and wonderful and each member of the family was so caring and thoughtful to each other and their relatives. Then came the Nazi's and imprisonment, and for most death.
Anya and her child survive, and they are the only survivors from her family. Anya had to search for her daughter after the war and finally found her. But the striking thing about the novel is the 'based on fa...more
Anya and her child survive, and they are the only survivors from her family. Anya had to search for her daughter after the war and finally found her. But the striking thing about the novel is the 'based on fa...more
I never thought I would give a 2-star rating to an epic WWII novel, but look at me now! As I read a lot of other reviews of this book, I noticed that a lot of readers mentioned they read it in school back in the 70's and 80's. I think that for those purposes, it would be a good way to expose students to a lot of the harsh realities of the horrors of the Holocaust. HOWEVER, as for me, being someone who has read more than a few novels/nonfiction accounts on this topic, I found this FICTIONAL work...more
This book drove me crazy. I would probably rate the first couple hundred pages with 2 stars, maybe only 1. Her writing style drove me crazy, especially with tiny print and long paragraphs. It was so disjointed and confusing--I practically itched reading it and it took me months to get through it. I nearly put it down several times. Then once the war started I definitely felt more engaged even though it often still jumped around. Her experience was horrific and in such contrast to the pre-war day...more
Read Anya several years ago and have always remembered it as one of my favorite stories. The author, Schaeffer has a way of describing places and feelings etc. so that you feel like you are there. I love stories like this telling of people's survival through such rough times. It always makes you stop and realize what these people went through and be gratefull for our own lives. I have always loved the name "Anya" since reading this book.
Can't say I enjoyed this book. The first two Chapters are devoted to household descriptions alone...and while I understand the premise for all this -- to set up everything that was lost -- it was extremely hard to get through. Some extremely heartbreaking moments throughout (as you would imagine), but the author's style drove me batty. I gave it two stars because it DID move me to tears, several times. Especially the Epilogue...the reflection. Could feel the loss.
I first read this in about 1977, and it has returned to me many times over the years. I recently rediscovered it and read the 485 pages in 3 days. It remains THE best novel on the Holocaust I've ever read. Not overly graphic in the details, but so powerful you feel as if you are in every moment with the characters.
This was a really dense book. It took some getting use to but you pick it up after a while. It covers the entire scope of being Jewish during WWII, from the ghetto, to the camps, to escape and leaving Europe. By the end, her dense detail in the beginning makes sense and her message is good. You can never forget.
I wasn't engaged immediately, but this is a powerful book with a view of the holocaust through the eyes of a young Jewish woman who considered herself fortunate compared to others. She knew that she was able to get help when others could not because of her looks and because she had blonde hair and blue eyes.
This was a great story, but seemed a little 'scattered' sometimes - maybe it was just me. I found I had to read some pages twice. I liked that it was written in first person; but the events were sometimes difficult to follow. I love reading about this era, very compelling story.
Set against the backdrop of WW II, the story unfolds as Hitler invades Poland and Anya and her family’s quest for survival amidst the atrocities meted out to Jews during this dark period in history. Unfortunately, I found the book inordinately and unjustifiably long, the writing style didn’t capture my attention and the character development left a lot to be desired. And, not to take anything away from the horrific genocide committed, this fictional story didn’t quite hang together as Anya seeme...more
I read this book quite a few years ago and it left its impression on the horrors of the holocaust- it was an eye opener. you can't really enjoy these reads...You endure them and empathize and only hope it can never happen again..........
This book is a great read. The author has created a world that, as a reader, I actually *see*, and the main character has a great narrative voice. It's beautiful, compelling, and laugh-out-(even though it's serious.) Really enjoyed this!
I read this book in 1974 when it first came out. It is a gripping, intense story about the Holocaust. It has never left me.
A perfect journey into the past of a Holocaust survivor. Fromberg-Schaeffer's world is not black and white. It is a complex one where just surviving may not be enough.
this book was difficult to read because of the writing style but it was definately worth it.
Really good war story of a woman who enjoys a very special life until WW11 and her survival.
Excellent story! I again learned things I did not know about WWII. I LOVE WWII historical fiction.
Anya grew up as a wealthy and privileged Polish Jewess. Until the Nazis came.
I am a lover of Holocaust stories, this one made me take a serious break from the genre...in a very good way. Horrendously truthful, painfully thought-provoking and written in a poetic style that forces you to re-read passages again and again. I had to stop reading this book on the subway for fear of crying in public. Long-winded but deserving of the label, and also very depressing. Don't read this if you want something warm and inspiring, read this if you want to discover the truth.
I can't believe I never left a review of this book. Someone once asked me which book I'd take with me when I die, (yes, morbid, right?), and without hesitation, it was Anya. I first read it in 1975, I believe, and have read it over and over again. I let people borrow it, have lost it twice and bought it again. If you like reading about the Holocaust (although that is also very morbid), you must read it. It's the story of a young girl, Anya, and her family. You will never forget it!
I thought this book was intriguing. Although it took me a while to get used to the authors' writing, it turned out to be an amazing story. Susan Fromberg Schaeffer would go off on tangents at times, but she did so to get her point across about each character and because she would do so, the book turned out to be a little longer than I had wanted it to be. But all that aside, she did an amazing job in 'placing' us in the date and situation of the novel.
I enjoyed this book because it described life for the Jews after they were freed from the camps. Most books end at liberation.
May 13, 2007
Lisa Vegan
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
lovers of good novels, those interested in the Holocaust
This was a wonderful, epic type novel, taking place during the holocaust. The main protagonist is a young educated Jewish woman, and it's about all that she goes through before, during, and after the Nazi regime. It was really gripping and suspenseful and I cared about her and some of the other characters also. One of my favorite novels.
I would almost give it 5 stars, the only draw back was the style of writing. Paragraphs would ramble on with sometimes two, three or even four people all talking, so difficult in part to figure out who is saying what.
But really like the story, it drew me in pretty quickly to keep me going the very long 500+ pages.
But really like the story, it drew me in pretty quickly to keep me going the very long 500+ pages.
WOW - this book is DENSE. Not actually a hard read, just huge chunks of description that you need to concentrate on to absorb it all. Schaeffer succeeded in writing a novel that portrayed a real and normal life before the Holocaust, as well as the instability and fear of post WW II Communism.
This is an amazing book. It takes alot out of you. Reminds me of The Hiding Place, another great book about the jewish concentration camps. It is both enchanting, and heart wrenching and gives you a small glimpse of what these people suffered all of those years during the war and after.
Aug 09, 2007
Mscarolyn
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone interested in the Holocaust -- and who can stand the idea of it being the basis for a novel
Shelves:
fiction
This is an exquisitely written, lovingly detailed literary feast -- the setting is drawn down to the last detail, beautiful and jewel-like -- and then smashed like an eggshell in the unfolding of the novel's events. Beautiful and harrowing and eye-opening. A must-read.
A book I read years and years ago, this made an indelible impression on me. Haunting and sad, beautifully written; I felt that I had known and loved Anya by the time I finished this. Recommended to all, especially those interested in the Holocaust.
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