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The Collaborator
Is he a hero or a traitor? Based on astonishing true events set in the darkest days of World War II in Budapest, this is an enthralling story of heroism, vengeance, passion, and betrayal. It is also the story of three women linked by a secret that threatens to destroy their lives. For readers of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, All That I Am and Schindler's Ark (List). An act of heroism, the taint of collaboration, a doomed love affair, and an Australian woman who travels across the world to discover the truth...It is 1944 in Budapest and the Germans have invaded. Jewish journalist Miklos Nagy risks his life and confronts the dreaded Adolf Eichmann in an attempt save thousands of Hungarian Jews from the death camps. But no one could have foreseen the consequences...It is 2005 in Sydney, and Annika Barnett sets out on a journey that takes her to Budapest and Tel Aviv to discover the truth about the mysterious man who rescued her grandmother in 1944.By the time her odyssey is over, history has been turned on its head, past and present collide, and the secret that has poisoned the lives of three generations is finally revealed in a shocking climax that holds the key to their redemption.PRAISE FOR DIANE ARMSTRONG'S FICTION'A cleverly crafted mystery... a good story, well told. Armstrong's skill in weaving an elaborate fabric out of her characters and subject matter stand her in good stead...the bleak wintry landscapes of the Polish countryside are vividly captured.' - Andrew Riemer, Sydney Morning Herald'Like Geraldine Brooks, Diane Armstrong's historical research is expertly woven into the fabric of a fictional tale, providing an engrossing ‘faction' of heroism and resilience which will appeal to both fans of fictional dramatic/romantic sagas, as well as lovers of insightful history' - Australian Bookseller & Publisher
496 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2019
About the author
Diane Armstrong
14 books197 followersDiane was born in Poland and arrived in Australia in 1948.
At the age of seven she decided to become a writer. Her first article, about teaching at a Blackboard Jungle school in London, was published in The Australian Women's Weekly in 1965. Diane subsequently became a freelance journalist, and over three thousand of her investigative articles, personal experience stories, profiles and travel stories have been published in newspapers and magazines such as Readers Digest, Vogue, The Bulletin, Harper's Bazaar, The Australian, The Sydney Morning Herald, Good Weekend, and The Age. Her articles have also appeared in major publications in the UK, Canada, Poland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Holland and South Africa.
Over the years she has received numerous awards for journalism, including the Pluma de Plata awarded by the Government of Mexico for the best article written about that country, and the Gold Award given by the Pacific Asia Tourist Association. In 1993 she received an award for an investigative article about Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease. In 1998, she received the George Munster Award for Independent Journalism.
At the age of seven she decided to become a writer. Her first article, about teaching at a Blackboard Jungle school in London, was published in The Australian Women's Weekly in 1965. Diane subsequently became a freelance journalist, and over three thousand of her investigative articles, personal experience stories, profiles and travel stories have been published in newspapers and magazines such as Readers Digest, Vogue, The Bulletin, Harper's Bazaar, The Australian, The Sydney Morning Herald, Good Weekend, and The Age. Her articles have also appeared in major publications in the UK, Canada, Poland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Holland and South Africa.
Over the years she has received numerous awards for journalism, including the Pluma de Plata awarded by the Government of Mexico for the best article written about that country, and the Gold Award given by the Pacific Asia Tourist Association. In 1993 she received an award for an investigative article about Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease. In 1998, she received the George Munster Award for Independent Journalism.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 233 reviews
August 22, 2019
An enjoyable read, The Collaborator is the story of one woman's journey to search out the truth of her family history. Annika travels to Budapest after seeing a photo of her grandmother in the Jewish museum in Sydney. Her grandmother denies it is her and immediately shuts the subject down, so Annika is on a mission to ferret out the truth. What she finds is much more than she bargained for! Her search takes her further afield to Tel Aviv, where she uncovers a transcript that reveals the shocking truth.
The Collaborator is a well researched and believable tale, based on true events. It has betrayal, secrets and a touch of romance. Even though it's nearly 500 pages I read this book in one day, the story is engrossing. The main problem I had with this book, however, is that I never really connected with any of the characters. I wasn't engaged enough that I never wanted the story to end. Having said that I did like the book and recommend it to lovers of World War 2 fiction, and it's aftermath.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Collaborator is a well researched and believable tale, based on true events. It has betrayal, secrets and a touch of romance. Even though it's nearly 500 pages I read this book in one day, the story is engrossing. The main problem I had with this book, however, is that I never really connected with any of the characters. I wasn't engaged enough that I never wanted the story to end. Having said that I did like the book and recommend it to lovers of World War 2 fiction, and it's aftermath.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 26, 2019
I always enjoy historical novels based on real people and events. In 1944 a Jewish businessman, Rudolf Kastner, was able to rescue a trainload of over 1600 Hungarian Jews from being sent to German gas chambers through negotiating with Adolf Eichmann to set them free in exchange for the possibility of tanks to fight the Russians (as well as money and jewelry). The Budapest Aid and Rescue Committee selected Jews from all areas of society to send to Switzerland with Kastner able to include members of his family and some Jews from his home village. After the war when Kastner had settled become a civil servant in Israel, he would be accused of collaborating with the Germans by not warning the remaining Hungarian Jews that they would be sent to death camps.
Diane Armstrong's novel tells a fictionalised version of Kastner's miracle train, through the investigations of a young Australian woman whose grandmother was one it's lucky passengers. Annika, a journalist could never get her grandmother to tell her story of how she escaped from Hungary during WW2 so she is fascinated when she visits a Jewish museum and hears about the train and sees her grandmother in a photo of its passengers arriving in Switzerland. With some time on her hand after resigning from her job, Annika decides to visit Budapest to learn more about her grandmother's story and the businessman (given the fictional name Miklos Nagy in the novel) who rescued a trainload of Jews from certain death. Her investigations will eventually take her to Tel Aviv where she will learn her grandmother's secret and a revelation that will alter the course of her life.
This is a very well researched and carefully crafted historical mystery, all the more enjoyable because it is based on a true story. Of course all history is biased by the narrator's viewpoint, and is particularly where Israeli politics and history is involved. We'll never really know what Kastner had to do to convince Eichmann to allow a trainload of Jews to escape to Switzerland, but he does appear to have been wrongly accused of collaboration. He was certainly a hero for those allowed on the train and there was nothing Kastner or his committee could have done to stop the Germans from sending the remaining Hungarian Jews to the gas chambers. This is a long book, perhaps a little longer than needed, but it makes for a fascinating tale of courage and resiliance, expertly interwoven in the story of a young woman discovering her family's roots and finding love and a new life along the way.
With thanks to Netaglley and Harlequin Australia for an advance copy to read
Diane Armstrong's novel tells a fictionalised version of Kastner's miracle train, through the investigations of a young Australian woman whose grandmother was one it's lucky passengers. Annika, a journalist could never get her grandmother to tell her story of how she escaped from Hungary during WW2 so she is fascinated when she visits a Jewish museum and hears about the train and sees her grandmother in a photo of its passengers arriving in Switzerland. With some time on her hand after resigning from her job, Annika decides to visit Budapest to learn more about her grandmother's story and the businessman (given the fictional name Miklos Nagy in the novel) who rescued a trainload of Jews from certain death. Her investigations will eventually take her to Tel Aviv where she will learn her grandmother's secret and a revelation that will alter the course of her life.
This is a very well researched and carefully crafted historical mystery, all the more enjoyable because it is based on a true story. Of course all history is biased by the narrator's viewpoint, and is particularly where Israeli politics and history is involved. We'll never really know what Kastner had to do to convince Eichmann to allow a trainload of Jews to escape to Switzerland, but he does appear to have been wrongly accused of collaboration. He was certainly a hero for those allowed on the train and there was nothing Kastner or his committee could have done to stop the Germans from sending the remaining Hungarian Jews to the gas chambers. This is a long book, perhaps a little longer than needed, but it makes for a fascinating tale of courage and resiliance, expertly interwoven in the story of a young woman discovering her family's roots and finding love and a new life along the way.
With thanks to Netaglley and Harlequin Australia for an advance copy to read
August 15, 2019
Sydney, Australia in 2005 and Annika Barnett had quit her high-profile job as dissatisfaction threaded through her. Her life so far had been unfulfilling – when she heard about a Jewish man named Miklos Nagy from Budapest during the war, and saw her grandmother’s violent reaction to his name, Annika was determined to find answers. After all this man had saved her grandmother’s life back in 1944.
