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Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Rubies in the Dust by Irene Cerklewski is a deeply moving memoir that traces the author’s early life in war-torn Hungary through her immigration to America. The author captures what it was like to live under the shadow of Russian occupation through the fear, the hunger, and the constant vigilance. This is a story of historical hardship, but also a spiritual journey told through dreams, visions, and an ever-present sense of divine guidance, where the author makes sense of the chaos around her. As she flees the Hungarian Revolution and eventually builds a life in the United States, her story becomes one of cultural, emotional, and profoundly spiritual transformations. Whether she’s navigating a new language or surviving the daily uncertainties of dictatorship, her strength and faith shine through, making this memoir both an intimate personal narrative and a testament to resilience.
Author Irene Cerklewski writes with grace and clarity in a voice that feels like she's personally speaking to just you. I was struck by how seamlessly she weaves her spiritual insights into the real-world events she experienced without anything ever feeling forced or preachy, just honest and profound in the way that only real life can be. The chapters about her early years in Hungary are especially powerful, filled with a haunting sense of quiet with moments of hope and escape. I loved how she gave space to both external events and internal evolution; it made her journey feel complete and satisfying to read. The memoir reads like sitting across from someone who has lived through the worst and still has light in her eyes. Overall, Rubies in the Dust is a courageous and soul-stirring memoir that deserves to be read, and I would certainly recommend it.
