What do you think?
Rate this book
The Red Magician
Winner of the 1983 American Book Award, The Red Magician was an immediate classic.
On the eve of World War II, a wandering magician comes to a small Hungarian village prophesying death and destruction. Eleven-year-old Kicsi believes Vörös, and attempts to aid him in protecting the village.
But the local rabbi, who possesses magical powers, insists that the village is safe, and frustrates Vörös's attempts to transport them all to safety. Then the Nazis come and the world changes.
Miraculously, Kicsi survives the horrors of the concentration camp and returns to her village to witness the final climactic battle between the rabbi and the Red Magician, the Old World and the New.
The Red Magician is a notable work of Holocaust literature and a distinguished work of fiction, as well as a marvelously entertaining fantasy that is, in the end, wise and transcendent.
On the eve of World War II, a wandering magician comes to a small Hungarian village prophesying death and destruction. Eleven-year-old Kicsi believes Vörös, and attempts to aid him in protecting the village.
But the local rabbi, who possesses magical powers, insists that the village is safe, and frustrates Vörös's attempts to transport them all to safety. Then the Nazis come and the world changes.
Miraculously, Kicsi survives the horrors of the concentration camp and returns to her village to witness the final climactic battle between the rabbi and the Red Magician, the Old World and the New.
The Red Magician is a notable work of Holocaust literature and a distinguished work of fiction, as well as a marvelously entertaining fantasy that is, in the end, wise and transcendent.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
About the author
Lisa Goldstein
93 books99 followersAka Isabel Glass.
Lisa Goldstein (b. November 21, 1953 in Los Angeles) is a Nebula, Hugo, and World Fantasy Award nominated fantasy and science fiction writer. Her 1982 novel The Red Magician won the American Book Award for best paperback novel, and was praised by Philip K. Dick shortly before his death. Goldstein writes science fiction and fantasy; her two novels Daughter of Exile and The Divided Crown are considered literary fantasy.
Elizabeth Joy "Lisa" Goldstein's father was Heinz Jurgen "Harry" Goldstein (b. June 08, 1922 in Krefeld, Germany; d. May 24, 1974 in Los Angeles), a survivor of concentration camp Bergen-Belsen; her mother, Miriam Roth, was born in Czechoslovakia and survived the extermination camp Auschwitz. Her parents came to the United States in 1947 and met in an ESL class.
She has published two fantasy novels under the pen name Isabel Glass. She chose to use a pseudonym to separate the novels from her other work. The "Isabel" is from Point Isabel, a dog park, and "Glass" was chosen because it fits Tor's requirements for pseudonyms.
With her husband since 1986, Douglas A. "Doug" Asherman, she lives in Oakland, California.
Lisa Goldstein (b. November 21, 1953 in Los Angeles) is a Nebula, Hugo, and World Fantasy Award nominated fantasy and science fiction writer. Her 1982 novel The Red Magician won the American Book Award for best paperback novel, and was praised by Philip K. Dick shortly before his death. Goldstein writes science fiction and fantasy; her two novels Daughter of Exile and The Divided Crown are considered literary fantasy.
Elizabeth Joy "Lisa" Goldstein's father was Heinz Jurgen "Harry" Goldstein (b. June 08, 1922 in Krefeld, Germany; d. May 24, 1974 in Los Angeles), a survivor of concentration camp Bergen-Belsen; her mother, Miriam Roth, was born in Czechoslovakia and survived the extermination camp Auschwitz. Her parents came to the United States in 1947 and met in an ESL class.
She has published two fantasy novels under the pen name Isabel Glass. She chose to use a pseudonym to separate the novels from her other work. The "Isabel" is from Point Isabel, a dog park, and "Glass" was chosen because it fits Tor's requirements for pseudonyms.
With her husband since 1986, Douglas A. "Doug" Asherman, she lives in Oakland, California.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
October 30, 2014
Here, Goldstein brings the feel of the mythopoeic into a WWII story.
Kisci is a young Jewish girl who's never been outside her insular, rural community. She longs to experience the wider world, and when a red-haired traveler comes to town, he captures her imagination, even though his warnings of doom are nothing anyone wants to hear. The local rabbi insists that the traveler is an enemy, and works himself up to a raging vendetta against him, ignoring evil omens... and the source of the real threat.
However, soon enough, the outside world will encroach on Kisci's village in a way that none of her neighbors could believe. War is on the way...
Traditional Jewish folklore is prominent, with the myth of the Wandering Jew and the legend of the Golem woven into the narrative. The format of the story is a familiar fantasy: the battle between two powerful wizards. But, while crafting a fairy tale; the story deals with historical horrors with a delicate yet moving touch.
Recommended: this story is a bit what I expected Jane Yolen's 'Briar Rose' (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) to be like.
I've only previously read one other book by Goldstein, and I much preferred this one. (I'm glad that, when deciding to read this, I actually hadn't remembered that I'd read it - I might not have chosen to, and I would've missed out!)
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me the opportunity to read this novel. As always, my opinions are my own.
Kisci is a young Jewish girl who's never been outside her insular, rural community. She longs to experience the wider world, and when a red-haired traveler comes to town, he captures her imagination, even though his warnings of doom are nothing anyone wants to hear. The local rabbi insists that the traveler is an enemy, and works himself up to a raging vendetta against him, ignoring evil omens... and the source of the real threat.
However, soon enough, the outside world will encroach on Kisci's village in a way that none of her neighbors could believe. War is on the way...
Traditional Jewish folklore is prominent, with the myth of the Wandering Jew and the legend of the Golem woven into the narrative. The format of the story is a familiar fantasy: the battle between two powerful wizards. But, while crafting a fairy tale; the story deals with historical horrors with a delicate yet moving touch.
Recommended: this story is a bit what I expected Jane Yolen's 'Briar Rose' (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) to be like.
I've only previously read one other book by Goldstein, and I much preferred this one. (I'm glad that, when deciding to read this, I actually hadn't remembered that I'd read it - I might not have chosen to, and I would've missed out!)
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me the opportunity to read this novel. As always, my opinions are my own.
