I rarely read biographies, definitely not the one which is 500+ pages long. But this book was lying around and I wanted something to read, so I picked it up. The first part is interesting - goes through few years of author's life. Though towards the end I was confused if the book is about the author or about his aunt and uncle.
Finally in second part he starts with story of his uncle's life. After first few pages, it becomes quite draggy. Going into detailed description of the world war, and minute details of Shanti's life. I pretty much skimmed through it. The narrative is somewhat boring and punctured by not so interesting letters / quotes.
Part 3 which is now about details of his Aunt's life holds more promise. Though from the beginning it starts to wander off into description of a Jewish religious book and its content which have no apparent relevance to the biography. It also branches off into life of friends and other relatives. The most annoying part of the book is guesses to how life of Aunt's sister and mother would have been as a Jewish German during WW II. There is no evidence of how the author made those guesses, but they look very much like what you would read in real literature backed by real accounts and letters of people who suffered during this time.
Ok read if you are willing to skip through the draggy parts. Otherwise just a boring draggy account part real part made up. If this was condensed into 200 pages, would have made a good read.
Finally in second part he starts with story of his uncle's life. After first few pages, it becomes quite draggy. Going into detailed description of the world war, and minute details of Shanti's life. I pretty much skimmed through it. The narrative is somewhat boring and punctured by not so interesting letters / quotes.
Part 3 which is now about details of his Aunt's life holds more promise. Though from the beginning it starts to wander off into description of a Jewish religious book and its content which have no apparent relevance to the biography. It also branches off into life of friends and other relatives. The most annoying part of the book is guesses to how life of Aunt's sister and mother would have been as a Jewish German during WW II. There is no evidence of how the author made those guesses, but they look very much like what you would read in real literature backed by real accounts and letters of people who suffered during this time.
Ok read if you are willing to skip through the draggy parts. Otherwise just a boring draggy account part real part made up. If this was condensed into 200 pages, would have made a good read.
