ATHAR

by Shlomo Kalo, Philip Simpson (Translator)

...He was caught taking the yellow patch off his clothes and trying to sneak back into the city.Many books have been written about the experiences of Europe’s Jews during the Second World War, but few stand comparison with this account.

Based on the author’s own experience, as a teenage partisan interned in a concentration camp in his native Bulgaria, this book paints a vivid picture of the harsh realities of the daily routine. A varied cast of characters – ranging from sadistic paramilitaries to skeletal inmates engaged in a grotesque struggle for survival – is brought vividly to life. The style is terse, direct and uncompromising, making no concessions to sentimentality and eschewing conventional literary flourishes. Interspersed in the text there are quotations from various religious sources – Jewish, Christian, and mystical – underlining the author’s belief in the survival of the human spirit in the face of adversity

“Athar” is a highly original, and worthwhile contribution to the literature of the Holocaust, a work of supreme authenticity and artistry.

"An extremely original and well-written book." Juliet Annan, Penguin UK

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Genres: Holocaust

187 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 27, 2014

Reviews

[Charles Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

There have been many books written about the Jewish experience during World War II. Athar by Shlomo Kalo is a Holocaust novel that will stand out from all the others. It tells the author’s experiences as a teen-age partisan in a concentration camp for Jewish criminals in his native Bulgaria. Day-to-day life is outlined in stark, uncompromising terms. The author’s style is unique, a kind of staccato, stream-of-consciousness writing that flits from thought to thought, image to image, much like the mind does. This choppy style will probably be off-putting to some readers, but I think it conveys the sense of desperation and surrealism of the period most effectively. This is not an easy book to read, and not just because of the author’s style. It lays bare the reality of life in a situation when there is little or no hope, and when prisoners are stripped of their humanity, becoming ‘sub-animals.’ It punches you in the gut, and then while you’re curled in a fetal position, clutching your midsection in agony, it kicks you in the face. This is one hard journey, though, that you’ll thank yourself for taking.

[René · Rating 2 out of 5]

The thoughts jump around too much.

This is a very difficult book to follow and I have unresolved questions. It severely needs the hand of an editor. I can tell there is an important story here but I truly couldn't follow much of it.

[Charles T Granke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read

Not sure what to make of the one-word sentences. Was an interesting picture into different part of the WWII victims/ prisoners. Recommend for those who love history.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A harrowing tale from the eyes of a young man just what happened into the camps during the war! A must read for anyone who has interest in the happenings of Jews during the war.

[Debra O'Dair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Language like poetry

A bit difficult at first, then you begin to understand. I've never read a book like this before. It went straight to the heart.

[Lora G Coonce · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was lost and bored

I normally like "slightly different" books, and rarely fail to finish a book I start. I finally gave up on this book at 60%. With incomplete sentences and incomplete thoughts, it was like the author was trying to write in prose. It didn't work for me.

[Kim Hay]

This book was not well written DNF

[Donna Knight · Rating 1 out of 5]

Review for Athar

Did not enjoy the style in which this book was written. Too hard to understand the story. Would not recommend.

[Glenys Holter · Rating 1 out of 5]

Confusing

This book was difficult to follow, as the author was unclear in expressing the characters of the story.
I was not impressed in the format.

[Karen]

ATHAR by Shlomo Kalo | A Holocaust Memoir: In a concentration camp for Jewish criminals, the youngest inmate tells the camp's story #wwii #holocaust

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate to say stuff about books of this nature, but this is the most boring thing I have read in quite some time.