January 9, 2015
A beautifully written book, deserving of its American Book Award. Lisa Goldstein has succeeded in the difficult genre, magic realism by blending many layers in her novel. First, the main storyline of fantasy and magic as captured in the battle between the traveler Voros (the Red Magician) and the incumbent village Rabbi, another powerful magician. Second, the historical backdrop of life in a small Jewish village in Hungary before, during and after the Holocaust. The moral and religious dispute between the principals. Finally, the deep philosophical issues around life and death, protecting family, the sanctity of life, cruelty in many manifestations. The maturation and development of the lead character (Kicsi) is another highlight. This one will stay with me for a long time.
January 13, 2015
This tale is set in a small European town. It is so small it doesn’t concern itself with the affairs of the outside world and the outside world is not concerned with it. This Jewish settlement is led by its Rabbi, and while he is integral to the tale, the story is about and told through the eyes of a young girl named Kisci. I call it a tale because the story is interwoven with folklore and myth. Jewish mysticism is held in juxtaposition to the Nazi threat of World War II. It is similar to Catherynne Valente’s ‘Deathless’ in this sense, but is centered on a Jewish village rather than Russian folklore in Leningrad. If you enjoyed ‘Deathless,’ in concept not style, I believe you will enjoy this book as well.
When Kisci is young a stranger visits Kisci’s town. He tells the people to call him Voros. With his coming he sets in motion great change for the townspeople. He is a magician, and in return for the kindness of Kisci’s father giving him shelter, he lifts a curse the Rabbi set on her father. The Rabbi set a curse on any parent who chose to continue sending their children to the school after they started teaching Hebrew. This kindness, while wonderful, pits the Rabbi against him to the detriment of everyone. Voros has a vision of a man with no teeth bringing death to the town’s people. When he warns them of the threat the Rabbi dismisses Voros and throws him out-of-town. Kisci is heartbroken when Voros leaves. He does visit her in the future, however, and each time he does he tries to warn the village of the danger only to be dismissed and ignored . Unfortunately, evil does come and how Voros, Kisci and the Rabbi adapt is the heart of this book.
Goldstein’s writing style has the feeling of reading a folktale. I enjoyed ‘The Red Magician.’ I gained an attachment to Kisci, Voros, and in the end even the Rabbi. Her characters are what drives her story. There is very little action in the beginning, however, it does significantly pick up towards the end. I did not want to put the book down. My heart broke for Kisci. Goldstein is able to evoke emotion outside of just anger and love. She was able to evoke and maintain a feeling of detachment that is not so easily understood or expressed. She handled difficult subject matter with care from a believable and respectful manner.
The magical realism is handled well if not such a lavish style as Valente. It feels appropriately understated even though she add magicians and golem. The magic contrasts with the harsh real violence in the tale. I encourage anyone who enjoys magical realism, Jewish folklore, or World War II fiction to pick this up.
If you enjoyed this you might enjoy:
The Golem and the Jinni – Helene Wecker
Deathless – Catherynne Valente
When Kisci is young a stranger visits Kisci’s town. He tells the people to call him Voros. With his coming he sets in motion great change for the townspeople. He is a magician, and in return for the kindness of Kisci’s father giving him shelter, he lifts a curse the Rabbi set on her father. The Rabbi set a curse on any parent who chose to continue sending their children to the school after they started teaching Hebrew. This kindness, while wonderful, pits the Rabbi against him to the detriment of everyone. Voros has a vision of a man with no teeth bringing death to the town’s people. When he warns them of the threat the Rabbi dismisses Voros and throws him out-of-town. Kisci is heartbroken when Voros leaves. He does visit her in the future, however, and each time he does he tries to warn the village of the danger only to be dismissed and ignored . Unfortunately, evil does come and how Voros, Kisci and the Rabbi adapt is the heart of this book.
Goldstein’s writing style has the feeling of reading a folktale. I enjoyed ‘The Red Magician.’ I gained an attachment to Kisci, Voros, and in the end even the Rabbi. Her characters are what drives her story. There is very little action in the beginning, however, it does significantly pick up towards the end. I did not want to put the book down. My heart broke for Kisci. Goldstein is able to evoke emotion outside of just anger and love. She was able to evoke and maintain a feeling of detachment that is not so easily understood or expressed. She handled difficult subject matter with care from a believable and respectful manner.
The magical realism is handled well if not such a lavish style as Valente. It feels appropriately understated even though she add magicians and golem. The magic contrasts with the harsh real violence in the tale. I encourage anyone who enjoys magical realism, Jewish folklore, or World War II fiction to pick this up.
If you enjoyed this you might enjoy:
The Golem and the Jinni – Helene Wecker
Deathless – Catherynne Valente
October 6, 2014
I received an advance reading copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
YA fantasy that really works well. I can certainly see why it received awards as this short novel does what few of this type are able to do. Magical Realism is a tricky genre. Embraced by masters such as Borges and Garcia Marquez, it often comes off muddy and confusing in the hands of lesser writers. The fantasy elements predominate and the storyline bears little or no resemblance to the real world; or the realistic takes center stage and the fantasy elements feel either out of place, or tacked almost as an after-thought. Not so with The Red Magician--both the fantasy and the realistic elements seamlessly weave into the story, yet even more is going on here.
I would put this novella up there with The Book Thief and Maus as great YA treatments of the horror of the Holocaust. There are scenes here that evoked memories for me of the great Elie Wiesel trilogy. The horrible beyond comprehension image of families separated by a gesture from the Angel of Death---right leads to death, left to undeath in the camps—which is worse? Even in the end, liberation of the body does not also liberate the spirit. The crippling effects of survivor guilt are felt for the remainder of one’s life.
A wonderful story of magic, and folklore. A harrowing, yet complex, tale of evil. All painted in colors of deep Jewish tradition and history. Heartbreaking characters. Inescapable truths. Unforgettable.
YA fantasy that really works well. I can certainly see why it received awards as this short novel does what few of this type are able to do. Magical Realism is a tricky genre. Embraced by masters such as Borges and Garcia Marquez, it often comes off muddy and confusing in the hands of lesser writers. The fantasy elements predominate and the storyline bears little or no resemblance to the real world; or the realistic takes center stage and the fantasy elements feel either out of place, or tacked almost as an after-thought. Not so with The Red Magician--both the fantasy and the realistic elements seamlessly weave into the story, yet even more is going on here.
I would put this novella up there with The Book Thief and Maus as great YA treatments of the horror of the Holocaust. There are scenes here that evoked memories for me of the great Elie Wiesel trilogy. The horrible beyond comprehension image of families separated by a gesture from the Angel of Death---right leads to death, left to undeath in the camps—which is worse? Even in the end, liberation of the body does not also liberate the spirit. The crippling effects of survivor guilt are felt for the remainder of one’s life.
