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Book Review By Lillian B Herzberg
Kindness of Strangers by Lillian Belinfante Herzberg

Erna, a widow, and her only child, 16-year-old Alice, know they must leave Czechoslovakia, the country of their ancestors, before the Nazis take over complete control if they are to survive. They are joined by Belo, an enthusiastic Zionist. Escape plans are made. To facilitate their escape Alice and 25 year old Belo marry. The trio travel to Brindisi, Italy, from where they plan to sail clandestinely to Palestine. The ship never comes and they are stranded, deserted and destitute. They face an unknown fate in the summer of 1939. Making their way to Genoa they narrowly escape death when it is the first area in Italy to be attacked by the Allies. They spend nine years in Italy during which time the Italian people, overlooking differences of nationality and religion, show a simple, uncomplicated type of goodness and compassion.   


Plot & Themes
War/Cloak & Dagger story? - holocaust
War/Spying Yes
Period of greatest activity? - 1900+

Subject of Biography
Gender - Female
Ethnicity - Jew

Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings? - 3 ()
Europe Yes
European country: - Italy
Mountains/Cliffs Yes
Mountains: - climbing on trails
Small town? Yes
Small town people: - nice, like Andy/Opie/Aunt Bee
Century: - 1930's-1950's

Writing Style
Book makes you feel? - encouraged
How much dialogue in bio? - significantly more dialog than descript
How much of bio focuses on most famous period of life? - 76%-100% of book
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