Status Updates From The Book of Fathers

He reached a bushy patch and could only zigzag ahead. He was shivering with cold, though the first rays of the sun had begun to light up the land. I'll have a little rest, he thought, and sank to the ground. He lay on his side, in the position of the embryo in the womb....

As his throat constricted he could taste blackberries and cranberries. The final image on the screen of his mind was of a fleeing flock of deer running up the hill, reddish purple dust swirling round their hoofs, their antlers scraping and scratching the sky that covered the ground.

This was only the first of his mother's promises not to be fulfilled. It was to be followed by many more. No younger brother or sister was born. He was not educated in an expensive school. He did not become a well-to-do landowner. He did not become a respected member of the community. He did not live to a ripe old age.

In the few days that remained to him Bálint Sternovszky could not sit up, or move, or speak. Still, he was restless. He explored his family's history, a tireless traveler of the mind, and tried without cease to think how he might pass on the substance of his visions. If only he could lift just one finger he might be able to do it, might be able to give a sign. He agonized in vain; there was no way.

The hunt for Henryk's family is really good stuff, again I wish there was more than just ideation substituted for love on his wife who seems interesting but is never given love in her role!

Vilmos Csillag was right on my doorstep (right before he got his head beaten in for being too cheap to take a taxi)!!!

Vilmos Csillag, like most of his fathers before him, has really demented taste in women (or else they just literally fall on them). For sure #1 complaint about this book and worth taking off a whole star.

Poor Hungary, out of the pot of Nazi and into the Soviet frying pan.

Destruction of the book of fathers also ruins the memories of the family, Balazs Csilleg can't be blamed for what he did but likely not in his right mind.

Nandor Csillag ended a magnificent life in worst way possible at Nazi work camp and then gas chamber.

Nandor Csillag knew so much and could not see what danger Jews would be to Hungary from Austria.

Sandor Csillag gets to have it all - both sisters and a kids named Andor to boot!

Oh, and yet here Mendel Berda-Stern just gives up and lets his wife die, then hangs himself.... cmon man

Mendel Berda-Stern starts the strongest run of good luck. The astrology expert who wins a fortune gambling.

Szilard Berda-Stern remains dumb, chasing this woman but at least he is warned off.

Another daft one, his head beat in and he mentally harasses his mom.

Szulard's mom is totally usesless.

Otto Stern was daft in the head, more so than many of the earlier Csilligs

Wild to think of a croquet fortune.

I marked this to say "poor Robert" but really these poor wives who we never get to really meet except in gruesome death (and even worse any sisters).

First of many times our bloodline is presented danger but ignores it, this time a mob attacking Jews.

Ok, Istvan becoming Jewish and being disowned by is family I finally like one of the Sternovosky’s. Now the Sterns I guess!

Or everyone in this family line going to be this dumb? Average age is like 30