דיוקן הונגרי

by Orly Krauss-Winer, אורלי קראוס-ויינר

בבוקר בהיר אחד מתהפכים חייה של משפחת שוורץ התוססת. מחלה פתאומית מחייבת אותם להשיג סכום כסף גדול, והם אובדי עצות. רק דריה, אחת הבנות, מאמינה שבעברה של משפחתם ההונגרית המסועפת טמון סוד ישן העשוי להציל חיים. בנחישות היא יוצאת למסע חוצה יבשות כדי להתחקות אחר קורות שושלת שוורץ בתחילת המאה ה – 20. הסיפורים שהיא מגלה מלאי אהבה – נבגדת, נואשת, בלתי אפשרית, אך גם מטלטלת ומשכרת, אהבה שתסעיר אותה ושתיגע גם בחייה שלה.

דרך עיניה של דריה נגלים לקורא נופי הונגריה הרומנטיים, וחייהם של גברים ונשים שידעו לאהוב היטב וללא גבולות, עד הסוף, עד המוות. אי שם טמון בין הסיפורים הסוחפים שלהם, נמצא הסוד שבגינו יצאה דריה למסע חיפושיה, אך מה יהיה המחיר שתיאלץ לשלם על גילויו?

בדיוקן הונגרי יוצרת אורלי קראוס – ויינר עלילה ססגונית וחיונית, רצופה בדמויות בלתי נשכחות, גדולות מהחיים ומלאות קסם שכולן שאובות מקורות משפחתה שלה.

דיוקן הונגרי הוא ספרה השישי של אורלי קראוס – ויינר, מחברת רבי - המכר מחול הפלמינגו ומערבולת.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Holocaust, Fiction, World War II

366 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

I was born in 1959, in Israel, the eldest child of parents who immigrated from different parts of the world. My father came from Hungary after World War II, and my mother from Uzbekistan, after a long, ten-year journey with her family through the desert, by way of Afghanistan, India, and Sri-Lanka. My sixth book was about my father's family history, their brave and special story of survival through the Holocaust, and I dedicated my eleventh book to the story of the hardships endured by my mother's family in the desert.
My love of books goes back to when I was a child; my parents taught me to read at the age of four, and I've been a voracious reader ever since. I used to read under my desk at school, and I was kicked out so many times that, in high school, I went straight to the beach in Tel-Aviv with my books, not bothering to stop off at school. Nonetheless, I successfully earned a high school diploma, served in the army, and studied at Tel-Aviv University, for both an undergraduate and a graduate degree.
I worked as a flight attendant for El-Al airlines for seven years, then became a freelance writer for several newspapers. Three years later, based on my experiences and happy memories of those years in the air and the unique lifestyle of the flight crews, l wrote a romantic thriller about three flight attendants. The novel was an overnight success, and topped the bestseller list for weeks.
I've since published twelve books, all best sellers in Israel, many based on my personal stories, and those of my family and friends. I currently live in Tel-Aviv with my 21-year-old daughter, Gal, and my partner, Gili.
I write a book a year. My novels are romantic thrillers and historical romances, for the most part based on true stories. Naturally, those written about my family and my life are dear to my heart. On the other hand, I enjoy writing the romantic thrillers more, so it's hard to say which of my novels I like best. One thing is certain - I thank God every day for granting me the privilege of working at something I love so much.

Reviews

[Píaras Cíonnaoíth · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you risk to save a loved one?

A Hungarian Portrait is one of twelve bestselling books from Israeli author Orly Krauss-Wiener. This WW2 historical novel is based on a true story of a Jewish Holocaust survivor. I’ve read this author before, and she delivers again with this wonderfully written and richly descriptive narrative. With brilliantly drawn characters motivated by family and loyalty, the author weaves a well-crafted and all-encompassing human dramatization that spans from mid-1940s Hungary to present-day Israel.

This was a fascinating and captivating read that had me immersed from the beginning. The story flowed from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional ability when it comes to storytelling. There are plenty of emotional highs and lows in this page turner that will take the reader on a truly mesmerizing journey.

