The Miracle Typist

by Leon Silver

In the tradition of THE TATTOOIST OF AUSCHWITZ, a heartbreaking true story of love, loss and survival against all odds during the Second World war. Conscripted into the Polish army as Hitler’s forces draw closer, Jewish soldier Tolek Klings vows to return to his wife, Klara, and son, Juliusz. However, the army is rife with anti-Semitism and Tolek is relentlessly tormented. As the Germans invade Poland, he is faced with a terrible flee home to protect his family – and risk being shot as a deserter – or remain a soldier, hoping reports of women and children being spared by the occupying forces are true. What follows is an extraordinary odyssey that will take Tolek – via a daring escape from a Hungarian internment camp – to Palestine, where his ability to type earns him the title of ‘The Miracle Typist’, then on to fight in Egypt, Tobruk and Italy. A broken telegram from Klara, ending with the haunting words, ‘We trouble’, makes Tolek even more determined to find his way home and fulfil his promise. This heartbreakingly inspiring true story is brought vividly to life by Tolek’s son-in-law, Melbourne writer Leon Silver.'Told in gripping prose, The Miracle Typist is the story of one man's journey from World War II battlefields to Palestine and Italy and finally Australia. Tolek's courage and his determination to save his family is a wonder to read – made even more so by the fact that it is based on a heart wrenching true story. Highly recommended for lovers of historical fiction.' Anita Abriel, author of The Light After the War ‘Incredible, heart-wrenching and inspirational.’ Better Reading

Genres: History, War, Nonfiction, Biography, Holocaust, World War II, 20th Century

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2020

About the author

Leon Silver is a full-time writer and author of two novels, Dancing with the Hurricane (HarperCollins 2004) and Sweeties (Lacuna 2016). He was born in Shanghai, grew up in Israel, and came to Melbourne in the mid 1950s, where he still lives with his wife Lauretta. With a strong education in textile technology and design, Leon worked in the fashion industry for many years, but he has been writing all his life.

Reviews

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is truly a remarkable story of courage, survival and rebirth. A true story of a young Jewish Polish man who took a job in a solicitors office to earn money to help support his family. Tolek Klings taught himself to touch type, giving him not only the freedom to read and type at the same time but also to consolidate his position at the solicitor's office.

His touch type ability gave him the nickname of "The Miracle Typist" which held him in good stead enabling him until well into the conflict of WW2 to escape combat duties working in an administrative position.

The one extraordinary repetitive phrasing in this read is his acknowledgement of his "semetic profile". From this the reader might glean that he sets his Judaism apart from the general Polish community. However as the reader progresses through the book the realisation that it's the general Polish community that treat the Jewish community as second class citizens. The need to keep one's head down and not to attract attention would have been difficult for those practising Orthodox Jews with the side curls and Kippah. As a young man Tolek has his curls cut off in order for him to be accepted into the general community. The Polish war correspondent Jan who forever made derogatory remarks to Tolek that Polish Jews never really assimilated or tried to assimilate, however at the end of the war when the correspondent resettles in Britain Tolek wonders if this Polish man has assimilated into being British when he still refers to himself by his Polish name.

While in the middle east Tolek encounters an Australian Jewish soldier and later an Australian Rabbi, both men walk tall, the soldier full of bravado and the Rabbi demanding that a holy day worship and feast be allowed for all Jewish soldiers and for which such a wonderful feast was delivered. Both these encounters were to have a great impact on this young man for his future life to come.

When signing up into the Polish army, Tolek, even having a beautiful young wife Klara and young son Juliusz believes fighting for his country against the Nazis is the right thing to do. Sadly, his fellow soldiers make life for all Jewish soldiers a nightmare with Tolek observing brutality and murder. Many times he contemplates deserting and heading home but the consequences are all too apparent. His family is constantly on his mind, he prays for their safety and is even prepared to accept the attitude of others to try and determine their whereabouts. It's not until almost at the end of the read when reunited with his brother Ijio that he learns of the brutal murder of his wife and son. In his grief he locks himself away saying the Kaddish in total despair of their murder.

For a Jewish man Tolek seems to have a guardian angel and throughout the war it has never been his time to die. He escapes so many encounters with many soldiers near him in combat being killed, sometimes graphically described.

