Four Ordinary Heroes

The Warsaw Diary Keeper by Avi Dobzinski is a powerful historical novel that has been constructed around the author’s wife’s aunt’s wartime diaries.

This is a heartbreaking book about the effects of war on a Jewish family of four, living in Poland.

In order to survive the family had to adapt and reinvent themselves as Roman Catholics. “You will have to learn to walk through the world as someone else” was the message given to the two girls aged just twelve and seven. This cannot have been easy – but the family of four realised that their lives were at stake. First Poland was invaded by the Soviets and then the Germans.

Everyone from the very youngest daughter wanted to help the war effort. Though only young, the youngest daughter delivered underground newspapers. She was very brave.

Hitler’s policy to eradicate the Jewish people soon spread throughout Poland. “Neighbours who had been polite in shops… had turned into monsters overnight.” Nowhere was totally safe for the family, who travelled to various places within Poland, trying to stay alive. This is their war. We see events through their eyes. We witness the bravery of them all, even the very young. We cannot imagine the fear the parents had for the safety of their girls.

War is not glamourous. There are heroes and there are villains. This is a book about a family of heroes – They moved. They adapted. They survived.

This book must be read in memory of the six million innocents who died, and of those who survived.

I received a free copy from the author. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

JULIA WILSON