PositiveThe San Diego Jewish WorldThis book is ... both a quest for Holocaust history and a modern-day travelogue, as Van Es follows the footsteps of Lien de Jong to various cities, homes, and buildings in Holland. He brings us along on interviews, and we sit with him in research archives, as he learns facts crucial for setting the scene for Lien’s story and then carrying it forward. All along, Van Es also closely observes how these places appear currently, and as travelers often do, he juxtaposes modern serenity with World War II chaos. He also helps us understand the impact Lien’s experiences during the Holocaust had on her personality, and why, later in life, she turned to Buddhist practice to help her cope with her memories ... This is an unusual, multilayered story about interpersonal and family dynamics set against the horrors of the Holocaust. It is well worth reading.