A wonderful story of magic, and folklore. A harrowing, yet complex, tale of evil. All painted in colors of deep Jewish tradition and history. Heartbreaking characters. Inescapable truths. Unforgettable.
February 1, 2015
The Red Magician by Lisa Goldstein, first published in 1983 and winner of the National Book Award is a novel of suffering, survival, Jewish folklore and magic. All set during the terrible time of the Holocaust. Though written with the undertones of magic, it is still overall a story of the human condition and the evil that is done in the name of man.
Kicsi is a young girl in a small European village, who spends her time dreaming of faraway lands. But she is drawn into a conflict into her small village when the Rabbi curses the new school and her family for attending it because they teach lessons in the holy Hebrew tongue. The Rabbi, whose powers are well known, believes he is saving his village by doing so. A red haired stranger appears and saves Kicsi's family, but in doing so, makes an enemy of the Rabbi.
When the Rabbi's daughter is married, Voros, the red-haired stranger speaks out again. He warns of a great darkness growing on the borders of their village and that danger is coming. The Rabbi curses him and Voros retreats to the forest to create a protector for the village.
"...I protect the village, not you." the rabbi said emphatically. "Do you think the people here do not know that? I am their teacher, their adviser, their"-he looked to the golem again, and his voice, though lowered, carried to where Kisci sat concealed by the rock-"magician. We do not need you here among us to create trouble. I am afraid you see monsters where none exist..."
The Rabbi drives Voros away. But the Rabbi is wrong for when he is away the darkness comes to the village and carries them away. It carries them to concentration camps and horrors they were not prepared for.
Kisci must survive the Holocaust, though she no longer wishes to, so that she can return to the village to find what is left of her family. The Rabbi and the Red Magician.
Goldstein creates a wonderful but startling tale of a time when all the magic in the world could not keep the greatest evil away. It also shows how people can react under such extreme moments in their lives. The desire to blame others when there is no one left to blame. The guilt of surviving when all others have past.
It is a special story and should be read by all. It should be taught in schools. Truly. The power of the conflicting morality tales involve alone illuminate the human condition.
What I find so intriguing is how Goldstein tells this story of concentration camps and the Holocaust and manages to keep the Nazis as such minor characters. For me, that was a powerful and majestic stroke of writing.
The Red Magician is a very good read.
Kicsi is a young girl in a small European village, who spends her time dreaming of faraway lands. But she is drawn into a conflict into her small village when the Rabbi curses the new school and her family for attending it because they teach lessons in the holy Hebrew tongue. The Rabbi, whose powers are well known, believes he is saving his village by doing so. A red haired stranger appears and saves Kicsi's family, but in doing so, makes an enemy of the Rabbi.
When the Rabbi's daughter is married, Voros, the red-haired stranger speaks out again. He warns of a great darkness growing on the borders of their village and that danger is coming. The Rabbi curses him and Voros retreats to the forest to create a protector for the village.
"...I protect the village, not you." the rabbi said emphatically. "Do you think the people here do not know that? I am their teacher, their adviser, their"-he looked to the golem again, and his voice, though lowered, carried to where Kisci sat concealed by the rock-"magician. We do not need you here among us to create trouble. I am afraid you see monsters where none exist..."
The Rabbi drives Voros away. But the Rabbi is wrong for when he is away the darkness comes to the village and carries them away. It carries them to concentration camps and horrors they were not prepared for.
Kisci must survive the Holocaust, though she no longer wishes to, so that she can return to the village to find what is left of her family. The Rabbi and the Red Magician.
Goldstein creates a wonderful but startling tale of a time when all the magic in the world could not keep the greatest evil away. It also shows how people can react under such extreme moments in their lives. The desire to blame others when there is no one left to blame. The guilt of surviving when all others have past.
It is a special story and should be read by all. It should be taught in schools. Truly. The power of the conflicting morality tales involve alone illuminate the human condition.
What I find so intriguing is how Goldstein tells this story of concentration camps and the Holocaust and manages to keep the Nazis as such minor characters. For me, that was a powerful and majestic stroke of writing.
The Red Magician is a very good read.
November 15, 2020
“No one deserves their life. It is a gift, given to all.”
Reading the Goodreads.com blurb a reader might think this book was another Jews and the Holocaust story, albeit with a fantastic twist. A casual reading of the opening chapters suggests it’s more about magic, Kabbalah and Jewish folklore, but in fact it strikes me as a meditation on the relationship of superstition and religion with those others playing out in the foreground.
“He who saves a life, it is as though he saved the entire world.”
The precise reader may stumble over the fluid geography, language and history, but the author assures us of its antecedents. Regardless, Goldstein takes us to the intersection of history and mystery. Where what you believe may be more important than what is real. Simultaneously a disturbing and an affirming story. Good job.
“Touched by magic.”
Reading the Goodreads.com blurb a reader might think this book was another Jews and the Holocaust story, albeit with a fantastic twist. A casual reading of the opening chapters suggests it’s more about magic, Kabbalah and Jewish folklore, but in fact it strikes me as a meditation on the relationship of superstition and religion with those others playing out in the foreground.
“He who saves a life, it is as though he saved the entire world.”
The precise reader may stumble over the fluid geography, language and history, but the author assures us of its antecedents. Regardless, Goldstein takes us to the intersection of history and mystery. Where what you believe may be more important than what is real. Simultaneously a disturbing and an affirming story. Good job.
“Touched by magic.”
September 20, 2015
This is a fable, not a novel. The characters aren't people,but they are more than types. It is actually a fable about loss and blame. It's something you puzzle over more than enjoy, though.
April 28, 2009
A retelling of the classic Golem legend, set during the holocaust. The label "magic realism", which has become nearly meaningless most of the time, is well-applied here. Jewish folklore, Jewish magic and mysticism and wonder make this under-appreciated story one of the great fantasies of the last quarter century.
October 23, 2008
The first half of this American Book Award-winning novel reads like a paranormal Nancy Drew tale laced with Kabbalah (Jewish magic), and the second half is like no other Holocaust survival story you’ve ever read. Goldstein writes like Madeline L’Engle at her best; her novel is fast-paced, very dream-like at times, and free of cliches. This is a great read for anyone who likes fantastical young adult novels but is tired of the same old nerdy-orphan-with-a-universe-shattering-destiny-to-fulfill stories.
