Title :
My Mother's Secret
Author :
J.L.Witterick
Publisher : IUniverse
ISBN : 9781475962574
A lot has
been chronicled about the events that led to World War II, the barbarity that
many underwent during that time, the unhealed scars, the aftermaths of the war
and widespread destruction that those years caused. This period is nothing
short of a black mark on the face of humankind.
Having
said that, if times like these bring out the worst in many, many rise much
above the rest, forgetting their personal security and survival to epitomize a
true human. These ordinary individuals with their compassion and sympathy
become angels for others. And the more we read about such individuals the
lesser it is. J.K. Witterick is one author who wanted to write to make a
difference. Through 'My Mother's Secret', she brings out a courageous story of
a mother and a daughter based on a true story in the times of Holocaust.
Franciszka
takes a firm decision to leave Germany and her Nazi sympathizer husband for
Poland when Hitler became chancellor in 1933. Her elder son Damian and daughter
Helena are more than pleased to leave their father. Poland at that point was a
melting pot of people who were Polish, Ukrainians and Jews, though all
mistrusting each other.
Piece by
piece Franciszka built a decent life for her children but it was not lost on
them that Poland would soon be taken over by Germany and that happened in 1939
with complete invasion in 1941 disrespecting the pact that was signed by Hitler
and Stalin.
Franciszka
and Helena were not immune to the happenings around them either. They could
chose to save their skin over being philanthropic but magnanimous hearts find
it hard to see helplessness and yet remain inactive. They ended up hiding two
Jewish families and a German soldier in
their house for not just a day or two but for 20 odd months. All through this
time Helena had to undergo a pain in the heart for hiding this secret from the
love of her life, her fiancé.
The
stories of Jewish families and that of German soldier build up separately and
it is amazing to read how their paths led them to the house of their
benefactress Franciszka. The foresightedness, intelligence and selflessness of
the mother saw all of them through this difficult time and eventually all did
come out from the hiding to lead their normal lives.
The book
though set at the most unfortunate of times manages to evoke warm and uplifting
feelings. After the story ends the readers are left with hope and belief in the
goodness of individuals rather than bad taste for the savagery which dominated
that time. My Mother's Secret is one of those books that are perfect to
introduce young adults to the historical happenings. It is supposed to be the
author's first creation yet she handles the subject with utmost care and
sensitivity. A wonderful piece of writing.
Worth
mentioning quotes are sprinkled all over the narrative and this goes on to
reiterate how adversity brings out the best in people and how sometimes smooth
sailing makes a race impassive.
A few
excerpts from the book -
"If
you choose to do the right thing, it’s a
conscious decision at first. Then it becomes second nature."
"I
always thought that courageous people were those who were not afraid. Meeting
Franciszka and her daughter, I realize that
courageous
people are afraid like everyone else. They just act despite the fear."
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