Jeanne G. (IlliniAlum83) -
Helpful Score: 1
I was glad to read a survivor story from the point of view of a wealthy Russian family caught up in not just the Communist Revolution, worldwide depression and WWII, but the eventual transport of 2 members of the family to labor camps in Germany.
Although a story that needs to be told by a survivor of circumstances different from most WWII or Holocaust survivor memoirs, the disorganization of the writing is shameful. The two American editors of the childhood pages translated from several languages by the author before her death after over 50 years of marriage to an American did the family no favors in sharing the story the way they did.
In many places one telling of an incident is immediately succeeded on the next page by the same story. It leaves one wondering whether the editing was just that poor or if they meant to publish it that way.
Many helpful resources were added at the back of the book including a family tree, glossary of terms and names, and a chronological timeline. Throughout the book, endnotes are added to clarify discrepancies that seem to appear in the diary translations as well as some historic facts that add to a child's telling of a situation. But none of these save the book's shortcomings. The lack of clarity and out of order telling of some family memories just diminishes the power of Nonna's story.
Although a story that needs to be told by a survivor of circumstances different from most WWII or Holocaust survivor memoirs, the disorganization of the writing is shameful. The two American editors of the childhood pages translated from several languages by the author before her death after over 50 years of marriage to an American did the family no favors in sharing the story the way they did.
In many places one telling of an incident is immediately succeeded on the next page by the same story. It leaves one wondering whether the editing was just that poor or if they meant to publish it that way.
Many helpful resources were added at the back of the book including a family tree, glossary of terms and names, and a chronological timeline. Throughout the book, endnotes are added to clarify discrepancies that seem to appear in the diary translations as well as some historic facts that add to a child's telling of a situation. But none of these save the book's shortcomings. The lack of clarity and out of order telling of some family memories just diminishes the power of Nonna's story.
Virginia P. (virginiajeanne) reviewed The Secret Holocaust Diaries: The Untold Story of Nonna Bannister on + 207 more book reviews
This is the true story of Nonna Bannister, a Russian girl who was in a German work camp during World War II. She kept a diary her life events that she did not share with anyone until she was much older.
I thought this memoir was interesting, but it was not easy reading due to the topic. Nonna's faith in God and her ability to forgive was incredible.
I thought this memoir was interesting, but it was not easy reading due to the topic. Nonna's faith in God and her ability to forgive was incredible.
Jaime F. reviewed The Secret Holocaust Diaries: The Untold Story of Nonna Bannister on + 42 more book reviews
Good read!
