Wednesday's Worthwhile Reads

Wednesdays Worthwhile reads is a new feature that will showcase some of our past favourites.

Once a week I'll post one of my older favourites. To participate you can link below.

Rules for posting: Must be a book that was published before 2009

Please include cover image, summary and your thoughts on the book. (doesn't need to be a full review)

This weeks selection:

What World is Left by Monique Polak
Published by Orca Book Publishers 2008 208 pages

Summary from Good Reads

A pampered child used to having her own way, Anneke Van Raalte lives outside Amsterdam, where her father is a cartoonist for the Amsterdam newspaper. Anneke's life changes in 1942 when the Nazi's invade Holland ans she and her family are deported to a concentration camp in Czechoslovakia. Not only are the conditions appalling, but the camp is the site of an elaborate hoax: the Nazis are determined to convince the world that this camp is idyllic place. Because he is an artist, Anneke's father is compelled to help in the propaganda campaign, and Anneke finds herself torn between her loyalty to her family and her sense of what is right.

I was really fortunate to meet Monique Polak at a signing for this book. It was incredible to hear her speak about it, as it was inspired by her mother's experiences while imprisoned at the concentration camp during World War 2. She mentioned that the first time her mother shared her experiences with her was during the writing of this novel. Very moving.
The novel is beautifully written. The language is rich and the author does an amazing job of creating the haunting atmosphere of a Nazi concentration camp. The relationship between Anneke and her father is not an easy one, as Anneke is appalled at the appearance of her fathers cooperation with the Nazi's...little does she know what he was actually doing for her.
Definitely worth reading.

For some reason my Mr.Linky Link thing isn't working.....if you'd like to participate please link through the comments.
:)

Special thanks goes to the fabulous Danielle at Every Last Page for creating the meme button for me.