HOUSE OF DOLLS

by Ka.tznetnik 135633 ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

Though this is definitely presented as a novel, it is obvious that the author experienced many of the incidents here himself, or through others whom he knew. This fact gives this story of what happened to Daniella Proleshnik and her older brother, Harry, Polish Jews, an even stronger sense of horror than it otherwise would have. Briefly, Daniella is on a school trip in Cracow, away from her family, when the Germans arrive- and Harry has been living in that city. She spends three years (from 14 to 17) in one ghetto there and Harry visits her, against the rules, from another nearby. He is rounded up in an Akrion and sent to a Labor Camp and shortly she too is sent off to Camp Labor Via Joy, in which the girls either do Labor work, or are assigned to the House of Dolls where they ""service"" German soldiers on their way to the front. The book is written in part realistically- in part impressionistically. The two styles do not combine well to give the characters dimension- but serve to project the horror involved- which is the primary purpose here. A timely reminder as the U.S. re-arms the Germans, but one which is unlikely to reach many people. For where it may succeed as propaganda, it fails as a novel.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1954

Categories: FICTION