The Afterlife of Stars by Joseph Kertes

It’s 1956 in Budapest, Hungary. In the public square, young Hungarian soldiers dangle by their necks from cruel nooses, cold and empty eyes staring blankly into the faces of onlookers. Soviet soldiers stand at the side, the orchestrators of the chaos. 9 year old Robert Beck watches the scene at his grandmother’s side, silently watching the scene. She rushes him along, and they head home to the rest of the family, unaware of the turn their lives will take in the coming days.
The Afterlife Of Stars, by Joseph Kertes, is a historical novel following the experiences of brothers Robert and Attila Beck in the midst of the Hungarian Revolution in 1956, when the Hungarian government sought to free themselves from the shackles of the Soviet Union, resulting in a devastating outcome for the Hungarians. Focusing on the protagonists’ close relationship as siblings, Kertes tells a story of how war can turn lives upside down.
The story of The Afterlife of Stars is heavily character-driven, showcasing Robert and Attila’s tight bond throughout numerous hardships and adventures. The characters are both clearly possess a childlike innocence and liveliness, with their charming personalities keeping a dark and depressing story a little bit lighter and easier to handle. They both show major development as the story progresses, and it’s fun to see them grow as both individuals and as a pair.
The story’s setting is constantly changing, with the chaos of war creating a more driven and fast-paced novel. The duo embarks on journeys across both Hungary and France, describing various different scenes, settings, and characters that the brothers encounter. Kertes immerses the reader in character interactions as well as intricate environments, making for a fairly well-rounded book overall.
With a straightforward yet effective style of writing, Kertes details an emotional and dramatic tale of the bonds of family tested by the flames of war. Dialogue dominates much of the story; if that’s not your cup of tea, this book might not be for you. Otherwise, the Beck brothers’ journey should prove to be a satisfying yet heart-wrenching story of loss, acceptance, and life.

Comments

  1. Marlow TracyJanuary 31, 2020 at 12:03 PM

    Great review. The summary at the beginning of your review is captivating and immediately drew me in. I like all the different words you used to describe the novel: driven, fast-paced, well-rounded, straightforward, effective, emotional, dramatic, satisfying, heart-wrenching, and more. I have never read about the Hungarian revolution before, so this looks like an interesting read and I can't wait to check it out. Nice job!

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  2. ShoorsenFebruary 1, 2020 at 9:57 AM

    Great review! Your dramatic introduction of the Soviets hanging the Hungarian soldiers really got my attention. I liked how you described the writing style so that people know what to expect before reading the book. I personally like historical fiction, so I definitely will make sure to check this book out.

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