There’s an ample supply of mystery, romance and suspense that will captivate the reader from the first page to the last. Skillfully constructed, the story touches on thought-provoking themes as well as being a very enjoyable read. Highly recommended and a well-deserved five stars from me.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Carolyn Scarcella · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I’m reading is called “The name on the list” written by Orly Krauss-Wiener. This three generations, a survivor. The writing is just different from what I have read. It is not about Holocaust, it’s not about Parisian. It is the story about a Hungarian family. I learn to know the past and the present day author describes and writes a beautiful character where it makes you laugh, cry, and learn to love. The story, Martha’s granddaughter Daria, she decides to investigate her family’s origins and secrets to get the fund to save her little sister’s life. She researched and manages to piece together, learning about her grandparents survival story through the WW2. I enjoy the story because the romance was flirtatious, and fun, and flows from the first to the end. As a result, it was a twist, I didn’t see that coming.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this story, Daria is trying to find out how to save her little sister Noa's, life. Daria learned about her families history during WWII, and pieced together important information. While doing this, Daria managed to save her sisters life, and learn about herself, and her family. This gave Daria a new perspective on life. I liked this book a lot because it taught me about WWII, and had a good story line to it as well. I would recommend this to someone who wants to learn more about WWII, or someone who enjoys reading cool stories.

[Marc M.Levey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read and the Hungarian background was compelling to me being of Hungarian decent. What is so remarkable was this was a true story. Having said all that, I highly recommend this book to anyone to understand what took place with Jewish families at this time. Much hit home for me and I am sue for anyone with this background. Even so, the work was really well written and has been one of my favorites. Marc

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't stop reading

I don't often find a book I can't stop reading until it's finished. I felt transported to Hungary and Israel. The book has all kinds of twists and turns plus it is loaded with history. The people were so interesting. It was a learning experience of the differences in cultural for those who settled in the new Israel.

[Gili Mizrahi · Rating 3 out of 5]

לא חשבתי שאוהב את הספר הזה מפני שאני בדרך כלל קוראת ספרים מתורגמים מאנגלית וזה ספר מאוד ישראלי, משהו בו משך אותי וגרם לי לסיים אותו ביומיים. למרות שהעלילה קצת מסובכת ויש המון שמות של אנשים ושל מקומות בשפה שלא מוכרת לאוזן הישראלית והיה לי קשה לעקוב לפעמים על מי מדובר, זה היה סיפור על משפחה מקסימה ששבה את ליבי בצורה שלא הכרתי בעבר. נהנתי ממנו מאוד, אבל באותה מידה לא מתאים לכל אחד.❤️

[Barb Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Hungarian Portrait

A Hungarian Portrait is not the usual World War II story. It is not dark and depressing. The book tells of the love of a family and how they evolved through the years.

[Sylvia B Wallett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

I enjoyed this book. I like the spirit of the characters through their struggles. I wish only that they had been written a little more depth because I like them and would like to know them better.

[Bayla H. Kolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

Enjoyed reading this book. Daryl was like a real person with feelings and emotions. I would recommend it to anyone who likes realistic characters. I couldn’t see her traveling so much, even if she was a flight attendant. I stayed up until after 1:00 am to finish it.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very emotional read

I absorbed this book and couldn’t read it fast enough to find out what happened next! I also loved that it was centered in Hungary as my grandfather immigrated to the states from there.

[Gina Minard-Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very interesting, heartwarming story that enthralled me throughout. I was an easy read, though some topics were hard to absorb due to the tragedy involved. However, despite this processing, it left me with a smile on my face.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story

I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved that the family story was told from different family members perspective. This saga of finding out one's family history takes the reader on a fantastic journey!

[Richard Sellers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read!!

I gave A Hungarian Portrait five stars because it made me laugh and cry. It was written with skill, wit, and whimsy. Bravo, Orly, well done. I hope the next comes quickly.

[Charlieo · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this was a book about WW2. In my opinion, it wasn't. It was a story about a Hungarian family. It lightly touched on WW2 and even more lightly the Holocaust.
I was throughly disappointed.

[Marcia Huls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting in-depth historical fiction

I love historical fiction and this story feels so real. The characters become alive for the reader. The story is detailed to keep the reader waiting for every story event.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love any book written about this historical period! This one was excellent....compelling, loving and a wonderful story!

[M Schached · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too long in the beginning...

But too short at the end...
Great book but takes patience to read it all don't take my word, trust me.

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really poor. I felt as though this was written by a 5th grader. Struggled to read it although it did improve near the end.

