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Adam y Thomas
Partiendo de su experiencia como superviviente del Holocausto, el laureado autor Aharon Appelfeld nos cuenta la increíble historia de amistad, esperanza y supervivencia de dos niños judíos ocultos en un bosque con el terror nazi como telón de fondo.
La guerra ha estallado y la situación en el gueto es insostenible. Cuando la madre de Adam lo saca del gueto de noche y lo lleva al bosque, le promete volver esa misma tarde. En el bosque, Adam se encuentra a Thomas, un chico de su clase al que su madre también ha ocultado allí. Cae la noche y sus madres no han regresado. Poco a poco, comprenden que probablemente vayan a estar allí mucho tiempo. Por eso empiezan a organizarse y a construir un refugio en un árbol. Los dos niños irán cimentando su amistad mientras se enfrentan al hambre y al frío y tratan de encontrar respuesta a preguntas esenciales: ¿qué es el valor? ¿De dónde procede el odio? ¿Dónde está Dios?
La guerra ha estallado y la situación en el gueto es insostenible. Cuando la madre de Adam lo saca del gueto de noche y lo lleva al bosque, le promete volver esa misma tarde. En el bosque, Adam se encuentra a Thomas, un chico de su clase al que su madre también ha ocultado allí. Cae la noche y sus madres no han regresado. Poco a poco, comprenden que probablemente vayan a estar allí mucho tiempo. Por eso empiezan a organizarse y a construir un refugio en un árbol. Los dos niños irán cimentando su amistad mientras se enfrentan al hambre y al frío y tratan de encontrar respuesta a preguntas esenciales: ¿qué es el valor? ¿De dónde procede el odio? ¿Dónde está Dios?
151 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
18 people are currently reading
298 people want to read
About the author
Aharon Appelfeld
63 books198 followersAHARON APPELFELD is the author of more than forty works of fiction and nonfiction, including Until the Dawn's Light and The Iron Tracks (both winners of the National Jewish Book Award) and The Story of a Life (winner of the Prix Médicis Étranger). Other honors he has received include the Giovanni Bocaccio Literary Prize, the Nelly Sachs Prize, the Israel Prize, the Bialik Prize, the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize, and the MLA Commonwealth Award. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and has received honorary degrees from the Jewish Theological Seminary, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, and Yeshiva University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
December 19, 2021
Für mich persönlich ein sehr wichtiges Buch über Freundschaft zweier Jungs, die zur Zeit des 2. Weltkrieges zu ihrem Schutz dort von ihren Müttern ausgesetzt werden, um sich zu verstecken und nicht aus dem Ghetto abtransportiert zu werden. Für mich hatte die Erzählweise einen passenden kindlichen Stil..... jedoch gleichzeitig entwickelte sich dieser dahin, dass man spürt, dass beide schnell mental reifen MÜSSEN...... Sie spüren den Schrecken des Krieges und können ihr Trauma nicht so richtig erfassen. Teilweise sind sie geschützter im Wald vor schrecklichem Leid und bekommen es etwas gefilterter mit. Dennoch sind sie 9 Jahre alt und allein. Das Buch vermittelt trotzdem auch Hoffnung und Glück zugleich. Auf sehr sehr wenigen Seiten hat es der Autor - der selbst z.T. im 2. Weltkrieg in den ukrainischen Wäldern überlebte- es geschafft, etwas Glück im schrecklichsten Unglück der Menschheitsgeschichte zu schaffen. Ein ❤- Buch.
January 11, 2022
"Darkness spread around the tree trunks, but in the depths of the forest some patches of light still glimmered. Thomas looked worried. He didn't hide his worry and asked Adam, "Are you sure our mothers will come and get us?" (PG. 23)
Books like these need a Newbery Medal. This was a fantastic short story for the kids. It is translated from the Hebrew language. And the pictures are beautifully drawn to compliment the story.
It's the last winter of World War II (I want to say in Germany, but no location was given) and Adam and Thomas, both nine-year-old Jewish boys, are sent by their mothers into the forest to hide. Adam and Thomas find one another by accident. They befriend one another and survive the cold by eating berries and stealing milk from a farmer's cow. Then another Jewish girl in hiding, living at the farm, starts leaving the boys bread and pie pieces.
This is a great introduction into WWII and the holocaust. It is a simple yet complicated story that leaves the reader hoping the little boys survive and holding our breath until the very end. The author did a great job in making us feel their friendship and their fears as well as hopes.
Very much recommend. Short and sweet. Read it in a day
Books like these need a Newbery Medal. This was a fantastic short story for the kids. It is translated from the Hebrew language. And the pictures are beautifully drawn to compliment the story.
It's the last winter of World War II (I want to say in Germany, but no location was given) and Adam and Thomas, both nine-year-old Jewish boys, are sent by their mothers into the forest to hide. Adam and Thomas find one another by accident. They befriend one another and survive the cold by eating berries and stealing milk from a farmer's cow. Then another Jewish girl in hiding, living at the farm, starts leaving the boys bread and pie pieces.
This is a great introduction into WWII and the holocaust. It is a simple yet complicated story that leaves the reader hoping the little boys survive and holding our breath until the very end. The author did a great job in making us feel their friendship and their fears as well as hopes.
Very much recommend. Short and sweet. Read it in a day
December 8, 2021
Appelfeld's bio reads as interestingly as this novel. He is an Israeli author, with many of his books translated into other languages. He was the recipient of many prizes. Born in Ukraine, at he age of eight he was imprisoned during WW II in a concentration camp. Already a clever individual, he escaped and evaded further capture. He had wandered the forests for 3 years, followed by rescue by the Red Army for a year. He then made his way to Israel.
Adam & Thomas is the tale of two nine year old Jewish boys, who spent the last year of the war hiding in the forest. Appelfeld described their situation and their emotional states with concern and care. The woods around them were realistically described. It was fascinating to read of the innovative measures they used for survival. They supported each other and bolstered their morales. This is considered a YA book, so I could appreciate Appelfeld's delicate, less terror ridden approach to the war. Without harsh language, he was able to present the reader with the horrifying state of their efforts to exist and survive.
I did enjoy reading this little tale, but I did not feel that the boys' language was realistic, nor would their thinking be as mature as written. Nevertheless it was enjoyable to view their thoughts and occasional humor, despite their plight.
“Only we two are abandoned in the forest”
...”Why did you say 'abandoned'?
“What should I have said? Do you have a better word?”
“We have been sent to learn directly from nature and to grow up.”
“Did our mothers bring us to the forest so we'd grow up?”...
“That idea just occurred to me now”...
“As far as I know, you don't start growing up at the age of nine”... (p.46)
Appelfeld's prose is powerful and profound for both children and adults.
Adam & Thomas is the tale of two nine year old Jewish boys, who spent the last year of the war hiding in the forest. Appelfeld described their situation and their emotional states with concern and care. The woods around them were realistically described. It was fascinating to read of the innovative measures they used for survival. They supported each other and bolstered their morales. This is considered a YA book, so I could appreciate Appelfeld's delicate, less terror ridden approach to the war. Without harsh language, he was able to present the reader with the horrifying state of their efforts to exist and survive.
I did enjoy reading this little tale, but I did not feel that the boys' language was realistic, nor would their thinking be as mature as written. Nevertheless it was enjoyable to view their thoughts and occasional humor, despite their plight.
“Only we two are abandoned in the forest”
...”Why did you say 'abandoned'?
“What should I have said? Do you have a better word?”
“We have been sent to learn directly from nature and to grow up.”
“Did our mothers bring us to the forest so we'd grow up?”...
“That idea just occurred to me now”...
“As far as I know, you don't start growing up at the age of nine”... (p.46)
Appelfeld's prose is powerful and profound for both children and adults.
April 25, 2018
Silný příběh psaný z pohledu malých dětí... Klidně se přiznám: pobrečela jsem si, ale za přečtení opravdu stojí...
December 29, 2023
Çocuk edebiyatı olduğunun bilincindeyim bu çerçeve dahilinde rahatlıkla söyleyebilirim ki kitap çok yüzeysel. Potansiyelinin epey altında kalmış diye düşünüyorum. Bazı misafir çocukları büyümüş de küçülmüş gibi konuşup tat kaçırır ya? Karakterler o minvalde. WWII e dair sunduğu pek bir şey yok zaten; lakin illüstrasyonları gerçekten aşşşırı tatlı, hatrı kalsın istemem.