Annika headed first to Budapest, then on to Israel and her search for answers left her with many more questions. But the horrors of the Holocaust; the bravery of Miklos Nagy and the arrogance and evil of Adolf Eichmann was just the beginning. Annika’s journalistic determination as she scoured for the truth to those horrific days and the events following led her to many people. When she finally uncovered the secrets, she knew it was time to head home. She needed to see her mother and grandmother and tell them the story…
The Collaborator is a fascinating historical fiction novel by Aussie author Diane Armstrong which is set over two time frames. Miklos Nagy tells his side of the story from 1944 onwards, while Annika narrates in 2005. The Collaborator is based on fact and the research by Ms Armstrong has been intense. She explains in the Author’s Notes at the end of the book and I was intrigued as well as horrified. This is my second read by this author with Winter Journey being my first, and I’ve loved them both. An excellent writer, I’ll definitely be reading more. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Annika headed first to Budapest, then on to Israel and her search for answers left her with many more questions. But the horrors of the Holocaust; the bravery of Miklos Nagy and the arrogance and evil of Adolf Eichmann was just the beginning. Annika’s journalistic determination as she scoured for the truth to those horrific days and the events following led her to many people. When she finally uncovered the secrets, she knew it was time to head home. She needed to see her mother and grandmother and tell them the story…
The Collaborator is a fascinating historical fiction novel by Aussie author Diane Armstrong which is set over two time frames. Miklos Nagy tells his side of the story from 1944 onwards, while Annika narrates in 2005. The Collaborator is based on fact and the research by Ms Armstrong has been intense. She explains in the Author’s Notes at the end of the book and I was intrigued as well as horrified. This is my second read by this author with Winter Journey being my first, and I’ve loved them both. An excellent writer, I’ll definitely be reading more. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
July 12, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Australia and Diane Armstrong for giving me the chance to read and review her new book: The Collaborator.
Budapest 1944, Miklos Nagy is a Jewish journalist he's desperately trying to save as many Hungarian Jews as he can from the death camps and he has to negotiate their safety with the dreaded Adolf Eichmann.
In 2005, Sydney journalist Annika Barnett has always wondered how her grandmother Marika, survived the Holocaust and what happened to her during WW II? Her grandmother will never discuss her past and Annika has no idea how her Nana ended up living in Australia?
She decides to travel to Budapest and eventually makes her way to Tel Aviv. What she discovers affects all three generations of her family and she finds out about her grandmothers secret past.
The books is a long one, it's really a historical family saga about heroism, betrayal, passion and secrets. Was Miklos Nagy a hero or a traitor?
I gave The Collaborator 3 stars, I'm sorry but I found the story very long, tedious and I was glad when I finally reached the end. I shared my review on Goodreads, Twitter, Australian Amazon, Kobo and my blog.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
Budapest 1944, Miklos Nagy is a Jewish journalist he's desperately trying to save as many Hungarian Jews as he can from the death camps and he has to negotiate their safety with the dreaded Adolf Eichmann.
In 2005, Sydney journalist Annika Barnett has always wondered how her grandmother Marika, survived the Holocaust and what happened to her during WW II? Her grandmother will never discuss her past and Annika has no idea how her Nana ended up living in Australia?
She decides to travel to Budapest and eventually makes her way to Tel Aviv. What she discovers affects all three generations of her family and she finds out about her grandmothers secret past.
The books is a long one, it's really a historical family saga about heroism, betrayal, passion and secrets. Was Miklos Nagy a hero or a traitor?
I gave The Collaborator 3 stars, I'm sorry but I found the story very long, tedious and I was glad when I finally reached the end. I shared my review on Goodreads, Twitter, Australian Amazon, Kobo and my blog.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
November 16, 2019
The facts underlying this novel are very interesting, spinning a fictitious love story around it just doesn't work for me with these kind of subjects. It feels too much as if the holocaust has to be "sold" to people by wrapping it in some sugar coating.
August 27, 2019
I can never resist a good story set during WWII, especially one that explores lesser known historical events during that dark time in history. Diane Armstrong’s latest book, THE COLLABORATOR, falls firmly into that category. Inspired by real happenings and people, her captivating story focuses on the fate of 1500 Hungarian Jews who were saved from certain death in German concentration camps by the actions of one man – who will later have to stand trial for being a Nazi collaborator. Hero or traitor? How can one and the same action be considered to be both, depending on how you look at it?
It was immediately obvious that Armstrong has done A LOT of research into her topic, as her story is peppered with facts and historical details that opened my eyes to political events that had somehow slipped under the radar for me. If history lessons had been as captivating as this book, I would certainly have known more about the fate of the many Jewish people who managed to escape the Nazi death camps and started their new lives in Israel, facing a whole new set of challenges after the war was over. Armstrong seamlessly weaves historical fact with fiction, with characters that practically leap off the pages, take the reader by the hand and draw them into their world. I feel like I learned so much by reading this story!
Narrated in a dual timeline format, one part of the story is being told through the eyes of Annika, an Australian journalist trying to find out the truth about Miklos Nagy, the man who allegedly saved her grandmother’s life together with 1500 other Jews during the war. Since her grandmother remains tight-lipped about the subject, Annika decides to go to Hungary where her grandmother was living during the war. She thus embarks on a journey that will take her from Hungary to Israel, only to uncover a remarkable and heart breaking story of love, courage and betrayal.
The second timeline, set during the war, explores the very events Annika is investigating, and is narrated through the eyes of Miklos Nagy himself, a man who is lauded as hero by some, traitor by others.
Personally, I connected more with Annika’s story, and related to her quest to uncover some truths about her grandmother’s past. I have worked with numerous holocaust survivors, whose families never knew about the terrible tragedies they had suffered, so Annika’s grandmother’s silence on the subject rang true for me, as did her quest for answers. Whilst I found Miklos Nagy’s chapters fascinating and eye opening, they also felt a bit more detached and at times heavy with historical facts. This is not a criticism, merely a caution to readers to allow time to digest the story rather than expecting a quick entertaining read. I found myself looking up facts about Hungary and the fate of its Jewish population because I felt I needed to understand the context more – and I am grateful to have learned from the story as well as appreciating the armchair time travel.
All in all, THE COLLABORATOR was a well-researched, interesting and thought provoking novel based on real life persons and events that explored a chapter of WWII history not often touched upon in historical fiction. I found it relevant and educational as well as deeply moving, and recommend it to all lovers of the genre.
3.5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Australia for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
*blog* *facebook* *instagram*
It was immediately obvious that Armstrong has done A LOT of research into her topic, as her story is peppered with facts and historical details that opened my eyes to political events that had somehow slipped under the radar for me. If history lessons had been as captivating as this book, I would certainly have known more about the fate of the many Jewish people who managed to escape the Nazi death camps and started their new lives in Israel, facing a whole new set of challenges after the war was over. Armstrong seamlessly weaves historical fact with fiction, with characters that practically leap off the pages, take the reader by the hand and draw them into their world. I feel like I learned so much by reading this story!
Narrated in a dual timeline format, one part of the story is being told through the eyes of Annika, an Australian journalist trying to find out the truth about Miklos Nagy, the man who allegedly saved her grandmother’s life together with 1500 other Jews during the war. Since her grandmother remains tight-lipped about the subject, Annika decides to go to Hungary where her grandmother was living during the war. She thus embarks on a journey that will take her from Hungary to Israel, only to uncover a remarkable and heart breaking story of love, courage and betrayal.
The second timeline, set during the war, explores the very events Annika is investigating, and is narrated through the eyes of Miklos Nagy himself, a man who is lauded as hero by some, traitor by others.
Personally, I connected more with Annika’s story, and related to her quest to uncover some truths about her grandmother’s past. I have worked with numerous holocaust survivors, whose families never knew about the terrible tragedies they had suffered, so Annika’s grandmother’s silence on the subject rang true for me, as did her quest for answers. Whilst I found Miklos Nagy’s chapters fascinating and eye opening, they also felt a bit more detached and at times heavy with historical facts. This is not a criticism, merely a caution to readers to allow time to digest the story rather than expecting a quick entertaining read. I found myself looking up facts about Hungary and the fate of its Jewish population because I felt I needed to understand the context more – and I am grateful to have learned from the story as well as appreciating the armchair time travel.
