My Brother's Voice: How a Young Hungarian Boy Survived the Holocaust: A True Story by Stephen Nasser

My Brother's Voice: How a Young Hungarian Boy Survived the Holocaust: A True Story Reviews

• 
  Tyler

  This was an amazing book, a great read. I learned many new vocabulary words, lessons, truths, and had was inspired. The vocabulary is great for someone wanting to learn new words and is still easily understandable. There was also a part in the book where Pista said he had been weakened physically, mentally, and emotionally. I have also thought mentally and emotionally were the same thing, but now that he said that I think the difference is that mentally is when you think and emotionally is when you feel. He was strained in having to think and was caused pain and grief because of much loss. I learned truths such as the evil humans can be capable of. I'm not sure I would even call the SS humans. How could any human pick up a helpless baby and smash them, destroying everything they could have been? How could any human starve, beat, and overwork people who did nothing wrong? How could people think that being Jewish was wrong? This opened my eyes to how evil humans can be, but also opened my eyes to the good. There were many people that had thought what was going on was inhuman and completely immoral and helped in any way they could, and that is what keeps the hope for humanity alive. People like that. Pista is very strong and is alive because of his strength, but also because of the love of his brother Andris. Andris would not let Pista die, he did not let Pista die. He helped his younger brother to make it out of that hell hole alive and helped him to go on with life. Pista was never alone though, and is never alone. Ever since Andris died in his arms Andris has always been watching over Pista, along with his other family members, but for some reason Andris's and Pista's bond is much stronger, and Andris is always with Pista, guiding him such as when he had to leave Vera. Pista's encounter with bullies because of his religion reminds me of one encounter with bullies who called me something I'd rather not say and were going to harm me for prejudice reasons. There is no excuse for prejudice and the Holocaust shows prejudice at its worst. On another note, Pista has inspired me in my education. I am starting high school soon and don't want a Standard Diploma, but I have been unsure on whether to settle for an advanced diploma or go for the Honors Diploma, which requires much college level work. I have decided that if Pista could complete two school years at a very prestigious school in one year then I could go for the Honors Diploma, no matter how much studying and work it will take. This book has inspired me in many ways, and shown me also that if you love someone sometimes you have to let them go. It has also shown me that if you have a strong enough bond with someone, such as Pista and Andris had, even death cannot separate you.
• 
  A.L. Sowards

  I don’t read a lot of books about the Holocaust, because they’re so heartbreaking. But this one was balanced with a good mix of hope and humanity. A friend gifted me this audiobook and it was really good. The story, and the narration. It’s not a narrator I would necessarily seek out to listen to for other books, but he nailed the teenage version of the author. Life is hard for a lot of people, and bad things happen. But in the long run, family and kindness are stronger than evil and cruelty, and I think that message is one of the reasons this book is so good.
• 
  Andrea

  The haunting and harrowing true story of one boy's fight for survival in a Nazi concentration camp. I read this book with a lump in the throat and tears in my eyes. Another great memoir of history's darkest chapter.
• 
  Stacey

  Ok, this was the best book I have ever read. Honestly. This was about what happened to Jews in I think the 1900s. Its basically about this boy(Stephan Nasser) who has witnesses this tragidy. Stephan(otherwise known as Pista) and his family was sent to concentration camps by the Nazis. There was 21 members of his family, and he was the only one to survive. Some were killed or died of sickness. But mostly killed. Over 300 million Jews were killed during that. All because of those stupid Nazis! They were bullies; cowards; and jerks! I never knew how bad it was until I read this book. I have read something similar to this, but if anything this was sad and cruel. Even more than that. I seriously cried and felt very bad for what happened. No Jew should have gone through that! They didnt do anything wrong. That was totally unfair for the Jews that had to go through that. If you are reading this and you havent read this, I would recomend that you'd read it.
• 
  Cactuskid