May 30, 2010
I borrowed this book from Missy.
A short read, but wonderful story.
A favorite quote, " Done? You have done nothing yet. But no one deserves their life. It is a gift, given to all. It is not for you to decide whether or not you deserve it. . . He who saves a life, it is as though he saved the entire world."
A short read, but wonderful story.
A favorite quote, " Done? You have done nothing yet. But no one deserves their life. It is a gift, given to all. It is not for you to decide whether or not you deserve it. . . He who saves a life, it is as though he saved the entire world."
July 4, 2022
This is a fable in which the richness of Jewish legend and folklore stands in contrast to the modern horrors of the Holocaust. There's a dreamlike quality to the proceedings in that sometimes explanations becomes quite detailed while other things are glossed over, fading into the background. The overarching of survival befits the setting, but there's also an undercurrent of reacting to powerlessness. Even people with great power (even magical abilities, in this case), have limitations, but they can still do what they can to make a difference.
October 11, 2014
(I got a copy courtesy of OpenRoad Media through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.)
An interesting short story, though I must admit it wasn't exactly what I expected, and I ended up not liking it as much as I hoped.
On the one hand, I could easily feel the magic permeating the atmosphere, the strange aura surrounding Vörös. Moreover, there's a golem in the middle, and I'm often very, very partial towards golems (everybody has their favourite mythological/magical creature; well, this is mine).
I liked the theme of revenge and misdirected anger woven through the story. Though not original in itself, it hit home, and the book managed to show how sterile and blind revenge may be, yet also how born from genuine feelings: when your fear and grief for your loved ones are so strong, and when you can't actually strike at the real culprits, what else can you do? Wouldn't you turn to the next designated villain in your line of sight—even though he's not a villain, even though he's not responsible?
On the other hand, I found that the characters in general lacked substance. I didn't really get to "feel" the presence of Kicsi's family, for instance, nor of her potential fiancé, and so their fates seemed almost as secondary. I kept wondering why Vörös didn't fill a more active role: he could probably have done a lot more (alright, at some point he was missing some of his tools... but there might have been a way to retrieve them), and instead kept going away. This didn't really fit with his claims of having wanted to warn people, to the point where his worry and eagerness actually achieved the contrary.
The Holocaust part, too, felt rushed, and not exploited in a way that could have made the novel really striking. I sensed that more could've been done to it, because the author definitely seemed to have a knack to describe both the camps and the life before them in a peaceful community.
Conclusion: a likeable story, with powerful elements that may not have been exploited to their fullest potential.
An interesting short story, though I must admit it wasn't exactly what I expected, and I ended up not liking it as much as I hoped.
On the one hand, I could easily feel the magic permeating the atmosphere, the strange aura surrounding Vörös. Moreover, there's a golem in the middle, and I'm often very, very partial towards golems (everybody has their favourite mythological/magical creature; well, this is mine).
I liked the theme of revenge and misdirected anger woven through the story. Though not original in itself, it hit home, and the book managed to show how sterile and blind revenge may be, yet also how born from genuine feelings: when your fear and grief for your loved ones are so strong, and when you can't actually strike at the real culprits, what else can you do? Wouldn't you turn to the next designated villain in your line of sight—even though he's not a villain, even though he's not responsible?
On the other hand, I found that the characters in general lacked substance. I didn't really get to "feel" the presence of Kicsi's family, for instance, nor of her potential fiancé, and so their fates seemed almost as secondary. I kept wondering why Vörös didn't fill a more active role: he could probably have done a lot more (alright, at some point he was missing some of his tools... but there might have been a way to retrieve them), and instead kept going away. This didn't really fit with his claims of having wanted to warn people, to the point where his worry and eagerness actually achieved the contrary.
The Holocaust part, too, felt rushed, and not exploited in a way that could have made the novel really striking. I sensed that more could've been done to it, because the author definitely seemed to have a knack to describe both the camps and the life before them in a peaceful community.
Conclusion: a likeable story, with powerful elements that may not have been exploited to their fullest potential.
March 1, 2011
I really, really wanted to love this book, but I couldn't. I loved the themes, the plot, the ideas, but I just couldn't feel the characters, and that left me feeling like I was watching the book from the outside, instead of living in it. I'm sad.
February 11, 2023
Struggles to restrain some down-pitching YA tendencies in the last half, although the first part is successful enough to stand (favorable) comparison with other types of allegorical Holocaust literature, trumping even, for example, wispy allusivity of Badenheim 1939. All the same, the “point” of all this wizardry was itself fairly uncertain, save for the rabbi’s anger at Vörös being a clear representative of the guilt of survival and intra-communal mistreatment, understandably misdirected from the actual perpetrators — who are so little at hand in the aftermath — to those closest, no matter the fact that they are themselves in pain.
September 15, 2011
It’s about the magic of the shtetl v. the Holocaust, a wandering magician pitted against the local wonder-working rabbi who ignores the supernatural signs foretelling the Holocaust and wants to blame the magician for the disasters that befall his people and his family. (The magician is red-headed and called Voros, meaning red in Hungarian, hence the title.)
The book is very good on the shtetl itself, evoking its gentle internal rhythms of life but also the narrowness of it. The young girl who is the main character desperately longs to see distant lands. Her wish is gratified in the cruelly ironic, traditional way of wishes; that is, she winds up leaving her village in the camp transports and seeing things she never would have wished for. By the time Voros finds her, she is all but entirely numb to the supernatural visions of the greater world he can show her. She winds up being more useful to him than the other way around in his final confrontation with the grief-crazed but still-powerful rebbe.
Perhaps it shouldn't matter but somehow it does matter to me that the author is the daughter of Holocaust survivors, lending an authenticity to her descriptions of both the camps and the village life that preceded it.
The book is very good on the shtetl itself, evoking its gentle internal rhythms of life but also the narrowness of it. The young girl who is the main character desperately longs to see distant lands. Her wish is gratified in the cruelly ironic, traditional way of wishes; that is, she winds up leaving her village in the camp transports and seeing things she never would have wished for. By the time Voros finds her, she is all but entirely numb to the supernatural visions of the greater world he can show her. She winds up being more useful to him than the other way around in his final confrontation with the grief-crazed but still-powerful rebbe.
