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Going Home: Memoir of an Immigrant
It is the bitter-sweet story of the author's childhood experiences during the German and Russian occupations of Hungary, and of her four trying years as a young student in a hostile Germany. It tells of her family's cruel exile from their homeland, of their three-week hellish journey in a cramped, filth-ridden boxcar, their challenges in an unwelcoming country, and their unyielding belief in the American dream.
144 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 8, 2018
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July 5, 2018
I have just completed the touching memoir of Martha (nee Lotz) Davis, growing up, as a young child, with he family in Hungary. She lovingly describes her early life in the village of Bonyhád, outside of Budapest, moving on to the dire changes brought about by World War II, and the invasions of first Germany, and then Russia.
In June,1946, Martha and her family were deported to the German town of Erdhausen, where they struggled for acceptance by the local townspeople. Finally, in July, 1950, after a long waiting period, the family finally got permission to emigrate to the United States. Appropriately, the began there journey on the fourth of July.
The memoir concludes (actually starts) with a bittersweet return by Martha (Márta), and her Mama, to Hungary, after being displaced to Germany, 34 years ago.
I found this memoir to be a very rewarding read. Her prose style is very evocative, and carefully crafted, and her inclusion of a number of family photos only enhances the reading experience. I find this quite extraordinary, given that English is, at least her third language (after Hungarian and German).
In writing this review, I've diligently tried to avoid any personal bias. Martha and I worked closely together, for many years, but I never knew anything of her personal background until her memoir was published in June of 2018. My major advantage was to read this, while hearing her voice in my mind throughout the process.
In June,1946, Martha and her family were deported to the German town of Erdhausen, where they struggled for acceptance by the local townspeople. Finally, in July, 1950, after a long waiting period, the family finally got permission to emigrate to the United States. Appropriately, the began there journey on the fourth of July.
The memoir concludes (actually starts) with a bittersweet return by Martha (Márta), and her Mama, to Hungary, after being displaced to Germany, 34 years ago.
I found this memoir to be a very rewarding read. Her prose style is very evocative, and carefully crafted, and her inclusion of a number of family photos only enhances the reading experience. I find this quite extraordinary, given that English is, at least her third language (after Hungarian and German).
In writing this review, I've diligently tried to avoid any personal bias. Martha and I worked closely together, for many years, but I never knew anything of her personal background until her memoir was published in June of 2018. My major advantage was to read this, while hearing her voice in my mind throughout the process.
Displaying 1 of 1 review