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inspiretruth's review
4.0
I was introduced to this book by a friend of mine. Originally, I was going to read it and then share the story on my blog; however, things have expanded, and I now have Margaret and her husband, Pat, coming to my house tomorrow to promote her book! My full review will be on my website, but here are some of my thoughts:
Where the Angels Lived is an inspiring story of family and the secrets that were kept for decades. Margaret McMullen went to Israel to join the Writer’s Gathering and find a story to write, but she left with so much more.
Margaret’s journey made me want to look into my family tree and see if any of my relatives have been forgotten. Each page drew me into the narrative. I read in anticipation, desiring to learn who Richárd was and how he ended up as a blank page in the Yad Vashem’s archives as if he were my own blood.
This is a touching book that will pull on your heartstrings and remind you of the importance of family. I look forward to learning more about this book tomorrow and can’t wait to take the time to write out more of my thoughts!
Positive content: 4.5⭐️
Language: 0.1⭐️
Sexual content: 0.5⭐️
Violence: 2.5⭐️
Age: 14+
Where the Angels Lived is an inspiring story of family and the secrets that were kept for decades. Margaret McMullen went to Israel to join the Writer’s Gathering and find a story to write, but she left with so much more.
Margaret’s journey made me want to look into my family tree and see if any of my relatives have been forgotten. Each page drew me into the narrative. I read in anticipation, desiring to learn who Richárd was and how he ended up as a blank page in the Yad Vashem’s archives as if he were my own blood.
This is a touching book that will pull on your heartstrings and remind you of the importance of family. I look forward to learning more about this book tomorrow and can’t wait to take the time to write out more of my thoughts!
Positive content: 4.5⭐️
Language: 0.1⭐️
Sexual content: 0.5⭐️
Violence: 2.5⭐️
Age: 14+
honeydewfelon's review
5.0
This was my first book by Margaret McMullan, a Mississippi author whom I already admired for her generosity toward the literary community in the state. I loved this book. I knew basically nothing about how Hungarian Jews were affected by the Holocaust, and McMullan’s family story provides a lens into the larger historical forces of European antisemitism. Her prose is straightforward and self-assured. The way she weaves in her research with her experience of living and teaching in Hungary is masterful. I’m excited to see her panels at the upcoming Mississippi Book Festival!
graceburnell's review
4.0
This was another book I was made to read for my first year seminar class. I was very curious to see how this book would turn out based on the words of my professor.
I enjoyed many aspects of this book, including the author's extensive research and dedication to her cause. Sometimes, the presentation left a little to be desired. The flashbacks and flashforwards messed with me sometimes. But the thing that bothered me the most was her referring to the clerk as a "Nazi porn star," and continuously calling her a porn star throughout the book. That didn't sit well with me.
Other than those issues, I liked this book very much. McMullan's distinct writing style makes her words pack a punch that hits the readers where it hurts, provoking empathy and distress. It pulled me into the story, and I felt dedicated to her cause. This story made me think about what I know about my family history and why I should explore it more.
"Richárd will forever be both real and fictional to me. At best, he is half-known. Perhaps he lived as so many of us do-half-know."
I enjoyed many aspects of this book, including the author's extensive research and dedication to her cause. Sometimes, the presentation left a little to be desired. The flashbacks and flashforwards messed with me sometimes. But the thing that bothered me the most was her referring to the clerk as a "Nazi porn star," and continuously calling her a porn star throughout the book. That didn't sit well with me.
Other than those issues, I liked this book very much. McMullan's distinct writing style makes her words pack a punch that hits the readers where it hurts, provoking empathy and distress. It pulled me into the story, and I felt dedicated to her cause. This story made me think about what I know about my family history and why I should explore it more.
"Richárd will forever be both real and fictional to me. At best, he is half-known. Perhaps he lived as so many of us do-half-know."
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