THE LUCK OF THE WEISSENSTEINERS
continues its ups and down the Jewish Fiction Chart, currently at
#36 in Books > Fiction > Religious & Inspirational > Jewish
Excerpts from the newest reviews: 
THE LUCK OF THE WEISSENSTEINERS succeeds in shedding light on an overlooked aspect of World War II (i.e. life in Slovakia)… the historical aspects of many of the characters prove fascinating
Beginning in Bratislava in 1933, this story of historical fiction follows various civilians through the lead-up, duration, and aftermath of World War II. Focusing on individuals in Slovakia the reader is taken on a long-winded, albeit fascinating tour of an often-neglected portion of this most infamous of wars.
In the middle of it all is gentle Greta, a voracious reader from a Jewish family who finds herself in love with a “Prussian looking junior sales assistant” at the local bookstore. Little does Greta know that a wave of anti-Semitism will make her eventual marriage to this non-Jewish man a potentially lethal situation for both husband and wife. Unlike his daughter, Greta’s father Jonah has always exercised more caution in matters concerning his Jewish heritage. As a skilled weaver Jonah has always kept himself from being too closely associated with the Jewish community, never wanting to “attract unwanted attention and damage his business”. Of course nothing can fully protect these and others from the sheer insanity that came with the rise and fall of Nazi Europe.
old-town-bratislava-james-a-stewart
Lingering not just on those persecuted by the wave of anti-Semitism but on the bystanders, the sympathizers, and the opportunists as well, the book does an excellent job of providing insight into how regular people could be swept up in the constant barrage of Nazi propaganda. As Greta’s own husband remarks after Greta suffers a miscarriage “Did she really work too hard or was that her weak Jewish body that made the baby come away? I do wonder.” And characters often wonder, fear, plot, and die. As attitudes shift with whoever is winning the war, it becomes clear that no one was ever truly safe at this time no matter what their allegiance or background.
***
A Rich, Epic Historical Fiction!
Set around the period of the World War II, Christoph Fischer brings to life an epic tale of the struggle for survival of a love-struck couple from two different backgrounds. I’m not much of a fan of Historical Fiction, but for one of the few times in my life, I’ve read a historical fiction and thoroughly enjoyed it. The Luck of the Weissensteiners is a rich, insightful novel that explores the lives of people from various deep, multicultural backgrounds. A story so touching it will bring tears to your eyes. Highly recommended to all Historical Fiction fans.
*****
Mr Fischer’s book is well written, clever and original
I recommend to anybody who is looking for a different novel to read
thank you Mr Fischer
*****
Meanwhile Sebastian is at
#46 in Books > Fiction > Religious & Inspirational > Jewish
excerpts fom the newest reviews:
Superb historical fiction!
The first sentence of SEBASTIAN stirred my curiosity, and like Alice, I found myself in another time and place. Transported to a hospital room in pre-WWI Vienna, I felt the gravity of the situation. Was this doctor really going to amputate part of Sebastian’s leg? Carried along from page to page, I worried alongside his mother, Vera, and wondered why his father, Franz, was not there.
As the novel unfolds and expands, we experience everyday life in this era. Vienna, in the years just before the Great War, was in a sort of golden age bubble — a bubble that was about to burst. The trajectory of Sebastian’s life will change, as will the lives of the other characters we meet, all tied in one way or another to the family’s grocery store, a gathering place of many ethnicities.
The author, Christoph Fischer, is a very talented writer. His first book, THE LUCK OF THE WEISSENSTEINERS, was a fabulous read, too. I think the writing in SEBASTIAN is even more graceful and the history so smoothly integrated. Oh, how deftly the author laces the metaphorical shoe that Sebastian will no longer wear. Everyone is missing a shoe of one kind or another. Sebastian’s journey is everyone’s journey.
Who will love this novel? Anyone who values good storytelling, a well researched setting, and a cast of fascinating characters — each with their own challenges. The novel holds our attention, so rapt we are in how people adapt, well or not, to changing landscapes in their lives, their decisions often based on their perceptions, accurate or not. SEBASTIAN is superb historical fiction. Highly recommended.
*****
Sebastian… A Very Touching Story!
Can anything be more turbulent than having your leg amputated as a teenager and losing your self-worth in the process? Sebastian is the story of a young man growing up in a not-so-palatable world, with all the accompanying disasters, irritation, lack of trust, betrayal, frustration; and yet he managed to pull through it all. His resilience, courage and hope are ones that will inspire many for generations to come. The 2nd book in The Three Nations trilogy, Christoph Fischer has woven reality in this 321-page fiction that is so engaging you simply cannot turn away.
*****
EXCELLENT!!!
I fell in love with Sebastian and how he overcame the hardships that he faced!!!
From losing his leg and confidence at 16 and all the hardships that follow including his pregnant soon-to-be wife running off, leaving him with his young daughter and the First World War that wreaks havoc for his family and nation.
Yet he still manages to stay strong to support his family and himself whilst still managing to smile.
An finally he finds love again and his own self-acceptance!!!
A truly inspiring read for anyone!!!!
