This Rebel Heart - Katherine Locke
Set during the Hungarian Revolution in 1956, Csilla, Holocaust survivor, and survivor of Soviet purges that killed both of her parents, plots her escape from the country that has caused her so much grief and pain. But as the people rise against the Soviet powers, she decides to stay and rise with them, holding her country and her fellow Hungarians in her heart.
This was a really lovely novel, mixing magical realism with real historical events. The river that runs through the city saved Csilla once, and will try to save her again, calling her, and giving her what she needs to help her people rise against the Soviet powers and Hungarian puppet government. She is surrounded by her best friends and the angel of death who stands guard, protecting them, even loving them. I know it’s hard for many people to imagine what it was like to live behind the Iron Curtain, and to suppress any type of rebellious thoughts out of fear of Siberia, or worse, but Locke does a great job describing it. I know because I have relatives who lived through many horrors that both the Soviets and the Ukrainians put them through, and I grew up hearing about them, and also experienced a little of what life was like in eastern Europe in the 80’s before the wall came down.
I really appreciate it when novels like this are published, as many people seem to have forgotten just how bad it was post WW2 in many countries behind the Iron Curtain. Csilla captured my heart- her strength and willpower were quite amazing.
I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for the opportunity to read this lovely book!