All in all, THE COLLABORATOR was a well-researched, interesting and thought provoking novel based on real life persons and events that explored a chapter of WWII history not often touched upon in historical fiction. I found it relevant and educational as well as deeply moving, and recommend it to all lovers of the genre.
3.5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Australia for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
*blog* *facebook* *instagram*
February 4, 2021
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
4.5 stars
‘How do you balance the merit of rescuing fifteen hundred Jews against the crime of writing an affidavit to exonerate a Nazi? Can a man be a hero as well as a collaborator?’
The author of The Collaborator, Diane Armstrong, arrived in Australian in 1948 and is the child of Holocaust survivors. Drawing on her family’s experiences in the Second World War, Diane Armstrong’s memoirs and previous fiction title have helped to form the building blocks of The Collaborator, a remarkable slice of war time fiction.
Crossing the years 1944 and 2004 respectively, The Collaborator unravels key events that occurred in the capital of Hungry at the height of the Nazi invasion of this European locale. At the centre of this time is a man named Miklos Nagy, who decided to take matters into his own hands, risking his own safety to protect thousands of Jews from Hungary from the evil clutches of Adolf Eichmann. However, in this act of pure selflessness, Miklos was dubbed a Nazi collaborator, rather than a respected hero. Decades later in the year 2005, Miklos’ story comes to the attention of an Australian journalist named Annika Barnett. Uncovering a devastating secret surrounding her grandmother’s past, Annika resolves to uncover the truth to the events saw Miklos Nagy save her grandmother’s life. This quest for the truth sends Annika on a journey to Hungry and Israel, as startling revelations are uncovered, with long lasting implications. The Collaborator highlights the acts of fortitude, retribution and treachery that followed those impacted by the Second World War.
It is rather regrettable that I have had The Collaborator lingering on my shelves for so long. Despite the fact that Diane Armstrong’s book has been highly recommended to me many times over, I haven’t found the time until now to give this one the attention it so rightly deserves. Anyone who is a keen-eyed reader of the Second World War, the Holocaust, or history in general will find much to reflect on thanks to the penmanship of Diane Armstrong. I know this one affected me much more deeply than I expected. The Collaborator was a devastating read from start to finish.
Taking the form of two timelines, spaced decades part, The Collaborator simultaneously works to unfurl the secret life of a man who blurred the lines between collaborator and hero during the Second World War. I appreciated the way in which Armstrong was able to link Miklos Nagy’s shocking turn of events with the up-to-date investigations of an Australian journalist. Moving, overwhelming, surprising and heart wrenching, The Collaborator is a tale that shocks the reader. Supported by an immense amount of factual detail and dedicated research on behalf the author, I came away feeling more knowledgeable about this cavity of the war. With the added focus on the moral questions surrounding the central figure of this novel ensures that the audience takes a considered look at this difficult series of events in the war.
By alternating the timelines and viewpoints, Armstrong has succeeded in producing a novel of great interest and historical brevity. I know I felt equally invested in both timelines and I came to see the present day investigations as crucial element in the overall direction of The Collaborator. A side focus on Annika’s personal life offsets the often-heavy feeling that came with some of the 1944 sequences. I genuinely rooted for Annika and I admired her resolve to expose the true story of Mikolas Nagy’s moving, but questionable acts during the war. Full of conflict, turmoil and divisions, The Collaborator leaves much for the reader to digest.
The Collaborator is book #8 of the 2021 Australian Women Writers Challenge
4.5 stars
‘How do you balance the merit of rescuing fifteen hundred Jews against the crime of writing an affidavit to exonerate a Nazi? Can a man be a hero as well as a collaborator?’
The author of The Collaborator, Diane Armstrong, arrived in Australian in 1948 and is the child of Holocaust survivors. Drawing on her family’s experiences in the Second World War, Diane Armstrong’s memoirs and previous fiction title have helped to form the building blocks of The Collaborator, a remarkable slice of war time fiction.
Crossing the years 1944 and 2004 respectively, The Collaborator unravels key events that occurred in the capital of Hungry at the height of the Nazi invasion of this European locale. At the centre of this time is a man named Miklos Nagy, who decided to take matters into his own hands, risking his own safety to protect thousands of Jews from Hungary from the evil clutches of Adolf Eichmann. However, in this act of pure selflessness, Miklos was dubbed a Nazi collaborator, rather than a respected hero. Decades later in the year 2005, Miklos’ story comes to the attention of an Australian journalist named Annika Barnett. Uncovering a devastating secret surrounding her grandmother’s past, Annika resolves to uncover the truth to the events saw Miklos Nagy save her grandmother’s life. This quest for the truth sends Annika on a journey to Hungry and Israel, as startling revelations are uncovered, with long lasting implications. The Collaborator highlights the acts of fortitude, retribution and treachery that followed those impacted by the Second World War.
It is rather regrettable that I have had The Collaborator lingering on my shelves for so long. Despite the fact that Diane Armstrong’s book has been highly recommended to me many times over, I haven’t found the time until now to give this one the attention it so rightly deserves. Anyone who is a keen-eyed reader of the Second World War, the Holocaust, or history in general will find much to reflect on thanks to the penmanship of Diane Armstrong. I know this one affected me much more deeply than I expected. The Collaborator was a devastating read from start to finish.
Taking the form of two timelines, spaced decades part, The Collaborator simultaneously works to unfurl the secret life of a man who blurred the lines between collaborator and hero during the Second World War. I appreciated the way in which Armstrong was able to link Miklos Nagy’s shocking turn of events with the up-to-date investigations of an Australian journalist. Moving, overwhelming, surprising and heart wrenching, The Collaborator is a tale that shocks the reader. Supported by an immense amount of factual detail and dedicated research on behalf the author, I came away feeling more knowledgeable about this cavity of the war. With the added focus on the moral questions surrounding the central figure of this novel ensures that the audience takes a considered look at this difficult series of events in the war.
By alternating the timelines and viewpoints, Armstrong has succeeded in producing a novel of great interest and historical brevity. I know I felt equally invested in both timelines and I came to see the present day investigations as crucial element in the overall direction of The Collaborator. A side focus on Annika’s personal life offsets the often-heavy feeling that came with some of the 1944 sequences. I genuinely rooted for Annika and I admired her resolve to expose the true story of Mikolas Nagy’s moving, but questionable acts during the war. Full of conflict, turmoil and divisions, The Collaborator leaves much for the reader to digest.
The Collaborator is book #8 of the 2021 Australian Women Writers Challenge
February 26, 2020
There are many elements to this book that make it a compelling read. The author is to be commended for creating a good balance in the book with regards to the politics of Israel.
Annika Barnett in 2005 is at loose ends, frustrated with a job that she finds unfulfilling and after much pondering she makes the decision to resign. On visiting her grandmother and referring to a recent television program where survivors of the Holocaust had been encouraged to tell their stories Annika questions her grandmother as to why this part of her life is a closed book. With her grandmother not budging from her decision and now having more time on her hands Annika decides to visit the Jewish Museum. Even though she was schooled at a private Christian Girls School the family does not practice any religion, her grandmother has rejected her Jewish background. The thought of being able to find out more about this time in her grandmother's life intrigues her. During this visit an old photograph of a group of people is on display which includes Miklós Nagy the acclaimed Hero of Hungary. To Annika's amazement it also reveals a young woman she recognises as that of her grandmother, Marika Horvath. Armed with this information she confronts her grandmother who is even more adamant and that the name of Miklós Nagy is not to be discussed ever. Her grandmother has had a successful life and Annika is perplexed with her attitude. Her discussions with her own mother do nothing to resolve things. She makes the decision to travel to Budapest to see what she can discover about the connection between her grandmother, the hero Miklós Nagy and the 1500 Hungarian Jews that he saved from the Nazis. Annika's journey takes on more than she anticipates as it's not only a discovery of her grandmother's history of the desperate times in which she lived, it is also a discovery of herself and where she travels further onto Israel.
1944 and Miklós Nagy is a tormented man. His dealings with Adolph Eichmann are proving to be almost beyond all human endeavours. The Nazis are losing the war but Eichmann is still determined to continue sending Jews to Auschwitz. It's the first meeting with Eichmann and Miklós is handed a plan from Eichmann himself, get him trucks and he will allow some Jews to leave the country. Eichmann has chosen 2 men to travel to Istanbul, one of which is Miklós' friend Gábor Weisz who is the negotiator for the Istanbul mission. He has a beautiful and charming wife that he is worried about leaving behind. Miklós rather unwisely complicates his life further by becoming romantically involved with Gábor's wife. Even as events are hanging by a thread through linking families he has managed to bulk up the numbers for the train that would leave the country for Switzerland but sadly this has also meant that many would be left behind resulting in certain death.
