Monika Gensinger's Blog
December 24, 2014
Weller´s Way
Writing my novel "Weller´s Way" about a ruthless trapper who becomes a dedicated conservationist on a South Sea island I remembered this lovely quote:
„Be convinced
that the secret
of happiness
is freedom,
but the
secret of freedom
is courage“
Pericles (500-429 B.C.) Greek Statesman
„Be convinced
that the secret
of happiness
is freedom,
but the
secret of freedom
is courage“
Pericles (500-429 B.C.) Greek Statesman
December 14, 2014
Epilogue "War and Love..."
Here is the Epilogue of my book "War and Love.." which gives more information what this book is about:
Epilogue
Dear Reader,
this story is fictional, but it is based on truth.
None of the characters are real. But some of them are modeled after living persons.
It is true that my father, Rudolf Honig, spent eight years in Russia, four years in the war and four years as a prisoner-of-war. He was sent off to war at the age of nineteen and this war deprived him of his youth. The war left its indelible mark on him. He compiled his notes in the book “Russland hat mich nie verlassen - Russia Never Left Me” (edition la mer). In this book he recounts the experiences he made as a common soldier: in and between the lines he tells of his love to this country that grew under the direst conditions, and to the people who supported him in this arduous time. In the prologue of his book my father wrote: I saw all the horrors of war and I described them, but I also wanted to show that humanity, understanding and even affection existed.
The episode “Love Between the fronts” about his love affair with Stasia was the starting point for my narration. Other wartime recollections have been integrated into my story.
It is true that I undertook a trip to St. Petersburg with my father in 1991. There he showed my husband Peter and me the places where he suffered in prison camps. I suffered with him, once again. Yet he also told me of the people at these places who had alleviated his suffering and given him hope.
It was an overpowering experience.
It is not true that my father tried to look for Stasia/Sonja. She had been an episode during the war.
My father was very happy with my mother, whom he married shortly after his return from Russia.
War is indescribable as well as the feelings of those who have to go through it. My father often spoke of the war but his words failed to completely describe the real situation, the quintessence of war. Whose words could? Much of what is fantasy in this story could contribute more to the truth than the truth itself. However, much remains speculation.
It remains a secret with those who have first-hand knowledge. My father took the secret with him when he passed away in May 1999.
He took so much with him.
Monika Gensinger
Epilogue
Dear Reader,
this story is fictional, but it is based on truth.
None of the characters are real. But some of them are modeled after living persons.
It is true that my father, Rudolf Honig, spent eight years in Russia, four years in the war and four years as a prisoner-of-war. He was sent off to war at the age of nineteen and this war deprived him of his youth. The war left its indelible mark on him. He compiled his notes in the book “Russland hat mich nie verlassen - Russia Never Left Me” (edition la mer). In this book he recounts the experiences he made as a common soldier: in and between the lines he tells of his love to this country that grew under the direst conditions, and to the people who supported him in this arduous time. In the prologue of his book my father wrote: I saw all the horrors of war and I described them, but I also wanted to show that humanity, understanding and even affection existed.
The episode “Love Between the fronts” about his love affair with Stasia was the starting point for my narration. Other wartime recollections have been integrated into my story.
It is true that I undertook a trip to St. Petersburg with my father in 1991. There he showed my husband Peter and me the places where he suffered in prison camps. I suffered with him, once again. Yet he also told me of the people at these places who had alleviated his suffering and given him hope.
It was an overpowering experience.
It is not true that my father tried to look for Stasia/Sonja. She had been an episode during the war.
My father was very happy with my mother, whom he married shortly after his return from Russia.
War is indescribable as well as the feelings of those who have to go through it. My father often spoke of the war but his words failed to completely describe the real situation, the quintessence of war. Whose words could? Much of what is fantasy in this story could contribute more to the truth than the truth itself. However, much remains speculation.
It remains a secret with those who have first-hand knowledge. My father took the secret with him when he passed away in May 1999.
He took so much with him.
Monika Gensinger
