ReadingGrrls Paper Safari

Title:   The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness by Simon Wiesenthal Publisher: Schocken 304 pages Genre: non-fiction Synopsis: While imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp, Simon Wiesenthal was taken one day from his work detail to the bedside of a dying member of the SS. Haunted by the crimes in which he had participated, the soldier wanted to confess to--and obtain absolution from--a Jew. Faced with the choice between compassion and justice, silence and truth, Wiesenthal said nothing.But even years after the way had ended, he wondered: Had he done the right thing? What would you have done in his place? Review:  This is more like 2 books in one.  The first is the story and the second is responses from scholars, religious leaders, and country leaders on what they would do or what they believe.  Its a difficult question with no right answer. Since I've never been in that situation its hard to know what I would do, I probably would d...

Title:  Tyger, Tyger, Burning Bright by Justine Saracen Publisher: Bold Stroke Books 264 Pages Genre: LGBT (historical fiction) I received this book as an electronic e-galley through netgalley.com  it was released March 13, 2012. Synopsis:  Twelve years of terror end with a world in flames. Behind filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl’s stirring footage of a million joyous patriots, the horror of Nazi Germany slowly unfolds. It engulfs Katja Sommer, a “good German” with dangerous desires; Frederica Brandt, a traitor to her homeland; Rudi Lamm, a homosexual camp survivor and forced soldier for Hitler; and Peter Arnhelm, a half-Jewish smuggler on the run. Under the scrutiny of the familiar monsters of the Third Reich, their enablers, and their hangers-on, these four struggle for life and for each other. Love does not conquer all, but it’s far better than going to hell alone. Review: I expected your typical lesbian love story but what I got was something completely differen...