Perhaps it shouldn't matter but somehow it does matter to me that the author is the daughter of Holocaust survivors, lending an authenticity to her descriptions of both the camps and the village life that preceded it.
April 16, 2019
Love the premise and the book really comes alive in the last third. The rest feels a bit rushed.
September 16, 2018
Empecemos por lo más importante: en la contraportada de la edición que estoy reseñando te cuentan el final del libro. No es que no sea predecible, pero me ha dejado un poco impactada de todas formas.
Y ahora vayamos a la novela en sí. Por mí misma jamás habría elegido este libro. Las historias sobre la segunda guerra mundial me echan bastante para atrás en este momento y más si hay niños de por medio. Pero, como ha sido el primer libro para la genial idea del grupo de #LadyVaults (tiene grupo en goodreads y podéis buscar el hastagh en Twitter) decidí darle una oportunidad.
Ha sido una buena lectura, una especie de cuento moderno que utiliza el judaísmo como base mágica. Es una historia pausada y con grandes toques de belleza. Sin embargo los personajes son bastante planos, el libro es corto pero se queda escaso y lago a la vez, resulta muy predecible y las relaciones humanas no están muy bien construidas.
Como historia está bien, un libro recomendable, pero no me tipo usual de lectura. Aún así está bien salir de mi zona de confort para leer a más autoras.
Y ahora vayamos a la novela en sí. Por mí misma jamás habría elegido este libro. Las historias sobre la segunda guerra mundial me echan bastante para atrás en este momento y más si hay niños de por medio. Pero, como ha sido el primer libro para la genial idea del grupo de #LadyVaults (tiene grupo en goodreads y podéis buscar el hastagh en Twitter) decidí darle una oportunidad.
Ha sido una buena lectura, una especie de cuento moderno que utiliza el judaísmo como base mágica. Es una historia pausada y con grandes toques de belleza. Sin embargo los personajes son bastante planos, el libro es corto pero se queda escaso y lago a la vez, resulta muy predecible y las relaciones humanas no están muy bien construidas.
Como historia está bien, un libro recomendable, pero no me tipo usual de lectura. Aún así está bien salir de mi zona de confort para leer a más autoras.
September 19, 2018
The Red Magician reads like a fairytale set against the backdrop of World War II and the holocaust. It is a story about faith, magic, living and surviving.
I thought the first half of the story was very strong, atmospheric and beautifully written. The magic system is imbued with Jewish faith and theology and that is something that really intrigued me, as I am big on religious themes and how they are incorporated into fantasy.
The feeling of impending doom, with the villagers none the wiser kept me on the edge of my seat and I wanted to know what was going to happen.
However, in the middle the story lost a bit of steam. The storytelling became more streamlined, some characters appeared and disappeared with little impact to the story and the dialogue and character interactions became somewhat repetitive.
I did like the open ended conclusion and would want to read more from this author, but this particular novel was a bit of a mixed bag. A very strong start and a little lukewarm ending.
I thought the first half of the story was very strong, atmospheric and beautifully written. The magic system is imbued with Jewish faith and theology and that is something that really intrigued me, as I am big on religious themes and how they are incorporated into fantasy.
The feeling of impending doom, with the villagers none the wiser kept me on the edge of my seat and I wanted to know what was going to happen.
However, in the middle the story lost a bit of steam. The storytelling became more streamlined, some characters appeared and disappeared with little impact to the story and the dialogue and character interactions became somewhat repetitive.
I did like the open ended conclusion and would want to read more from this author, but this particular novel was a bit of a mixed bag. A very strong start and a little lukewarm ending.
January 24, 2020
I loved this book. I could not put it down. i read it in one day. It was trippy, creepy and sad, but as it was about the Holocaust, that was expected. I don't want to give spoilers, so I won't say much about the story, but it's basically about a magician who comes to a town and tries to warn them about the Holocaust, and the horrors that they will all soon face, and no one believes him, except one young girl, I think she's 13 when she meets him and she's 18 when the soldiers come to the town. The magic system in this book works, and it works well. It's believable magic. I also like that the ending is believable, the magic doesn't save the day, it doesn't overwhelm the story, modern medicine and the real life events save the day, and the ending is sad and beautiful and perfect for that story.
June 3, 2022
The Red Magician is touched by magic! Set in Eastern Europe at the wake of WWII, this book reads a bit like a historical fiction as well as a coming of age story but with fantasy elements of magic and Jewish folklore. The parallel of strange supernatural happenings around a small village and the very real horrors of the Holocaust provide an interesting backdrop to a story about a young girl and a traveling stranger, a magician.
It was especially fascinating to read a book taking place in our world, on our timeline, with fantasy featured throughout. Makes one wonder if perhaps there's still magic to be found in our world.
It was especially fascinating to read a book taking place in our world, on our timeline, with fantasy featured throughout. Makes one wonder if perhaps there's still magic to be found in our world.
December 7, 2019
"But I would like to think that there was a - a reason for her death, and for the deaths of so many other people. It may be that there is no answer. It may be - it is likely - that I shall die before I find it. But I cannot accept that her death, so young, had no meaning. That is something I cannot understand."
I doubt that there is a book, a film, a work of art of any kind that can truly express the sadness and horror of the Holocaust.
Nevertheless, both of Lisa Goldstein's parents were Holocaust survivors, and this fine book honors them.
I doubt that there is a book, a film, a work of art of any kind that can truly express the sadness and horror of the Holocaust.
Nevertheless, both of Lisa Goldstein's parents were Holocaust survivors, and this fine book honors them.
October 5, 2018
I really didn't enjoy this book. I didn't like the way it was written. It felt as if it was supposed to be a bit fairytalesque but didn't quite manage it. The charectures were very 2 dimensional and the pacing in the book was very bad. I really wanted to enjoy this but actually dnfed it near the end as I just didn't have the heart to finish the last couple of chapters.
November 6, 2014
See Read-Alikes on The Book Adventures on November 3rd, 2014.
The Red Magician is a story about Kicsi, a young girl living in a remote village in Eastern Europe during the 1940s. Kicsi believes in magic: in the rabbi’s ability to perform miracles and to curse people, and in the wondrous tricks of an enigmatic traveler, Vörös. Kicsi yearns for adventure, but first she finds horror and trauma. There are three parts to this novel – Kicsi’s life in the village and the conflict between her traveler friend and the rabbi; the advent of the Holocaust and its impact on Kicsi and her village, including Kicsi’s transportation to and imprisonment in a concentration camp; and the return journey Vörös and Kicsi make to confront the rabbi, who has conflated his enemies into Voros.
