Child of the Forest by Jack L. Grossman and James Buchanan

Agonizing and inspiring story of hope and survival.

When reflecting on the atrocities perpetrated against the Jews and other small groups during the Holocaust, Germany automatically comes to mind. Young Musia (Shulamit Perlmutter) is thrust into the German occupation of her European hometown Horochów. First her father is taken from their home, then her family is forced to live in an unsanitary and overcrowded ghetto, and finally she is separated from her sister and finally from her mother. At just twelve years of age, Musia escapes the wanton bloodshed and manages to evade the SS and those who seek to harm her and others like her for nearly two years. Her will to live is illuminated in vivid detail as she survives alone in the wild, enduring extended periods with little to no food or shelter and, most heartbreakingly, almost zero human contact. Eventually, Musia is taken to safety and nursed back to health, but she will wear the physical and emotional scars until her death.

Child of the Forest is a beautiful real life example of human determination and courage, from the standpoint of a passionate Jewish girl, “feverish with the impulse to survive.” To read of Musia’s life is to explore the basest of humanity, but also to watch hope triumph. Writing from a youthful point of view can be difficult, but is well executed by Grossman and Buchanan, staying consistent with the thinking and actions of a twelve year old girl forced into such depraved and deplorable circumstances. I was struck by the immense guilt Musia felt, which motivated her to keep going and prompted an ongoing mental dialogue with her beloved mother. A ridiculous sentiment from an outside perspective, perhaps, but absolutely on point for a daughter, a sister, a child, trying to make sense of and cope with a world that seems bent on her demise. Although a dark and difficult read, I feel like I am a more empathetic human after reading Musia’s agonizing and inspiring story of hope and survival as the Child of the Forest.

Amazon

Amazon