  Another very interesting story about a young Hungarian Boy that survived a German concentration camp during WWII. He and his brother were taken from their mother and even though his older brother was the stronger one, he died in the camp. Pista was 14 when he was freed but he was very smart and figured out all kinds of ways to help him survive for over a year doing hard labor. He managed to get back to his home in Hungary but things had been destroyed. He found and aunt and uncle and lived with them until he was 17 and getting his education but they finally found his dear mother had died in another camp. That's when he finally decided to take advantage of Canada's offer to orphan children to immigrate to Canada. What an amazing life he had.
• 
  Ann Schaffer

  Maybe it's a sign I've read too many memoirs and novels on the Holocaust, but this just wasn't my favorite book. I feel bad saying this, but parts of the book just didn't feel right to me. I couldn't help but wonder if the author embellished his experience.
• 
  Brittany Pickard

  It is so hard for me to believe any of this is real. I cried so many times. Stephen Nasser will always be in my thoughts! wishing all the best to him and his family! A must read! Great Great Great novel!!!!
• 
  Janet

  Very engrossing, very brutal, vivid. Incredible perseverance in unimaginable circumstances. It was hard to put the book down. It probably would've been even better if he'd written it closer to the events (and/or had his diary).
• 
  Jennifer Jensen

  Amazing Humans
  
  Every time I read a book about the holocaust I can’t believe all that was endured. What amazing human beings these Jewish people are that endured so much and continued to fight for their life and freedom. I’m always just so amazed by their bravery. They deserve an extra level in heaven for all they overcame.
• 
  Rachel

  This is simply told, and the writing style is not fantastic. But it is a good story and one I would like my boys to read...hopefully they will see how brothers can be good for each other.
• 
  Caleb Matthew C.

  I cried until I had no more tears. I still cry every time I even think about this book.
• 
  Dasia Olivares

  i read this book several times over my life and it is one that will live in my memory forever.
• 
  Gina Bégin

  I feel terrible for saying anything critical about a book written by someone who has gone through an unbelievable amount of pain and terror in their lives. I have to put that aside, though, if I am going to be fair in my critique. Now you know, so here goes: I almost put this book down during the first few pages; it was tedious reading but mostly because the writing skills seemed seriously lacking. However, it redeemed itself slightly afterwards, although the author would revert into childish style from time to time, which puzzled me. I understand that he was attempting to write in the "voice" of a 14 year old but it didn't match up for me. The story itself was captivating and this is the only reason I didn't give it a one-star. I have deep sympathy for anyone who lives through such horrific ordeals and because of this, I inherently had sorrow for the author and his family. Any book that can cause me to feel emotion deserves at least two stars.
  
  Many parts could (and should) have been more developed. I didn't get a great feeling for who each character was except, perhaps, for his brother, Andris. Events in the book could have been told in more detail as well as passing thoughts and such. For example, towards the end of the book, Pista becomes enamored with every woman he comes across. I guess this is understandable, as he is a teenager and hasn't seen women for a long while, but it is just sorta thrown out there randomly and haphazardly with not much else to make it mean anything in its context. I felt things just weren't necessary or other things were not tied up.
  
  It did have very detailed explanations about his beatings and hunger while at the concentration camp which gave the book a tolerable amount of depth; without it, the book would have been too shallow for me.
• 
  Val

  A heartbreaking and courageous true story about Stephen Nasser aka Pista, who was part of the millions of Jews who suffered the cruelty from the Nazis. He along with his older brother Andris, mother Georgia, aunt and baby cousin, were taken to a concentration camp a year before the Allies arrived with help.
  
  Stephen Nasser tells us what happened before, during, and after. The narration at times would lose its flow (especially when it came to the dialogues) and the constant use of the symbol '!' at the end of various sentences would be a little annoying, but in spite of it, the author made a terrific job letting me see what he was going through: he made me feel his fear, anger, frustration, and every emotion he was feeling.
  
  I admired his optimism, hope, and courage through these tough times. Many people broke down and gave up, but many like him endured and lived to let the world know what happened.
  
  "Every day, I remind myself to take the long view of all this. The current madness will have to end, eventually, I'll simply need to outlast it, rather than allowing it to weaken me."
  
