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Really a sad, touching story. While I almost wanted to shake Otto at times for being so selfish I too understand his need to keep a family and the wife he has adored.
This story is one I will never forget; while the writing can be choppy at times the premise of Betty's story hooks you to the end. Betty's love and memories of her first love sustained her through many of lifes events.
I have to give this book 5 stars. Betty was fortunate to have those loving memories with her first love before the war and it is only natural for her to hold on to those when times were too difficult to take.
The fact that she was able to reconnect with him 30 years later is unbelievable. This book I felt had an underlying message that war shatters lives.
I hope that Richie Kovacs has found peace within his own life and has accepted his lose of Betty; again. I'm lending it out to many friends.Was this story ever made into a movie.
Almost unbelievable story, and very difficult to put this book down. Read it in less than a week. Great insight into that time of history and the struggles of an individual and her family that had to endure the pain of war and persecution. Highly recommended.
Essentially, Richie is young Betty's first love. Her husband slaves away, working endless hours trying to earn enough money to give her and the children a good life, but Schimmel seems to act like she's doing him some kind of favor by sticking around. An avid reader of historical fiction and non-fiction, especially pertaining to the Holocaust, I found Betty Schimmel's story to be a strong, engaging read. If only they could find one another, she believes, they'll have their storybook wedding and live happily ever after.Soon after the war's end, Betty meets Otto Schimmel, another young Holocaust survivor who begs her to marry him. Regardless, Schimmel's memoir *is* written in a strong, clear voice, and is truly a story readers are bound to remember for years to come. The two meet when she is only twelve, and their relationship intensifies by the time she is 14. As the years pass, Schimmel remains emotionally withdrawn from the marriage.
But overall, her "reminiscing" about Richie tends to take on the feel of sappy teenager, not really looking at reality. The story of her survival in a concentration camp as a teenager is nothing short of miraculous, as well as the way she rebuilt her life in the years following the war's end.However, the one thing I *didn't* care for was Schimmel's romance with Richie Kovacs -- the key plot description on the back cover and the situation referenced by the title. Otto Schimmel is not Richie Kovacs and never could be, so obviously he's not worth any love or affection.Eventually, Schimmel does realize that her relationship with Richie is in the past, and that she has a good man in Otto. When wartime relocation of Jews caused the couple to become separated, Richie is the only thing that keeps the traumatized Betty going. She agrees -- largely because her family adores him, and she believes Richie is dead. Perhaps Richie Kovacs was indeed Betty's "one true love"; or, more realistically, she simply idealized him, because he symbolized the happy life that was so horribly snatched away from her. It would just be much better without focusing upon the Richie angle so much.
I have never ever read a book that touched my life like this one, I read this over 12 months ago now and it still has a place in my heart, I wanted the end to be different but I could understand why she did what she did, loved it that much, I am going to visit the area, to anyone thinking about reading this, don't think no more, it is the best book you'll ever read.Love Amanda
What an amazing true story. Incredible, I could not believe how Betty's life has unfolded. I truly great story to read and I highly recommend it.
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