Robert Rubenstein's review
Nov 11, 10
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An Historical Gem of Inspiring Beauty, November 11, 2010
By R. Rubenstein "RJR" (looking for a place) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Rachel's Children: Surviving the Second World War (Paperback)
Sometimes there is power that resonates in whispers rather than in cries to be heard. Sometimes there is both. Jean Rodenbough has created a masterpiece, a gentle, but powerful argument for the universality of human rights through the childhood memories of world war survivors. Rachel's Children: Surviving the Second World War can be read while inhaling, but never lets go from the first word to the last. A deeply personal vision of humanistic values, Rachel's Children have such timeless beauty that it is a must read for every serious student of the holocaust and the Second World War. It is a tale of redemption, a way our planet can come to unde ...more This is how your review will appear:
An Historical Gem of Inspiring Beauty, November 11, 2010
By R. Rubenstein "RJR" (looking for a place) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Rachel's Children: Surviving the Second World War (Paperback)
Sometimes there is power that resonates in whispers rather than in cries to be heard. Sometimes there is both. Jean Rodenbough has created a masterpiece, a gentle, but powerful argument for the universality of human rights through the childhood memories of world war survivors. Rachel's Children: Surviving the Second World War can be read while inhaling, but never lets go from the first word to the last. A deeply personal vision of humanistic values, Rachel's Children have such timeless beauty that it is a must read for every serious student of the holocaust and the Second World War. It is a tale of redemption, a way our planet can come to understand and forgive the barbarity of war by embracing Ms. Rodenbough's vision as our own.
Through haunting poetic images and reminiscences, the author takes us, and forces us to raise our own consciousness from the very narrow confines of divided hearts. Japanese children as well as German suffered as a result of the barbarism of their parents. Jewish children were scared beyond casual dialogues. The author does not shirk responsibility for the war but suffers the children universally and takes them to sheltering arms.
Ms. Rodenbough lived near enough to Pearl Harbor to see the billowing smoke of our young treasure become martyrs. In harrowing letters, the reader is transported to the ever present horror of that Sunday morning, that day that still lives in infamy. From Honolulu to Hong Kong, or to Great Britain where children wore Mickey Mouse gas masks to ease their minds about the horror of the bombs. Rodenbough gently sways us with the truth that children are innocent and bombs indiscriminate.
Rodenbourg calls children of war to 'move forward without hatred, leaving a better world than they entered as children.' The scars of physical and emotional horror, both of limb and the fear of separation and displacement of millions, in America, as well as where direct physical dangers were ever-present, the scars of little Japanese children put in internment camps in America, the dispossessed, the dizzying shock to childhood leaves little to the imagination.
I am honored to put this novel on my shelf of the very best of literature I have ever read. It is truly outstanding and gives voice to those silent and brutalized the most. Their voices now heard, Rachel's children are calling us through the lamentations of time to understand they must be made safe. We must say,collectively, Rachel's children are mine
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