Dreamer
A Ukrainian World War II story
by Elisabeth Zguta
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Pub Date 16 Jun 2020 | Archive Date 2 Sep 2022
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Description
Galicia, 1939. Confusion and terror reigns.
Constant battles between the various occupiers of Ukraine keep the people of Lviv unnerved. One young boy from nearby Halych watches the turmoil and tries to understand. He wants to hold onto his future, and a future for his family, and country.
A story never told before, about the plight of Ukrainians from a child's perspective. A story of strength gained not by fighting a war, but by uniting as a people and remaining respectful of culture, religion, and freedom.
Dreamer is a story about a Ukrainian boy, Ivan Rudenko, during WWII. His unique perspective explores the adversity that he and his family face from all directions. Overtaken by the Polish, the Russians, and then the Germans, the family help victims and counsel their neighbors. But shortly after the Nazi occupation, they find there's no more hope for freedom. Unable to help their Jewish neighbors any longer from oppressors, they flee toward their unknown future.
Living in the middle of wartime chaos, the family faces harsh realities and choose to hope for a better future despite the odds.
Ivan meets new friends along their journey through Slovakia and then the Bohemian Black Forest, people with their own stories. Finding hope in Regensburg, the family dreams of becoming American citizens and finding a home at last. They bear witness to the struggles of the war's aftermath, compiled with the anxiety of waiting their turn to emigrate.
This is a story about keeping the dream of a free Ukraine alive and one boy's search for a home.
Advance Praise
"5.0 out of 5 stars
Courageous
Through a child's eyes, Dreamer subtly taught me much about the plight of Ukrainians during WWII. Kept my attention from start to finish, routing for Ivan and his family with every word."
Available Editions
| ISBN | 9781735126319 |
| PRICE | US$4.99 (USD) |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Carrie M L, Reviewer
Galicia, 1939. Confusion and terror reigns. Constant battles between the various occupiers of Ukraine keep the people of Lviv unnerved. One young boy from nearby Halych watches the turmoil and tries to understand. He wants to hold onto his future, and a future for his family, and country.A story never told before, about the plight of Ukrainians from a child's perspective. A story of strength gained not by fighting a war, but by uniting as a people and remaining respectful of culture, religion, and freedom.Dreamer is a story about a Ukrainian boy, Ivan Rudenko, during WWII. His unique perspective explores the adversity that he and his family face from all directions.
“Dreamer” by Elisabeth Zguta is a tremendously moving story. Told to us through a child's eyes, Dreamer subtly taught me much about the plight of Ukranians during WWII. The book held my attention from start to finish, routing for Ivan and his family with every word. The author has done her research diligently and it’s always fascinating to learn new things about great events throughout history that we didn’t already know. This book would be prefect for fans of historical fiction and anyone with an interest in history in general.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for an unbiased review.
Polly K, Reviewer
Written from the perspective of a young Ukraininan boy, Ivan Rudenko, this is a well written historical account of WWII and its effect on Lviv and Ivan's nearby village, Halych. Fleeing the Germans, Ivan and his family find themselves dependent on the kindness of others and most importantly on themselves.
