Chasing Shadows

by Hugo Gryn

The death of Rabbi Hugo Gryn in 1996 was an occasion of great sadness for millions who had enjoyed his contributions to radio 4's "The Moral Maze". Few though knew of the extraordinary life he led before becoming a highly-respected London rabbi. This autobiographical work, written at two different points in his life, separated by four decades, offers a portrait of one of Britain's best-loved spiritual figures and broadcasters.

Genres: Nonfiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 2000

Reviews

[Joselito Honestly and Brilliantly · Rating 3 out of 5]

He died a well-love rabbi. During the second world war, when he was fourteen, he and his family were rounded up together with other jews in their small village in Carpathia. They ended up in Auschwitz . Upon arrival they were divided three separate ways: 1. his two younger siblings (straight to the gas chambers--though they were unaware of their fate at that time; 2. his mother (who was found fit to work and joined a group of women); and 3. he and his father. Had the Germans knew his real age, he would have been made to join his siblings but someone had instructed him and his father that when ask his age he must say he's nineteen.

Before bringing you to Auschwitz, however, the book presents well-written chapters about the town, the family (both on the author's paternal and maternal sides of the family) and the history of the place with old photos of long-gone people and landmarks.

They wrote a lot, those who survived the atrocities of war in Europe. Half a century after they happened people of the next generations still remember them. In contrast, there is a dearth of similar literature about the victims of Japanese occupation in the Philippines during the same war. It seems what happened there was that they buried their dead then just forgot all about the bad experience and moved on.

[Darla Ebert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read a number of memoirs from survivors of World War 2, I have avoided, as much as possible, any that deal with Holocaust survivors and their hideously traumatic experiences. But this particular story, by the daughter of a survivor, is filled with color in spite of the black and white of the circumstances. There are deeply uncomfortable parts but the family connections are precious.
And so I will add a qualification, or well, a warning of sorts: the chapters on Auschwitz as well as the other concentration camps in which the family was imprisoned were chapters I could not read. The early part of the book is sunny and filled with childhood memories by the author. But 2/3rds of the way through the book I had to stop.

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read at Fisherground Farmhouse on a family holiday. Immensely grateful to have read these words.

[Donovan Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very powerful book. Hard to write a short review over such a topic. I think one short statement that sticks out from this book is "People sometimes ask me 'Where was God in Auschwitz?' I believe that God was there Himself-violated and blasphemed. The real question is 'Where was man in Auschwitz?'"