Long before she was born, Dominika first appeared to her mother in a dream, so when she came to be, she was welcomed with eager expectation and muc...
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reviews
Nov 29, 2011
Daisy
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The narrator or voice of this memoir is a very small, talkative girl between the ages of 3 and 7. She reminds me of a Czech Ramona the Pest with her curiosity and innocence and penchant for saying whatever's on her mind so that it often gets her into trouble. But her adventures are East Bloc, not Ramona Quimby, small-town-USA scrapes. She's resourceful and courageous. She'll befriend anyone from three lonely grandmothers to a goat from a nearby farm to a group of Polish children whose langua
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Apr 15, 2010
MARGO
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What a delightful book - The main character who is the Author when she was a child is simply charming and funny. I really enjoyed reading about her family who really had a difficult time surviving in what was an extremely trying time in Czechoslovakia - however although her family was shuned and spied on by most everyone in their community they rose above it and enjoyed their family life in spite of their bleak circumstances. I especially loved the Father's never ending optimisitc viewpoints...
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Apr 08, 2011
Carol
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This memoir covers the first ten years of Dominika Dery life in Cernosice, a village outside of Prague Czechoslovakia between the years of 1965 - 1975.
Book title "Twelve little Cakes" refers to 12 chapters, each a little tale of Dominika's childhood. Last paragraphs of book. "This was the country of little cakes and sausages. This is the memory of my childhood. Driving back home in ourold, rusty, Skoda; my father's big hands steering us safely through the middle of t More...
Book title "Twelve little Cakes" refers to 12 chapters, each a little tale of Dominika's childhood. Last paragraphs of book. "This was the country of little cakes and sausages. This is the memory of my childhood. Driving back home in ourold, rusty, Skoda; my father's big hands steering us safely through the middle of t More...
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Jul 05, 2011
Pamela
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This book was such a testimony to the author's parents for surrounding a little loudmouthed girl with love and a happy childhood in the midst of a bleak, difficult environment. Regardless of the setting, the author's childhood includes commonalities as well: love of dance, sensing family discord, school problems, sibling difficulties, love of pets, and learning about death. The father, especially, is such a madcap "Antie Mame" character, showering his family with love, encouragement
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Jun 29, 2010
Julie
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This book was recommended to me by a Czech friend of mine. We are both about the same age as the author who writes here about her childhood during the last years of Communism in Czech Republic. Her experiences brought to light lots of elements of this culture in which I now live. It really helped me understand my Czech husband better and even his parents. I laughed and cried....
Jun 29, 2010
Lani
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There's some language in this, and a little too much reference to her well-endowed sister's well-endowedness, but besides that, I think it gives a great description of communist Czechoslovakia, written from the perspective of the author who is around my age. Very revealing and thought-provoking, considering our current political trends.
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Jun 26, 2010
Anna
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Never did I imagine that a memoir about a young girl growing up in a small town in communist Czechoslovakia could be uplifting and ‘laugh-out-loud’ funny – but this one was! It was also deeply thought-provoking, with some very sad and poignant moments, but the over-riding feeling that I had reading it was one of optimism and happiness.
Written by Dominika Dery, the memoir was an examination of her childhood, and an exploration of why it was such a happy one despite what were ostensib More...
Written by Dominika Dery, the memoir was an examination of her childhood, and an exploration of why it was such a happy one despite what were ostensib More...
Feb 22, 2009
Mom
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A winsome memoir of a little girl growing up in 1970's Czechoslovakia...by Dominika Dery. As a girl, she danced with the national ballet and theater companies of Czechoslovakia. She has authored four poetry books and a play. The Twelve Little Cakes is her first book in English.
I enjoyed learning of the cultrure and political background during the 1970's as seen from the eyes of a child. Her life was anything but ordinary. To quote from the jacket summary: "The Twelve Little More...
I enjoyed learning of the cultrure and political background during the 1970's as seen from the eyes of a child. Her life was anything but ordinary. To quote from the jacket summary: "The Twelve Little More...