Çok, çok güzel bir kitap olabilirdin aptal!
Çok, çok güzel bir kitap olabilirdin aptal!
August 21, 2018
Leider ein völliger Flop. In dem Buch passiert so gut wie gar nichts und eine richtige Atmosphäre kann es auch nicht aufbauen. Noch dazu war es unheimlich unglaubwürdig, was unsere Protagonisten sagen und denken... Da hatte ich mir von einem Roman, dessen Autor doch sehr ähnliches selbst erlebt hat, viel mehr versprochen. Schade! Die Lesezeit kann man definitiv besser füllen.
April 16, 2020
Der 2018 verstorbene Schriftsteller Aharon Appelfeld wird heutzutage zu den bedeutendsten Autoren Israels gezählt. In unzähligen Werken berichtet er über die Judenverfolgung und seine eigene Vergangenheit im Krieg. Der für Kinder bedachte Roman "Ein Mädchen nicht von dieser Welt" erzählt die Geschichte zweier Jungen, die von ihren Müttern in den Wald geschickt wurden, um sich vor den Gefahren des Ghettos zu schützen. Welche Eindrücke ich aus der Lektüre gewinnen konnte, erfährst du in der folgenden Rezension.
Durch die biographischen Elemente ist die vorliegende Handlung von großer Authentizität, denn der Autor weiß treffsicher, worüber er da schreibt. Er präsentiert eine kurzweilige, märchenhafte Erzählung für eher jüngere Leser*innen, die richtige und wichtige Werte vermittelt. Appelfeld agnosziert die barmherzige Menschlichkeit, die altruistische Fähigkeit zum Teilen und die christliche Nächstenliebe.
In sehr reduzierter Sprache ohne rhetorische Verzierungen beschränkt er sich auf die knappe, aber saubere Wiedergabe der inneren und äußeren Handlung. Dies erzielt eine hohe Konzentration auf den tatsächlichen Inhalt; genau diese zurückhaltende, kühle Erzählweise sorgt aber gleichzeitig dafür, dass der Roman keinen bleibenden Eindruck in mir hinterlassen konnte. Ich hätte mir hier mehr Mut gewünscht, diesen vorhersehbaren Pfad zu verlassen und einen eigenen Weg einzuschlagen.
Adam und Thomas sind zwei leicht zu händelnde, authentische Protagonisten, die glaubwürdige Erwartungen an ihr Leben und Ängsten vor ihrer Zukunft haben, gleichzeitig jedoch merkwürdig substanzlos und austauschbar wirken. Sie handeln genau so, wie man es von ihnen erwarten würde.
Eine angemessene Einführung der jungen Zielgruppe in den historischen Kontext und die behandelte Kriegsthematik geschieht hier nicht; so bleibt bis zum Schluss die aufkeimende Frage offen, wieso sich die Hauptfiguren und ihre Familien überhaupt in dieser Lage befinden. Immer scheint sich eine stets unpräzise bleibende Bedrohung anzunähern, wodurch die Furcht, die zugezogenen Verletzungen, die Hoffnungen der auftretenden Menschen nicht ausreichend legitimiert werden.
Zunehmend verstrickt sich der Autor in deutlich christlich geprägten, oftmals repetitiven Denkansätzen und der märchenhaft-skurrilen Fertigstellung der Handlung, die der Glaubwürdigkeit entbehren. "Ein Mädchen nicht von dieser Welt" fühlt sich eher an wie eine zu lang geratene Kurzgeschichte. Den angesetzten Preis von zehn Euro, verglichen mit dem Umfang, den das Buch letztendlich bietet, finde ich dementsprechend etwas zu hoch – daher gibt es von mir heute nur eine beschränkte Leseempfehlung.
"Ein Mädchen nicht von dieser Welt"
ist eine märchenhafte Erzählung über zwei Jungs während den Schrecken des Zweiten Weltkriegs, die sehr an der Oberfläche bleibt.
Durch die biographischen Elemente ist die vorliegende Handlung von großer Authentizität, denn der Autor weiß treffsicher, worüber er da schreibt. Er präsentiert eine kurzweilige, märchenhafte Erzählung für eher jüngere Leser*innen, die richtige und wichtige Werte vermittelt. Appelfeld agnosziert die barmherzige Menschlichkeit, die altruistische Fähigkeit zum Teilen und die christliche Nächstenliebe.
In sehr reduzierter Sprache ohne rhetorische Verzierungen beschränkt er sich auf die knappe, aber saubere Wiedergabe der inneren und äußeren Handlung. Dies erzielt eine hohe Konzentration auf den tatsächlichen Inhalt; genau diese zurückhaltende, kühle Erzählweise sorgt aber gleichzeitig dafür, dass der Roman keinen bleibenden Eindruck in mir hinterlassen konnte. Ich hätte mir hier mehr Mut gewünscht, diesen vorhersehbaren Pfad zu verlassen und einen eigenen Weg einzuschlagen.
Adam und Thomas sind zwei leicht zu händelnde, authentische Protagonisten, die glaubwürdige Erwartungen an ihr Leben und Ängsten vor ihrer Zukunft haben, gleichzeitig jedoch merkwürdig substanzlos und austauschbar wirken. Sie handeln genau so, wie man es von ihnen erwarten würde.
Eine angemessene Einführung der jungen Zielgruppe in den historischen Kontext und die behandelte Kriegsthematik geschieht hier nicht; so bleibt bis zum Schluss die aufkeimende Frage offen, wieso sich die Hauptfiguren und ihre Familien überhaupt in dieser Lage befinden. Immer scheint sich eine stets unpräzise bleibende Bedrohung anzunähern, wodurch die Furcht, die zugezogenen Verletzungen, die Hoffnungen der auftretenden Menschen nicht ausreichend legitimiert werden.
Zunehmend verstrickt sich der Autor in deutlich christlich geprägten, oftmals repetitiven Denkansätzen und der märchenhaft-skurrilen Fertigstellung der Handlung, die der Glaubwürdigkeit entbehren. "Ein Mädchen nicht von dieser Welt" fühlt sich eher an wie eine zu lang geratene Kurzgeschichte. Den angesetzten Preis von zehn Euro, verglichen mit dem Umfang, den das Buch letztendlich bietet, finde ich dementsprechend etwas zu hoch – daher gibt es von mir heute nur eine beschränkte Leseempfehlung.
"Ein Mädchen nicht von dieser Welt"
ist eine märchenhafte Erzählung über zwei Jungs während den Schrecken des Zweiten Weltkriegs, die sehr an der Oberfläche bleibt.
May 23, 2020
Ehh işte'den 3 yıldız veriyorum.
Bu kitap 6 yaşındaki kardeşime, üzerinde çocuk kitabı yazan her kitabı her yaşta çocuğun okuyabileceğini sanan bir... nadide misafir tarafından hediye edilmişti. Kitaplığımızda, kardeşim uygun yaş aralığına ulaştığında okunmayı bekliyordu. Ancak şu an 8 yaşında olan kardeşim evde okunabilecek her çocuk kitabını okuduğunda ve kitap kargomuz, küresel pandemi krizinden doğan sebeplerle geciktiğinde, başka şansımız kalmamıştı. Ona "bir iki sayfasını oku, anlamakta zorlanırsan ya da hoşuna gitmezse bırak" dedim. 160 sayfalık kitabı iki günde sildi süpürdü ve benim de okumam için yalvardı.
Kitap, İkinci Dünya Savaşı'nda aileleri tarafından ormana saklanan iki Yahudi çocuğun, Adam ve Thomas'ın, ormanda hayatta kalma mücadelesini anlatıyor. Savaşı, savaşın getirdiği yıkımı, ailelerinin sağ olup olmadığını bilmeden eli silahlı Alman askerlerinden saklanmaya çalışan 9 yaşındaki çocukların korkularını, onların gözünden okuyoruz. Okulda pek iyi geçinemeseler de ormanda birbirlerine kenetleniyorlar, meyve toplayıp dallardan yuva kuruyorlar, Ormana yakın köylerdeki ineklerden süt aşırıyorlar ve bu şekilde aylarca hayatta kalmayı başarıyorlar. Aynı okula gittikleri Mona diye bir kız var. Süt çaldıkları ineklerden biri, bu kızın kaldığı evin sahibine ait. Mona'nın ailesi, çocuklarını savaşta saklasın diye bir çiftçi aile ile para karşılığı anlaşma yapmış. Mona bizimkilere arada bir ekmek ve peynir getiriyor ama ailesi tarafından güvende kalsın diye bırakıldığı evde de pek güvende sayılmaz.
