Escaping Budapest: A WW2 Historical Novel Based on a True Story

by Eitan Posner HaLevy

Budapest, winter 1944: As chaos and anarchy run rampant throughout Hungary, one family must endure impossible evils to escape Budapest with their lives.

When a drunken neighbor brings the ruthless Arrow Cross gendarme straight to their front door, the Levy family realizes their days in the city they once called home are numbered. After years of loyalty and community, a Christian neighbor's kindness saves their lives. Yet even simple kindness does not last long in Budapest.

To increase their chances of survival, the stronghearted Miriam Levy and her husband Istvan decide to split from their daughter, 17-year-old Magda – who attempts to save her newly wedded husband from certain death. And while Istvan finds shelter at the Swiss Embassy, Miriam is caught by a Hungarian mob, led by a sadistic young priest for whom the ends of a pure Hungary are enough to justify any means.

Based on true events, Escaping Budapest is a chilling, unputdownable novel of hope, strength, and kindness in the face of unimaginable cruelty and terror as the four members of the Levy family risk everything to survive to see the end of the war.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Hungary, Fiction, Historical

367 pages, Paperback

Published August 23, 2023

Reviews

[Lynda Engler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned in the Afterword that this book was a translation from Hebrew, which will explain the typos (missing or repeated words) and the stilted language. People don't, and never did, talk like that. Hand wringing, wailing, and overly dramatic behavior is not natural. Overall the book was about 100 pages longer than it needed to be. Just too drawn out, repetitive and frankly boring at times.

Some of it was exciting of course, and it's based on true events.

It was a horrible, sad, vicious time in history. The bully mentality is so easy for humanity to fall into yet I will never understand how tearing someone else down can make a person feel better. And this book clearly shows it wasn't just the Nazis. Average people went along with this insane behavior, blaming Jews for everything. A very sad book about a very sad time in history.

My parents were born in Hungary just before or during WWII, which was why I picked up this book. I've read a lot of WWII historical fiction but never any from Hungarian viewpoint.

[Klau | lelekbuvar_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nehéz szavakat találni erre a könyvre. Egy család története a túlélésről, szétszakadásról és az emberi jóságról a legsötétebb idők közepette.

Eitan Posner HaLevy a Lévy család - Miriam, István, Magda, János - történetén keresztül mutatja be, milyen volt zsidóként élni Budapesten a nyilas uralom, a bombázások és a mindennapos halál árnyékában. A történet fájdalmas, de a sorok között ott bujkál egy-egy pillanatnyi emberség, egy futó reménysugár, egy kedves gesztus is.

A könyv legnagyobb ereje számomra éppen a visszafogottságában rejlik. Nem kiabál, nem hatásvadász, de annál jobban üt. Emlékeztet, hogy a múlt nem múlt el nyomtalanul. És arra is, hogy az emberség, bármilyen apró formában is, de életet menthet. 🖤

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book really hard to finish. The narrative was hard to follow, as well as the constant introduction of new characters. After reading reviews I’ve realised it’s translated from Hebrew which probably explains why it’s been difficult to read.

[Teresa Treadgold · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was difficult to read on many levels. The subject matter of true historical facts were very interesting and heartbreaking. However I found the writing hard to follow . It just didn’t flow and there was little continuity between the characters . Going back and forth from characters made it hard to keep track of the details of the events. I found myself having to go back several times trying to follow the story. Thinking I missed something. There were details in the story that were not needed and insignificant to the story. I found myself just skimming through these unneeded details. I read that it was translated from Hebrew so that maybe was the case of being hard to follow. . That being said it was interesting to learn how the Hungarian Jews were affected and suffered in WW 2. Absolutely heartbreaking .

[Píaras Cíonnaoíth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping narrative of survival, sacrifice, and the enduring power of kindness...

In the chilling winter of 1944, against the haunting backdrop of Budapest, Eitan Posner HaLevy masterfully unfolds a narrative of survival, sacrifice, and the enduring strength of kindness in his historical novel, 'Escaping Budapest.' Rooted in true events, this captivating story paints a vivid portrayal of a family's harrowing quest to break free from the clutches of war-torn Hungary.

Amidst the chaos and anarchy that rule the city, the Levy family faces the unimaginable when a heedless act by a drunken neighbor exposes them to the ruthless Arrow Cross gendarme. Their days in the city they once called home are numbered. In this time of despair, a simple act of kindness from a Christian neighbor becomes their lifeline, sparing them from certain death. However, in a city where even the purest intentions can be tainted by hatred, kindness remains a fleeting refuge.

Miriam Levy, a resolute matriarch, and her husband Istvan make the agonizing decision to part from their daughter Magda, who embarks on a perilous mission to rescue her newlywed husband. In the midst of the chaos, a Hungarian mob, led by a sadistic young priest whose fanaticism knows no bounds, captures Miriam while Istvan finds sanctuary at the Swiss Embassy.

HaLevy's storytelling prowess is nothing short of masterful. He deftly navigates the intricacies of history and human nature, crafting a narrative that is both haunting and filled with hope. The Levy family's ordeal is recounted with searing authenticity, making it impossible to avert one's gaze from their trials and tribulations. The author's patient exploration of their experiences ensures that readers become fully immersed in the narrative.