Jul 25, 2011
2005- I picked this book up on a whim at the library. I'm glad I did. It tells the story of the author's childhood growing up in Czechoslovakia. In a ten year span, we see all of her adventures being the child of dissents parents in a small town, as well as witness her heartbreaks. Woven into the story is plenty of Czech history and culture, which made the setting come that much more alive. The characters in the book were also conveyed wonderfully. Her family, neighbors, and classmates seemed to
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Jun 29, 2010
Celeste
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A charming memoir of young Domenika's youth in communist Prague in the 70's. It was truly enjoyable and uplifting.
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Apr 02, 2009
Sherri
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I read this for Swapbot Letter D swap. I very much enjoyed this memoir. A magical little story about a girl growing up in occupied Czechoslovakia in the 70's and early 80's. As time progresses, many of us remember our childhoods with rose colored glasses. Everything seems a little better than it really was. The most important aspect of growing up is the love those of us were lucky enough to receive. I believe that no matter how poor in material goods, with love, many of us never realized w
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Jun 21, 2009
Tiana
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Delightful! This is a memoir of the author's childhood in Communist Czechoslovakia in the 70s and 80s. Dominika really does come across as an "Eastern Block Scout" to quote Lisa H. The stories are charming vingettes, while simlutaneously pointing out the harsh realties and ridiculousness of Communism. My only complaint was that the book ended a little abruptly.
It helps that I happen to live with a Czech speaker, who loves all things Slavic. So I had could talk to my husban More...
It helps that I happen to live with a Czech speaker, who loves all things Slavic. So I had could talk to my husban More...
Jan 01, 2009
Mamama
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Set in Czechoslovakia during the Communist take over of the 1960's and 70's, a little girl tells her story. This was a gift for Christmas and I read it in 2-3 sittings.
This is a good read, lest we forget what life under the Communist regime entailed.
Not a literary accomplishment of an Angela's Ashes, or A Thousand Splendid Suns, but having visited Prague and with familial roots there, knowing the history of the Czech Republic and Slovakia...living thru it from afar, this book More...
This is a good read, lest we forget what life under the Communist regime entailed.
Not a literary accomplishment of an Angela's Ashes, or A Thousand Splendid Suns, but having visited Prague and with familial roots there, knowing the history of the Czech Republic and Slovakia...living thru it from afar, this book More...
Dec 08, 2008
Katie
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This is a wonderful memoir of a not-so-distant time in history. The humor, warmth and joy this book is written with is contagious. Dominika and her family hardly had an ideal life--many,many trials and difficulties--but she is a happy, hardworking, well-adjusted little child. I admire her and her parents so much. I didn't quite know what to expect from this book, but I loved it and am sad it is over! Highly recommended for those who love interesting memoirs, history and first-person story t
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Jun 29, 2010
El
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Dominika Dery grew up in a village outside of Prague in the 70s and 80s, the daughter of former dissidents of the Prague Spring. This is her memoir of childhood tales, written in English, portraying her younger life, family history, dreams and some political beliefs. She describes in great detail her neighborhood, living arrangements and desires to acquaint herself with her estranged grandparents.
This was a surprise to me in just how charming the book was overall. Each chapter is More...
This was a surprise to me in just how charming the book was overall. Each chapter is More...
Jul 31, 2011
David
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I would have rated this 3.5 if I had the option. It's a charming memoir of growing up near Prague during the cold war. I enjoyed it though not in a way that drove me to find extra time in the day to read it. It was educational too to see what life was like during those days in Czechoslovakia. And the book's final message - that a loving family can make very dark days bright - is one I respect! Thank you Terenia for loaning me this book!
Feb 14, 2010
Shawna
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This was a light, pleasant, quick read. I purchased this book during a stop at Scott's Book Store in Mt. Vernon, Washington (a wonderful indpendent!), while traveling to Orcas Island. Although numerous disasters befall the Dery family, Dominika recounts all of it with a cheery, optimistic attitude. Their lives were difficult, but the love they feel for one another dominates throughout the story. An inspiring attitude about life!
Feb 28, 2009
Diana
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This was a nice memoir about a girl's childhood in a dissident family in Czechoslovakia. The story was sweet, but I kept thinking it was going somewhere that it never seemed to get. It gave me a better picture of life in the 80's in Czechoslovakia, but I'm not sure what the message or purpose was of this book, except as a walk down memory lane.
