Review & Giveaway: The Thief of Auschwitz by Jon Clinch
Book Description:
"The camp at Auschwitz took one year of my life, and of my own free will I gave it another four."
So begins The Thief of Auschwitz, the much-anticipated new novel from Jon Clinch, award-winning author of Finn and Kings of the Earth.
In The Thief of Auschwitz, Clinch steps for the first time beyond the deeply American roots of his earlier books to explore one of the darkest moments in mankind’s history—and to do so with the sympathy, vision, and heart that are the hallmarks of his work.
Told in two intertwining narratives, The Thief of Auschwitz takes readers on a dual journey: one into the death camp at Auschwitz with Jacob, Eidel, Max, and Lydia Rosen; the other into the heart of Max himself, now an aged but extremely vital—and outspoken—survivor. Max is a renowned painter, and he’s about to be honored with a retrospective at the National Gallery in Washington. The truth, though, is that he’s been keeping a crucial secret from the art world—indeed from the world at large, and perhaps even from himself—all his life long.
The Thief of Auschwitz reveals that secret, along with others that lie in the heart of a family that’s called upon to endure—together and separately—the unendurable.
So begins The Thief of Auschwitz, the much-anticipated new novel from Jon Clinch, award-winning author of Finn and Kings of the Earth.
In The Thief of Auschwitz, Clinch steps for the first time beyond the deeply American roots of his earlier books to explore one of the darkest moments in mankind’s history—and to do so with the sympathy, vision, and heart that are the hallmarks of his work.
Told in two intertwining narratives, The Thief of Auschwitz takes readers on a dual journey: one into the death camp at Auschwitz with Jacob, Eidel, Max, and Lydia Rosen; the other into the heart of Max himself, now an aged but extremely vital—and outspoken—survivor. Max is a renowned painter, and he’s about to be honored with a retrospective at the National Gallery in Washington. The truth, though, is that he’s been keeping a crucial secret from the art world—indeed from the world at large, and perhaps even from himself—all his life long.
The Thief of Auschwitz reveals that secret, along with others that lie in the heart of a family that’s called upon to endure—together and separately—the unendurable.
My Review:
I have read quite a few WWII books including concentration camps. I can't seem to get enough of them. I know it happened but I find it hard to accept how our fellow human beings have been treated and in some places still treated. So, when I was offered this book for review, I couldn't resist.
Jon Clinch has written about life in Auschwitz, with a bit of a twist. Max is only 14 years old when his entire family is sent to Auschwitz. Luckily he looks older for his age so his father, Jacob tells him to say he is 18. The two are sent to the same quarters. Meanwhile, Max's sister, Lydial is taken from their mother Eidel and sent to her death.
Too young to be of any use.
Told in alternative perspectives, we find out that Eidel is a painter and a portrait of Eidel is in a nearby antique shop. Jakob finds a way to buy some time for the 3 of them, at least he can try to figure out how to get Max out of there and save his sister's portrait.
I loved this book and didn't want it to end. The writing is fresh and the characters well thought out. I felt like I was there with them. I am amazed at how Clinch imagined situations and character unique to all the other book. I have read on the subject. Seriously a breath of fresh air!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a well written book, great characters, and WWII fiction!
5/5
About Jon Clinch:
Born and raised in the remote heart of upstate New York, Jon Clinch has been an English teacher, a metalworker, a folksinger, an illustrator, a typeface designer, a housepainter, a copywriter, and an advertising executive.
His new novel, The Thief of Auschwitz, is due on January 15, 2013 on his own imprint, unmediated ink.Howard Frank Mosher, author of Walking to Gatlinburg, calls the book "the best and most powerful work of fiction ever written about the Holocaust.”
Clinch's first novel, Finn—the secret history of Huckleberry Finn’s father—was named an American Library Association Notable Book and was chosen as one of the year's best books by the Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune, and the Christian Science Monitor. It won the Philadelphia Athenaeum Literary Award and was shortlisted for the Sargent First Novel Prize.
