Official Review: The Reluctant Refugee by George M Decsy
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- AntonelaMaria
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Official Review: The Reluctant Refugee by George M Decsy
The Reluctant Refugee: Are lingering memories worth retaining? is a memoir by George M. Decsy. This memoir begins in 1989 when George receives word from Hungary that his biological father, whom he never met, is on his deathbed. He wants to go back to Budapest and meet with him. The first part of the book is a flashback to 1956 when George and his mother, together with his two half-siblings, escaped Hungary. Gita, George’s mother, wanted to go to America, but the family finds a new home in the United Kingdom. There they await a reunion with George’s stepfather, Julius. Another part of the book is also about George’s assimilation into England. Mostly, this book is telling a story about George’s childhood.
“Is the place we call ‘home’ a mere accident of birth or where one finds comfortable refuge? Is ‘father’ the unwitting sperm donor or the man who is there to catch you when you fall, shows the way when lost, tucks you in, reads you to sleep?”
This quote sums up the premise of this memoir very well. We are all products of our environment. Nevertheless, these are the questions we often ask ourselves. The author takes us through his past, and each reader will relate and reminisce about his own story. Past shapes us in an unfathomable way. I applaud the author for writing such a vulnerable and personal story. That is my favorite part of this book. It is honest, realistic, raw, and perfectly imperfect. The recollection of George’s life in vivid colors took me on a melancholy journey.
I wish that there were more stories about George as an adult. There is only one chapter with him arriving in Hungary and meeting with his father. I’m also curious how the author chooses which memories to share with us. Because here we have specific things shared with the reader and then little when the author was older. None of those things affected my rating or reading experience. They are all my subjective observation.
If you are interested in a family-based story told through years and various countries, this is a book for you. I would recommend this book to all readers of historical fiction, memoirs, and biographies. Keep in mind that some topics discussed can be triggering. There is the talk of abuse, war, death, and regime-ridden country.
I would rate this book with four out of four stars. There are no apparent grammatical errors, and editing is marvelous. The reader, on the other hand, must become accustomed to the writing style. Once the author mentions something, he, later on, has a habit of using abbreviations. Because this book moved me and made me retrospect on my journey, it was very emotional and, as mentioned, edited well. So, I can’t rate it with anything less than a perfect score.
******
The Reluctant Refugee
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- Mercy119
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Yes, it definitely sets the tone of the book. Thank you for reading.Fireside119 wrote: ↑13 May 2021, 10:37 The quote you shared reveals the relevance of the title. I like that the author opened up about his life since many can relate to his predicament.
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- AntonelaMaria
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I hope you enjoy it!Kanchan Sharma wrote: ↑14 May 2021, 06:30 I haven't read a family book from long time. I would definitely love to read the book.
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And thank you for reading!Booklover Becca wrote: ↑14 May 2021, 15:02 What a great story to transport you back to a time in the past, but as you said the past is what shapes us. Thanks for the great revirw
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Good review.
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