  This is a book I definitely recommend reading. It's not a happy topic, but it's one that should not be ignored. You might say "Oh here were go again with another book telling us their testimony." But this is not just another book. Every person that has written their testimony has a unique voice that needs to be heard. Taking a quote from the book's jacket:
  
  "My Brother's Voice simply tells the unvarnished truth, without preaching or moralizing. It is a tribute to Nesser's brother, who died in a Nazi concentration camp, but it is also a reminder that each of us can find the strength to survive."
  
  
  
• 
  Lori Anderson

  I read a lot of Holocaust survivor memoirs, both of those who were in the camps and those who were hidden. I've studied the time period in school with one very intense class just on Hitler. I don't know why I keep getting drawn to these books, even when they make me nauseous or give me nightmares, but they are IMPORTANT to read, important to understand, and important to honor.
  
  
  This book is about a Hungarian boy who was sent to a concentration camp along with his older brother and mother. Descriptions of what they had to do for work made me shake -- I couldn't have done that work in my prime. Descriptions of what they had to do to survive -- to stay warm and to eat -- was really in my mind today when I went for a walk in the cold, but with appropriate clothes. Lying in bed at night, my back my hurt, but I think of how thankful I am for what I'm lying on -- a BED.
  
  
  Parts are very hard to read (of course) and the ending is bittersweet, but it's a good book.
  
  
  Lori Anderson
  
  
  
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• 
  Michael

  "Liked it" might not be the best description of my feelings about this 3-star book. It's hard to "like" a book about the Holocaust, but I think it is important to read books like this and gain a better perspective on the experience of Holocaust victims and survivors. My mother lent this book to me a few years ago after learning about it from the author (an acquaintance of hers) shortly after he wrote it and published it. Intense and at times difficult to read, it is a sad story, but with some elements of redemption in it.
  
  I think what I found most incredible was that the author spent most of his adult life keeping a terrible secret from one of his uncles about the fate of the uncle's child in the Holocaust. To spare his uncle the pain, the author pretended not to know his cousin's fate, even though the author had witnessed exactly what happened and the uncle had not. Only after his uncle passed away recently did he feel comfortable sharing this story. What a difficult decision to make and what a terrible secret to keep for so many years! May I never have to make a choice like that in my life.
• 
  Scartowner

  I highly recommend this book. It is a personal account never shared until recent publication. "Pista" Stephen Nasser tells the story from his perspective as a 13 year old youth. The language is clear and uncluttered, letting his experiences and facts speak for themselves.
  
  Within days of arrival at Auschwitz, Pista and his brother Andris escape by switching places with two other boys heading to another labor camp. Fortunately this camp was not dominated by the ovens, but few men survived starvation, disease and cold. With great ingenuity and bravery, young Pista found ways to obtain extra foods and to fashion "coats, hats and shoes" from cement paper bags. Nasser also describes the contrast between the SS monsters and the Germans forced into handling the prisoners. Pista describes moments of grace with these unexpected saviors.
  
  Strangely, because of Pista's determination to survive and the love of his family even in death, the reader may discover some hope despite the terrible history created by Hitler and his Nazis.
  
  
  
  
• 
  Annk

  I just finished My Brother's Voice and I am so heartbroken over everything this young boy endured yet I'm moved beyond words that he was able to survive the horror and create a new life for himself. His parents and his brother did not survive the Holocaust. The story Mr. Nasser tells had to wait until his uncle passed away because he couldn't bear for his uncle to know how his grandchild was killed. Every Holocaust book I read astounds me more and more that this was the world of Europe. How did an alleged civilized society all rally around the little house painter from Austria and commit such horrible crimes in his name. I'm so glad 'Pista' finally told his story. I read it in one sitting as I had to know what happened to them all, what secret did he keep from his uncle, how did he make it out alive, and whether he had a full life afterwards. An excellent story, very beautifully written. I can't even bear to pick up another book just yet. Thank you for sharing your history, Pista.