Book Review
The Night Sky -
A Journey From Dachau to Denver and Back
by Maria Sutton
About the Author
Born in a Displaced Persons Camp in war-torn Germany, Maria was three when
she immigrated to the United States in 1951 with her sister, mother, and
stepfather. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and
Finance from the University of Colorado, and has also attended the John F.
Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Book Description
This extraordinary and unflinchingly honest memoir takes us
on a riveting journey into the hearts and souls of three enigmatic people whose
destinies are forever changed by the events of World War II. The secrets of
misguided love and passions are revealed as the author journeys between the past
and the present to solve the mystery of a handsome Polish officer with piercing
blue eyes and sun-colored hair. Maria Sutton takes us to the dark green hills
and valleys of the ancient Carpathian Mountains in Ukraine, where the woody
fragrance of birch trees and new-mown hay fills the fresh, crisp air after a
heavy rain. Vicariously, we see a sunrise over Poland obscured by brightly
colored swastikas on warplanes and then we will be taken into suffocating cattle
cars, lice-infested stalags, and to the Dachau death camp. Further down a
country road, the hearty laughter and beer steins clinking with each salute to
the Fuhrer s astonishing victories can be heard.
As Maria takes us on this odyssey to solve a decades-long mystery, she learns the family secrets of untold heroism, quiet courage, and a mother s love and of tragedy, disillusionment, and heartbreak. At the end of her long journey, Maria uncovers a shattering and painful truth. But the secret, however heartbreaking, would also become the greatest gift she would receive.
As Maria takes us on this odyssey to solve a decades-long mystery, she learns the family secrets of untold heroism, quiet courage, and a mother s love and of tragedy, disillusionment, and heartbreak. At the end of her long journey, Maria uncovers a shattering and painful truth. But the secret, however heartbreaking, would also become the greatest gift she would receive.
Our Review
Imagine finding out that the man you thought as your father, who had provided, cared and reared you was not. How would you react?
The author takes us on a totally amazing journey through her own history, as well as her mothers history. Discovering her father was a prisoner of war, as was her mother, she starts to uncover the horrors that were inflicted upon the people at the time, what both drew her mother and father together and also what made them separate. Her mother then met another man in a similar position to herself and married him and came to live in America.
Her story of her life in America is a happy one until the bombshell of her father rocks her world. On travelling to Germany to find her father she traces him to his native Poland, where he has fathered more children. On trying to find our what her father was like, will her hopes and dreams of him be shattered? Along the journey she finds out that her uncle, who was separated from her mother at a young age in the prisoner of war camp, is still alive and living in America. Can the lost souls make up for 35 years of being apart, thinking that each other was dead.
In retelling her story, the authors trail to find her real father is one of trepidation, excitement and hope. A really moving and emotional read, touching the heartstrings ,as the journey can be compared to riding a roller coaster. The amount of time and patience shown by the author is one of immense proportion - which is shown throughout the book. An excellent read.
Our Rating
Available to buy at Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com
captivating story and great review of urs as always.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! Sounds interesting- will have to check it out ~ Jess
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