Aug 22, 2009
Tanya
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For some reason a revies I previously submitted disappeared... this is what it said:
This is a delightful book and a quick read. It was very interesting and funny. The resilience of the human spirit is shown through Dominika and her family. They seem to be happy through many trials that would make a lot of people depressed. Dominika's book made me laugh out loud in parts (the secret police participating in a landscaping project) and cry a little bit (thinking of Dominika's loneliness More...
This is a delightful book and a quick read. It was very interesting and funny. The resilience of the human spirit is shown through Dominika and her family. They seem to be happy through many trials that would make a lot of people depressed. Dominika's book made me laugh out loud in parts (the secret police participating in a landscaping project) and cry a little bit (thinking of Dominika's loneliness More...
Nov 26, 2010
Terri
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The first memoir I've read of life under Soviet Communism, so I found aspects of it totally flabbergasting. What's amazing is the genuine warmth and affection with which the childhood stories are recounted, and the writer's sense of hope and zest for life. One of my favorite books of the year, by far.
May 09, 2010
Coquille
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I got this in hardcover at the dollar store thinking "what the hey, it's worth a buck." After reading it I felt slightly guilty for only paying a buck for such a rich book. Dominika Dery does an awesome job of keeping her sad memoir light and funny, despite the oppressive communist culture she describes.
Apr 14, 2011
Glenna
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i found this unassuming little book on the sale rack at borders. what a little gem! this was the book that got me hooked on memoirs - a girl's story of growing up post-prague spring czechoslovakia. no gulags, no re-education, just the story of trying to live a normal life in the eastern bloc.
Nov 19, 2010
Jaynie
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3.5 stars!
I enjoyed this memoir. It was a sweet story of a girl growing up in Czechoslovakia in the 70's and 80's. Very refreshing not to have horror and drama in a memoir. A different lifestyle while living under constant fear and Communism but making the best of everything they had.
I enjoyed this memoir. It was a sweet story of a girl growing up in Czechoslovakia in the 70's and 80's. Very refreshing not to have horror and drama in a memoir. A different lifestyle while living under constant fear and Communism but making the best of everything they had.
May 18, 2009
Charise
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Another thing I'm discovering in my broadening book range is I don't particularly LOVE memoirs. I crave a story that has me on pins and needles, but who's life story has one continuing plot-line?? Nobody's, of course. So, needless to say, I enjoyed the cute stories and seeing life from the eyes of this little girl. I so desperately wanted to have cake and treats with the old ladies on her block...so sweet! It has some great moments, but when I got to the end, I just did not feel satisfied,
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Apr 01, 2008
Maren
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This book is a treasure. It is written by a woman who grew up in Communist Czechoslovakia. The author recalls in detail growing up with very loving parents who provide a wonderful home for her despite difficult living conditions, a poor economic status, and a crushing political system. It's interesting to see the story told from an innocent child's perspective, but the reader understands the entire context. Her parents are dissidents which adds an interesting dimension to the book. I liked
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Jun 29, 2010
Tanya
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This is a delightful book and a quick read. It was very interesting and funny. The resilience of the human spirit is shown through Dominika and her family. They seem to be happy through many trials that would make a lot of people depressed. Dominika's book made me laugh out loud in parts (the secret police participating in a landscaping project) and cry a little bit (thinking of Dominika's loneliness and the immaturity of her grandparents and her thinking she might be taken by the devil beca
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Dec 07, 2009
Alawson
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Very winsome childhoold memoir of growing up the child of dissidents in 1970s-1980s Prague - makes you think about the art of autobiography and memoir as a kind of subcategory of fiction. Can a 6 year really remember that?
Apr 25, 2008
Catherine
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I read this book a few years ago and I still have fond memories thinking about it. I purchased the book thinking there might be some cute stories about a little girl growing up in Communist Czechoslovakia. While that is the premise for the book in a nutshell, the book flows and is so well written, expressing Dery's childhood naïveté and innocence, that I was sad when the book ended. The title comes from the 12 chapters that are named after little cakes that the author loved as a child. I hop
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Nov 07, 2011
Warm, deeply funny and engrossing. Not things you can usually say about Communist Czechoslovakia between 1975-1985, but Dominika Dery does. An engrossing read!
Feb 04, 2009
Mary
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I LOVED it! Very intersting to learn about what growing up in a different culture was like. The author did a great job of portraying her childhood!