[Margaret Napalo · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent story, and being of Hungarian Heritage I could relate to some parts and enjoyed the customs . I felt like I was leaving family and friends when I finished reading.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

I read it on vacation and couldn’t put it down. It was truly a story worth reading. I highly recommend it.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

intriguing story

Intriguing story about a family and culture that is very different to me
So many heartbreaking moments happened to people during the war

[Franklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It may be my age but I always enjoy books that show the love of family. This book does just that.

[robert scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read

I couldn’t put this book down. Was really interesting the way it went back to what was happening in the war years. Good characters

[Sarah Javier · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Name on the List is a beautiful story, heartfelt and with some rough episodes. The story is long and complicated, with so many stages and characters, one must be cautious not to lose track.

The author took her time to build the characters, in particular Peter, Shandor Bachi and Yoshka. They are three of the main characters in the novel in which in different scenarios and circumstances the hate of antisemitism is roughly depicted.

On the other hand, Darya goes through an emotional evolution as she discovers the family secrets and embarks herself in a journey that involves facing the ghosts of a past she is not part of.

My only negative thoughts on the novel are not related to the story per se but to lacking grammar and spelling revision.

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Listen kiddo, Your family’s wealthy, Darya…’

Israeli author Orly Krauss-Wiener earned her degrees from Tel-Aviv University, as served in the army, worked as a flight attendant for El-Al airlines, and served as a freelance writer for several newspapers, and ultimately embracing her passion for literature and writing. She has published twelve novels, including LIVING A LIE, ALMOST PERFECT and A HUNGARIAN PORTRAIT that have been translated into English. Her theme – romantic thrillers and historical romances.

The tenor of the tale is obvious from the opening pages as Daria Schwartz confides in us the nidus for this story: ‘They say that a person can sense when fate is knocking at their door. My father was sure he’d hear the heavy opening notes of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. But on that bright winter morning on which darkness struck my family, he didn’t hear a thing, other than the cheerful chirping of birds. My younger sister Noa was a twenty-year-old soldier. She was the prettiest and most spoiled one in our family. Dad, who was in charge of driving her to her army base, was in the kitchen making coffee for them both and preparing himself mentally for the exhausting project of waking her up. All of a sudden, he was alarmed by her cries of distress. “I can’t see! I can’t see anything!”…And with that entre we discover that Noa has a brain tumor by CT scan and no doctors will operate except for a surgeon tin the USA, but the cost - $250,000.

In this tone of immediacy Orly sets her story afloat: ‘The life of the vibrant Schwartz Family changes completely overnight. The sudden illness of Noa, the family's youngest daughter, forces them to attain a great sum of money for an urgent operation, and they are at a loss. Daria, the oldest sister is the only one who believes that the not so distant past of the intricate Hungarian family, holds an old secret that could lead the way to save her little sister's life. Armed with great determination, Daria goes on a cross- continent journey to investigate the Schwartz dynasty's origins. Slowly and patiently she manages to put the pieces of this historical puzzle together, while exposing her family's both extraordinary and chilling survival story, a story containing at its very core a dangerous romance of passion and betrayal between enemies who were once lovers. We get to see Hungary's beautiful landscapes through Daria's eyes, and the lives of men and women who knew how to love without boundaries, until the very end. Somewhere, among these captivating stories, lies the secret for which Daria had embarked on her quest. But what price would she have to pay for her discovery?’

This is a very solid new book from a gifted young author, one that comfortably marries family, commitment, mystery, romance, and suspense. Orly has master the art of creating thought provoking as well as entertaining novels.

[Pamela Bigham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated the effort that went into telling this story. It was certainly interesting and eye-opening to learn more about the Hungarian culture, particularly this Jewish family’s history, and the early migration to Israel post WWII. But I can’t say I enjoyed the values and the entire story. I did enjoy the family’s care for one another, particularly of the author and her father. I also listened to it on Audio, and didn’t enjoy the narrator.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted so much to like this book, but I just couldn't. The most interesting parts about it was the time frame. The dialog seemed forced between characters and like it was written by a elementary student learning how to write a story. I stopped reading so many times and wanted to give up at one point, but I soldiered through just to say I was able to give it a shot.

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

This amazing novel kept me enthralled, made me laugh and then cry. The storyline covers an extended family during one of Earth’s most horrific events, The Holocaust, and the repercussions that echoed through decades. I highly recommend it.

Read via Kindle Unlimited

[Ayelet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in the original Hebrew. I liked the blend of current and historical events. At times the conversations and descriptions dragged but overall it was a good read.