Restitution by Kathy Kacer
Restitution is the true story of one families' struggle to escape Czechoslovakia right after Hitler's invasion. Marie Reeser, the matriarch of the family enlists the aid of her husband, Victor's non-Jewish business associate, Alois Jirak to help her hideaway the families' valuables to claim back later. He is also given power of attorney. A big part of the belongings were four paintings which, she adored. She then arranges for her two children, Karl and Hana and herself to meet up with her husband, Victor in France. From there, they escaped to Toronto, Ontario Canada.
Soon after the war ends, Marie and Victor return to Czechoslovakia, in part to reclaim the family's belongings, including paintings that Marie loves so much. The Communist party has taken over the family home and there is no way to re-claim it. However, Alois Jirak is still there but does not want to give up the paintings and with the Communist party taking over the country, Marie and Victor are forced to flee again, without the beloved paintings.
50 years later, well after Victor and Marie's death, their son Karl receives a letter from Alois Jirak's grandson. He says that he inherited four painting but found out that they are rightfully owned by the Reeser family and would like to return them if possible.
What follows is the story of how Karl finally gets the paintings back. It is a story of friendship, betrayal, an "honest" smuggler, and restitution. Told seamlessly in part memoir and part fiction by ghost writer, Kathy Kacer Ms. Kacer writes a suspenseful story that reads like a novel.
I highly recommend it!
4.5/5
Thanks to Annie Paikeday, Marketing/Editorial Intern for Second Story Press for this book.
Have you reviewed this book? Please leave a link in the comments for me to post here.
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I love stories like this. Since you said it's part memoir, I'm assuming it's based on a true story which makes it even more appealing to me.
bermudaonion said... July 27, 2010 at 7:30 AM
Kathy, it is based on a true story and Kathy Kacer consulted closely with the Reeser family while writing it.
Teddy Rose said... July 27, 2010 at 1:42 PM
I've never heard of this one. It sounds really good Teddy. I like stories like this as well.
Darlene said... July 29, 2010 at 10:09 AM
Interesting idea - combining memoir and ghost writing. Sounds fun. Thanks for the review.
Anonymous said... July 29, 2010 at 4:53 PM
Dar, I think you would like it.
Jessica, it certainly worked for this book!
Teddy Rose said... July 29, 2010 at 6:10 PM
Sounds like a wonderful read Teddy, glad to hear you enjoyed it! Will keep it in mind as a possible future read.
Wanda said... July 31, 2010 at 5:09 PM
I have to check it out. Such books interest me.
I read The Tricking of Freya by Christina Sunley for CBC4!
gautami tripathy said... July 31, 2010 at 9:49 PM
Wanda, it's a great read.
Gautami,I'm off to read your review.
Teddy Rose said... July 31, 2010 at 10:32 PM
I have this one on my TBR shelf and should definitely try to get to it sooner rather than later!
The Book Chick said... January 1, 2011 at 11:09 AM
Jonita, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Teddy Rose said... January 1, 2011 at 9:40 PM
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