1952, Isaiah Fleischmann in Tel Aviv is a tormented man, his disillusionment of his new country is compounded by his hatred of Miklós Nagy. Isaiah's mother and sister were not chosen in the 1500 count for the train to escape the Nazis and died in Auschwitz. Out of the blue a newspaper article presents him with the ammunition to unmask this "fake hero" as a man who had collaborated with the Nazis and for Isaiah to avenge the deaths of his mother and sister.
The trial of Miklós is complicated by the fact that it's the government that takes the action to court on Miklós' behalf against Isaiah which is further complicated by Isaiah's lawyer that also has an axe to grind.
Annika returns to Sydney with a greater understanding of events surrounding her grandmother's life and the reasons for her reinvention when arriving in her new country. When all is revealed a great outpouring of truth, sadness and relief occurs.
Annika Barnett in 2005 is at loose ends, frustrated with a job that she finds unfulfilling and after much pondering she makes the decision to resign. On visiting her grandmother and referring to a recent television program where survivors of the Holocaust had been encouraged to tell their stories Annika questions her grandmother as to why this part of her life is a closed book. With her grandmother not budging from her decision and now having more time on her hands Annika decides to visit the Jewish Museum. Even though she was schooled at a private Christian Girls School the family does not practice any religion, her grandmother has rejected her Jewish background. The thought of being able to find out more about this time in her grandmother's life intrigues her. During this visit an old photograph of a group of people is on display which includes Miklós Nagy the acclaimed Hero of Hungary. To Annika's amazement it also reveals a young woman she recognises as that of her grandmother, Marika Horvath. Armed with this information she confronts her grandmother who is even more adamant and that the name of Miklós Nagy is not to be discussed ever. Her grandmother has had a successful life and Annika is perplexed with her attitude. Her discussions with her own mother do nothing to resolve things. She makes the decision to travel to Budapest to see what she can discover about the connection between her grandmother, the hero Miklós Nagy and the 1500 Hungarian Jews that he saved from the Nazis. Annika's journey takes on more than she anticipates as it's not only a discovery of her grandmother's history of the desperate times in which she lived, it is also a discovery of herself and where she travels further onto Israel.
1944 and Miklós Nagy is a tormented man. His dealings with Adolph Eichmann are proving to be almost beyond all human endeavours. The Nazis are losing the war but Eichmann is still determined to continue sending Jews to Auschwitz. It's the first meeting with Eichmann and Miklós is handed a plan from Eichmann himself, get him trucks and he will allow some Jews to leave the country. Eichmann has chosen 2 men to travel to Istanbul, one of which is Miklós' friend Gábor Weisz who is the negotiator for the Istanbul mission. He has a beautiful and charming wife that he is worried about leaving behind. Miklós rather unwisely complicates his life further by becoming romantically involved with Gábor's wife. Even as events are hanging by a thread through linking families he has managed to bulk up the numbers for the train that would leave the country for Switzerland but sadly this has also meant that many would be left behind resulting in certain death.
1952, Isaiah Fleischmann in Tel Aviv is a tormented man, his disillusionment of his new country is compounded by his hatred of Miklós Nagy. Isaiah's mother and sister were not chosen in the 1500 count for the train to escape the Nazis and died in Auschwitz. Out of the blue a newspaper article presents him with the ammunition to unmask this "fake hero" as a man who had collaborated with the Nazis and for Isaiah to avenge the deaths of his mother and sister.
The trial of Miklós is complicated by the fact that it's the government that takes the action to court on Miklós' behalf against Isaiah which is further complicated by Isaiah's lawyer that also has an axe to grind.
Annika returns to Sydney with a greater understanding of events surrounding her grandmother's life and the reasons for her reinvention when arriving in her new country. When all is revealed a great outpouring of truth, sadness and relief occurs.
August 24, 2019
The factual history of Jewish Hungarian, Rezso Kasztner, is astounding. In 1944 he bravely confronted Eichmann and negotiated the rescue of over 1000 Jewish Hungarians from certain death and deportation to Auschwitz. The deal succeeded in transporting these Jews on a "rescue train" to Switzerland and to safety. However, Kasztner was later accused of having collaborated with the Nazis, a court case following that would bring down the Israeli government of the time and seal his tragic fate.
And yet, despite this intriguing and complex story, "The Collaborator" falls flat in Armstrong's 465 page fictionalised adaptation. Her target audience seemed so broad that the writing became simplistic, appealing to those interested in a sentimental love story (or three!) and to those who lacked more than a basic inkling about the Holocaust or about Israel. Her invented characters diluted, rather than enhanced the background story and moved it to pure melodrama in its last stages. Very disappointing!
And yet, despite this intriguing and complex story, "The Collaborator" falls flat in Armstrong's 465 page fictionalised adaptation. Her target audience seemed so broad that the writing became simplistic, appealing to those interested in a sentimental love story (or three!) and to those who lacked more than a basic inkling about the Holocaust or about Israel. Her invented characters diluted, rather than enhanced the background story and moved it to pure melodrama in its last stages. Very disappointing!
August 15, 2019
Just brilliant
January 5, 2020
I am not sure why I struggled so much with this book when others have quite clearly loved it. I was so close to giving up halfway through due to the fact that I couldn’t concentrate, my mind kept wandering, I had to keep re-reading passages. I persevered because I was so sure that it would get better. For me, the book seemed disjointed and lacking flow. At the very beginning of the book it stated that Annika didn’t love her Grandmother, this struck me as odd, it’s unusual for a Granddaughter to not feel love for a Grandparent yet she was constantly seeking her approval and put herself through meetings with her Grandmother, copping criticism and trying so hard to figure out her story. This felt disingenuous to me and I wasn’t convinced on the storyline. Other things that happened in the book seemed to be thrown in unconvincingly such as her romantic interests, they didn’t tie with the story at all - to me they screamed of chucking in a little romance to tick that box yet there was no point to it. The sudden ending made no sense to me. Overall, there was SO much promise to this story and it lacked in all areas.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2020
One of the several books I have read in isolation was this thoroughly absorbing little known story of the saving of a thousand Hungarian Jews towards the end of WWII. Using a dual and sometimes triple timeline, we also get to experience the birth of the new nation of Israel. Written by an octogenarian Holocaust survivor now living in Australia, it was a compelling and enlightening read.
November 10, 2019
Boooooring! This book should have been a DNF, but have had a few of them lately, so felt obliged to finish. Skimmed the last 150 pages.
This book could have been halved in length and probably still would have been too long. Annika and her story were boring, cliched, and predictable. I was slightly more engaged in the Miklos part, but not enough to redeem the book.
A stinker, which is disappointing given what could have been an interesting story based in truth.
This book could have been halved in length and probably still would have been too long. Annika and her story were boring, cliched, and predictable. I was slightly more engaged in the Miklos part, but not enough to redeem the book.
A stinker, which is disappointing given what could have been an interesting story based in truth.
July 4, 2019
Diane Armstrong, the author, is a child Holocaust survivor who arrived in Australia from Poland in 1948. She has written “Mosaic” and “Nocturne” and “Voyage of their life” all which have had great reviews but I have only read Mosaic a while ago. This was a proof read given to me at my local bookstore book club.
I am not sure how much of her life is actually in this book but she has based it on the real Rezso Kasztner who helped over 1500 Hungarian Jews escape going to the deaths camps. “Kasztner negotiated with Adolf Eichmann, a senior SS officer, to allow 1,684 Jews to leave instead for Switzerland on what became known as the Kastner train, in exchange for money, gold and diamonds.” Quoted from Wikipedia. He is known as Miklós Nagy in the book.
The story jumps from 1944 to 2005 at the beginning of most chapters. Annika is a journalist in Sydney but despite knowing a little of her grandmother’s past in Budapest her grandmother won’t talk about what happened there. Annika is determined to find out and she unleashes a whole new world of what went on at that time in Budapest when she goes there and how Miklós Nagy negotiated with Eichmann to save a few Jews from their imminent deaths at the camps. He has to make a list of names of who can go to Switzerland and he sends whole families rather than picking random people. He then in 1956 is trialled and accused of being a collaborator. This in itself has a twist and rather sad ending which you don’t find out until near the end of the book. It’s well written for me and researched but in discussions with my daughter she had a problem with the mention of Eichmann and Himmler even doing this type of negotiations to save any number of Jews when with Hitlers orders they were hell bent getting rid of all Jews.The author does go into great detail of life in Budapest and how Jewish were being treated. The twist at the end is well done and answers why her grandmother has been so vague about what actually happened to her. Not for an Historian but a good novel!
