Like a Weed: A coming of age story of a Hungarian girl through WWII and the post war years as a Displaced Person - Softcover

Dawson, Vivian Kostka

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1438946945 ISBN 13: 9781438946948

Publisher: AuthorHouse, 2009

Synopsis

The little girl standing in the field of tall grass and dandelions is four years old. She's in the garden of her grandparents' villa on the outskirts of Budapest, Hungary, the only home she's ever known, among loving people, her mother, her best friend, her nanny, her uncle. The first of September 1939 she enters first grade almost at the same instant the German Nazi Army invades the not too distant Poland. Unbeknownst to her life is altered for ever. World War II has begun. At first slowly, almost imperceptably, life begins to change; then come bombings, German occupation and another threat, that of the Soviet Army approaching the eastern border. In the Fall of 1944 her mother and step-father and the little girl leave the capitol for another city only to encounter more severe bombings, a reign of terror and human suffering while life in a surreal way still goes on and children manage to find fun in spite of it all.The three flee the country to Austria. At last the war is over. Yet years of uncertainly await them. Not until March of 1950 when they arrive in the United States do they find what is considered a normal life.But it isn't all gloom and doom. Amusing situations, pleasurable times happen even in the harshest times. Time marches on and the little girl is growing up. Romance makes an appearance---well more like puppy-love.

About this title

About the Author

I like to write and I like to tell stories--moreover whenever I would reminisce about my adventures about the years I lived in Europe before, during and after WWII people told me I should write them down. It took me a long time. I was past seventy when I finally got around to actually doing so with a writers' group full of warm, encouraging, and talented writers. I promised myself when I was sixteen and living in an unheated attic in Austria that one day I'd write a book. So now I have fulfilled my long ago made promise and can relax and enjoy life here in Phoenix, Arizona.The years I chronicled were not easy but as I wrote about all the people, places and adventures that came into my life in those years I began to be grateful for the experience and what it has taught me. I am a bridge player and accustomed to playing the hand that is dealt to me. Besides, life doesn't give you a re-deal. I am not of a sentimental nature, but I do believe in happy endings beause I am living one now."like a weed" is my story--the way I lived it and the time I lived it--many people had it a lot worse and I daresay some had it a lot better. I have no message--"if you want a message, go to Western Union" Samuel Goldwyn reportedly said. I just hope reading the Memoirs of a Hungarian girl will give you pleasure.

Edition details

• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1438946945
• ISBN 13: 9781438946948
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 144