Book Review: Beyond the Chestnut Trees by Maria Bauer

Beyond the Chestnut Treesis a beautiful story about the author's return visit to her hometown of Prague after a forty year absence. As she walks the streets and sees familiar and unfamiliar sites, she remembers her own experiences growing up and escaping from the Nazi occupation. Her story, both past and present, is interesting and beautifully recounted.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I am not much for non-fiction, but since my parents are in the Czech Republic right now, I was interested in this somewhat obscure memoir. I thought it was really well written, and her story is fascinating and exciting, if somewhat charmed. I loved her descriptions of childhood and the places she knew and loved as she saw them again in their changed states.

RATINGS:
s-factor: !
A few scattered.

mrg-factor: X
Situations, but not details.

v-factor: ->
A few intense events.

Overall rating: ****