Yani, 8 yaşındaki bir çocuk için fazla ağır mevzular. Yine de gariptir, kardeşim iki günde yaladı yuttu kitabı. Arada bir "getto ne demek, kızıl ordu ne demek" diye sorular sorsa da gayet anlayarak ve keyif alarak okudu.
Ben kitaptan o kadar da hoşlanmadım. Bunun en büyük sebebi ise kitapta sürekli Tanrı adı geçmesi. Tek bir sayfada 7 kez Tanrı kelimesi saymışlığım var. Bizi Tanrı koruyor, tüm bunlar Tanrı'nın planı, Tanrı'ya dua edelim, ancak kalbinde Tanrı olmayanlar bu kötülükleri yapabilir, seni bize Tanrı mı gönderdi... bu cümlelerden gırla var kitapta. Kitabın yazarı, o yıllarda Thomas ve Adam'ın yaşadıklarına benzer şeyler yaşamış, bu nedenle dini değerlerine sıkı sıkı sarılmakta kendince haklı olabilir ama bir ÇOCUK kitabında dindarlığın bu kadar öne çıkarılmasından hoşlanmadım. Kardeşim Tanrı kavramının ne olduğunu bilecek kadar büyüdüyse de, bu konularda aklının bulanmasını istemem.
Yine de arkadaşlık, dayanışma, merhamet, yardımlaşma, farklılıkları kucaklama gibi konulara odaklandığı ve çocuklara geçmişte yaşanan olayları çocukların gözünden anlatarak biraz tarihe değindiği için kitabı sevdim.
Bu kitap 6 yaşındaki kardeşime, üzerinde çocuk kitabı yazan her kitabı her yaşta çocuğun okuyabileceğini sanan bir... nadide misafir tarafından hediye edilmişti. Kitaplığımızda, kardeşim uygun yaş aralığına ulaştığında okunmayı bekliyordu. Ancak şu an 8 yaşında olan kardeşim evde okunabilecek her çocuk kitabını okuduğunda ve kitap kargomuz, küresel pandemi krizinden doğan sebeplerle geciktiğinde, başka şansımız kalmamıştı. Ona "bir iki sayfasını oku, anlamakta zorlanırsan ya da hoşuna gitmezse bırak" dedim. 160 sayfalık kitabı iki günde sildi süpürdü ve benim de okumam için yalvardı.
Kitap, İkinci Dünya Savaşı'nda aileleri tarafından ormana saklanan iki Yahudi çocuğun, Adam ve Thomas'ın, ormanda hayatta kalma mücadelesini anlatıyor. Savaşı, savaşın getirdiği yıkımı, ailelerinin sağ olup olmadığını bilmeden eli silahlı Alman askerlerinden saklanmaya çalışan 9 yaşındaki çocukların korkularını, onların gözünden okuyoruz. Okulda pek iyi geçinemeseler de ormanda birbirlerine kenetleniyorlar, meyve toplayıp dallardan yuva kuruyorlar, Ormana yakın köylerdeki ineklerden süt aşırıyorlar ve bu şekilde aylarca hayatta kalmayı başarıyorlar. Aynı okula gittikleri Mona diye bir kız var. Süt çaldıkları ineklerden biri, bu kızın kaldığı evin sahibine ait. Mona'nın ailesi, çocuklarını savaşta saklasın diye bir çiftçi aile ile para karşılığı anlaşma yapmış. Mona bizimkilere arada bir ekmek ve peynir getiriyor ama ailesi tarafından güvende kalsın diye bırakıldığı evde de pek güvende sayılmaz.
Yani, 8 yaşındaki bir çocuk için fazla ağır mevzular. Yine de gariptir, kardeşim iki günde yaladı yuttu kitabı. Arada bir "getto ne demek, kızıl ordu ne demek" diye sorular sorsa da gayet anlayarak ve keyif alarak okudu.
Ben kitaptan o kadar da hoşlanmadım. Bunun en büyük sebebi ise kitapta sürekli Tanrı adı geçmesi. Tek bir sayfada 7 kez Tanrı kelimesi saymışlığım var. Bizi Tanrı koruyor, tüm bunlar Tanrı'nın planı, Tanrı'ya dua edelim, ancak kalbinde Tanrı olmayanlar bu kötülükleri yapabilir, seni bize Tanrı mı gönderdi... bu cümlelerden gırla var kitapta. Kitabın yazarı, o yıllarda Thomas ve Adam'ın yaşadıklarına benzer şeyler yaşamış, bu nedenle dini değerlerine sıkı sıkı sarılmakta kendince haklı olabilir ama bir ÇOCUK kitabında dindarlığın bu kadar öne çıkarılmasından hoşlanmadım. Kardeşim Tanrı kavramının ne olduğunu bilecek kadar büyüdüyse de, bu konularda aklının bulanmasını istemem.
Yine de arkadaşlık, dayanışma, merhamet, yardımlaşma, farklılıkları kucaklama gibi konulara odaklandığı ve çocuklara geçmişte yaşanan olayları çocukların gözünden anlatarak biraz tarihe değindiği için kitabı sevdim.
June 15, 2018
For my alternate book report I chose to write about why I would like to have Adam and Thomas as friends. I chose this option because after reading the book I believe that Adam and Thomas have proven to be amazing young boys who care about others even in their most desperate time. They have huge hearts for helping people out and I really admire them for that. Adam and Thomas were struggling to get by in the forest hiding from German soldiers, but they still made time to help out fallen runaway Jews and a little girl named Mina who they went to school with. This shows me that they have compassion and worry for others. Adam was very kind and kept helping Thomas through all of his lost hope and keeping Thomas strong. These boys conquered what many people would not be able to conquer one whole day without. They slept in the cold in a tree and ate berries for days. They are strong and have will power which I think is a great trait to have in a friend. The biggest reason that I would love to be friends with Adam and Thomas is because of how they took care of Mina. They kept her warm and alive after she was beaten by a peasant. They saved her life until they were found by their mothers and even after they were able to take her to a doctor they kept her safe and with them. They show true courage and leadership along with a sense of companionship which means a lot to most people. Adam and Thomas would make amazing friends. In the book whisperer she mentions that book reviews need personal reactions and opinions about the book and I think that the reasaon I would like to be friends with Adam and Thomas is because of the personal reaction I had to the kind of people they were and the things that they did for themselves and others. Many people only care about keeping themselves safe, but these boys didn't give up on anyone they did their best to stay safe and help others which is why they were blessed with others helping them with bread and cheese to keep them alive.
December 3, 2015
Fabuleux et inclassable, ce petit roman d'Aharon Appelfeld vous séduira pour sa simplicité, sa générosité, sa tendresse et son humanité.
L'histoire ne cherche pas à fanfaronner et décrit une aventure charmante, avec deux personnages très attachants, Adam et Thomas, qui sont seuls dans une forêt, pour échapper à la guerre et tenter de survivre. C'est assez ordinaire, mais pas insignifiant, et forcément très touchant !
Cette lecture ressemble davantage à un conte, même si l'histoire est ancrée dans la réalité de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, il s'en dégage une ambiance surnaturelle, presque féerique. Les illustrations de Ph. Dumas apportent une touche de poésie qui accentue cette confusion, pour notre plus grand bonheur.
L'histoire ne cherche pas à fanfaronner et décrit une aventure charmante, avec deux personnages très attachants, Adam et Thomas, qui sont seuls dans une forêt, pour échapper à la guerre et tenter de survivre. C'est assez ordinaire, mais pas insignifiant, et forcément très touchant !
Cette lecture ressemble davantage à un conte, même si l'histoire est ancrée dans la réalité de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, il s'en dégage une ambiance surnaturelle, presque féerique. Les illustrations de Ph. Dumas apportent une touche de poésie qui accentue cette confusion, pour notre plus grand bonheur.
July 29, 2015
Two nine-year-old Jewish boys, left in the woods near their home by their mothers who must return to the ghetto, help each other to survive the last winter of World War II. A poignant, fable-like story. Translated from Hebrew.
August 8, 2016
I read this in the English translation. It's an odd little book. Did children used to speak that way or was that the fault of the translation?
