LitPick Review
Bluma Tishgarten, Felix Goldberg, and the rest of the Jews persecuted by Nazi Germany’s cruel ideals had no way of knowing that their humanity was about to be stripped from them as Adolf Hitler rose to power. They had no reason to believe the unbelievable - that there would be times when they’d be treated worse than dogs, in conditions like living death - because it just seemed impossible that anyone’s moral compass could be disrupted so easily. But what happened at the end, hardly anyone could’ve expected, and when people tried to flee, they were already caught in the trap. Bluma and Felix’s story is a jarring reminder of the effects of the Holocaust, detailing the couple’s horrifying experience through labor, torment, and a constant haze of fear; fear of what could’ve happened to their family and friends, fear of being broken any further than they already were. Under these hopeless circumstances, Bluma and Felix manage to hold a hint of hope in their hearts, which increases with news of the successes of the Allied forces, and bursts out at the surrender of Germany and the liberation of the Jews.
Opinion:
As said in the book, the fundamental core of the story is not to evoke entertainment, but rather remind us that though World War II may sometimes feel far, far away from us, it hasn’t been even a century since its happening. I thought Risk, Redemption, Resilience did a good job of showing this purpose. The author's dedication and thoughtfulness in creating this project is admirable, and the writing of Bluma and Felix‘s respective stories made me truly sympathize with their circumstances. This book lived up to the expectations set by previous tales I’ve read. It was tragic, as most books about war are, and made my heart grow heavy. I liked the execution of the plot, but I wish the author had written a little more about the couple’s life in America. It would’ve been interesting to read about the reaction of American citizens to the Jewish immigrants. This is suitable for people who prefer shorter reads or want to learn more about the Holocaust.