The whole explores the journey of a young girl from childhood to adulthood, which challenges the child’s belief in magic. It’s about the effects of trauma, the destructive power of fear, grief, and hate, and the redeeming power of love and compassion. It’s about survival.
While this isn’t exactly my usual reading fare, and to say that I enjoyed it doesn’t seem to fit, I did find it compelling and evocative. Even with the description, I wasn’t expecting the Holocaust at first – not until the soldiers knocked on the door to Kicsi’s family home. The time that Kicsi spends in the concentration camp is not graphic or detailed, and it doesn’t distract from the themes of the novel, of magic and survival, but as a reader I felt the horrors that Kicsi lives through. The suspense leading up to her internment, the soldiers, the separation from her family, the train ride, made my heart beat faster, and I felt dread for Kicsi and her loved ones.
The last part of the novel felt less suspenseful but more weighty. Here, Vörös confronts Kicsi’s survivor’s guilt as well as the grief-stricken and vengeful rabbi. The rabbi, while the villain for much of the tale, is not the black half of the black-and-white picture – instead, he is a sad and fearful man who denies what he knows to be true, and then turns one of his opponents into the cause of all his losses. Because he is not evil, when Vörös gives him an opportunity to redeem himself, he is able to change. Each of the characters had their own stories to tell, their own experiences to share, and their own voices. They fit very well together, and melded well with the events to create a convincing plot.
I enjoyed the mix of historical events and magic, the role magic plays in the events, and in the characters’ survival. The tone gives the story a dreamy feel, which felt appropriate at different times for different reasons. In Kicsi’s village, it felt right because the magic seemed such a part of the community life, almost in the way of superstitions. In the concentration camp, it felt right because Kicsi at times steps outside herself, sleepwalking through much of her imprisonment.
One little thing: I am becoming more interested lately in the Jewish magic of the golem. I want to read more stories with golems in them. How do they fit into Jewish folklore? How are they similar or different to magical creatures from other cultures or religions?
Overall, this book is fascinating and well worth a read.
The Red Magician is a story about Kicsi, a young girl living in a remote village in Eastern Europe during the 1940s. Kicsi believes in magic: in the rabbi’s ability to perform miracles and to curse people, and in the wondrous tricks of an enigmatic traveler, Vörös. Kicsi yearns for adventure, but first she finds horror and trauma. There are three parts to this novel – Kicsi’s life in the village and the conflict between her traveler friend and the rabbi; the advent of the Holocaust and its impact on Kicsi and her village, including Kicsi’s transportation to and imprisonment in a concentration camp; and the return journey Vörös and Kicsi make to confront the rabbi, who has conflated his enemies into Voros.
The whole explores the journey of a young girl from childhood to adulthood, which challenges the child’s belief in magic. It’s about the effects of trauma, the destructive power of fear, grief, and hate, and the redeeming power of love and compassion. It’s about survival.
While this isn’t exactly my usual reading fare, and to say that I enjoyed it doesn’t seem to fit, I did find it compelling and evocative. Even with the description, I wasn’t expecting the Holocaust at first – not until the soldiers knocked on the door to Kicsi’s family home. The time that Kicsi spends in the concentration camp is not graphic or detailed, and it doesn’t distract from the themes of the novel, of magic and survival, but as a reader I felt the horrors that Kicsi lives through. The suspense leading up to her internment, the soldiers, the separation from her family, the train ride, made my heart beat faster, and I felt dread for Kicsi and her loved ones.
The last part of the novel felt less suspenseful but more weighty. Here, Vörös confronts Kicsi’s survivor’s guilt as well as the grief-stricken and vengeful rabbi. The rabbi, while the villain for much of the tale, is not the black half of the black-and-white picture – instead, he is a sad and fearful man who denies what he knows to be true, and then turns one of his opponents into the cause of all his losses. Because he is not evil, when Vörös gives him an opportunity to redeem himself, he is able to change. Each of the characters had their own stories to tell, their own experiences to share, and their own voices. They fit very well together, and melded well with the events to create a convincing plot.
I enjoyed the mix of historical events and magic, the role magic plays in the events, and in the characters’ survival. The tone gives the story a dreamy feel, which felt appropriate at different times for different reasons. In Kicsi’s village, it felt right because the magic seemed such a part of the community life, almost in the way of superstitions. In the concentration camp, it felt right because Kicsi at times steps outside herself, sleepwalking through much of her imprisonment.
One little thing: I am becoming more interested lately in the Jewish magic of the golem. I want to read more stories with golems in them. How do they fit into Jewish folklore? How are they similar or different to magical creatures from other cultures or religions?
Overall, this book is fascinating and well worth a read.
November 29, 2014
The Red Magician is a Young Adult book about a traveler who visits a Jewish village where young Kiesi lives and warns her and her village that they need to leave because his dreams tell him that trouble is coming. How hard would it be to believe a stranger’s dreams? What if other signs began occurring? Kiesi wants to leave. She sees it as a great adventure and a way to leave her home. But the adults have worked hard for all that they own. The Rabbi tells the villagers not to listen to the red magician named Voros. Voros warns them continually, but the people of the village believe that there is strength in the numbers of people who are Jewish. They also do not believe there could be such cruelty in the world as Voros foretells. The trouble does come- in the form of the Holocaust.
The beauty of the book is the Jewish folklore and mysticism spread throughout in the form of golems, sorcerers, curses, and spells. Also that this subject matter is being delivered to Young adult audiences, even as we get further away in time from the Holocaust, will help people to remember this important part of our history.
When an author approaches such a serious subject matter as this one to a YA audience, I think there is a fine line that must be considered. One does not want to cross the line bringing up inappropriate feelings for children of that age. However, one wants to come close to the line, letting the reader feel how important the subject is. I thought the author could have come closer to the line. I thought she played it safe. However, this is a 1983 book and if she had written it now, perhaps she might have felt freer with her material.
This book allows opportunities to explore themes such as the Holocaust, strength in difficult times, cruelty here and in other parts of the world, vengeance, and many others.
This book won the National Book Award in 1983, but is just now being released in e-book.
