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Reviewed by Frank Mutuma for Readers' Favorite
The Boy In The Back by Fern Lebo: A True Story of Survival in Auschwitz and Mauthausen tells the story of Jan Blumenstein. Jan was born in Nové Zámky, just like his father and his grandfather before him. Growing up, things were not rough for Jan even as the Nazis took power in Germany. His father made sure the kids were shielded from the horrors happening for as long as possible, even as Kristallnacht happened. This event caused the Jews to be harassed and evicted from their properties. The Jews were then moved into ghettos and later on into concentration camps. Jan was taken to Auschwitz, which marked the darkest chapter of Jewish history. The conditions at the camps were horrific, which resulted in many deaths, but with sheer determination, Jan survived. Later, he was moved to a labor camp in Mauthausen. At the labor camp, things got worse because the Germans became more brutal when the liberation by Allied forces was imminent. How will things unfold as Jan and others seek to start a new life after all the trauma they have experienced?
I have read many books about the Holocaust, but The Boy in the Back by Fern Lebo offered a unique perspective on many issues, such as how the Hungarians were involved and the complacency of civilians even as the harassment of their neighbors went on for years. The work also covers the dangers of staying silent as minorities suffer under oppressive regimes. This thought-provoking work also covers current events like the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, and how various sentiments can lead to a rise in anti-Semitism. All the points and events were well articulated, which ensured the intended message was delivered effectively. Readers will also appreciate the easy-to-understand language used, which makes the work accessible to all readers. I look forward to reading something else by Fern Lebo.
