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14 days in May: A farewell to my father, a man who should have died sixty years ago. A true story.
On May 1st 2011, I traveled from Ecuador to my native country to say goodbye to my dying father. Two intensive weeks followed, where death was constantly looking around the corner, while life was still the focus - his life.
About sixty years earlier, my father survived a serious accident. He was hit by a bullet in his face, a bullet that exploded in his head. Doctors only just managed to save his life. With a new, but maimed face he had to return to his hometown, the small village of his ancestors in the South of the Netherlands.
Back home, he found everything to be exactly the way he left it, but no one seemed to remember him anymore. However, he was determined to pick up his life right where he had left off months before. His former family life, his friendships, his hobbies, his job, and … above all, his relationship with the girl who lived around the corner.
During the two weeks I stayed in the Netherlands, we spoke often about this dramatic period and eventually he asked me to write down his story. With the help of his memories and those of family and friends, but also old letters, diaries, military and medical reports, I reconstructed his personal family history. Embedded though in the inevitable farewell. An inspiring true story.
About sixty years earlier, my father survived a serious accident. He was hit by a bullet in his face, a bullet that exploded in his head. Doctors only just managed to save his life. With a new, but maimed face he had to return to his hometown, the small village of his ancestors in the South of the Netherlands.
Back home, he found everything to be exactly the way he left it, but no one seemed to remember him anymore. However, he was determined to pick up his life right where he had left off months before. His former family life, his friendships, his hobbies, his job, and … above all, his relationship with the girl who lived around the corner.
During the two weeks I stayed in the Netherlands, we spoke often about this dramatic period and eventually he asked me to write down his story. With the help of his memories and those of family and friends, but also old letters, diaries, military and medical reports, I reconstructed his personal family history. Embedded though in the inevitable farewell. An inspiring true story.
122 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 17, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 30, 2020
Riveting Family Tribute
A loving son's tribute to his astonishing parents, who demonstrate love, courage, tenacity, faith, hope and a myriad of other fine qualities. This book is not only fascinating, interesting and inspiring, but shows how really extraordinary this family is...all the while continuing to live a rather ordinary life in spite of a terrible accident at the beginning of their adult life. As I read each page and description, I wondered how I would have handled that situation. Sometimes it was too hard to imagine. Arthur van den Elzen brings his family's history to life. I feel like I personally know his parents now. A bonus is the well-researched information about his town and the Netherlands during World War II, as well as how the war impacted the town and people. I promise you will love reading this book.
A loving son's tribute to his astonishing parents, who demonstrate love, courage, tenacity, faith, hope and a myriad of other fine qualities. This book is not only fascinating, interesting and inspiring, but shows how really extraordinary this family is...all the while continuing to live a rather ordinary life in spite of a terrible accident at the beginning of their adult life. As I read each page and description, I wondered how I would have handled that situation. Sometimes it was too hard to imagine. Arthur van den Elzen brings his family's history to life. I feel like I personally know his parents now. A bonus is the well-researched information about his town and the Netherlands during World War II, as well as how the war impacted the town and people. I promise you will love reading this book.
September 20, 2020
To begin (if it wasn't already obvious) this book is written by my dad, and the story is about my grandfather. BUT that doesn't mean I can't write a review about it.
This book, is one the first I read of the many my father has written, and although I knew the story and it is close to my heart, I still found myself with tears in my eyes reading what my grandparents had lived. Thinking back, I believe that I would have had the same reactions, would it have been a story of strangers. It is, in the end, a love story with many ups and downs but with many happy moments, a true fairy tale but in the real world.
And who wouldn't want that?
I have read many books, from fiction to historical novels to history books, this is not a review for promotion but to acknowledge a great and fascinating book!
This book, is one the first I read of the many my father has written, and although I knew the story and it is close to my heart, I still found myself with tears in my eyes reading what my grandparents had lived. Thinking back, I believe that I would have had the same reactions, would it have been a story of strangers. It is, in the end, a love story with many ups and downs but with many happy moments, a true fairy tale but in the real world.
And who wouldn't want that?
I have read many books, from fiction to historical novels to history books, this is not a review for promotion but to acknowledge a great and fascinating book!
October 20, 2020
Amazing real life story, about a true love couple in the time of WW2. The story is very strong and emotional but it's amazing. It teaches you a life example of a man and his strength who fought until the end, and how his true love stayed by his side no matter what.
It's very well written, so one you start, you can't stop reading it.
It's very well written, so one you start, you can't stop reading it.
February 17, 2021
This is the first book I read from this author and let me tell you that I loved it! Such a good book with great characters that keeps you obsessed with every page since the first one. The ending of this book.. come on! I just didn´t expect it! Can´t wait to read other books from this great writer! Amazing job! a must-read! A fantastic book that has it all! I happily endorse this real-life story to any and all who are looking for an enjoyable read and a completely different experience than anyone could imagine on their own. ¡Great book!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews