I first read this book way back when I was in college. I heard the story a hundred of times but it wasn’t that appealing so I never searched the book in our school library or online. But one time, while I was in our school audio visual room, I accidentally found this book. My intention really is to return the book to the owner, but there’s no name printed on it, I know I could just surrender it to the lost and found office but I don’t have any idea why I kept it. Well, enough of this boring flash back on how I found the book, ehe.I always find it appealing to read a true to life story books, but I don’t know why this book didn’t appeal to me at all. Maybe because it’s too morbid? Well, I’m not really sure. I know it’s been a long time since I read the book but I can still remember the details. You can say that this story is really memorable, not just because it happened in real life but maybe because it was written really fine. I know the stars I lit aren’t that attractive but I have my reasons ; )One of the reasons was that, no offense meant, but it was a bit dull. Can you imagine that I finish reading this book a few months after my graduation? Wow, two years of reading huh. It was really an interesting read, but I don’t know why it didn’t appeal to me at all.My other reason was that there were some words used that I need to consult my friend MERIAM D. for its meaning. In other words, it wasn’t that user-friendly at all.You might be asking, if this was that bad, then why lit the three stars eh? Well, because it tells a true story, a story that all of us should be aware of, especially the youth.I think that would be all for now. It wasn’t that good, but it wasn’t that bad either. Though I only lit the three stars, I still recommend it to be read especially to the youth. ; )Visit online book review site to read more.
"In the three years between 1935 and 1938, the slow strangling of Jewish life had continued." Gerald Green's "Holocaust" recounts both the devastating impact and immense oppression that the Holocaust had caused. This novel contains excerpts from the diaries of two families who were directly affected by the holocaust. Although, stark, gritty and devastating, this novel is a must-read. It leaves a lasting impact on the reader, and enables us to realize that we should be grateful that we had not had to endure the morbid things these stoic survivors had to abide. This novel has several major themes. Foremost, one major theme is "be grateful for what you have in your life because it can all be taken away at any given moment." Moreover the following theme:"no matter how unfortunate you deem yourself to be, someone always has it worse" It is ignorant to believe otherwise. Surely, these families would acquiesce. I believe Green's main purpose for writing this novel is to inform readers of the stark brutality of the Holocaust and it's impact on the world. The setting of this novel takes place in the Jewish slums upon which concentration camps were set up by Nazi's. The novel recounts the firsthand accounts of the loved one's of Karl Weiss and other Jewish people who were directly effected by the Holocaust. This novel is quite similar to "Night" by Ellie Weasel. Both "Holocaust" by Green and "Night" recount survivor's stories of the horrific circumstances they were forced to abide during the time of the Holocaust. I recommend the novel "The Holocaust" by Gerald Green. It is exceptionally written and quite informational (as it is directly based off an actual historical event.)
Do You like book Holocaust (1978)?
I can’t say much about this book that hasn’t already been said in the 35 years since it was published. Essentially, it’s historical fiction of the most frightening sort: horrifying memoirs of The Holocaust and the events leading up to it from two points of view (a teenaged Jewish boy living in Berlin at the start of the war, and a young SS officer.) Yes, most of us “know this story,” but it really can’t be told too often, as we must never forget it. I will say that, as a person who has actually read The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, I still found new information in this book. It’s one of those that probably everyone should read at some point, even though that becomes increasing difficult as the end draws near.
—Carla
Engrossing account of the Holocaust portrayed through the eyes of a Jewish survivor and the diaries of an SS Major who is highly complicit in the mass annihilation of the Jews in Europe. Although this is a fictional account, it draws heavily on real events and includes scenes and information about the atrocities committed by the Nazis at Babi Yar, Auschwitz, Theresienstadt, Sobibor, and other Nazi concentration camps. It is the story of the Weiss family, a Jewish family from Berlin, who were systematically destroyed by the Nazis. It is also the story of Erik Dorf and his family, who is pulled into the delusions of the Nazis. Dorf becomes an assistant to Reinhard Heydrich and plays a key role in the Nazi's "final solution" to the Jewish problem. This book was also the basis of the 1970's miniseries starring Meryl Streep (one of her first roles). I remember watching this at the time and have meant to read the book since then. I finally got around to it and would highly recommend this to anyone interested in WWII and the atrocities committed by the Nazis.
—Frank
Toinen maailmansota -teemasyksyni jatkuu (vierailu Auschwitzissa syyslomalla herätti tällaisen tarpeen). Polttouhrit on kertakaikkisen hieno teos. Siinä havainnollistuu kaunokirjallisuuden voima tehdä ymmärrettäväksi asioita, jotka ovat meille täysin vieraita, kuten nyt vaikkapa se, mitä ihmettä natsien päissä on voinut liikkua. Teoksen rakenne toimii: näkökulma vaihtelee luvuittain juurikin erään SS-upseerin ja toisaalta juutalaisperheen pojan välillä. Green on upottanut romaaniinsa kiitettävän määrän historiallisia faktoja, joten Polttouhrit on myös opettavainen kirja. Suosittelen.
—Iina
