Assessment:
Plot/Idea: This promising plot revolves around conversations between a Vietnam veteran, a World War II German veteran, and an Auschwitz survivor, exploring humankind's culpability for evil acts. An allegory about human nature, the book starts off strong, but Canfield's overuse of supporting quotes from external sources distracts in the end.
Prose: When Canfield focuses on characters, the prose flows smoothly and allows for deeper insights—especially regarding the protagonist Will. However, the heavy use of quotations from other sources gives the novel more of a textbook feel.
Originality: The novel shows great promise, and using three distinctive characters, each possessing divergent perspectives and life experiences, is a gripping concept.
Character/Execution: Canfield mimics the trauma aftereffects of war in the novel's partial access to its characters, particularly with Will; readers are allowed unpredictable glimpses into his struggles following his return from Vietnam—and only intermittent exposure to the darkness lurking inside of him. Johann is less relatable, but Lena is a riveting character: an Auschwitz survivor caught between righteous anger while desperately wanting to be at peace, she is a definite standout.
Date Submitted: August 10, 2023
"There is no paradigmatic Holocaust survivor but in the character of Lena, Curt Canfield has drawn a believable portrait of one who was an educated Polish Jew, survived Auschwitz, and came to America to rebuild her life. As a woman who spent most of her life in America and had an American education and career, her speech patterns and cultural references resemble the middle-class Americans she lived and worked with. But, like most survivors, her memories of the destruction of her own family and the extermination of Europe's Jews are a source of endless pain and anger."
"...And I can only confirm nearly everything you have written ... you have described the reality of German thinking … between 1914 and 1948.
"... it was unknown to me that the conduct of cases in Nuremberg did not comply with the US American technical rules of evidence and did not need a chain of custody for each piece of evidence. To my previous knowledge the tribunal did only not comply with German case law and legal practice and code of procedure. I have never heard or read anything about this lack according to US American laws and rules in the German literature. This seems to be unknown in Germany.
“As a summary I would like to express that the sample of your manuscript promises that the book will be very worth reading and an eye opener for American and British people who are not captured by preconceptions.”
I think it's a very good review [Booklife] ... The only criticisms I see are as follows:"1) Use of quotations is distracting (reads like a textbook at times)." The fact that this criticism is mentioned twice leads me to believe this may be a pet peeve of the reviewer. I like the quotes and appreciate the historical references ... It is as much of the story as the actual plot and helps [to] understand the "world" [during the] time period. I don't think people will be put off by this.
"Terrific!! The narrative really grabs you and won't let go ... I think your connection to The Pilgrim's Progress is very important, because it anchors the work firmly in a time and place, and in a very fixed state of mind and being. The mystery of your two opening characters is very strong. The reader is anxious to discover who they actually are and why destiny has brought them together at this time and place, and where it will take them from here.
“For me, your use of setting, dialogue, and character development were very strong. I trust you will be able to sustain the quality of narrative through what appears to be a long novel ... I think you have something going here that has strong potential ..."
“Your book … has been truly a captivating read … I found the book to be exceptionally courageous and learned many fascinating insights and facts … The characters are intriguing, and I was eager to discover how the plot developed and unfolded between Will, Johann, and Lena … Will’s conversations with Johann are at times very difficult to digest … I wonder how many people are truly ready to unravel the painful and uncomfortable truth, the overall message of redemption is something every person from every nation needs to hear
"As a therapist treating PTSD, I found Will's depiction of battling the beast to be highly accurate in how the condition manifests itself. In my experience, I've worked with several clients who are children of veterans suffering from complex trauma rooted in generational trauma, much like Will and his father. Will’s experience alone with the deer was traumatic, never mind the trauma of being raised with such an unempathetic father, with his own war trauma, and then going on to experience war firsthand. Layers and layers!
"A number of years ago I learned about the bombing of Dresden and the thousands of German women and children (mostly refugees from the East) who were killed. I was horrified and shared this with an American friend who responded with very little empathy and said ‘well, the Germans got what they deserved.’ I was flabbergasted that this is still the response of Americans today, and how such thinking has been so deeply ingrained.
“From my visits to Poland as well as hours of research, I learned that the war is still very much alive for many people and is still a sensitive topic … I have learned that it is really difficult to awaken people from the illusion of what we have been taught. Nonetheless, you have done a marvelous job of cleverly and engagingly presenting the truth in such a touching story, one that just might engage those not otherwise open or interested in digging into and researching such subjects. My prayer and hope would be that numerous people would read your book and … open their minds (and hearts) to the truth about how the world is genuinely managed, but most of all, to the truth about the deep love and redemption that is available to every human.”
