The 4th of May: The Memories of Paul Galy OAM

by Paul Galy

On his deathbed, Gabi releases Paul from a blood oath they made as children to never tell their terrible secrets about growing up in post-WW2 communist Hungary. Paul?s grief for Gabi becomes a grief for his childhood, his family tree and the struggles of his community. Paul?s memories emerge with a striking richness of detail and emotion. They are the memories of a child conceived in the aftermath of a racial war, growing up in the midst of a class war tearing apart Hungarian society, ultimately needing to flee with his family to Australia, a foreign land at the other side of the world. It is a personal oral history, a family history and a community history submerged in trauma. But it is much more than a saga about loss and grief. It?s about moving from survival to something new, sweet and substantial, through the prism of Paul?s childhood innocence. Paul Galy?s coming-of age journey is as intoxicating as it is shocking. It is a personable, gripping and astonishing true-life story. Paul captivates the reader, recruiting them to aspire, transcend and soar along with him to new and unanticipated emotional heights!

292 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2012

Reviews

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a compelling read. It is full of action, emotion and intrigue as well as romance. The author keeps the reader intrigued as to the outcomes of all the characters as they made their entrances into the story of his memoirs. He explores their frailties and their strengths, and the fight for survival that must never be forgotten!
This truly wonderful chain of events is further enhanced with the authors own drawings which graphically interpret the emotional roller-coaster ride that is his story. Worth the read!!

[Paul Galambos · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a book that reminds us why and what we must not forget,it's an emotional roller coaster from start to finish.This truth is more intriguing than fiction,depicting the resilience of the human spirit a journey from brutality to peace and success, from clutches of evil to the heights of joy and freedom a tormented child to a refugee to a distinguished citizen of Australia a deathbed release from a blood oath suppressed for fifty years. It's the best book I have ever read.

[Paul Galambos · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's an emotional roller coaster an astonishing emaissing story,better than fiction. The illustrations are the most vivid emotional visual art I have had experienced and enjoyed.I read the book three times and highly recommend and think
Every one shoul read it..Paul Galy Oam is a genius and a great. Artist..

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was the best I have ever read. It tells the truth of what actually happens in people's lives. And it makes one realise that this sort of thing can actually happen to us in the blink of an eye, and that our lives can change so quickly. It is a wake up call for all of us. A must read for all age groups.

[Tim Daly · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing autobiography about growing up in Communist Hungary and escaping through mine fields to ultimately arrive in Australia. Horror, humour, hope and a life well-lived.

This is being made into a movie.

[Pheona Mulligan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a moving story filled with vivid imagery of a time in history we must never forget.