At the end of the war he knows that returning to Poland is not something he can face and with warm memories of the Italians that he had met during the war decides on Italy where he remarries. Finally, in 1952 with his dream of Australia still alive in his mind he, Bruna, his small daughter and Bruna's mother immigrate. Like many that have had the need to leave their birth country behind, Tolek (now Ted) and Bruna work hard and make successful lives for themselves in their adopted country. For Ted the ghosts of the past remain and it's not until he's a grandfather that he opens up with his story.

[Caren]

(I choose not to rate the literary value of a Holocaust memoir/biography)
Leon Silver honours the memory of his late father-in-law, Holocaust survivor Tolek Klings, in this intriguing story recounting the six years of Tolek's experience during WWII. What is most touching is that the book was written with Tolek's encouragement, that his soon-to-be-born grandchild (30 years ago) might one day ask about what he had done in the war.

With saved documents and the intimate details of Tolek's typed story, Leon Silver meticulously wove Tolek's account into this narrative. The Holocaust of this Polish Jew was different from the testimonies we are most familiar with in that he had left his wife and young son in their Polish village to fight with the Polish Army - as a Jew, as a Polish patriot, despite the rampant antisemitism he endured - and became part of the confrontation against the Germans in the Middle East. What startles the reader is Tolek's resilience, partnered by pure luck in surviving many encounters with death and barbaric violence. Tolek believed that his survival may have been due to the "blessing" he had received from a somewhat "mad" wedding guest after the joyous ceremony.

Tolek's devotion to his young wife Klara and to their son, Juliuz, motivates him to survive through capture and through internment, particularly because of his superb (miraculous) touch typing, much needed in the administration of the military units and later, with refugee organisations. The reader journeys with Tolek through Poland, Hungary, Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt, Tobruk, and Italy before Tolek's decision post-war to migrate to Australia. Because Tolek spoke so intimately with his son-in-law, the reader becomes closely connected to him and to his "one war within and [to] the other exterior war". It is without doubt the inner war that reveals the most about his struggle.

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly brilliant, true account of a WW11 Polish Jew who faced love, loss and survival. Conscripted into the Polish army as the German army invades Poland. His account of the horrendous, brutal, murderous antisemitism brought tears to my eyes. I repeatedly prayed for the Jews. Only to subsequently find this antisemitism was rife in other allied armies he was drafted too. The exception being the Australian army. No wonder he ended up moving to Australia post-war.
That he survives is definitely against all odds.
Unputdownable.

[Nicky Webber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read and thoroughly enjoyed the writing style. The fact that it's a true story added weight to the experience.

[Victoria Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly vivid account of a Polish Jewish soldier’s survival of the war, told with sharp details and moving perspective. Deeply personal and sensitively told, this true story will resonate with anyone who cares about history. Highly recommended.

[Stefan Mitev · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Miracle Typist е истинската история на един полски евреин по време на Втората световна война. През есента на 1939 г. Полша е превзета и поделена между нацистка Германия и СССР. Различни части от полската армия са разпределени към английски и френски формирования.

Книгата описва невероятната история на Толек Клингс, който успява да избяга първоначално в Унгария, а след това преминава през Ливан, Палестина, Порт Саид, обсадения Тобрук, планинската битка при Монте Касино и последната офанзива в Италия - битката за Болония.

През цялото време войникът се опитва да разбере какво се е случило с неговото семейство, останало в Полша, първоначално под съветска, а по-късно под нацистка окупация. Получаването на новини се оказва на практика невъзможно, дори чрез връзки с висши полски държавници. След края на войната Толек Клингс разбира, че съпругата и синът му са били укривани в църква, но негови сънародници ги издават на германците. Семейството му е убито при поредния масов разстрел.

Заключението на книгата е песимистично. Войникът оцелява ужасът на войната и намира нов живот в Австралия, но осъзнава, че неговата борба е била безсмислена. Семейството му е предадено от собствените му съседи. Антисемитските акции продължават и след края на военните действия. Войната променя хората. Или показва истинските им лица.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Token Klings was a Polish Jew working as a law clerk at the outbreak of World War II. Leaving his wife, Klara, and his small son Juliusz, he enlisted in the Polish army to defend his motherland, only to find the army was rife with anti-Semitism.
His war took him through Europe, to the Middle East and was back in Italy when peace was finally declared. Despite opportunities to defect from the army, he remained, believing it was the best way to return to his family. Tragically, they did not survive.
This book is written by Tolek’s son-in-law - married to Tolek’s daughter from his second marriage. It gives a different picture from many war biographies and memoirs, being from the perspective of a Jewish soldier.

