The Endless Steppe: Growing Up in Siberia in Never too Late to Read Classics

Jan 20, 2010 Chrissie rated it really liked it

Shelves: bio, kids, 2013-read, soviet-union, russia, lithuania

4 stars
An excellent introduction to children about World War II. It is written from the perspective of a Jewish 10-year old from Vilna. Vilnius, as it is called today, is now the capital of Lithuania. In 1941 it was part of Poland. The book is an autobiographical account of the author's childhood in Siberia.

I was impressed by the amount of history incorporated into this slim book: deportation of the Jews to Siberia, three years spent in a small village on the Russian steppes, the events of the 4 stars
An excellent introduction to children about World War II. It is written from the perspective of a Jewish 10-year old from Vilna. Vilnius, as it is called today, is now the capital of Lithuania. In 1941 it was part of Poland. The book is an autobiographical account of the author's childhood in Siberia.

I was impressed by the amount of history incorporated into this slim book: deportation of the Jews to Siberia, three years spent in a small village on the Russian steppes, the events of the war in Russia and finally "Polish" repatriation. It is all written tastefully for the ears of young readers. It is exciting: It is about getting friends, winning a school contest and a Siberian snowstorm. If focuses upon those themes that are of interest to young children: familial bonds and how they change as we grow older and become more independent, school and getting friends, clothes and hairstyles and how to "fit in", learning a foreign language, discovering literature and intellectual awareness, becoming one of a group, seeking acceptance and quite simply growing up...and that first boyfriend too. The book states what happens in the war but its main perspective is a child's life during that war. The events are related honestly; you don't always get the boyfriend you heart is set on or win the contest, do you?

The book radiates optimism and human resilience, but never is the truth shied from. Two examples: after the war, when the Jews returned, again in cattle cars, they are denounced. Even after the war, the Jews are not welcome! The second example is a woman in the Siberian camp who never had to work; it remained a mystery as to how she got food. An adult may guess why, but that is not discussed. Nothing is misrepresented, but neither are the details sordidly portrayed. The facts are stated and the story continues.

The language used by the author is simple, but actually beautiful in all its simplicity. Try this sentence: "Grandmother and I had this in common, we were 'very' people - either very sad or very gay, with nothing in between." (page 71) The story is exciting and there is humor.

I think it is wrong to state that this book is for adults. It isn't; its prime audience is children of about ten years of age. It is written for them and it is written beautifully. It is not overloaded with historical facts and dates or gruesome details. Why shouldn't a book be written just for this age group?! It is lovely and educational at the same time.
...more

33 likes · Like · see review

Dec 14, 2020 Ileana rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Esther Hautzig escogió relatar su experiencia como deportada en Siberia de una forma que me ha causado mucha admiración: no parece guardar rencor por todas las injusticias que les fueron inflingidas a ella y a toda su familia. Es más, su descripción de esa tierra tan inhóspita es tan encantadora que hasta me dieron ganas de conocerla.
Veo que muchos la critican precisamente por eso, por haber escrito sus memorias de forma ligera y optimista. Pienso que cada persona tiene derecho a contar (o no) s ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Jan 01, 2018 Perlie rated it it was amazing

This is a book I read and loved as a kid (a very tattered copy is still on my shelves). I re-read it as an adult, and it's every bit as powerful and moving as I had remembered. This is an important work that fills a gap in Holocaust memoir: what happened to those who fled east? While Hautzig's family did not flee there -- but were deported to Siberia by the Soviets -- her story reminds us that there's not one Holocaust narrative. Highly recommended. ...more

Like · see review