October 17, 2021
Adam and Thomas by Aharon Appelfield is a 2016 Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Title about two Jewish boys hiding in the woods during the final days of World War II. The story touches on universal themes of family, friendship, survival, and faith. I found the contrast between the boys to be the most interesting element of the story. Adam, the son of religious Jewish tradesmen, is comfortable with the natural and supernatural. Thomas, the son of secular Jewish scholars, is just the opposite. However, both boys have been raised from different perspectives to be fundamentally good boys that demonstrate compassion and true friendship for each other and others in heroic ways.
The reading level of this book is for a more advanced 2nd grade reader up to an easy read for a 4th grader. Most sentences and short and the vocabulary is mostly familiar. Although the reading level is fairly easy, the content is more advanced. Young readers will easily connect with the family, friendship, and survival elements. Teachers could use this book with primary and intermediate students in units on World War II and the Jewish Holocaust as it explores these events without the most traumatic details.
The reading level of this book is for a more advanced 2nd grade reader up to an easy read for a 4th grader. Most sentences and short and the vocabulary is mostly familiar. Although the reading level is fairly easy, the content is more advanced. Young readers will easily connect with the family, friendship, and survival elements. Teachers could use this book with primary and intermediate students in units on World War II and the Jewish Holocaust as it explores these events without the most traumatic details.
December 29, 2015
Early one morning, towards the end of WWII, a mother and son leave the ghetto and head towards the nearby forest. There, she leaves her son Adam, 9, telling him not to be afraid, he knows the forest well from all the times he had visited it with his parents before the war came, and promising to come for him if she can that evening. He is left with a blanket, a knapsack with food, a book and some jacks,
Adam spends the day walking around the forest, thinking about it and his life with his parents and his dog Miro before the war and the ghetto. His mother doesn’t return that evening.
The next day, Adam meets Thomas, also 9, and also left in the forest by his mother with the same promise to return for him in the evening. Adam and Thomas know each other from school, though they had not been friends there. They spend the day in the forest, and that evening, their mothers again fail to return.
By day, Adam and Thomas forage in the forest for food, and talk to each other about their situation. Their talks begin to take on a philosophical nature, about faith, God. and intellect. Positive thinker Adam believes God will help get them through, negative thinker Thomas relies of study and education, which isn’t happening for him now.
Adam and Thomas decide to build a nest in a high tree for safety, partly because of the fugitives running through the forest, pursued by Nazis shooting at them. They both understand they will also be shot if found since they are Jewish. Every day. the two boys wait for their mothers, who never come for them. One day, however, while trying to help a wounded man attempting to escape the Nazis, they learn that the ghetto has been liquidated and everyone sent to Poland.
Luckily, they also discover a cow in a meadow and begin to get some milk from her every day. One day, a young girl their age comes to milk the cow. It is also a girl from their class named Mina. Mina is hiding from the Nazis in a peasant’s home. After the boys try to make contact with her, Mina begins to leave food for them whenever she can.
Days turn into weeks and weeks turn into months, and soon a kind peasant tells them the Red Army is not far away, the war could be ending, and, meanwhile, he also begins to leave food for the boys. Then, one day, out of the blue, Adam’s dog shows up with a note from his mother attached to the underside of his collar.
The weather begins to get colder and colder and soon, snow starts falling. One day, the boys see a figure wading through the ever deepening snow, and realize it is Mina, who has been very badly beaten by the peasant she lived with and thrown out into the cold and snow.
How will the children survive the cold harsh winter, with only small amounts of food and no real shelter, and not even a fire to warm themselves by. And can two young boys really nurse Mina back to health, or will it take a miracle to make that happen?
I have to admit that I found Adam & Thomas to be a bit of a strange story. It was originally written in Hebrew and loosely based on author Aharon Appelfeld's real life experiences. It is also his first book for children. The philosophical conversations between Adam and Thomas aren't so deep or adult that middle grade readers won't understand them, but they may be a bit disconcerting, since it isn't something young readers may be used to. But there are not explanations for some things (like why was Mina beaten? And there is no closure to anything, including the ending).
That aside, Adam & Thomas is a compelling story about suffering, survival, optimism, friendship, and especially acts of kindness during some very dark, difficult days. Appelfeld's writing is clear and simple, with short declarative sentences and few adjectives for the most part.
The story of the two boys, including the animals and people they encounter, has a unrealistic quality to it. Appelfeld says he writes from a dreamlike or artificial/imitative-like world in the kind of style used in the Bible, all of which, I think, is what gives Adam & Thomas its fable-like feeling. But make no doubt about it, this is a story based on truth, on horrific circumstances and you never forget that while reading.
Adults and young readers interested in the Holocaust shouldn't miss this small but totally accessible and powerful book, which, I think, will also make an big impact on readers not particularly interested in WWII or the Holocaust.
This book is recommended for readers age 8+
This book was borrowed from the NYPL
This review was originally posted on The Children's War
Adam spends the day walking around the forest, thinking about it and his life with his parents and his dog Miro before the war and the ghetto. His mother doesn’t return that evening.
The next day, Adam meets Thomas, also 9, and also left in the forest by his mother with the same promise to return for him in the evening. Adam and Thomas know each other from school, though they had not been friends there. They spend the day in the forest, and that evening, their mothers again fail to return.
By day, Adam and Thomas forage in the forest for food, and talk to each other about their situation. Their talks begin to take on a philosophical nature, about faith, God. and intellect. Positive thinker Adam believes God will help get them through, negative thinker Thomas relies of study and education, which isn’t happening for him now.
Adam and Thomas decide to build a nest in a high tree for safety, partly because of the fugitives running through the forest, pursued by Nazis shooting at them. They both understand they will also be shot if found since they are Jewish. Every day. the two boys wait for their mothers, who never come for them. One day, however, while trying to help a wounded man attempting to escape the Nazis, they learn that the ghetto has been liquidated and everyone sent to Poland.
Luckily, they also discover a cow in a meadow and begin to get some milk from her every day. One day, a young girl their age comes to milk the cow. It is also a girl from their class named Mina. Mina is hiding from the Nazis in a peasant’s home. After the boys try to make contact with her, Mina begins to leave food for them whenever she can.
Days turn into weeks and weeks turn into months, and soon a kind peasant tells them the Red Army is not far away, the war could be ending, and, meanwhile, he also begins to leave food for the boys. Then, one day, out of the blue, Adam’s dog shows up with a note from his mother attached to the underside of his collar.
The weather begins to get colder and colder and soon, snow starts falling. One day, the boys see a figure wading through the ever deepening snow, and realize it is Mina, who has been very badly beaten by the peasant she lived with and thrown out into the cold and snow.
How will the children survive the cold harsh winter, with only small amounts of food and no real shelter, and not even a fire to warm themselves by. And can two young boys really nurse Mina back to health, or will it take a miracle to make that happen?
I have to admit that I found Adam & Thomas to be a bit of a strange story. It was originally written in Hebrew and loosely based on author Aharon Appelfeld's real life experiences. It is also his first book for children. The philosophical conversations between Adam and Thomas aren't so deep or adult that middle grade readers won't understand them, but they may be a bit disconcerting, since it isn't something young readers may be used to. But there are not explanations for some things (like why was Mina beaten? And there is no closure to anything, including the ending).
That aside, Adam & Thomas is a compelling story about suffering, survival, optimism, friendship, and especially acts of kindness during some very dark, difficult days. Appelfeld's writing is clear and simple, with short declarative sentences and few adjectives for the most part.
The story of the two boys, including the animals and people they encounter, has a unrealistic quality to it. Appelfeld says he writes from a dreamlike or artificial/imitative-like world in the kind of style used in the Bible, all of which, I think, is what gives Adam & Thomas its fable-like feeling. But make no doubt about it, this is a story based on truth, on horrific circumstances and you never forget that while reading.
Adults and young readers interested in the Holocaust shouldn't miss this small but totally accessible and powerful book, which, I think, will also make an big impact on readers not particularly interested in WWII or the Holocaust.
This book is recommended for readers age 8+
This book was borrowed from the NYPL
This review was originally posted on The Children's War
July 22, 2024
Adam & Thomas est un roman de jeunesse illustré par Philippe Dumas (dont j'ai découvert le talent dans Miss Charity) et écrit en hébreux par l'un des plus célèbres auteurs israéliens contemporains, Aharon Appelfeld.