[Christine Van Loon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a super interesting and emotional story.

[Ada · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story worth telling. Like wine it improves when savoured in particular loved the last chapters but on reflection keep returning to the early ones

[Margaret Distasio]

This is not a story to love or hate but one I'm grateful I read. I tend to shy away from Holocaust stories as they are so painful and haunting but this one is different. It is the true, personal recollections of Tolek Klings, a Polish Jew conscripted into the army at the beginning of the second world war. We follow his journey through the ravages of war in many countries all the while hoping and praying to one day return to his beloved wife and son in Poland. The constant torment of anti Semitism from his own Polish comrades as well as the enemy is unimaginable and horrifying. Tolek had many lucky escapes as he moved through different countries, landing many administrative jobs in the army and the underground, due his excellent typing skills. They called him the miracle typist. He escaped from a Hungarian internment camp, travelled to Palestine, fought in Egypt, Tobruk and Italy. His day to day accounts of these and other events make it a very personal read. I was so enthralled with the story of Tolek's life having a mixture of horror and humour, life and death, remembering but wanting to forget. His life changed when he met an Australian Rabbi as his Carpathian Polish brigade was ordered to relieve the Australians at Tobruk in Libya. He was stunned at the way the Australians were so carefree and welcoming. He thought "this Australia" must be a wonderful place to live. After the war Tolek emigrated to Australia and made a new life in Melbourne. Tolek's memoirs have given me a deeper understanding of the everyday life of so many of those who fought and suffered during the war.

[Barbara Hadley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me out of my comfort zone. I am not a fan of war movies or books. My very limited knowledge of WW2 comes solely from Australia’s role. I am so grateful I took the plunge with this true story. I had no idea of the role Poland played in the war being perfectly situated between Germany and the Soviet Union. I spent a lot of time between chapters Googling who were Allies and why certain events occurred. My internet searches and then subsequently my journey through this book, was fascinating. I now have an understanding of WW2 from a completely different perspective. Being a Polish Jew during the war was horrific & almost indescribable, hence I assume this book only brushed the surface. I shed a tear at the end making me proud to be a part of our beautiful multicultural Australia. Some people live such hard lives. I like to think this book has helped me count my blessings.

[Nelly Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this beautifully detailed description of WW2 Poland & life in the polish Army . I married the 1st Australian born polish son in a family of 7 children . Both parents survived the war . Father in law was a polish soldier . I think he ended up on a German farm where he met my mother in law. She was 15 when Germans arrived in her little village and took her away she was the only girl in a family of 4 children . She never saw her parents again . I don’t know the name of her village or her maiden name . She told me many stories of the war but I wish I’d asked more questions . Thankyou Tokek you’ve filled in so many gaps about my father in law . The family was Catholic I think that kept them alive but It doesn’t mean they were treated well . Seems they were viewed as slave workers for Germany . I hope they never taunted Jews my mother in law never spoke badly of Jews only of Hitler & Nazis . Father in law was an angry alcoholic he had little English & died in his 60s .
Your representation of the yolk around your neck as a Jew was very relatable ..I’m sorry Poland treated you & your Jewish fellow soldiers so badly that was gauling . Poor polish people are again under the yolk of a right wing Catholic gov. I hope one day they’ll gain their democracy back & prosper ..Thankyou Leon Silver for brilliantly giving life to Toleks words . Thankyou Tolek you really are the miracle typist ..

[Denita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually don't like to read books that have peoples experiences with the Holocaust as I find it really upsetting. I heard about this book and was intrigued with the title so I ordered it through my local library. It sat on my table at home and I would pick it up now and then and just hold it in my hand to decide whether I would read it or not. One day I thought - yes, I had to read it no matter what.

I have just finished it and it was a real eye opener for me. What a brilliantly told story of a Jewish soldier serving in the Polish army during World War 2. It told me things I did not know and it has shocked me to learn how humans can treat fellow human beings who are on the same side. There are images I will never forget and I am only a reader of the story. I wasn't there - so imagine the people who were and how they have had to live on with those memories. We as a human race need to treat people from other backgrounds as equals.

So my conclusion - I'm glad I took the plunge and read it and I feel that any one thinking they might, should.

[Leanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The remarkable story of Polish-Jew, Tolek Klings who patriotically enlists in the Polish army as Hitler invades his homeland. As a new husband and father, he hopes to return to his loved ones soon. But with Poland crushed within weeks, Jews such as Tolek had to carefully consider how best to survive and return home. For not only must he deal with monstrous Nazi enemy but the horrific anti-Semitism from within the Polish army, something that was a real eye-opener for me. Tolek decides to remain in the army feeling it will offer him the best outcome of return to his family, a decision that takes him further and further from Poland and takes six years. But although a truly tragic and miraculous story of courage, faith and love, I found myself at arm’s length from Tolek’s journey. Something about the writing just didn’t gel with me and I found the retelling lacked something. It wasn’t until the war ended that I found the narrative more compelling.

[Linda Irwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learnt a lot from this book. How awful to be Polish and not be able to live there. How confusing to see yourself at racially Jewish and have that used against you by racial purists. How interesting that the Polish army fought in Palestine for the British army. I can really see the temptation to join a kibbutz when they are right there. The contradiction of hearing how Arab, Christian, and Jew cohabited happily in Palestine compared to what has happened since. But I at least feel some sympathy with the desperation European Jews must have felt at the time and their need to create their own safe space... Fascination at the idea of Australia being welcoming to immigrants considering their racism to native peoples as well as many groups of immigrants... And so much more. Thank you for telling this important story. I cried, but I'm glad I read it.

[Meredith Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an important story that deserves a modern audience. There are chilling accounts of antisemitism tempered with accounts of the Jewish protagonist's wife and child being sheltered by their Catholic neighbours and, later, a Catholic priest. There is also an antisemitic colleague who develops a respectful attitude after working closely with the protagonist. It is extremely painful to read the account of torture, but there is some relief in the final line: "With gratitude to all the Polish Righteous gentiles who helped save lives during World War Two by risking their own and their families".

[Lidia Esteves · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Miracle Typist is a compelling memoir that narrates the incredible true story of a Jewish man who narrowly escaped the horrors of Nazi-occupied Poland through his extraordinary typing skills. It’s not just a tale of survival but also a powerful reminder of the impact one person's determination and skills can have in the face of adversity. It is a moving and inspirational read that sheds light on the lesser-known stories of the Holocaust, and it stands out for its unique perspective and heartfelt storytelling. This book is highly recommended for readers interested in World War II history, human resilience, and personal narratives of courage and hope.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book. Recounts the story of Tolek Klings, a Jewish soldier in the Polish Army and Polist Brigade of the British Army, from his escape from Poland through to his military service at Tobruk and later Italy. Sadly, his wife and child perished in the Holocaust. He immigrated to Australia with his second wife and daughter in the 1950s, becoming an active member of the RSL. This was hard to put down.

[Diogenes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absorbing story of survival through WWII. Personal antisemitic atrocities vividly described. Actual experience memoir, recorded by the son-in-law, is at once tragic, heroic and often melodramatic.
Anti-spoiler warning: The frontispiece map reveals many of the difficult choices that create interest and tension. Better to delay seeing it until after the last chapter.

[Bec Aichholzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. I didn’t know that much about Polish Jews from the war, and this was a powerful story that helped me to understand the terrible anti-Semitism encountered by them.
Leon Silver painted some beautiful pictures, and I could easily imagine each of the scenes described.
Worth reading if you’re an avid consumer of stories of survival from the Holocaust.

[Teresa Almeida · Rating 4 out of 5]

A realidade duma Guerra contada na primeira pessoa. Histórias de uma vida sofrida, real e de alguém que teve a sorte no seu caminho. Um final feliz depois de muita dor, sofrimento e luta pela sobrevivência.

[Larelle Frauenfelder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this moving true story

[Fiona R · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not finish

[Aryani Siti · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartbreaking true story of love, loss and survival against all odds during the second world war.

[Michelle]

Amazing, fascinating true story about a Polish Jew in WW2. Makes you want to be a better person

[Kellyann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another tear jerkier. I loved this book and the story of the main character. I found it informative and sad. I really enjoyed reading it.

[Lori Mancell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening, excellent story

[lottie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel that this storey was too hard to follow and that not enough information was given about certain places

[Kasiek · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://kasiek-mysli.blogspot.com/202...

[H · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sad what humanity is capable of.