*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review.
The beauty of the book is the Jewish folklore and mysticism spread throughout in the form of golems, sorcerers, curses, and spells. Also that this subject matter is being delivered to Young adult audiences, even as we get further away in time from the Holocaust, will help people to remember this important part of our history.
When an author approaches such a serious subject matter as this one to a YA audience, I think there is a fine line that must be considered. One does not want to cross the line bringing up inappropriate feelings for children of that age. However, one wants to come close to the line, letting the reader feel how important the subject is. I thought the author could have come closer to the line. I thought she played it safe. However, this is a 1983 book and if she had written it now, perhaps she might have felt freer with her material.
This book allows opportunities to explore themes such as the Holocaust, strength in difficult times, cruelty here and in other parts of the world, vengeance, and many others.
This book won the National Book Award in 1983, but is just now being released in e-book.
*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review.
October 16, 2014
http://koeur.wordpress.com/2014/10/16...
Publisher: Open Road Media
Publishing Date: 1982, July 1995, October 2014
ISBN: 9781497673595
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4.4/5
Publisher Description: In the schoolroom of a simple European village, Kicsi spends her days dreaming of the lands beyond the mountains: Paris and New York, Arabia and Shanghai. When the local rabbi curses Kicsi’s school for teaching lessons in Hebrew, the holy tongue, the possibility of adventure seems further away than ever. But when a mysterious stranger appears telling stories of far-off lands, Kicsi feels the world within her grasp. His name is Vörös, and he is a magician’s assistant who seems to have powers all his own. There is darkness growing at the edge of the village—a darkness far blacker than any rabbi’s curse. Vörös warns of the Nazi threat, but only Kicsi hears what he says. As evil consumes a continent, Vörös will teach Kicsi that sometimes the magician’s greatest trick is survival.
Review: This was originally written back in 1982 and was granted wide acclaim. Philip K. Dick even praised this work. The writing style is this strangely stilted dialogue and scene shifting that is never mired in the past. The prose hiccups and burps its way into present instances that become an impactful source for the characters. It is at once simple yet resides within a complex fantasy of magic without understanding what is really at play. This unknown quality keeps you wending your way through the story-line, seeking answers to a mystery that lays just beneath. There are some areas that involve lengthy scene and dialogue expressions that help to build the characters yet fall a little flat IMO. Still, a very good work to settle into.
Publisher: Open Road Media
Publishing Date: 1982, July 1995, October 2014
ISBN: 9781497673595
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4.4/5
Publisher Description: In the schoolroom of a simple European village, Kicsi spends her days dreaming of the lands beyond the mountains: Paris and New York, Arabia and Shanghai. When the local rabbi curses Kicsi’s school for teaching lessons in Hebrew, the holy tongue, the possibility of adventure seems further away than ever. But when a mysterious stranger appears telling stories of far-off lands, Kicsi feels the world within her grasp. His name is Vörös, and he is a magician’s assistant who seems to have powers all his own. There is darkness growing at the edge of the village—a darkness far blacker than any rabbi’s curse. Vörös warns of the Nazi threat, but only Kicsi hears what he says. As evil consumes a continent, Vörös will teach Kicsi that sometimes the magician’s greatest trick is survival.
Review: This was originally written back in 1982 and was granted wide acclaim. Philip K. Dick even praised this work. The writing style is this strangely stilted dialogue and scene shifting that is never mired in the past. The prose hiccups and burps its way into present instances that become an impactful source for the characters. It is at once simple yet resides within a complex fantasy of magic without understanding what is really at play. This unknown quality keeps you wending your way through the story-line, seeking answers to a mystery that lays just beneath. There are some areas that involve lengthy scene and dialogue expressions that help to build the characters yet fall a little flat IMO. Still, a very good work to settle into.
October 27, 2014
Thanks to Open Road Integrated Media and Netgalley for the free review copy.
This is a masterfully written book. Ms. Goldstein effortlessly blends four different layers into her novel.
There is the exterior layer of fantasy and magic (the ongoing dispute between Voros, the Red Magician, and the village rabbi, a powerful magician in his own right); the historical layer, which deals with life in a Jewish village in Hungary before, during and after the Holocaust (which irrevocably changes the village and villagers forever); the allegorical layer of the battle between the new (the Red Magician) and the old (the rabbi), and finally, the most important and deepest layer, the philosophical foundation of the whole novel.
What emerges from this final layer of the book is what intrigued me the most and what separates it from decent and good YA/fantasy. These are important messages, with great meaning, for different readers.
First, happiness and joy can make people complacent and cause them to ignore change and new realities, much to their detriment.
Second, question authority. Does the authority have all the facts. Is he (or she) being objective or is there a hidden agenda.
Third, revenge does not work. Getting on with your life does.
Fourth, change will always occur. It may be good or bad, but it must be dealt with.
And finally, sometimes listen to what others have to say.
Overall, a masterful book. And one I would recommend to someone going through a rough time or to young adults who need to understand what life can be about and how to deal with it.
A really good read!
This is a masterfully written book. Ms. Goldstein effortlessly blends four different layers into her novel.
There is the exterior layer of fantasy and magic (the ongoing dispute between Voros, the Red Magician, and the village rabbi, a powerful magician in his own right); the historical layer, which deals with life in a Jewish village in Hungary before, during and after the Holocaust (which irrevocably changes the village and villagers forever); the allegorical layer of the battle between the new (the Red Magician) and the old (the rabbi), and finally, the most important and deepest layer, the philosophical foundation of the whole novel.
What emerges from this final layer of the book is what intrigued me the most and what separates it from decent and good YA/fantasy. These are important messages, with great meaning, for different readers.
First, happiness and joy can make people complacent and cause them to ignore change and new realities, much to their detriment.
Second, question authority. Does the authority have all the facts. Is he (or she) being objective or is there a hidden agenda.
Third, revenge does not work. Getting on with your life does.
Fourth, change will always occur. It may be good or bad, but it must be dealt with.
And finally, sometimes listen to what others have to say.
Overall, a masterful book. And one I would recommend to someone going through a rough time or to young adults who need to understand what life can be about and how to deal with it.
A really good read!