His second novel, Kings of the Earth—a powerful tale of life, death, and family in rural America, based on a true story—was named a best book of the year by the Washington Post and led the 2010 Summer Reading List at O, The Oprah Magazine.
Clinch has lectured and taught widely, in settings as varied as the National Council of Teachers of English, Williams College, the Mark Twain House and Museum, and Pennsylvania State University. In 2008 he organized a benefit reading for the financially-ailing Twain House—enlisting such authors as Tom Perrotta, Stewart O’Nan, and Robert Hicks—an event that literally saved the house from bankruptcy. A native of upstate New York, Jon lives with his wife in the Green Mountains of Vermont. They have one daughter.
His new novel, The Thief of Auschwitz, is due on January 15, 2013 on his own imprint, unmediated ink.Howard Frank Mosher, author of Walking to Gatlinburg, calls the book "the best and most powerful work of fiction ever written about the Holocaust.”
Clinch's first novel, Finn—the secret history of Huckleberry Finn’s father—was named an American Library Association Notable Book and was chosen as one of the year's best books by the Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune, and the Christian Science Monitor. It won the Philadelphia Athenaeum Literary Award and was shortlisted for the Sargent First Novel Prize.
His second novel, Kings of the Earth—a powerful tale of life, death, and family in rural America, based on a true story—was named a best book of the year by the Washington Post and led the 2010 Summer Reading List at O, The Oprah Magazine.
Clinch has lectured and taught widely, in settings as varied as the National Council of Teachers of English, Williams College, the Mark Twain House and Museum, and Pennsylvania State University. In 2008 he organized a benefit reading for the financially-ailing Twain House—enlisting such authors as Tom Perrotta, Stewart O’Nan, and Robert Hicks—an event that literally saved the house from bankruptcy. A native of upstate New York, Jon lives with his wife in the Green Mountains of Vermont. They have one daughter.
Thanks to Kelley & Hall Book Publicity, I am giving away one print copy of The Thief of Auschwitz. Sorry, this giveaway is open to the U.S. only and ends on January 29, 2013. Please use Rafflecopter to enter.
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I would love to read this one! I suppose I am even willing to buy it as I can't enter your giveaway.
Anachronist said... January 15, 2013 at 6:59 AM
This book would be treasured. Many thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
traveler said... January 15, 2013 at 7:30 AM
I too can't seem to turn down a book that takes place during WWII. The horror and the strength of the human spirit draw me in. Great review, thank you for bringing this book to my attention!
Alison Skap said... January 15, 2013 at 10:58 AM
You've drawn my full attention with this one. Thanks for the chance to win.
Nancy said... January 15, 2013 at 12:17 PM
This sounds like a fascinating read! Thanks for the review and giveaway.
Patricia N said... January 15, 2013 at 3:49 PM
This seems like it would be a very engrossing read. I read quite a bit of WWII stories too, so thanks for the review, win or not!
holdenj said... January 15, 2013 at 4:35 PM
I like to read books about the Holocaust because, even if fiction, it tells a story of a time that needs to be remembered so it is not repeated ever.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Linda Kish said... January 15, 2013 at 6:53 PM
Great review! I don't usually read books about WWII but this one sounds good :)
Rhomy PP said... January 16, 2013 at 7:33 AM
I am always drawn to books and movies dealing with the Holocaust because it just reminds me of how bad life can really get and the redeeming qualities that can come through such heartache.
candc320@gmail.com
Colleen Turner said... January 16, 2013 at 10:14 AM
I have read quite a few books about this period and horror and I have found that I have to be in the right mood to and even that doesn't stop the anger and sorrow that grips me.
Rebecca Graf said... January 16, 2013 at 12:20 PM
Sounds really good and one I could share with my WWII obsessed teenage son!
Kristen said... January 21, 2013 at 6:51 AM
I see you are a fellow lover of books on the Holocaust. I have become fascinated with this topic. It almost seems surreal to me that PEOPLE could treat other PEOPLE in the horrid manner that they did. I'll definitely be reading this one!
Shannon
http://www.irunreadteach.wordpress.com
Shannon said... March 29, 2013 at 8:14 PM
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