An End to Childhood - New and Expanded Edition: New and Expanded Edition

by Miriam Akavia, Jeanette Goldman (Translator), Michael P. McLeary (Translator)

This memoir, written as fiction, but based on fact, describes the fear-filled efforts of a pair of Polish adolescents, brother and sister, to survive in secrecy and constant anxiety in Lvov at a time when Jews were being rounded up and sent to the Ghetto - or worse. They have only their false identity papers, their few trusted contacts and their own wits to help them conceal their Jewish background and keep one step ahead of the German authorities. Miriam Akavia, who experienced at first hand similar terrors and anxieties, skillfully conveys the fluctuations in mood from the natural optimism and high spirits of youth to the painfully learned caution and dissembling forced upon them by their situation.

171 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1994

Reviews

[Angelika Szulc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very emotional and pessimistic, especially the end. The author spares us from drastic details and depictions of death by the hands of Nazis. But you don't need them to understand the scope of tragedy of that time. Time where one decision or one turn could save a life or end it tragically; time where heroes were scarce and even those hunted couldn't find it in themselves to sacrifice their own life to save others. But would we? That is the question no one knows the answer until they find themselves in such a position to make the choice. I don't know if I would be brave enough to risk my life to save others at such times. I want to think that I would but ... that is easy to think so now in the world of general safety (at least in the parts where I live).

It's one of those books people need to read to always remember what people are capable of and to do everything in our power to not repeat the history.