Set during the Second World War, Gratitude, a new novel by Joseph
Kertes, Dean of Creative and Performing Arts at Humber's Lakeshore
campus, spins a tale of a Hungarian-Jewish family and the people
they meet along the way.
The opening scene follows the actions of Lili Bandel, a
16-year-old who was presented her mother's bridal dress in the
early morning, before German militia arrives and has her hiding
behind a wardrobe in her parents' bedroom. Her birthday cake burns
in the oven as Lili is left to wonder about the fate of her family.
From her optimistic journey searching for her missing family, Lili
ventures from Tolgy into Budapest where she is found by the Beck
family.
Through cuts and flashbacks, members of the Hungarian-Jewish Beck
family are connected, loved, separated and lost, as a waging period
of darkness leaves many unsettled.
Each character manages to ensnare you to follow their path. Lili
with her charm and wit; her saviour Dr. Robert Beck, his wife Klari
and son Simon; Istvan Beck, and Paul Beck tell their own tale of
life, love and misfortune, their courage, anguish and laughter.
What appears at first glance to be shallow, philosophical-thinking
characters, draw you into their passions and human flaws; and the
reader follows as they rapidly grow, adapting to losses and pain.
Four previous written works have been met with acclaim: his first
novel, Winter Tulips, won the Stephen Leacock Award for Humour. His
second novel and two children's books were received with praise.
In his fifth novel, Kertes writes about the ability of mankind's
darkest moment, and with the same hand wields an unending contrast
of surprising humanitarian aid. World War II is wrought with death
and torture, but through it comes joy and happiness.
Gratitude is a novel that explores the intricate balance of the
human psyche and its emotional and physical desperations. It blends
itself into a torn family portrait, where a group of people are
tossed together and learn to live in a broken European empire.