"A Boy in Winter" By Rachel Seiffert

Rachel Seiffert’s novel "A Boy in Winter" is a haunting and heartbreaking account of the impact of war on ordinary people. Set in Ukraine in November 1941, the novel focuses on the experiences of several characters as they navigate the harsh realities of life under Nazi occupation.

The novel opens with the chilling image of a group of Jews being rounded up by German soldiers in the middle of the night. The scene is witnessed by Yasia, a young Ukrainian girl, and her friend Mykola, who are out looking for Yasia’s missing younger brother. The sight of the Jews being loaded onto trucks and taken away to an unknown fate sets the tone for the rest of the novel, which is characterized by a sense of foreboding and impending doom.

As the story progresses, we are introduced to several other characters, including Yankel, a Jewish father who has been separated from his wife and child, and Otto Pohl, a German engineer who is in charge of building a road through the town. Each of these characters is struggling to survive in their own way, and Seiffert does an excellent job of conveying the complexity and humanity of each one.

One of the most powerful aspects of the novel is the way in which Seiffert depicts the psychological toll of war on those who are caught up in it. We see this most clearly in the character of Yankel, who is consumed by guilt and grief over the fate of his family. Despite the horrors he has witnessed, however, he remains committed to the idea that goodness and decency can still exist in the world. This is exemplified in his relationship with a young Ukrainian boy named Lysenko, whom he befriends while in hiding. Yankel sees in Lysenko a glimmer of hope for the future, and his determination to protect the boy becomes a powerful symbol of his own resilience and humanity.

Seiffert’s writing is spare and precise, and she uses imagery and symbolism to great effect throughout the novel. For example, the image of the road that Otto Pohl is building serves as a metaphor for the path that the characters are all traveling down, whether they realize it or not. The road represents progress and civilization, but it is also a reminder of the brutal and inhuman nature of war, and the way in which it tears apart the fabric of society.

The novel’s title, "A Boy in Winter," is also significant, as it emphasizes the innocence and vulnerability of the young characters who are caught up in the war. Whether it is Yasia and her brother, Lysenko, or the Jewish children who are taken away in the opening scene, the novel highlights the tragic impact of war on those who are least equipped to cope with its brutality.

Overall, "A Boy in Winter" is a powerful and moving novel that offers a nuanced and deeply felt exploration of the human cost of war. Through her vivid characters and evocative prose, Rachel Seiffert reminds us of the importance of empathy and compassion, even in the face of unimaginable suffering and cruelty.