Title: The Kaminsky Cure
Author: Christopher New
Genre: Historical Fiction, Women’s Fiction
Age Group: Adult
Rating: 4 stars
Purchase: Amazon
Review copy provided by Enchanted Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review.
The Kaminsky Cure is a poignant yet comedic novel of a half Jewish/half Christian family caught up in the machinery of Hitler’s final solution. The matriarch, Gabi, was born Jewish but converted to Christianity in her teens. The patriarch, Willibald, is a Lutheran minister who, on one hand is an admirer of Hitler, but on the other hand, the conflicted father of children who are half-Jewish. Mindful and resentful of her husband’s ambivalence, Gabi is determined to make sure her children are educated, devising schemes to keep them in school even after learning that any child less than 100% Aryan will eventually be kept from completing education. She even hires tutors who are willing to teach half-Jewish children and in this way comes to hire Fraulein Kaminsky who shows Gabi how to cure her frustration and rage: to keep her mouth filled with water until the urge to scream or rant has passed.
The Kaminsky Cure is a poignant tale of a half Jewish/half Christian family during Hitler’s reign. Gabi, the mother of the family, was born Jewish but converted to Christianity as a teenager. Her husband, Willibald, is a Lutheran minister who struggles with a certain admiration for Hitler, while on the other hand, he desperately wants to protect his family. Frustrations run high, as Gabi struggles to make sure her children are educated, even if this proves troublesome and they have to hire private tutors who are willing to teach half-Jewish children. One of these tutors is Fraulein Kaminsky, who teaches Gabi “The Kaminsky Cure” to control her rage.
I enjoyed the complexity of the characters. The book is very character driven, and I thought in particular Gabi and Willibald were very interesting. Willibald’s struggle between his Aryan beliefs and his family, who he loves and hates at the same time, felt very realistic. Gabi is a very brave woman, willing to defy and stand up for her children. The story is told from the POV of the youngest son, which is a refreshing change, and allows for an interesting perspective.
Historical fiction fans, particular those with an interest in the World War II era, I highly recommend you take a look at The Kaminsky Cure.
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