The Bronski House
by Philip Marsden
Overview
From the publisher:
In 1992, accompanied by Philip Marsden, the exiled poet Zofia Ilinska stepped into the Belorussian village of her childhood.
The Bronski House is the story of what she found - but it is also hte even more remarkable story of her mother, of her coming of age during the Russian Revolution, of her dramatic escapes from the Bolsheviks, Germand and partisans, of her love and loss in a now-vanished world.
My Thoughts
I really enjoyed this book. I had no idea what to expect when I started reading but as the story unfolded, I enjoyed the way that a non-fiction book read like a fiction book. Very interesting writing perspective.
The story is also a bit like a mystery, and I was drawn in quickly and eagerly. I can't imagine the lifestyle that is described, nor can I begin to imagine what those days were like, having to uproot the family time and time again because war is crashing down all around you. And yet there were survivors.
It's an amazing story. I enjoyed every bit of it.
Favorite Passage
At the other end of the house lived a young curate, tall and thin like a poplar. He painted scenes from the life of Christ: great block of colour with twisted, scarecrow figures. Helena used to watch him work. She marvelled at teh care that went into something that turned out so dull. He took her interest for admiration, and when he left, on a special mission to Rome, presented her with a picture of the disciples crossing a cornfield.
'How lovely,' she exclaimed. 'Boats, on a lovely yellow lake!'
