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Der Junge von der Bernsteinküste: Erlebte Zeitgeschichte 1938-1948
German
276 pages, Perfect Paperback
Published January 1, 1994
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January 24, 2023
I filled this memoir, set on the Amber Coast, with checkmarks ... my way of connecting with the events. First, there's the idyllic setting along the Baltic—an area I've been privileged to cycle along.
Second, there's the loss of the homeland. The tiny town of Palmnicken, East Prussia is now Yantarny, Russia. Third, there's a 16-year-old's terrible time in a Soviet prisoner of war camp. Fourth, there's the horrific memory of the Baltic massacre of almost 3000 Jewish women on the Baltic shores near the Amber mine.
It's a heart-wrenching memoir of a cruel, desperate time. Glad I waited until after I wrote my own novel about these life-changing events because while it corroborates my mom's memories and my own research, each is his/her own unique experience.
I do wonder, though, if my mom and Mr. Bergau could meet, what they'd talk about. I remember my mom making a couple of such connections with people with similar pasts, when she was in her eighties. They mentioned bugs, horse meat and the cold. And then they quickly moved on and talked about today.
Second, there's the loss of the homeland. The tiny town of Palmnicken, East Prussia is now Yantarny, Russia. Third, there's a 16-year-old's terrible time in a Soviet prisoner of war camp. Fourth, there's the horrific memory of the Baltic massacre of almost 3000 Jewish women on the Baltic shores near the Amber mine.
It's a heart-wrenching memoir of a cruel, desperate time. Glad I waited until after I wrote my own novel about these life-changing events because while it corroborates my mom's memories and my own research, each is his/her own unique experience.
I do wonder, though, if my mom and Mr. Bergau could meet, what they'd talk about. I remember my mom making a couple of such connections with people with similar pasts, when she was in her eighties. They mentioned bugs, horse meat and the cold. And then they quickly moved on and talked about today.
Displaying 1 of 1 review