'Escaping Budapest' transcends the confines of a mere historical novel; it serves as a testament to the indomitable human spirit. It illuminates a dark epoch in history and serves as a stark reminder of the horrors of war. The story's sweeping and riveting nature keeps readers engaged from beginning to end, making it a compelling read for those who seek to fathom the depths of human endurance and the everlasting power of hope.

This book serves as a poignant reminder that even in the darkest of times, acts of kindness and the indomitable human spirit can shine through. 'Escaping Budapest' stands as a powerful and profoundly moving work that will leave an enduring impact on readers, urging them to never forget the horrors of the past and the timeless lessons of compassion and resilience.

Very highly recommended, and a well-deserved five stars from me. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Kati Berman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was born in a Budapest, Hungary just after WWII ended. My parents, brother and extended family lived through the German occupation of Hungary and its horrors. I felt I needed to read this book. It is a translation from Hebrew, that might explain the poor writing. Unfortunately I also found the novel repetitive and drawn out, and to be honest boring. I ended up skipping through a lot of it. I do not recommend. If you are interested in historical fiction of this era and how it affected Hungary, read The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer. It is one of my favorite novels and could have been my family’s story. I feel generous giving this novel 3 stars.

[linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually don’t like writing that jumps from one character to another and time being a hindrance. but I enjoyed this book

Character development was great actually letting you feel the starvation and cold and intense misery. The jumping between time and place told more of the feelings as it was a time that was jumbled up. No one could be certain of anything. Most of this family stayed alive through cunning,fight, observation of surroundings. Also love from a total stranger helped a bunch.

[Gabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a rather difficult book to read and certainly not for the feint of heart. It's a very well written account of the brutality suffered by Hungarian Jews at the hands of the Arrow Cross. I was not surprised at the brutality because I heard my father say often as I was growing up in Hungary that he was more afraid of the Arrow Cross than the Nazis. I'm very happy that there is a happy ending.

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel, based on true events, is not always easy to read, but worth every minute. It presents the stark reality of man's inhumanity to man. Horrendous acts were perpetrated against Jews during WWII, yet they remained indomitable. I happened to begin reading the book shortly after Hamas initiated the latest Israeli conflict, which made it particularly meaningful and thought provoking.

[jeannette Dooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jean38no

I like reading any historical novel especially about WWII . I hadn’t read about the war in Hungary and Budapest. It appears they were just as brutal as the Germans . Like it was killing season on humans. It just always makes me wonder how humans can treat others in such ways. If you like WWII historical novels I would recommend this one.

[Theresa Sustak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Budapest

This was undoubtedly the most graphic holocaust novel I have read so far. How people can be so inhumane is beyond me. How the survivors could stand the horrors they went through and go on living after such terrible things happened to them, and the losses they experienced just amazes me. They are of much tougher stock than I am. God bless them all!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heartache and loss

The book is a little difficult to read in that the story seems to bounce all over the place. That being said, the story is based on real life experiences in s tome and place where the day to day existence was indeed bizarre and all over the place. I always read stories of WW II with a heavy heart ... the sorrow ,confusion and loss is difficult to absorb.

[Cheryl Askew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Window Into the Past

Another look into a horrendous part of WWII. Knowing that much of the novel was based on real stories and people made this book even more compelling. As a translated novel, the flow was a bit difficult to follow in places, but it was still very memorable

[Debbie Trammell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story

This is a very real and raw account of the Hugarian holocaust that is taken from real events of the authors family. The other parts of fiction but based on trueful events. I highly recommend this book.

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Putting a human face on history

Parts are very well written and enthralling while parts of it dragged. Unlike most such books, it goes a little past the end of the war so you don't get the impression that everything was suddenly sunshine and roses.

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading a book based on a true story is riveting and sometimes heartbreaking. This book was certainly both. At times author’s flow of the words were a little awkward but after researching a bit more I discovered that this book had been translated from its original Hebrew language.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

to much gruesome reading for me.

Although I understate the book was based on things that did happen to many. The gruesome reading became too much for me and I did skim over a couple parts of it. I will need a couple of lighter books to get me going again.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seem to be on a World War II track, and I am really enjoying it. I loved knowing this was based on a true story. I read way too late until I finished it.

[Lori Laubach · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was very detailed and focused on one family and those who helped and hurt them. The amount they went through during and after the war was tragic

[esther duran · Rating 1 out of 5]

waste of time and money

Very boring too much dialogue and no substance, couldn’t even finish reading this book. I do not recommend it at all

[Icela Fischthal · Rating 3 out of 5]

First twenty-four chapters were riveting. Last ten chapters were unnecessary. Too much repetition. Better to be short and sweet than long and repetitive.

[Bashie Wainhaus · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really bad

[Karen Weinstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Incredible story of survival. Sometimes difficult to read and times the translation is imperfect. Still, it's an important story to be told.

[Kay Bilton Norlin]

It started out very interesting but soon became too monotonous. I have set it down for now and may resume it later.