I am not sure how much of her life is actually in this book but she has based it on the real Rezso Kasztner who helped over 1500 Hungarian Jews escape going to the deaths camps. “Kasztner negotiated with Adolf Eichmann, a senior SS officer, to allow 1,684 Jews to leave instead for Switzerland on what became known as the Kastner train, in exchange for money, gold and diamonds.” Quoted from Wikipedia. He is known as Miklós Nagy in the book.
The story jumps from 1944 to 2005 at the beginning of most chapters. Annika is a journalist in Sydney but despite knowing a little of her grandmother’s past in Budapest her grandmother won’t talk about what happened there. Annika is determined to find out and she unleashes a whole new world of what went on at that time in Budapest when she goes there and how Miklós Nagy negotiated with Eichmann to save a few Jews from their imminent deaths at the camps. He has to make a list of names of who can go to Switzerland and he sends whole families rather than picking random people. He then in 1956 is trialled and accused of being a collaborator. This in itself has a twist and rather sad ending which you don’t find out until near the end of the book. It’s well written for me and researched but in discussions with my daughter she had a problem with the mention of Eichmann and Himmler even doing this type of negotiations to save any number of Jews when with Hitlers orders they were hell bent getting rid of all Jews.The author does go into great detail of life in Budapest and how Jewish were being treated. The twist at the end is well done and answers why her grandmother has been so vague about what actually happened to her. Not for an Historian but a good novel!
August 16, 2019
The Collaborator by Diane Armstrong
It’s Sydney Australia in 2005, where we're introduced to single and unlucky in love, forty year old Annika Barnett. On visiting the Sydney Jewish museum she notices a historical photo taken in Switzerland in 1944 of a group of Hungarian Jews just arrived by train, they were rescued by Miklos Nagy. In the photo she recognises her grandmother.
After resigning from her job as a journalist and being out of work Annika decides with her free time to travel to where her family originated from and discover more about her grandmother's past and rescue from Hungary during WW11. Annika is intrigued by her grandmother’s emotional reaction to the mention of the name Miklos Nagy. Her grandmother, Holocaust survivor Marika who had built a successful life in Australia would never talk about her past and was forbiddingly private.
Annika makes arrangements to travel to Budapest where she then extends her trip to include Tel Aviv and uncovers the truth about her grandmother’s past and so much more.
In Hungary, 1944 Miklos Nagy risks his life to save over a thousand jews from German concentration camps, including Annika’s grandmother. Is Miklos Nagy a hero or does he have blood on his hands?
The Collaborator is told in two timelines, 1944 and 2005. A very well researched historical mystery based on elements of the true story of Rezso Kasztner. A long absorbing read and a satisfying and emotional ending to a fully immersive novel.
Thank you to Netgalley/Harlequin Australia for the ARC
It’s Sydney Australia in 2005, where we're introduced to single and unlucky in love, forty year old Annika Barnett. On visiting the Sydney Jewish museum she notices a historical photo taken in Switzerland in 1944 of a group of Hungarian Jews just arrived by train, they were rescued by Miklos Nagy. In the photo she recognises her grandmother.
After resigning from her job as a journalist and being out of work Annika decides with her free time to travel to where her family originated from and discover more about her grandmother's past and rescue from Hungary during WW11. Annika is intrigued by her grandmother’s emotional reaction to the mention of the name Miklos Nagy. Her grandmother, Holocaust survivor Marika who had built a successful life in Australia would never talk about her past and was forbiddingly private.
Annika makes arrangements to travel to Budapest where she then extends her trip to include Tel Aviv and uncovers the truth about her grandmother’s past and so much more.
In Hungary, 1944 Miklos Nagy risks his life to save over a thousand jews from German concentration camps, including Annika’s grandmother. Is Miklos Nagy a hero or does he have blood on his hands?
The Collaborator is told in two timelines, 1944 and 2005. A very well researched historical mystery based on elements of the true story of Rezso Kasztner. A long absorbing read and a satisfying and emotional ending to a fully immersive novel.
Thank you to Netgalley/Harlequin Australia for the ARC
May 4, 2020
“The Collaborator”, by Diane Armstrong (who survived the holocaust as a child), is a novelized account of the true and riveting tale of Rezso Kasztner, who negotiated with Adolf Eickmann to save over a thousand Hungarian Jews from being murdered at Auschwitz. I could not put this book down.
Armstrong changes Kasztner’s name to Miklos Nagy, and gives him a fictional and complicated private life, but she does not change the facts in Kasztner’s unique and fascinating story. I don’t want to give the plot away because Armstrong is so skillful at the propulsive unwinding of the story with perfect pacing.
And I learned so much! So much about Budapest, so much about Israel, past and present. Armstrong does a magnificent job of explaining the complicated politics that exist in Israel based on its complicated and often fraught history since WWII, and the many many political parties that still exist. She does this without bias, letting the reader think and assess for themselves.
In addition, the novel is a lovely “travel guide” through Budapest and Israel! I spent some time looking up the sites on the internet to get the sense of the setting. (I did NOT look up Kasztner until I was finished because I did NOT want to know what was going to happen!)
The structure Armstrong uses to tell this story is through the character of Annika Barnett, an unemployed journalist from Australia who upon finding that her grandmother was saved by Nagy, sets out to find out what her grandmother will not reveal. This turns into a love story, and while I understand Armstrong’s reasoning for framing the novel within Annika’s bildungsroman, I think the core story was strong enough without it. Still, that’s a quibble. 4.5 stars!
Armstrong changes Kasztner’s name to Miklos Nagy, and gives him a fictional and complicated private life, but she does not change the facts in Kasztner’s unique and fascinating story. I don’t want to give the plot away because Armstrong is so skillful at the propulsive unwinding of the story with perfect pacing.
And I learned so much! So much about Budapest, so much about Israel, past and present. Armstrong does a magnificent job of explaining the complicated politics that exist in Israel based on its complicated and often fraught history since WWII, and the many many political parties that still exist. She does this without bias, letting the reader think and assess for themselves.
In addition, the novel is a lovely “travel guide” through Budapest and Israel! I spent some time looking up the sites on the internet to get the sense of the setting. (I did NOT look up Kasztner until I was finished because I did NOT want to know what was going to happen!)
The structure Armstrong uses to tell this story is through the character of Annika Barnett, an unemployed journalist from Australia who upon finding that her grandmother was saved by Nagy, sets out to find out what her grandmother will not reveal. This turns into a love story, and while I understand Armstrong’s reasoning for framing the novel within Annika’s bildungsroman, I think the core story was strong enough without it. Still, that’s a quibble. 4.5 stars!
July 12, 2019
In 1944 Nazi-occupied Budapest, Miklos Nagy puts his life on the line, negotiating with none other than the terrifying Adolph Eichmann himself to rescue thousands of Hungarian Jews from extermination camp deportation and almost certain death.
In 2005, Sydney journalist Annika Barnett desperately wants to unravel the mystery of who rescued her grandmother, Marika, during the Holocaust. Marika will not speak of the past but Annika sets out for Budapest and then Tel Aviv, determined to learn the truth.
As the ‘then’ and ‘now’ narratives come together, an astounding story based on true events is gradually revealed with, ultimately, a classic twist/revelation to take readers by surprise and ensure they are gripped to the last page and the story’s satisfying conclusion.
Both moving and evocative, The Collaborator will appeal equally to lovers of historical fiction, romance, legal drama or family mystery. With six historic works behind her, Armstrong (herself a child Holocaust survivor) knows well how to develop full characters and to cleverly plot multiple story strands with deftness and finesse.
In 2005, Sydney journalist Annika Barnett desperately wants to unravel the mystery of who rescued her grandmother, Marika, during the Holocaust. Marika will not speak of the past but Annika sets out for Budapest and then Tel Aviv, determined to learn the truth.
As the ‘then’ and ‘now’ narratives come together, an astounding story based on true events is gradually revealed with, ultimately, a classic twist/revelation to take readers by surprise and ensure they are gripped to the last page and the story’s satisfying conclusion.