October 22, 2020
This book felt somewhat strange to me. The framing story is the battle between the titular magician, Vorös, and the rabbi of a Jewish town in Hungary, who also has magical powers: Vorös comes to the town to warn its inhabitants that bad things will happen and everybody should leave, the rabbi thinks that this is not necessary, and this disagreement turns into a magical feud. Of course, as the reader is painfully aware, the danger of which Vorös is warning is the Holocaust, which shows up partway through the book and kills off pretty much all the characters except for Vorös, our heroine Kicsi, and, of course, the rabbi. And yet the climax is not that, or the liberation of the camp that Kicsi ends up in, but a battle, after the war is over, between Vorös and the rabbi. Which suggests, whether or not Goldstein intended it that way, that the rabbi -- and by extension, as the rabbi is pretty clearly intended to stand for the old, insular world of the shtetl (while Vorös is cosmopolitan and widely-traveled), the leaders of the Jewish communities of Central and Eastern Europe in general -- bears some responsibility for the deaths of everybody he knew. This strikes me as quite unfair, and left a sour taste in my mouth, although somewhat balanced by the sensitive way that the post-Holocaust part of the book deals with Kicsi's trauma and survivor's guilt. Also, although it's readable by adults, as an adult you never forget that what you're reading is a kids book.
January 9, 2016
I'm going to join the throng of reviewers who said they wanted to like this book, but just - didn't - feel it.
In the beginning, a Hungarian village obeys its Rebbe, whose curse is feared and whose wisdom in trusted. But why, wonders young Kisci, would the rabbi curse the local school for teaching Hebrew? After all, it's spoken in Palestine -- A central battle is set up between the Rebbe and Voros, the Red Magician, who is warning the townspeople to leave before it's too late. His warning is not specific. The two seem to compete for the soul of the town, with duelling visions and tricks.
All is like a fairy tale until the day when the Nazis arrive, occupy the town, and remove the Jews. From that point until the end of WWII, all is horror piled on horror, described in hyper-realistic terms. And then, the war ends, and the old struggle between the Rebbe and Voros begins again.
Perhaps magic and realism can not mesh in real life, but in a work of magical realism, the reader has some expectations. These are not met, jarring the reader, who has already been unable to bond with any of the characters except Kisci.
Again, I wanted to like this book. Alas.
I received this book from NetGalley. This is an honest review.
In the beginning, a Hungarian village obeys its Rebbe, whose curse is feared and whose wisdom in trusted. But why, wonders young Kisci, would the rabbi curse the local school for teaching Hebrew? After all, it's spoken in Palestine -- A central battle is set up between the Rebbe and Voros, the Red Magician, who is warning the townspeople to leave before it's too late. His warning is not specific. The two seem to compete for the soul of the town, with duelling visions and tricks.
All is like a fairy tale until the day when the Nazis arrive, occupy the town, and remove the Jews. From that point until the end of WWII, all is horror piled on horror, described in hyper-realistic terms. And then, the war ends, and the old struggle between the Rebbe and Voros begins again.
Perhaps magic and realism can not mesh in real life, but in a work of magical realism, the reader has some expectations. These are not met, jarring the reader, who has already been unable to bond with any of the characters except Kisci.
Again, I wanted to like this book. Alas.
I received this book from NetGalley. This is an honest review.
December 5, 2014
'The Red Magician' by Lisa Goldstein is a pretty good story of magical realism. I thought the setting worked better than some stories I've read in the same setting.
Kicsi is a young Jewish girl living in a small village in Europe before the beginning of World War II. A strange magician named Voros comes to town and Kicsi is quite taken with him. He claims to be quite old, but he doesn't look like he is. He takes up residence outside the village and has dire warnings for the villagers. One man stands in his way, the local rabbi. The two men begin a battle of wills that is largely internal as far as I can tell. With danger looming, Kicsi knows who she wants to side with, but will it be too late?
I liked the story. It's not straight up fantasy, but it's not a strict drama. Voros has magic, but he's not all powerful. He's also not all knowing and seems fallible. Kicsi grows quite a bit during the story due to circumstances. I quite liked it.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Open Road Integrated Media and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
Kicsi is a young Jewish girl living in a small village in Europe before the beginning of World War II. A strange magician named Voros comes to town and Kicsi is quite taken with him. He claims to be quite old, but he doesn't look like he is. He takes up residence outside the village and has dire warnings for the villagers. One man stands in his way, the local rabbi. The two men begin a battle of wills that is largely internal as far as I can tell. With danger looming, Kicsi knows who she wants to side with, but will it be too late?
I liked the story. It's not straight up fantasy, but it's not a strict drama. Voros has magic, but he's not all powerful. He's also not all knowing and seems fallible. Kicsi grows quite a bit during the story due to circumstances. I quite liked it.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Open Road Integrated Media and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
October 16, 2014
3,5 stars
The book follows Kisci, a young Jewish girl, from a small Hungarian village in the 1930s. When a red-haired stranger called Vörös, who can see to the future, comes to the village and tells about horrors to come, the village rabbi refuses to listen and insists that nothing will happen. The two men clash and becomes the talk of the village. But Kisci believes Vörös and wants to help him protecting the village. But then the Nazis come and everything changes.
This is YA book about Holocaust mixed with magic and it’s quite short being only 144 pages.
I liked it but since it’s so short it gets kinda jumpy at some points. Suddenly you notice that one year has gone and people have gone from just falling in love to be practically engaged. The year in the concentration camp is covered quite hastily but since this is targeted to younger people it might be a good thing too. We still get the desperation and hopelessness through.
I liked that while Kisci and Vörös are drawn together it’s not romantic. There was just enough magic mixed with history that it fitted.
The book follows Kisci, a young Jewish girl, from a small Hungarian village in the 1930s. When a red-haired stranger called Vörös, who can see to the future, comes to the village and tells about horrors to come, the village rabbi refuses to listen and insists that nothing will happen. The two men clash and becomes the talk of the village. But Kisci believes Vörös and wants to help him protecting the village. But then the Nazis come and everything changes.
This is YA book about Holocaust mixed with magic and it’s quite short being only 144 pages.
I liked it but since it’s so short it gets kinda jumpy at some points. Suddenly you notice that one year has gone and people have gone from just falling in love to be practically engaged. The year in the concentration camp is covered quite hastily but since this is targeted to younger people it might be a good thing too. We still get the desperation and hopelessness through.
I liked that while Kisci and Vörös are drawn together it’s not romantic. There was just enough magic mixed with history that it fitted.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews