An early meeting in 2010 we were offered A Lucky Child by Thomas Buergenthal and Reunion by Fred Uhlman. These were offered by Rolf.
About the Authors:Thomas Beurganthal, now a Judge in the international Court of Justice in the Hague tell his astonishing expereinces as a young boy in his memoir A Lucky Child. He arrived at Auschwitz at age 10 after surviving two ghettos and a labour camp. Separated from his mother and then his father, Thomas managed on his wits and by some amazing strokes of luck to survive on his own. Almost two years after his liberation he was miraculoulsy reunited with this mother and in 1951 he arrived in the US to start a new life. Now dedicated to helping others who have suffered tyranny, he writes his book with simple clarity that highlinghts the stark detail of an unimaginable hardship.
Fred Uhlman was a lawyer by profession and a German of Jewish origin. He was born in January 1901 in Stuttgart, Germany. 'Reunion ' his novella was published in 1977. Fred Uhlman died in London on April 11th 1985. His book 'Reunion' is about lossof innocence in pre-war Germany. It is the story of an intense and innocent devotion between two young men. The two boys share their personal thoughts, trips to the countryside of south west Germany, discuss poetry and the past and present of their country, and discuss the existence of a benevolent God. He is reunited with his friend when he sees his name in a list of dead people.
Many of the group considered the reading of the books together resulted in a much richer read as both books complemented each other. The 'Reunion' represented an infatuation crossing an ethnic divide. It was sensitively written and this is one of very few books that has been written about male adolescence. Rolf thought it very insightful in its writing. A Lucky Child was written as seen through the eyes of a child. Rob's heart sank when he saw that the two books had resonnance with his family history but he discovered that they were very well written and contained some horrific passages. Steve enjoyed both books and found The Reunion a revelation which reminded some of 'Old Filth' by Jane Gardam. Charles preferred 'Lucky Child' to Reunion and said that he felt awkward reading the Reunion. Tom thought Luck Child was enlightening and rewarding and could relate to some of the descriptions having recently been to Auschwitz. Many were a bit sceptical as the Reunion was not based on fact although was written with terrific insight. Lorraine enjoyed the Reunion and particularly liked the way the writing almost created a visualisation of the man coming out of the child. A Lucky Child was associated to the Diary of Anne Frank as similarly it was written through the eyes of the child. However the preferred book overall was the Reunion which which described the relationahip between two males from an intimate perspective which is rarely openly discussed. The Reunion was very sensitive and poignant. Two more books which the group read that generated discussion and most members were glad that they had read them as they were unlikely to have picked them up from the book shelf.
The next books on offer:
The Memory Keepers Daughter by Kim Edwards
The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Alone in Berlin by Hans Fallada
I Dreamed of Africa by Kuki Gallman