J'emploie le terme de roman, mais en réalité, ce texte fait davantage penser à un conte.
Adam et Thomas, âgés de neuf ans, sont conduits par leurs mamans dans la forêt pour y être cachés. L'histoire se déroule pendant la seconde guerre mondiale et ces deux enfants juifs vont échapper au massacre en survivant quelques jours dans les bois.
Ce texte est, d'une certaine manière, autobiographique, puisque l'auteur a lui-même survécu à la guerre en se cachant quelques temps dans une forêt. Cependant, ici, il détourne un peu les faits et c'est au lecteur de lire entre les lignes et de deviner ce qui n'est pas dit de manière explicite.
Tout évolue autour de ces deux enfants et de leur survie, et finalement, ce qui a trait à la guerre et à ce qui se passe en dehors de la forêt n'est que suggéré.
Au-delà de "l'aventure" d'Adam et Thomas, sont abordés des thèmes essentiels tels que la croyance religieuse, la solidarité et l'anti-sémitisme. Sans jamais donner de réponses, l'auteur, à travers les dialogues qui s'instaurent entre ses personnages, pose des questions importantes et amène le jeune lecteur à réfléchir et à se forger sa propre opinion .
C'est une sorte de fable philosophique et onirique, un texte beau et touchant. Les superbes illustrations ajoutent une touche de poésie supplémentaire.
A noter qu'Adam & Thomas a été élu Meilleur roman jeunesse 2014 par le magazine Lire.
J'emploie le terme de roman, mais en réalité, ce texte fait davantage penser à un conte.
Adam et Thomas, âgés de neuf ans, sont conduits par leurs mamans dans la forêt pour y être cachés. L'histoire se déroule pendant la seconde guerre mondiale et ces deux enfants juifs vont échapper au massacre en survivant quelques jours dans les bois.
Ce texte est, d'une certaine manière, autobiographique, puisque l'auteur a lui-même survécu à la guerre en se cachant quelques temps dans une forêt. Cependant, ici, il détourne un peu les faits et c'est au lecteur de lire entre les lignes et de deviner ce qui n'est pas dit de manière explicite.
Tout évolue autour de ces deux enfants et de leur survie, et finalement, ce qui a trait à la guerre et à ce qui se passe en dehors de la forêt n'est que suggéré.
Au-delà de "l'aventure" d'Adam et Thomas, sont abordés des thèmes essentiels tels que la croyance religieuse, la solidarité et l'anti-sémitisme. Sans jamais donner de réponses, l'auteur, à travers les dialogues qui s'instaurent entre ses personnages, pose des questions importantes et amène le jeune lecteur à réfléchir et à se forger sa propre opinion .
C'est une sorte de fable philosophique et onirique, un texte beau et touchant. Les superbes illustrations ajoutent une touche de poésie supplémentaire.
A noter qu'Adam & Thomas a été élu Meilleur roman jeunesse 2014 par le magazine Lire.
November 26, 2015
Adam & Thomas by Aharon Appelfeld is newly translated into English by Jeffrey M. Green. And, if you're like me, and seek to read as many World War II books as possible in any given year, it's worth seeking out.
The book opens with Adam and his mother in the forest. She's leaving him, leaving him with a promise that she'll return when it's safe, but ultimately leaving him on his own. He doesn't stay on his own, however, for later that same day he finds another boy his own age whose mother had also brought him to the forest. His name is Thomas. The two boys are quite different from one another. But they're both Jewish, both seeking to escape the ghetto before it is liquidated, both unsure of the future. Though Adam is a positive thinker if ever there was one.
Can the two boys survive the horrors of both war and nature in the forest? Will they find enough food to eat in the forest? What about in winter? How will they stay warm? Dare they try to light a fire?
"Enjoyed" is such a wrong word given the context and content of this one. But I found it a quick, overall hopeful read. I liked Thomas and his dreams. I liked Adam and his resourcefulness and hope. I liked how these two made a point of helping others who fled into the forest to try to escape the Nazis.
I also liked Miro and Mina. Mina is another Jewish girl hiding out in the country. Miro is Adam's oh-so-loyal dog that tracks him down after several weeks or months and joins the boys in the forest.
The book opens with Adam and his mother in the forest. She's leaving him, leaving him with a promise that she'll return when it's safe, but ultimately leaving him on his own. He doesn't stay on his own, however, for later that same day he finds another boy his own age whose mother had also brought him to the forest. His name is Thomas. The two boys are quite different from one another. But they're both Jewish, both seeking to escape the ghetto before it is liquidated, both unsure of the future. Though Adam is a positive thinker if ever there was one.
Can the two boys survive the horrors of both war and nature in the forest? Will they find enough food to eat in the forest? What about in winter? How will they stay warm? Dare they try to light a fire?
"Enjoyed" is such a wrong word given the context and content of this one. But I found it a quick, overall hopeful read. I liked Thomas and his dreams. I liked Adam and his resourcefulness and hope. I liked how these two made a point of helping others who fled into the forest to try to escape the Nazis.
I also liked Miro and Mina. Mina is another Jewish girl hiding out in the country. Miro is Adam's oh-so-loyal dog that tracks him down after several weeks or months and joins the boys in the forest.
December 27, 2017
”Don’t be afraid. You know our forest very well, and everything that’s in it. Sit under a tree, like that one with the round top, read the book by Jules Verne or play jacks. The time will pass quickly.”
I picked this book up for the sole reason that it was written by Aharon Appelfeld. His name had been mentioned in a book I had read about Israel and I had never read anything by him. Since it was available as an ebook it was easy to get.
This is a wonderfully written, dream-like tale about the Holocaust. It is aimed at a juvenile audience and so many of the ghastly details of what happened to people during World War II are not spelled out. However, it is perfectly clear that the world has gone awry and that the two main characters are in a great deal of danger.
This story was lovely – if that is a word I can use about such a horrific time. Appelfeld is an incredible writer - I would like to read one of his adult books. As I often do, I wonder how many children will actually read this story. It is told on a juvenile level, but it would take a special child to finish this tale.
I picked this book up for the sole reason that it was written by Aharon Appelfeld. His name had been mentioned in a book I had read about Israel and I had never read anything by him. Since it was available as an ebook it was easy to get.
This is a wonderfully written, dream-like tale about the Holocaust. It is aimed at a juvenile audience and so many of the ghastly details of what happened to people during World War II are not spelled out. However, it is perfectly clear that the world has gone awry and that the two main characters are in a great deal of danger.
This story was lovely – if that is a word I can use about such a horrific time. Appelfeld is an incredible writer - I would like to read one of his adult books. As I often do, I wonder how many children will actually read this story. It is told on a juvenile level, but it would take a special child to finish this tale.
September 27, 2017
What a poignant and dramatic 'little' book this is! Appelfeld does a marvelous job of depicting how two very different boys forge a relationship which helps them survive huge and frightening challenges. There is just enough humor to keep one from getting too distressed by what they had to cope with. The prose was highly readable: 'simple,' direct, declarative sentences without too much description that might have distracted me. The translator did a good job.
My only criticisms are that Appelfeld might have done a little more about describing the boys' lives before they ended up in the forest. Also, an afterward describing what happened to Adam and Thomas after the War would have been good. I found myself caring about them so much that I wanted to know how, where, etc they grew up. Did they ever meet again? How did they deal with/make sense of their time together in the forest?
I'd probably rate it as a 4.5.
My only criticisms are that Appelfeld might have done a little more about describing the boys' lives before they ended up in the forest. Also, an afterward describing what happened to Adam and Thomas after the War would have been good. I found myself caring about them so much that I wanted to know how, where, etc they grew up. Did they ever meet again? How did they deal with/make sense of their time together in the forest?
I'd probably rate it as a 4.5.
July 22, 2016
Adam & Thomas is a beautiful but terrifying story about two boys trying to survive in the forest during World War II. All they have is each other, the help of some strangers, and a nest they've built in the trees.
I do believe a little bit of the story was lost in translation. The story was originally written in Hebrew, and I am sure there are some sayings and situations that would have made a lot more sense and would have been more poetic in Hebrew.
All in all, though, this is a beautiful story, different from any other World War II story I've read before. This book is all about bravery and survival, and needing to believe in and rely on one another. Adam and Thomas are opposites--one is very logical and one is very religious, and to see the two boys together, knowing that they need both of those things to survive, brings a remarkable tale that you must read!
