A Crime in the Family
by Sacha Batthyany
"A World War II Secret Buried in Silence--and My Search for the Truth"
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A Crime in the Family by Sacha Batthyany
Details
True Story:
Yes
Biography:
No
Published Date:
2017
ISBN13:
9780306825828
Description
Main Themes and Topics
A Crime in the Family by Sacha Batthyany explores the interplay of history, memory, and identity against the backdrop of World War II. The central theme of the book is the moral and ethical responsibility individuals bear for actions taken by their ancestors. Batthyany delves into this uncomfortable terrain by examining a brutal crime linked to his own family's history. The book also addresses the wider implications of collective guilt and the way historical atrocities can reverberate through generations, leaving a profound impact on descendants who grapple with their families' roles in such events.
Writing Style and Tone
Sacha Batthyany employs a compelling narrative style that is both intimate and investigative. The tone of A Crime in the Family is reflective and earnest, blending personal memoir with historical analysis. Batthyany's writing is characterized by its evocative descriptions and a profound sense of introspection. He skillfully interweaves family diaries, historical documents, and his own reflections to craft a narrative that is as haunting as it is enlightening. The prose captures the complexity of untangling family lore amidst the broader historical context, maintaining a balance between personal narrative and factual recounting.
Brief Summary (no spoilers)
A Crime in the Family begins with a chilling wartime atrocity, as 180 Jewish laborers were executed by Nazi guests during a seemingly ordinary party hosted by Sacha Batthyany's great aunt in March 1945. Driven to uncover the truth behind this dark family secret, Batthyany embarks on a journey that takes him from the remnants of Nazi Germany to the Soviet gulags, and eventually to an encounter with an Auschwitz survivor in Argentina. As he pieces together the fragments of history, Batthyany must confront the moral complexities of his family's past while grappling with questions of culpability and forgiveness. This investigation becomes a conduit for exploring broader themes of historical memory, collective responsibility, and the legacy of criminal acts.
