Though The Kiss, a novel by Scott Blumenthal, a tri angle-area novelist, is one in a long line of Holocaust fiction, it tells a unique side of history that many others do not. Though stories set in this time are often morbid and depressing, this one truly stands out among the genre for its optimism.
Though the Holocaust is a devastating point in his tory and the subject is often taboo, this novel shows how important it is to discuss the troubling time. The Kiss has an atypical approach to Ho locaust fiction, which made reviewing it much easier.
My initial impression of the book was that it was another compilation of first-hand accounts of the events that took place during World War II. So, naturally I sup plied myself with tissues and cuddled up close to my dog in preparation for the impend ing emotional havoc. To my surprise, the story took a different path entirely. The opening pages concentrated on several interviews with historians and survivors alike to answer one question: What was the Rovner Klezmorim?
During the height of Hit ler’s reign there was a group composed of three musicians, referred to as the Rovner Klezmorim, which traveled from place to place, putting on concerts for “crown heads and dignitaries” as well as whoever would listen. These three men, boys really, all came from Rovno, Poland and were remarkably gifted musicians. Those who were lucky enough to witness their performances said it was im possible not to be swept away by the music, because it was so beautiful and hypnotizing.
As the group traveled throughout Europe, the epic took on a life of its own. People believed the Rovner Klezmorim was a gift from God, and its leader, Aron Beckman, was the Messiah.
Though it might seem odd, at this point, the interviews stop and the novel transitions into a fictional story concen trating on how Beckman and his friends became a glimmer of hope for a suffering race.
Beckman and his two com panions were three relatable characters, and Blumenthal took the insights from his in terviews and pieced together a fictional story. The tale fol lows Beckman through his life the unexpected events that led him to be a sought-after musician and how he met the love of his life.
The Kiss also takes the read er through the childhood of each band member, explain ing how the three boys are eventually brought together to create music that changed the lives of many.
Not every page was heart-wrenching and emotional, but I was completely enticed by the entire story. I have a huge appreciation for authors who deter from typical writ ing style, and Blumenthal did just that. He took non-fiction and turned it into beautiful work of fiction.
This story contains every thing a reader could possibly hope for: There is conf lict and tragedy mingled with humor and romance. Read ers are confronted with one of the most fear-inducing an tagonists of all time, Hitler, as well as three heroes who kept me eager to turn the page.
I would recommend this book to anyone. It is a com pelling and educational sto ry, and I cannot adequately express how much the last pages impacted me. I was left speechless, at the mercy of my own thoughts. I found myself rereading the final words, mystified that Blumenthal was able to do in words what the Rovner Klezmorim did with music — hypnotize the audience.
