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Tuesday, November 16, 2010

'Heidegger's Glasses' by Thaisa Frank (TLC Tour Stop)

Genre: Historical (somewhat) Fiction

About the book (from TLC) :
Heidegger’s Glasses opens during the end of World War II in a failing Germany coming apart at the seams.  The Third Reich’s strong reliance on the occult and its obsession with the astral plane has led to the formation of an underground compound of scribes–translators responsible for answering letters written to those eventually killed in the concentration camps. Into this covert compound comes a letter written by eminent philosopher Martin Heidegger to his optometrist, who is now lost in the dying thralls of Auschwitz.  How will the scribes answer this letter?  The presence of Heidegger’s words–one simple letter in a place filled with letters–sparks a series of events that will ultimately threaten the safety and well-being of the entire compound.
Part love story, part thriller, part meditation on how the dead are remembered and history presented, with threads of Heidegger’s philosophy woven throughout, the novel evocatively illustrates the Holocaust from an entirely original vantage point.


Why I wanted to read this book: I was immediately captured by the original plot for this story. I like historical fiction and felt ready to read another book about the Holocaust and WWII.
 
What worked for me:

  • The originality of the storyline really blew me away. I am totally amazed at how the author weaved this story to the point that she actually had me convinced that these letter writers existed.
  • I think she captured how insane Hitler and his regime was and the affect that his actions had on people in so many countries.
  • The author shows to what lengths humans will go to just to stay alive. Each letter writer was plucked from the hands of death and even though their work was unsavory, they were just happy to be alive.
  • The character Elie truly touched me. I know that there were many women just like her during Hitler's control of Germany who put themselves in extreme danger just to save one person. Elie is a person who will stay with me.
  • Frank begins almost each chapter with a letter that was written by someone in an internment camp. They haunted my dreams and at times just broke my heart. Why? Because you and I both know how the story ended for most of them. 

 Recommend?  Absolutely. This is a book that will stay with me for some time. I was touched on a deep emotional level. If you enjoy historical fiction that takes place during WWII and gives you much to ponder and think about, then I truly believe that you will want to read this one.

My Rating: 4/5


Thank you to TLC Book Tours. for sending me a review copy. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist. They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel.





About Thaisa

Thaisa Frank has written three books of fiction, including A Brief History of Camouflage and Sleeping in Velvet (both with Black Sparrow Press, now acquired by David Godine). She has co-authored a work of nonfiction, Finding Your Writers Voice: A Guide to Creative Fiction, which is used in MFA programs.  Her forthcoming novel, Heidegger’s Glasses, is coming out this fall with Counterpoint Press.  Foreign rights have already been sold to ten countries.
Thaisa has taught in the graduate programs at San Francisco State, the University of San Francisco, been on the staff of various summer writing workshops, and written essays, including a recent Afterward in Viking/Penguin’s new edition of Voltaire.  You can find out more about Heidegger’s Glasses and Thaisa by visiting her website at  www.thaisafrank.com.


Please visit the other tour stops HERE.


© 2010, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

29 comments:

  1. This is a book that has been on my wish list -- I am fascinated by World War II, and the premise for this book is intriguing. What a great review, and I look forward to picking this book up!

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  2. Wow, this sounds like quite a story! The will to live is so strong.

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  3. Great review, Staci. Sounds really good.

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  4. Wowwwwwwwwwwww! This sounds powerful! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

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  5. I really liked this book, too. Such an original story!

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  6. I've been looking forward to your review of this book! Glad to see you enjoyed it as much as I did, though "enjoy" might not be the right word for such a heavy book. Elie is a fascinating character for sure, as is Lodenstein. I'll add your review link to War Through the Generations.

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  7. It does sound like a very original plot!

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  8. This sounds like a great book. I am drawn to reading books about the Holocaust and WWII. I definitely want to read this one.

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  9. I am sure I will be reading this one as well.

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  10. Fantastic review. Just about everyone on the tour has commented on this book's originality. Thank you so much for being on the tour!

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  11. I think I'll have to read this one, nice review.

    I'm thinking of combining my book blog with my main blog and reviewing books on Saturday. You are about the only visitor I get so I was wondering what you would think of that.

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  12. We had the same reaction to this book. I shed lots of tears on this one but I was also feeling an angry frustration. This all should never have happened.

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  13. Great review! The book does seem really good, still, for me,, well perhaps :)

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  14. For some reason I tend to shy away from books set during WWII, but you've made this one sound appealing.

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  15. Hard to resist this one after reading your review!

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  16. This book sound amazing. I would certainly love the historical side, and I agree that the premise is quite unique. This was a terrific review, which makes me want to read this book myself.

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  17. This is a wonderful review! What a powerful book. I'd really like to read this book and will put it on my tbr list!

    Thank you!
    ~ Amy

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  18. This one sounds really good. I'm going to have to see if I can get ahold of this book. I'm intrigued by the idea and would have to agree it sounds totally unique, not something easily done anymore.

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  19. Wow - I'm not sure I want to read about the Holocaust but I want to read this book after reading your review.

    I will add this to my list. It's important to not ever forget!

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  20. I just loved this book as well -- I thought it was so well-done -- and such an amazing premise.

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  21. You're making me regret that I missed out on this tour (unfortunately I was all booked up). I'll be keeping my eye out for this book though.

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  22. How did I miss hearing about this book? It sounds so intriguing and right up my alley. Thank you for your great review, Staci.

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  23. Ah, I wanted to break my "no review books for the rest of the year" policy for this one but stood fast. And, of course, I'm kicking myself for not doing it now!

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  24. A new take on the war. Fascinating! Love the sound of this book.

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  25. I put this on my TBR list a while back. So good to see another satisfied reader.

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  26. Haven't heard of this one til reading your review Staci. I love historical fiction and it's obvious that you found it emotionally touching so I'll be keeping an eye out for it.

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  27. The premise of this book is very original. Like you, I am a historical fiction fan, and even though the letter writers didn't exist, I can imagine that regime actually doing something like this. Thanks for the review!

    Julie @ Knitting and Sundries

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  28. Oh gosh I wanted to read this one. Sounds amazing. Thanks for the review!

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  29. After seeing this book all over the place, I'm so glad to hear it's actually really good! Like you said, I love that it sounds completely original. I'm adding it to my to-read list right now.

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