I do believe a little bit of the story was lost in translation. The story was originally written in Hebrew, and I am sure there are some sayings and situations that would have made a lot more sense and would have been more poetic in Hebrew.
All in all, though, this is a beautiful story, different from any other World War II story I've read before. This book is all about bravery and survival, and needing to believe in and rely on one another. Adam and Thomas are opposites--one is very logical and one is very religious, and to see the two boys together, knowing that they need both of those things to survive, brings a remarkable tale that you must read!
April 26, 2020
There’s a reason so many honors are attached to this book (see description) - it is a moving account of two nine-year-old boys who are both left in the woods by their mothers in an attempt to save them from transport to concentration camps in WWII. They intend to return for them, but when they don’t both Adam and Thomas must decide if they will hide with the woman whose name their mothers gave them or stay in the forest. They choose the forest and what ensues is a compelling story of fear, anxiety, survival, and hope. Translated from the Hebrew by Jeffrey M. Green and exquisitely illustrated by Philippe Dumas, this is intended for upper elementary children. However, I found it to be compelling as an adult so read and reflect. Highly recommended.
April 5, 2016
Adam and Joseph are two Jewish boys hiding out in a forest in Germany (?). It's described as fairy tale-like and I'm not sure I agree, but it is very strange. Maybe it's the translation. The boys speak using a lot of metaphors and profound thoughts, when it doesn't seem appropriate. They are, after all, hiding and struggling to find food. It seems like a book written to educate children on how to make the best of a bad situation and it's done in an obvious manner. And even though the characters are children, it almost seems to be written for adults.
June 28, 2022
Un libro mediocre que no resulta interesante y que ni sirve como lectura iniciática del tema del nazismo, pues lo trata de forma tan superficial que resulta algo anecdótico. En otro orden de las cosas, los personajes son planos, no están bien caracterizados ni resultan creíbles, mientras que la trama es inexistente y a los personajes todo les sale demasiado bien. A eso hay que sumarle un mensaje final que me parece negativo, así como varios errores de edición.
Reseña completa:
https://paseandoentrepaginas.blogspot...
Reseña completa:
https://paseandoentrepaginas.blogspot...
February 7, 2019
Aslında tam olarak bir çocuk kitabı değil. 12 yaş ve üzeri diye düşünüyorum. İkinci dünya savaşı sırasında ormanda saklanan iki çocuğun hikayesi. Ama tabii o kadar naif o kadar gerçek yazılmış ki çok beğendim. Üstelik yazar kendi hayat hikayesinden yola çıkmış. 8 yaşındayken toplama kampından kaçıp ormanda saklandığı bir dönem olmuş. Yazarla da tanışma kitabım oldu. Değer kitaplarını da merakla okuyacağım.
July 18, 2019
At 149 pages, with occasional watercolor-&-colored-pencil illustrations, this may be the only novel about surviving the Holocaust aimed at "moving up" readers - ages 7 to 9 years old.
It has many similarities to Emil and Karl, two boys (age 9) are separated from their families under Hitler and together find ways to survive. This book (Like Glatshteyn's) also shows the children becoming closer under their adverse circumstances, relying on one another, giving each other encouragement and emotional support, and combining their unique skills to survive.
However, Glatshteyn's book (published in Yiddish in 1940, translated into English in 2006), is much more harshly realistic - the boys experience abuse and betrayal and must flee to save their lives before they also find trustworthy aid from adults, while this one by Appelfeld (published in 2013 in Hebrew, translated into English in 2015) has an ephemeral quality - the boys are separately delivered to the forest by their mothers, find one another, survive on berries & water from a stream until they get bread, cheese, & milk from peasants who secretly leave them food while they sleep in a nest hidden high in the trees.
Adam and Thomas are both Jewish, but they experience their religion differently, and there is a silent character - a girl named Mina - who becomes the focus of the story for awhile, even though we hear nothing about her thoughts or feelings. In the meantime, we hear Adam's and Thomas' thoughts and feelings in detail, and they discuss many of the things both children and adults bring up when they ask Holocaust survivors (who were in hiding) about their experiences;
How did you have faith in God?
Weren't you scared?
What was it like to hide for so long, with a war going on around you?
What did you eat & drink?
Because the author is a survivor of a similar experience, I trust his descriptions are authentic. However, the conversations (translated from Hebrew) seem stilted and mimic the patterns of speech of teachers and religious leaders who are presenting a parable with a very obvious moral lesson.
It is entirely possible that two 9-year-old Jewish boys in Czernowitz, Northern Bukovina (now in Ukraine) one from a schoolteacher's and one from a furniture-maker's families would speak this carefully, thoughtfully, conscientiously, and spiritually. To my modern, adult ear, it sounded on the didactic side - as if the children were voicing the lessons author Appelfeld thought it best young people today should learn.
Since most readers picking up this book will be looking for lessons of that nature, the text and tone probably match the intent; to show how by our wits and through our faith (in our parents or in God) we will find ways to sustain ourselves and others even in the most dire circumstances.
It has many similarities to Emil and Karl, two boys (age 9) are separated from their families under Hitler and together find ways to survive. This book (Like Glatshteyn's) also shows the children becoming closer under their adverse circumstances, relying on one another, giving each other encouragement and emotional support, and combining their unique skills to survive.
However, Glatshteyn's book (published in Yiddish in 1940, translated into English in 2006), is much more harshly realistic - the boys experience abuse and betrayal and must flee to save their lives before they also find trustworthy aid from adults, while this one by Appelfeld (published in 2013 in Hebrew, translated into English in 2015) has an ephemeral quality - the boys are separately delivered to the forest by their mothers, find one another, survive on berries & water from a stream until they get bread, cheese, & milk from peasants who secretly leave them food while they sleep in a nest hidden high in the trees.
Adam and Thomas are both Jewish, but they experience their religion differently, and there is a silent character - a girl named Mina - who becomes the focus of the story for awhile, even though we hear nothing about her thoughts or feelings. In the meantime, we hear Adam's and Thomas' thoughts and feelings in detail, and they discuss many of the things both children and adults bring up when they ask Holocaust survivors (who were in hiding) about their experiences;
How did you have faith in God?
Weren't you scared?
What was it like to hide for so long, with a war going on around you?
What did you eat & drink?
Because the author is a survivor of a similar experience, I trust his descriptions are authentic. However, the conversations (translated from Hebrew) seem stilted and mimic the patterns of speech of teachers and religious leaders who are presenting a parable with a very obvious moral lesson.
It is entirely possible that two 9-year-old Jewish boys in Czernowitz, Northern Bukovina (now in Ukraine) one from a schoolteacher's and one from a furniture-maker's families would speak this carefully, thoughtfully, conscientiously, and spiritually. To my modern, adult ear, it sounded on the didactic side - as if the children were voicing the lessons author Appelfeld thought it best young people today should learn.
Since most readers picking up this book will be looking for lessons of that nature, the text and tone probably match the intent; to show how by our wits and through our faith (in our parents or in God) we will find ways to sustain ourselves and others even in the most dire circumstances.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2015
Málokedy sa stáva, že vám kniha vylepí facku. Tá od Aharona Appelfelda vám ich uštedrí hneď niekoľko. A vy ich prijmete ochotne a s pokorou.
Izraelský novelista Aharon Appelfeld je v našich literárnych končinách málo známym spisovateľom, a to aj napriek tomu, že je jeho práca vysoko oceňovaná. Svoju prvú novelu vydal v 25 rokoch. Napísal ju v hebrejčine, ktorej ostal verný i dnes. A aj keď nie sú jeho diela veľmi dlhé, skôr také klasické poviedkové, ponúknu vám zážitok, ktorý nebudete chcieť prežiť skôr ako o pár mesiacov či rokov. Aharon Appelfeld, podobne ako Michael Morpurgo (román Vojnový kôň), Guillermo del Toro (film Faunov labyrint), Władysław Szpilman (román Pianista) či Art Spiegelman (grafická novela Maus), rozpráva obyčajné príbehy o obyčajných ľuďoch v neobyčajných situáciách. Nemoralizuje, nepreháňa, nevyhraňuje. Citlivo, odľahčene, niekedy hravo, ale predovšetkým metaforicky opisuje strastiplné životné osudy detí, ich rodičov a rodičov ich rodičov.