Both moving and evocative, The Collaborator will appeal equally to lovers of historical fiction, romance, legal drama or family mystery. With six historic works behind her, Armstrong (herself a child Holocaust survivor) knows well how to develop full characters and to cleverly plot multiple story strands with deftness and finesse.
November 4, 2020
The bones of the story are fascinating, complex and reveal a slice of history I know nothing about (especially the Israeli trial is illuminating). But unfortunately, there's far too much repetition, explanation, neat little chance meetings, and eye-rolling moments for me to really have enjoyed it. Plus, the moral question (collaborator or hero?) was explored without much subtlety and finesse.
Loved Armstrong's earlier books but the last ones have all disappointed me.
Loved Armstrong's earlier books but the last ones have all disappointed me.
August 25, 2019
‘How was it that this man, a Jew, was able to secure special protection for his group from the Hungarians and the Germans at a time when Jews were being rounded up in ghettos and deported?’
Always up for anything WW2 related,especially when factually based, this is a fascinating story surrounding Rudolf Kastner and his crusade to rescue over 1000 Hungarian Jews from imminent annihilation by the Nazis. Attempting to select a cross section of Jews from all areas of society, as well as people from his home village and family members, there would be, sadly, no simple outcome. Unlike Oscar Schindler, it would appear that controversy surrounded Kastner (fictionalised Miklos Nagy in the story) concerning not only human costs but also a moral complexity surrounding the whole debacle. After the war, when Kastner was working for the government in Israel, he would be accused of collaborating with the Nazis in his attempt to save lives. As the author states herself, ‘I’m fascinated by the moral ambiguities of the story .... How do you balance the merit of rescuing over fifteen hundred Jews against the crime of writing an affidavit to exonerate a Nazi? Can a man be a hero as well as a collaborator? Was it possible to be both? Can the end justify the means? Were human actions able to be judged in absolutes?’
‘There were times when he saw himself as a modern-day Noah, sending his ark out of Hungary in the hope that this tiny part of the community might survive the Nazi inundation.’
Not only do you have a fictionalised version of events during WW2 and in Israel in the early 1950s, but this tale is also told through the eyes of one young Australian - a woman whose grandmother was one of the lucky survivors on that train. Unable to get a satisfactory response from her family, Annika sets off to first Budapest (loved the descriptions of this city!) and then to Tel Aviv Israel, in an attempt to discover the truth and meaning of not only her grandmothers (and thus her very own story) but also the meaning and angst behind the whole situation.
‘Appalled by their gullibility, Miklós had argued with the council members in Budapest, urging them to stop co-operating with the Nazis. Frustrated by their inability or unwillingness to see through the deception, he shouted, ‘You can’t believe what they say. By colluding with them, you’ll only make it easier for them to destroy our whole community.’
The story will move between past and present with the themes of collaboration and heroism mixed with deceit and honesty battling it out in both storylines. The link between Annika’s grandmother and the historical story I found to be really well done. There is also a whole lot of Israeli history and politics involved for those who try to wrap their head around this controversial place in the world.
‘He knows that for most people, denying reality is preferable to confronting a disturbing truth.’
‘This is a trick question, and there is no way of answering it truthfully without incriminating himself. It’s a question that assumes that actions can be judged in black or white, but he knows that the truth always lies inside a narrow crack in between. He longs to explain this but knows that isn’t possible.’
For me, I was totally engaged in the whole dilemma of hero versus traitor. How could a man who saved so many from certain death, be at the same time, vilified by so many? And the final plot twist (which I had suspected) was still well presented. Although a little long in parts, this is most certainly a fascinating tale of courage and compassion during dire circumstances. Tied in neatly to the present day with the search for not only the truth but also personal answers, this is a book I would highly recommend to history lovers.
‘For many years, I used to wonder if my life had any meaning. But if I can save this group of Jews, I’ll feel I haven’t lived in vain.’
‘What makes it worse is that our own government is collaborating with the Nazis,’ Ilonka sighs, and Miklós nods. ‘One day they will pay for their collusion,’ he mutters.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
Always up for anything WW2 related,especially when factually based, this is a fascinating story surrounding Rudolf Kastner and his crusade to rescue over 1000 Hungarian Jews from imminent annihilation by the Nazis. Attempting to select a cross section of Jews from all areas of society, as well as people from his home village and family members, there would be, sadly, no simple outcome. Unlike Oscar Schindler, it would appear that controversy surrounded Kastner (fictionalised Miklos Nagy in the story) concerning not only human costs but also a moral complexity surrounding the whole debacle. After the war, when Kastner was working for the government in Israel, he would be accused of collaborating with the Nazis in his attempt to save lives. As the author states herself, ‘I’m fascinated by the moral ambiguities of the story .... How do you balance the merit of rescuing over fifteen hundred Jews against the crime of writing an affidavit to exonerate a Nazi? Can a man be a hero as well as a collaborator? Was it possible to be both? Can the end justify the means? Were human actions able to be judged in absolutes?’
‘There were times when he saw himself as a modern-day Noah, sending his ark out of Hungary in the hope that this tiny part of the community might survive the Nazi inundation.’
Not only do you have a fictionalised version of events during WW2 and in Israel in the early 1950s, but this tale is also told through the eyes of one young Australian - a woman whose grandmother was one of the lucky survivors on that train. Unable to get a satisfactory response from her family, Annika sets off to first Budapest (loved the descriptions of this city!) and then to Tel Aviv Israel, in an attempt to discover the truth and meaning of not only her grandmothers (and thus her very own story) but also the meaning and angst behind the whole situation.
‘Appalled by their gullibility, Miklós had argued with the council members in Budapest, urging them to stop co-operating with the Nazis. Frustrated by their inability or unwillingness to see through the deception, he shouted, ‘You can’t believe what they say. By colluding with them, you’ll only make it easier for them to destroy our whole community.’
The story will move between past and present with the themes of collaboration and heroism mixed with deceit and honesty battling it out in both storylines. The link between Annika’s grandmother and the historical story I found to be really well done. There is also a whole lot of Israeli history and politics involved for those who try to wrap their head around this controversial place in the world.
‘He knows that for most people, denying reality is preferable to confronting a disturbing truth.’
‘This is a trick question, and there is no way of answering it truthfully without incriminating himself. It’s a question that assumes that actions can be judged in black or white, but he knows that the truth always lies inside a narrow crack in between. He longs to explain this but knows that isn’t possible.’
For me, I was totally engaged in the whole dilemma of hero versus traitor. How could a man who saved so many from certain death, be at the same time, vilified by so many? And the final plot twist (which I had suspected) was still well presented. Although a little long in parts, this is most certainly a fascinating tale of courage and compassion during dire circumstances. Tied in neatly to the present day with the search for not only the truth but also personal answers, this is a book I would highly recommend to history lovers.
‘For many years, I used to wonder if my life had any meaning. But if I can save this group of Jews, I’ll feel I haven’t lived in vain.’
‘What makes it worse is that our own government is collaborating with the Nazis,’ Ilonka sighs, and Miklós nods. ‘One day they will pay for their collusion,’ he mutters.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
January 11, 2021
I struggled with this book, at least at first. The multiple time periods and constant referencing backward forced me to store a lot of state about the plot, which invariably left me blinking in confusion for a few seconds after picking up the book anew until I recalled my mental model. The plot picked up slowly, and by the time the climax had made its presence felt, I was hooked, and had one more sharp shock for me, which I just realised before the main character. I would have preferred more of a resolution, but the ending delighted me all the same.
August 15, 2019
I received a copy of The Collaborator from Harper Collins Australia to review.
Rating of 4.5.
I did a short review of this book in the Canberra Weekly:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2019/08/15/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
Rating of 4.5.
I did a short review of this book in the Canberra Weekly:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2019/08/15/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
August 17, 2019
‘We all want truth, yes? But can you cut water with a knife?’
Budapest, 1944. In this novel, based on a true story, Ms Armstrong explores the moral complexities and human costs associated with the rescue of thousands of Budapest Jews from concentration camps. In this novel, the rescue was undertaken by Miklós Nagy, a Jewish businessman. For many he was a hero, but others saw him as a traitor. Why?
After Germany invaded Hungary in 1944, Miklós Nagy confronted Adolf Eichmann to negotiate for the lives of the remaining Jews of Hungary. He reaches an agreement, one he knows cannot succeed, but he hopes that stalling for time will delay the deportations until the war is over. But not everyone can be saved and treating with the Germans is seen as collaboration.
