Outcasts: A Love Story

by Susan M. Papp

In this story of love and loss, Tibor Schroeder, a Christian and reservist in the Hungarian forces allied with Nazi Germany, and Hedy Weisz, a young Jewish woman meet and fall in love during the Second World War - a time when romantic liaisons and marriage between Christians and Jews were not only frowned upon but against the law.

Not knowing of the dangers that await them, Tibor and Hedy pledge their lives to each only to be torn apart when Hedy and her family are herded into one Nagyszollos' ghettoes. Twenty-five years pass before the lovers are finally reunited in Canada.

Based on true events, this sprawling love story of hope, courage, and redemption will stay with readers long after finishing the book. A documentary, based on this story, from Postmodern Productions is scheduled for release in March 2009.

304 pages, Paperback

First published March 23, 2009

Reviews

[Christina Webster · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it the story overall, but there were so many people involved it was hard to keep track at times. A lot of skipping between events & people it was hard to follow at times.

Disappointed that there was no information given on what happened to Hedy's sister after the war.
The ending seemed very abrupt.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look into WWII from the Eastern European side of things.

[Angeline Gallant · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very long but thoroughly researched. I learned a lot from it and found it interesting that it had a Canadian twist as well. It reads more like a nonfiction than a novel tho.

[Lindasp · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing true story, a tale of love and loss, set in Hungary before and during WWII. It involves the Christian family of the Schroeders, and the Jewish family of the Weisz from the same small village, and the love story of Tibor Schroeder and Hedy Weisz who are torn apart during the war. The experiences of both families during the war were horrific and even afterwards, life wasn't easy in the Russian controlled Hungary. It was really interesting to have the family histories intertwine decades later in Toronto. Fascinating reading.

[Deborah Sowery-Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

based on a true story of WWII romance between a Hungarian reservist & a young Jewish woman. Sad but a testament to the courage and strength that people can have when suffering through horrific times.