Ak sa nebojíte čeliť duchom minulosti, vykročte spolu s ním, Adamom, Tomášom, ich spolužiačkou Mínou a psom Mirom za dobrodružstvom, ktoré sa začína a aj končí v čarovnom lese. V presne takom, aký raz našla Ofélia. Aj Aharon Appelfeld totiž prežil útrapy vojny – druhej svetovej...
Detská kniha pre čitateľov od 8 rokov O holčičce z jiného světa tak trošku klame nielen svojím názvom, ale aj obsahom. Napriek tomu, že anotácia na zadnej strane obálky ponúka príbeh dvoch židovských chlapcov a tajomného dievčaťa, ktoré akoby nebolo z tohto sveta, Aharon Appelfeld vás nečakane postaví pred neprikrášlenú a miestami nepríjemne drsnú realitu. Akási fantastickosť prirodzene plynúca z názvu knihy sa teda z príbehu vytráca už prvou vetou a opätovne sa do neho už neprinavracia. No aj napriek tomu ju nájdete. Je trošku iná. Ukrýva sa vo viere v lepšie časy i našu ľudskosť. Tlie v sľuboch, ktoré dali mamy svojim deťom a rozhorí sa aj vo vzťahu, ktorý si medzi sebou vybudujú vojnou vystrašení kamaráti v korune bujarého stromu. Prítomná je aj v opise ich každodennej rutiny, ako aj v rozhovoroch, ktoré medzi sebou detskí hrdinovia vedú. Napriek tomu, že sú obaja úplne rozdielni, vedia si k sebe nájsť cestu, a to či už cez rôzne bežné témy pragmaticky zmýšľajúceho Tomáša, alebo prostredníctvom optimistického nadhľadu veriaceho Adama a jeho psa.
Detská kniha Aharona Appelfelda vyšla vo vydavateľstve Albatros v septembri minulého roku. Má 111 strán, postavy, ktoré dokážete spočítať na prstoch jednej ruky, a veľa, veľmi veľa farbistých emócií. Nečudo, svojou významnosťou je dvojznačná. Smeruje nielen k porozumeniu a k pochopeniu detského príjemcu, ktorému ponúka zmyslovosť, konkrétnosť, názornosť, obraznosť, reálnosť, hravosť a predovšetkým fantastickosť (aj keď v tomto prípade je ohraničená vierou v Boha i v hrdinstvo Míny, dievčatka z iného sveta) pri vnímaní a poznávaní skutočnosti. Ale umožňuje dospelému čitateľovi vnímať a porozumieť jej významovej zložitosti, ktorá je pre väčšinu diel Aharona Appelfelda príznačná.
Aharon Appelfeld vám vo svojej detskej knihe ponúka kúsok seba. Svoje spomienky na detstvo, možno menej ideálne, aké prežili v istom lese v konkrétny deň dvaja malí chlapci. Svoj strach z neznáma, ktoré denno-denne určovalo ghetto a nemeckí vojaci v ňom. Svoju bolesť a sklamanie, ale rovnako tak i radosť z maličkostí a niekedy aj smutných snov o teple domova, úsmevoch vašich rodičov, prívetivých slovách starých rodičov, oddanosti psov s veľkým srdcom a bystrým úsudkom. Aharon Appelfeld pre vás vyčaroval realistickú rozprávku s trpkou príchuťou. Táto rozprávka síce otvára bránu do pochmúrnej a svojím spôsobom aj veľmi bolestivej minulosti, avšak dejiny vo všeobecnosti bývajú úsmevné len zriedkavo.
Naozaj sa málokedy stane, že vám kniha vylepí facku. A rovnako tak sa málokedy stane, že tejto knihe ochotne nastavíte aj druhé líce. Niekedy jednoducho potrebujete malú duševnú očistu. Nie je síce taká fantastická (čiže plná mágie, čarov a mýtických tvorov), akú ponúkajú iné detské knihy, a častokrát vás dokáže zahanbiť vašou vlastnou slabosťou, v konečnom dôsledku jej však za všetky útrapy, ktoré ste v jej prítomnosti prežili, budete úprimne vďační. Je vysoko pravdepodobné, že sa k nej tak rýchlo nevrátite. Jej desivé zážitky budú vo vás prežívať ešte dlhý čas, no o to viac si budete ceniť ten okamih, kedy ju opäť vezmete do rúk a ponoríte sa do jej vnútra. A to či už sami, alebo v spoločnosti ďalšieho milovníka detských kníh určených hlavne dospelým čitateľom. Predovšetkým takým, ktorí potrebujú isté veci pripomenúť bez romantizujúceho nádychu. Naturálne, úprimne, spontánne, neprikrášlene, jednoducho tak, ako sa naozaj stali. Bohužiaľ, minulosť sa zmeniť nedá.
Aharon Appelfeld konfrontoval svet literatúry dievčatkom z iného sveta v roku 2013. Ani dnes nie je táto malá modrá detská kniha preložená do angličtiny. Azda aj preto je taká cenná. Našťastie je tu vydavateľstvo Albatros. A, našťastie, ešte stále existujú zvedaví čitatelia, ktorým neprekáža útržkovitosť celkom krátkeho príbehu, statickosť prostredia, detská úprimnosť, psia naivita, ľudská bezcitnosť a predovšetkým príjemná, melodická metaforickosť, ktorá odľahčuje pomerne ťažké témy, aby boli ľahšie vnímateľné či stráviteľné. A to predovšetkým pre nás, veľkých čitateľov.
Pokiaľ vám na poličke oddychuje Malý princ, je najvyšší čas, aby sa k nemu pridala i táto kniha. Keď už nie preto, že je svojím spôsobom magická, tak z dôvodu, že sa v nej nájdete.
„O tom, čím jsme si prošli v lese, budeme moci vyprávět až po letech. O strachu a hladu se těžko vypravuje. Jsou to velmi silné zážitky, ale nedají se popsat...“ Tomáš (9 rokov)
Autor/ka: Aharon Appelfeld
Názov diela: O holčičce z jiného světa
Rok vydania: 2014
Vydavateľstvo: Albatros Media a.s.
Počet strán: 111
Jazyk: český
Hodnotenie autorom recenzie: 100%
Ďakujeme Vydavateľstvu Albatros za poskytnutý recenzný výtlačok.
Autorka recenzie: Yaonee
Fantasy svet
Izraelský novelista Aharon Appelfeld je v našich literárnych končinách málo známym spisovateľom, a to aj napriek tomu, že je jeho práca vysoko oceňovaná. Svoju prvú novelu vydal v 25 rokoch. Napísal ju v hebrejčine, ktorej ostal verný i dnes. A aj keď nie sú jeho diela veľmi dlhé, skôr také klasické poviedkové, ponúknu vám zážitok, ktorý nebudete chcieť prežiť skôr ako o pár mesiacov či rokov. Aharon Appelfeld, podobne ako Michael Morpurgo (román Vojnový kôň), Guillermo del Toro (film Faunov labyrint), Władysław Szpilman (román Pianista) či Art Spiegelman (grafická novela Maus), rozpráva obyčajné príbehy o obyčajných ľuďoch v neobyčajných situáciách. Nemoralizuje, nepreháňa, nevyhraňuje. Citlivo, odľahčene, niekedy hravo, ale predovšetkým metaforicky opisuje strastiplné životné osudy detí, ich rodičov a rodičov ich rodičov.
Ak sa nebojíte čeliť duchom minulosti, vykročte spolu s ním, Adamom, Tomášom, ich spolužiačkou Mínou a psom Mirom za dobrodružstvom, ktoré sa začína a aj končí v čarovnom lese. V presne takom, aký raz našla Ofélia. Aj Aharon Appelfeld totiž prežil útrapy vojny – druhej svetovej...
Detská kniha pre čitateľov od 8 rokov O holčičce z jiného světa tak trošku klame nielen svojím názvom, ale aj obsahom. Napriek tomu, že anotácia na zadnej strane obálky ponúka príbeh dvoch židovských chlapcov a tajomného dievčaťa, ktoré akoby nebolo z tohto sveta, Aharon Appelfeld vás nečakane postaví pred neprikrášlenú a miestami nepríjemne drsnú realitu. Akási fantastickosť prirodzene plynúca z názvu knihy sa teda z príbehu vytráca už prvou vetou a opätovne sa do neho už neprinavracia. No aj napriek tomu ju nájdete. Je trošku iná. Ukrýva sa vo viere v lepšie časy i našu ľudskosť. Tlie v sľuboch, ktoré dali mamy svojim deťom a rozhorí sa aj vo vzťahu, ktorý si medzi sebou vybudujú vojnou vystrašení kamaráti v korune bujarého stromu. Prítomná je aj v opise ich každodennej rutiny, ako aj v rozhovoroch, ktoré medzi sebou detskí hrdinovia vedú. Napriek tomu, že sú obaja úplne rozdielni, vedia si k sebe nájsť cestu, a to či už cez rôzne bežné témy pragmaticky zmýšľajúceho Tomáša, alebo prostredníctvom optimistického nadhľadu veriaceho Adama a jeho psa.