‘Gratitude is conditional and memory is short.’
Sixty-one years later in Sydney, Australia, Annika Barnett sets out on a journey which takes her to Budapest and Tel Aviv. A mysterious man rescued her grandmother Marika in 1944, and Annika is in search of the truth.
As the story moves between past and present, we observe both the best and the worst of human behaviour. Betrayal and heroism, passion and vengeance, human frailty each have a part to play in this story. Annika is searching for both the truth of the past and her own place in the world. Marika has secrets she’d rather not share. And the name of Miklós Nagy is both venerated and vilified. Can a man be both a hero and a traitor? I wondered what I might have done in his situation.
‘Perhaps no sin is unforgiveable if you can understand the sinner.’
I found this a difficult novel to read. Many of Miklós Nagy’s actions were heroic, some were misunderstood, others had unintended consequences. By the end of the novel, I was simultaneously filled with admiration for what Miklós Nagy had achieved and saddened that he could not achieve more. This novel was inspired by and is based on the story of Rezső Kasztner, who remains a controversial figure in Israel.
Diane Armstrong is a child Holocaust survivor who arrived in Australia from Poland in 1948. This is the second of her books I have read, and I have added the others to my reading list.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Budapest, 1944. In this novel, based on a true story, Ms Armstrong explores the moral complexities and human costs associated with the rescue of thousands of Budapest Jews from concentration camps. In this novel, the rescue was undertaken by Miklós Nagy, a Jewish businessman. For many he was a hero, but others saw him as a traitor. Why?
After Germany invaded Hungary in 1944, Miklós Nagy confronted Adolf Eichmann to negotiate for the lives of the remaining Jews of Hungary. He reaches an agreement, one he knows cannot succeed, but he hopes that stalling for time will delay the deportations until the war is over. But not everyone can be saved and treating with the Germans is seen as collaboration.
‘Gratitude is conditional and memory is short.’
Sixty-one years later in Sydney, Australia, Annika Barnett sets out on a journey which takes her to Budapest and Tel Aviv. A mysterious man rescued her grandmother Marika in 1944, and Annika is in search of the truth.
As the story moves between past and present, we observe both the best and the worst of human behaviour. Betrayal and heroism, passion and vengeance, human frailty each have a part to play in this story. Annika is searching for both the truth of the past and her own place in the world. Marika has secrets she’d rather not share. And the name of Miklós Nagy is both venerated and vilified. Can a man be both a hero and a traitor? I wondered what I might have done in his situation.
‘Perhaps no sin is unforgiveable if you can understand the sinner.’
I found this a difficult novel to read. Many of Miklós Nagy’s actions were heroic, some were misunderstood, others had unintended consequences. By the end of the novel, I was simultaneously filled with admiration for what Miklós Nagy had achieved and saddened that he could not achieve more. This novel was inspired by and is based on the story of Rezső Kasztner, who remains a controversial figure in Israel.
Diane Armstrong is a child Holocaust survivor who arrived in Australia from Poland in 1948. This is the second of her books I have read, and I have added the others to my reading list.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
June 15, 2020
I might be willing to push this up to two stars, but my standard practice is to give 1 star to any DNF and I'm giving this up at the 1/3 point. The story of the grandmother and the train and the rescue sounds interesting, but it is drowned out by long-winded descriptions and side plots with Anika developing vomit-inducing crushes. I keep saying to the air (listening to the audio), "No one cares. Get back to the point!"
I also dislike the narrator. Put on a posh voice and speak from the back of your throat and make everything sound soooo dramatic! The narrator would probably have been great back in the days when radio drama was the height of entertainment, but she's getting on my nerves.
I started this book hoping for historical biographical fiction (hopefully not too fictionalised), maybe a bit of drama or romance but chiefly about a resistance effort. What I've got is soppy characters engaged in soppy romance. Based on other reviews saying that the long-windedness doesn't change throughout the book, I've decided this book is not worth the time.
I also dislike the narrator. Put on a posh voice and speak from the back of your throat and make everything sound soooo dramatic! The narrator would probably have been great back in the days when radio drama was the height of entertainment, but she's getting on my nerves.
I started this book hoping for historical biographical fiction (hopefully not too fictionalised), maybe a bit of drama or romance but chiefly about a resistance effort. What I've got is soppy characters engaged in soppy romance. Based on other reviews saying that the long-windedness doesn't change throughout the book, I've decided this book is not worth the time.
October 31, 2019
A tale of two stories. Good story of a significant event in history and the unbelievable aftermath showing how easy it is for people to judge when so far removed from the events, time and horrors.
Second story really about a woman on a self discovery path. While I think the link towards the end was good, that part of the story wasn’t for me. I felt like I was reading two novels sometimes, but I was also expecting a different story when I started the book.
Second story really about a woman on a self discovery path. While I think the link towards the end was good, that part of the story wasn’t for me. I felt like I was reading two novels sometimes, but I was also expecting a different story when I started the book.
March 18, 2021
I hate to rate anything less than 4 stars, but I must be truthful, I slogged my way through this book. Perhaps I've overdosed on WWII and the Holocaust, but aside from the historical aspect, this book never captured my attention and I'm no quitter. After months of trying, I did a "speed-read" of the last third, got the gist of it and handed it off. I'm sorry. But I AM grateful to have won the book via a GoodReads giveaway. Thank you for that.
July 28, 2020
This is where I hate myself sometimes for choosing the audiobook - I really think I would of enjoyed this story but the audio book is awful. The narrator made the characters sound 2 dimensional, petty and snobby.. such a shame. Do yourself a favor and pick up the actual book not the audio book.. i persisted until about 60% of the way through- maybe ill try and finish as the book..
September 3, 2019
Kindle customer
I myself is a child survivor of Hungary, I have never heard of this story ,but found it very interesting. I realised that some parts were fictional, but it didn’t take away my interest in the book, but it made it more of a page turner.
I myself is a child survivor of Hungary, I have never heard of this story ,but found it very interesting. I realised that some parts were fictional, but it didn’t take away my interest in the book, but it made it more of a page turner.
December 24, 2019
The Collaborator was written by Australian author, Diane Armstrong, a Holocaust survivor who arrived here in 1948 aged seven, and is one of the best fictional accounts I've read about this egregious period in recent history.
The rabid doctrines of Hitler's Nazis were enforced under German administration in collaborating countries, with Hungary the exception, self-governing until 1944. The Horthy government took a far less doctrinaire approach and although there were Hungarian Jews transported to concentration camps, they were relatively few in number. In fact, Hungarian authorities allowed themselves consistently to be bribed, at great personal risk, to allow Polish, Ukrainian and Slovakian refugees to enter their country.
By 1944, with the war's outcome inevitable, the Hungarians started secret negotiations with the Allies. At that time, the Germans overran Hungary, sacking the government, and began increased transportation of Jews.
Two of the Germans in charge of transportation were SS Colonels Adolf Eichmann and Kurt Becher. In the book, negotiations take place between a Hungarian Jew, Miklos Nagy and Eichmann, for the German to be provided trucks from the Allies in exchange for a train load of Jews. Nagy can never trust the German. Then Eichmann, as we know, was transferred elsewhere to control the final solution, while the more affable Becher took over in Hungary.
The story centres around investigative journalist Annika Barnett, late 30s, who gives up her editorial position in Sydney. Unsettled, especially on the basis of her family background (her grandmother had survived the holocaust when shipped to Switzerland on a train negotiated by Nagy), and with neither her grandmother nor her mother wanting to discuss the matter, she decides to head off to Hungary and Israel to find out what she can for her own understanding.
In an intriguing plot based on actual events (albeit the name of the main protagonist has been changed), we read of the fraught days of life as a Jew in wartime Hungary, post-war emigration to Palestine, establishment of a new nation, Israel, its problems from within and without, including Israelis killing Israelis (the sinking of the arms ship Altalena is detailed). Essential to the story is a 1950s court case in which Miklos Nagy is charged as a Nazi collaborator. It is the only crime in Israel punishable by death.
This is a journey that will keep the reader involved, especially through Armstrong's writing. For example, on her first visit, we find Annika "...gazing at the fabled panorama of Jerusalem. The luminous limestone of buildings spread out below them glows in the afternoon light..."
Oh, and there is a love interest, but better I allow you to find that out on reading this superb work.
Brilliant! My book of the year.
