Snapshots...Growing up Behind the Iron Curtain

Description:

In a collection of reminiscences, Eva Kende dips into her painful childhood to share her impressions of living a part of history that most people only heard of through news reports.
While this is Eva's personal story, it reflects the minutiae of everyday life in post war Hungary until the 1956 Revolution when thousands felt compelled to flee to the west to seek a freer life in democratic countries such as Canada.
While this is a serious topic, Eva manages to entertain us with glimpses of humor throughout.
Snapshots...Growing up Behind the Iron Curtain is suitable for young adults, in fact, it has been recommended reading by social studies teachers.

Readers Say:
We're delighted that you are writing this book! It is a story that only those who experienced the times can fully tell the world. So many '56ers did not want to return to Hungary, nor tell of their experiences. Hooray for you!! (I hope you included the tale of your playing in the sand near the Parliament building.)
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I had intended to save your book for Christmas reading but found that I kept picking it up to read 'one more chapter'. And I finished reading it yesterday. You are an excellent story teller. The poignancy in your writing brought tears to my eyes at various points in the narrative.
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I have never read anything that describes my growing up years so well!
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I just finished reading "Snapshots..." and as I put the book down I had to get some kleenex to wipe tears from my eyes. Actually, I was very moved a number of times by your story. Thank you for sharing!
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I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your stories and recollections. They were so vivid, it gave me a great insight in to an historical period and culture that I knew precious little about. On the inside of the cover you wrote "Cherish freedom", and I must say that I do so on a daily basis. And yet, I also feel that I will never be able to fully appreciate it in the way that you must. I teach Soviet history to my grade 9 students, and we touch on the Hungarian Revolution rather briefly. This year, however, I had more to add than usual, as I read several passages of your book to my students. I think your personal experiences helped them more fully understand life in a Communist regime, and I plan to use it again in the future. If that is okay with you, that is. One of my students is a girl of Hungarian ancestry, and she was particularly touched by the stories. She said her grandparents had told her similar types of stories from their experiences as well. Anyway, thank you for your honesty, your excellent prose, and your contribution to the Canadian mosaic.
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What a book! I could scarcely put it down. Your writing is charming, informative, emotional, and a joy to read. You do have a real gift, even if it took almost your 9 lives to come to Canada before you could become an author. Thank Heaven you did. We are all the richer for it.

Dettagli