Detská kniha Aharona Appelfelda vyšla vo vydavateľstve Albatros v septembri minulého roku. Má 111 strán, postavy, ktoré dokážete spočítať na prstoch jednej ruky, a veľa, veľmi veľa farbistých emócií. Nečudo, svojou významnosťou je dvojznačná. Smeruje nielen k porozumeniu a k pochopeniu detského príjemcu, ktorému ponúka zmyslovosť, konkrétnosť, názornosť, obraznosť, reálnosť, hravosť a predovšetkým fantastickosť (aj keď v tomto prípade je ohraničená vierou v Boha i v hrdinstvo Míny, dievčatka z iného sveta) pri vnímaní a poznávaní skutočnosti. Ale umožňuje dospelému čitateľovi vnímať a porozumieť jej významovej zložitosti, ktorá je pre väčšinu diel Aharona Appelfelda príznačná.
Aharon Appelfeld vám vo svojej detskej knihe ponúka kúsok seba. Svoje spomienky na detstvo, možno menej ideálne, aké prežili v istom lese v konkrétny deň dvaja malí chlapci. Svoj strach z neznáma, ktoré denno-denne určovalo ghetto a nemeckí vojaci v ňom. Svoju bolesť a sklamanie, ale rovnako tak i radosť z maličkostí a niekedy aj smutných snov o teple domova, úsmevoch vašich rodičov, prívetivých slovách starých rodičov, oddanosti psov s veľkým srdcom a bystrým úsudkom. Aharon Appelfeld pre vás vyčaroval realistickú rozprávku s trpkou príchuťou. Táto rozprávka síce otvára bránu do pochmúrnej a svojím spôsobom aj veľmi bolestivej minulosti, avšak dejiny vo všeobecnosti bývajú úsmevné len zriedkavo.
Naozaj sa málokedy stane, že vám kniha vylepí facku. A rovnako tak sa málokedy stane, že tejto knihe ochotne nastavíte aj druhé líce. Niekedy jednoducho potrebujete malú duševnú očistu. Nie je síce taká fantastická (čiže plná mágie, čarov a mýtických tvorov), akú ponúkajú iné detské knihy, a častokrát vás dokáže zahanbiť vašou vlastnou slabosťou, v konečnom dôsledku jej však za všetky útrapy, ktoré ste v jej prítomnosti prežili, budete úprimne vďační. Je vysoko pravdepodobné, že sa k nej tak rýchlo nevrátite. Jej desivé zážitky budú vo vás prežívať ešte dlhý čas, no o to viac si budete ceniť ten okamih, kedy ju opäť vezmete do rúk a ponoríte sa do jej vnútra. A to či už sami, alebo v spoločnosti ďalšieho milovníka detských kníh určených hlavne dospelým čitateľom. Predovšetkým takým, ktorí potrebujú isté veci pripomenúť bez romantizujúceho nádychu. Naturálne, úprimne, spontánne, neprikrášlene, jednoducho tak, ako sa naozaj stali. Bohužiaľ, minulosť sa zmeniť nedá.
Aharon Appelfeld konfrontoval svet literatúry dievčatkom z iného sveta v roku 2013. Ani dnes nie je táto malá modrá detská kniha preložená do angličtiny. Azda aj preto je taká cenná. Našťastie je tu vydavateľstvo Albatros. A, našťastie, ešte stále existujú zvedaví čitatelia, ktorým neprekáža útržkovitosť celkom krátkeho príbehu, statickosť prostredia, detská úprimnosť, psia naivita, ľudská bezcitnosť a predovšetkým príjemná, melodická metaforickosť, ktorá odľahčuje pomerne ťažké témy, aby boli ľahšie vnímateľné či stráviteľné. A to predovšetkým pre nás, veľkých čitateľov.
Pokiaľ vám na poličke oddychuje Malý princ, je najvyšší čas, aby sa k nemu pridala i táto kniha. Keď už nie preto, že je svojím spôsobom magická, tak z dôvodu, že sa v nej nájdete.
„O tom, čím jsme si prošli v lese, budeme moci vyprávět až po letech. O strachu a hladu se těžko vypravuje. Jsou to velmi silné zážitky, ale nedají se popsat...“ Tomáš (9 rokov)
Autor/ka: Aharon Appelfeld
Názov diela: O holčičce z jiného světa
Rok vydania: 2014
Vydavateľstvo: Albatros Media a.s.
Počet strán: 111
Jazyk: český
Hodnotenie autorom recenzie: 100%
Ďakujeme Vydavateľstvu Albatros za poskytnutý recenzný výtlačok.
Autorka recenzie: Yaonee
Fantasy svet
August 27, 2024
This YA book by a Holocaust Survivor conveys the horrors of the Holocaust in an age appropriate non-threatening, non-scary manner as it describes the trials and tribulations of two 9 year old boys who struggle to survive in a forest in Eastern Europe while hiding from the Nazis. The boys, who are classmates, were smuggled out of the ghetto by their mothers who were seeking to protect and hide them from the Germans who were seizing Jewish children and deporting them to Poland. One is familiar with the forest while the other, the studious son of teachers, is not. Together they form a bond of friendship, and support each other’s resolve to survive and help others. A third classmate, who is hidden by a peasant family, and an old peasant also help them, as does the family’s dog, who searches for them in the forest.
The book is moving as it portrays their struggles to survive while battling hunger, thirst, and cold and wet weather, and hiding from the Germans. It enchants the reader as it offers a message of hope amidst the death and destruction of the Second World War.
The book is moving as it portrays their struggles to survive while battling hunger, thirst, and cold and wet weather, and hiding from the Germans. It enchants the reader as it offers a message of hope amidst the death and destruction of the Second World War.
December 25, 2024
Basit yazımıyla çocuk kitabı olabilecek bir anlatımı var. O çocuksu duyguları güzel bir şekilde aktarıp anlatıyor ama bir çocuk için işlenen konu ağır bir konu. Çocuklar ormanda saklanırken o zaman diliminde yine hayatlarını tehlikeye atıp onlara yardım eden insanlar sadece Tanrıyla bağdaştırıyordu yazar. Evet insan o ölüm kalım çizgisinde, elinden gelmeyen anlarda kendinden üst ve her şeye muktedir bir varlığa tutunmayı bir kaçış yolu olarak görme eğilimindeler ama bir çocuk kitabında tanrının bu kadar ön planda olarak insanların yardımlarının tanrıyla gölgelendirilmesi çok doğru gelmedi.
Aslında yaşarken çok somut şeyler olan açlık, ölüm korkusu yalnızlık hissi gerçekten de anlatılması, sonradan anlamlandırılması üzerine konuşulması çok zor konular.
Aslında yaşarken çok somut şeyler olan açlık, ölüm korkusu yalnızlık hissi gerçekten de anlatılması, sonradan anlamlandırılması üzerine konuşulması çok zor konular.
January 13, 2023
Good quick read. Appropriate to read to kids, all the more serious sides of war are avoided, but they still see wounded men, a beaten little girl, and experience hunger and cold without being too dark. The boys speak very formally. They have trust in God but wonder why they have to go through this. I still think it’s a good light introduction to WW2 in Europe. The author survived on his own in the forests during the war after escaping a camp. I’d love to read more of his story, but I imagine he drew on his own experiences to write this.
February 13, 2023
The title is such an unfortunate translation of the original Hebrew, which would read as A Girl From Another World. Adam and Thomas, former classmates, are each brought by their mothers to the forest as conditions worsen in the ghetto. Adam knows many survival skills, and when they come upon Mina, a girl from their class who is living with a brutish peasant, she leaves them packages of food which help sustain them until their mothers return. Mina nearly loses her life in the process, but is revived by a doctor from the Red Army.
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