Book Review: The Red Magician
The re-release of Lisa Goldstein's "The Red Magician" is a Young Adult story of magic, folklore, and the Holocaust. I didn't really know what to expect of this story at first - magic in a story about the Holocaust? - but after the first few pages I was hooked. I initially was worried that the fantasy elements would dominate the storyline, belitting the serious nature and atrocities of the Holocaust, but I was surprised to find out otherwise.
The treatment of the horrors of the Holocaust was improved with the inclusion of the folklore and magic. Kisci, a young girl living in an isolated small town, is exposed to wonders of the world by a traveling magician's apprentice, Voros, through tales of the oustide world and his magic. Proof of Voros' magic includes creating a Golem to fight the town's Rabbi and his curse, evoking classic Jewish mysticism. Voros' warnings about impending Nazi threats are ignored by the adults of Kisci's village, but her unshakable belief in his stories and promises serves her well. Kisci grows from a young, care-free girl to a hardened survivor who clings to hope while understanding the realities of life - and death.
This story is not simply about WW2 and the Holocaust; this story is about the realities of life, discovery, survival, and recovery. I highly recommend this novella as a companion to novels such as those by Elie Wiesel and Lois Lowry's "Counting the Stars."
I received a free copy of this ebook through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The treatment of the horrors of the Holocaust was improved with the inclusion of the folklore and magic. Kisci, a young girl living in an isolated small town, is exposed to wonders of the world by a traveling magician's apprentice, Voros, through tales of the oustide world and his magic. Proof of Voros' magic includes creating a Golem to fight the town's Rabbi and his curse, evoking classic Jewish mysticism. Voros' warnings about impending Nazi threats are ignored by the adults of Kisci's village, but her unshakable belief in his stories and promises serves her well. Kisci grows from a young, care-free girl to a hardened survivor who clings to hope while understanding the realities of life - and death.
This story is not simply about WW2 and the Holocaust; this story is about the realities of life, discovery, survival, and recovery. I highly recommend this novella as a companion to novels such as those by Elie Wiesel and Lois Lowry's "Counting the Stars."
I received a free copy of this ebook through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.