The rabid doctrines of Hitler's Nazis were enforced under German administration in collaborating countries, with Hungary the exception, self-governing until 1944. The Horthy government took a far less doctrinaire approach and although there were Hungarian Jews transported to concentration camps, they were relatively few in number. In fact, Hungarian authorities allowed themselves consistently to be bribed, at great personal risk, to allow Polish, Ukrainian and Slovakian refugees to enter their country.
By 1944, with the war's outcome inevitable, the Hungarians started secret negotiations with the Allies. At that time, the Germans overran Hungary, sacking the government, and began increased transportation of Jews.
Two of the Germans in charge of transportation were SS Colonels Adolf Eichmann and Kurt Becher. In the book, negotiations take place between a Hungarian Jew, Miklos Nagy and Eichmann, for the German to be provided trucks from the Allies in exchange for a train load of Jews. Nagy can never trust the German. Then Eichmann, as we know, was transferred elsewhere to control the final solution, while the more affable Becher took over in Hungary.
The story centres around investigative journalist Annika Barnett, late 30s, who gives up her editorial position in Sydney. Unsettled, especially on the basis of her family background (her grandmother had survived the holocaust when shipped to Switzerland on a train negotiated by Nagy), and with neither her grandmother nor her mother wanting to discuss the matter, she decides to head off to Hungary and Israel to find out what she can for her own understanding.
In an intriguing plot based on actual events (albeit the name of the main protagonist has been changed), we read of the fraught days of life as a Jew in wartime Hungary, post-war emigration to Palestine, establishment of a new nation, Israel, its problems from within and without, including Israelis killing Israelis (the sinking of the arms ship Altalena is detailed). Essential to the story is a 1950s court case in which Miklos Nagy is charged as a Nazi collaborator. It is the only crime in Israel punishable by death.
This is a journey that will keep the reader involved, especially through Armstrong's writing. For example, on her first visit, we find Annika "...gazing at the fabled panorama of Jerusalem. The luminous limestone of buildings spread out below them glows in the afternoon light..."
Oh, and there is a love interest, but better I allow you to find that out on reading this superb work.
Brilliant! My book of the year.
December 8, 2019
The Collaborator is the latest historical fiction novel from Australian author, Diane Armstrong. Born in Poland in 1939, Armstrong moved to Australia after the war in 1948. With a dual timeline, The Collaborator is set in 1944 and in 2005 and is based on a powerful, true story.
The Collaborator is the researched, real tale of Hungarian Jew Reszo Kasztner. Kasztner was a journalist who, in 1944, saved the lives of thousands of Jews. Armtrong has replaced Kasztner with Miklos Nagy and through this protagonist, I learnt about a period in history that has escaped me. Working closely with two Nazis, Eichmann and Becher, Kasztner struck a deal to trade ten thousand trucks for thousands of Jewish people. Included in this group were Kasztner’s own friends and families. This decision came back to haunt Kasztner when he was accused after the war in the 1950s of collaborating with the Nazis. Armstrong has used court transcripts that were written by the presiding judge to write her account of Kasztner’s court trial. To my surprise and horror, some of the those who Kasztner saved spoke out against him. Despite Armtsrong’s interpretation, I still cannot fathom how this man was betrayed by his own people. Not only was Kasztner betrayed, his life ended in tragic circumstances that many, including, this reader, believe he did not deserve.
Many decades later, Annika Barnett discovers that her grandmother is hiding a secret. Annika is a forty year old woman, with a career in journalism. She has never been married, with a tendency to pick the wrong man. The two most important people in Annika’s life are her grandmother, Marika, and mother, Eva. She has an enviable relationship with both women but there is clearly respect and boundaries. Marika’s secret takes Annika to Budapest, Hungry and Tel Aviv, Israel. Annika’s passion for research and the truth comes to the forefront as she digs deep into her grandmother’s past. Unexpected passion comes in the form of two men, one from each country.
Who will win Annika’s heart? What is the secret that Marika is hiding not only from Annika, but also Marika? Is Kasztner a Nazi collaborator?
Based on rich research, Armstrong’s forth novel is a must read for lovers of historical fiction or bi fiction.
The Collaborator is the researched, real tale of Hungarian Jew Reszo Kasztner. Kasztner was a journalist who, in 1944, saved the lives of thousands of Jews. Armtrong has replaced Kasztner with Miklos Nagy and through this protagonist, I learnt about a period in history that has escaped me. Working closely with two Nazis, Eichmann and Becher, Kasztner struck a deal to trade ten thousand trucks for thousands of Jewish people. Included in this group were Kasztner’s own friends and families. This decision came back to haunt Kasztner when he was accused after the war in the 1950s of collaborating with the Nazis. Armstrong has used court transcripts that were written by the presiding judge to write her account of Kasztner’s court trial. To my surprise and horror, some of the those who Kasztner saved spoke out against him. Despite Armtsrong’s interpretation, I still cannot fathom how this man was betrayed by his own people. Not only was Kasztner betrayed, his life ended in tragic circumstances that many, including, this reader, believe he did not deserve.
Many decades later, Annika Barnett discovers that her grandmother is hiding a secret. Annika is a forty year old woman, with a career in journalism. She has never been married, with a tendency to pick the wrong man. The two most important people in Annika’s life are her grandmother, Marika, and mother, Eva. She has an enviable relationship with both women but there is clearly respect and boundaries. Marika’s secret takes Annika to Budapest, Hungry and Tel Aviv, Israel. Annika’s passion for research and the truth comes to the forefront as she digs deep into her grandmother’s past. Unexpected passion comes in the form of two men, one from each country.
Who will win Annika’s heart? What is the secret that Marika is hiding not only from Annika, but also Marika? Is Kasztner a Nazi collaborator?
Based on rich research, Armstrong’s forth novel is a must read for lovers of historical fiction or bi fiction.
January 19, 2020
The collaborator by Diane Armstrong follows Sydney women, Annika, as she travels to Budapest after seeing a photo of her grandmother in the Jewish museum in Sydney. Her grandmother was standing with a group of people next to a train in Switzerland in 1944 after being saved from the death camps by Miklos Nagy. This comes as a surprise as though she knew her grandmother came from Hungary, they are Catholics. Her grandmother denies it is her and immediately shuts the subject down, and reacts angrily to Miklos’s name. As Annika has just left her journalist position, she decides to follow the story and find out the truth despite her grandmother’s opposition.
The story switches between 1944, the 1950s and 2005 as Annika follows Miklos’s story. Having personally visited Budapest twice, and falling in love with it, Diane Armstrong brought the city alive and I could ‘see’ it as Annika moved around it. This is a story of heroism, passion, hatred, betrayal and love. However, It was a very long book, although I enjoyed the story I do confess that my eyes glazed over once or twice as some parts were just so full of information (Info dump?) that it was almost tedious to read at times.
The collaborator is based on a true story. Rezso Kastner was a Jewish businessman living in Budapest, Hungary, when the Germans invaded in 1944. Knowing what the fate of the Hungarian Jews would be, Kastner managed to negotiate with Adolf Eichmann for the release of a trainload of Jews in exchange for money and jewels. A committee was set to pick Jews from all levels of society and send them to Switzerland. After the war Kastner moved to Israel but was accused of collaborating with the Germans because he didn’t warn all the other Hungarian Jews that they would be sent to death camps.
Thanks to Harlequin Books and the publisher via Netgalley for this copy to read.
The story switches between 1944, the 1950s and 2005 as Annika follows Miklos’s story. Having personally visited Budapest twice, and falling in love with it, Diane Armstrong brought the city alive and I could ‘see’ it as Annika moved around it. This is a story of heroism, passion, hatred, betrayal and love. However, It was a very long book, although I enjoyed the story I do confess that my eyes glazed over once or twice as some parts were just so full of information (Info dump?) that it was almost tedious to read at times.
The collaborator is based on a true story. Rezso Kastner was a Jewish businessman living in Budapest, Hungary, when the Germans invaded in 1944. Knowing what the fate of the Hungarian Jews would be, Kastner managed to negotiate with Adolf Eichmann for the release of a trainload of Jews in exchange for money and jewels. A committee was set to pick Jews from all levels of society and send them to Switzerland. After the war Kastner moved to Israel but was accused of collaborating with the Germans because he didn’t warn all the other Hungarian Jews that they would be sent to death camps.
Thanks to Harlequin Books and the publisher via Netgalley for this copy to read.
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