Review of “Near the Danube Bridge” by Catherine Allen-Walters, Elisabeth Hartig Lentulo

Score: 95/100 (9.5 out of 10)

Near the Danube Bridge, written by Catherine Allen-Walters with research and concept by Elisabeth Hartig Lentulo, is a historical biography centered on Kalman Hartig, a Seventh-day Adventist who survived harrowing persecution in communist Yugoslavia.

Interestingly, this is the third consecutive World War II/Holocaust-era book that we've read and reviewed this week (alongside To Bloom Like a Tulip by Carolyn Summer Quinn and The Lilacs I Once Knew by Roni Rosenthal & Friddie Soleru), making it a rather intertextual experience! Many of the events, like the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and Liberation Day, overlap in all of these stories.

However, while To Bloom Like a Tulip focused on the struggles of young women in the Netherlands and The Lilacs I Once Knew centered around the plight of Romanians suffering under Nazi & communist occupation, Near the Danube Bridge explores the real-life story of Seventh-Day Adventists from Yugoslavia during this exact same time.

Much attention is usually paid to the over six million Jews who tragically perished during the Holocaust, but much less is shared about the other groups who were persecuted during that time period like the Jehovah's Witnesses and Seventh-Day Adventists. Also, the atrocities by the Germans during the war often overshadows the decades of suffering and death that the Russian communists and their collaborators/allies inflicted on populations like Kalman's after the war.

This narrative specifically follows Kalman's journey, a man of deep religious conviction, who endures imprisonment and hard labor for his conscientious objection to mandatory military service. Drawing strength from Bible stories and classical music, he maintains his faith through brutal labor camps and personal tragedy.

The book spans several generations of two intertwined families—the Hartigs and Kirchners—whose lives are deeply affected by the political upheavals and ethnic tensions following the Great War (World War I), the Austro-Hungarian Empire's collapse, World War II, and the rise of communism. It is a powerful tale of faith, family, and survival, exposing the devastating impact of religious and political persecution on ordinary people and their resilience against oppression.

Kalman’s story is a testament to endurance, using faith, family, and music to withstand life-threatening challenges. The author’s note reveals that Elisabeth felt compelled to share her father’s story, especially in light of modern events, to warn against complacency toward autocratic regimes. This dedication is underscored by the foreword, which positions Kalman's journey as emblematic of countless people who have survived war, migration, and the pursuit of freedom

There are some incredibly powerful, emotional, and haunting events described in this book including the discovery of mass-executions. Victims are described in graphic, gory detail. This brings to light the harsh, horrible realities of human cruelty and their impact on the innocent. One of our favorite quotes from this book is: “When games of hide-and-seek are interrupted by floating corpses, no one ever wants to play hide-and-seek again.”

While horrifying and tragic, this passage highlights the loss of innocence and the battle to find something familiar (like a game of hide-and-seek) in the midst of unspeakable and indescribable horrors.

Also, Kalman's torture while imprisoned is also detailed, though often juxtaposed with ways in which he kept himself motivated and alive such as his hope for his family and his trust in God.

This book is actually a beautiful and highly-educational book, particularly enlightening us about the Seventh-Day Adventist faith. How amazing is it that—even after someone has passed away—their memory is able to both inspire and educate?

This book isn't all doom and gloom. In fact, the family life and dynamics of the families can be quite amusing in scenes that don't include war, persecution, and violence. For example, Albert and Anna represent two individuals who coexist despite differing religious beliefs. Albert remains dedicated to the Slovak Evangelical faith, while Anna, after sixteen years of marriage, embraces Seventh-day Adventism. Her conversion brings significant changes in lifestyle, including vegetarianism and observance of the Sabbath on Saturdays, which Albert struggles to understand. Although their faith differences strain the family, particularly through Anna’s new practices and religious dedication, they still find ways to maintain their relationship and household, albeit with tension and challenges.

There's a pretty uncomfortable story about Kalman's older brothers trying to teach a goat how to prance like show horses, which is a scene that illustrates the propensity for both good and evil in us all as Kalman's brothers commit a sadistic act due to ignorance while Kalman identifies it as such—reflecting the suffering later in their lives.

The book can also be rather romantic. Romance unfolds primarily between Kalman and Minka (also known as Hermina), who meet through their shared faith and admiration for each other. Kalman, a Bible youth leader, is captivated by Minka's beauty and grace from their first meeting, described as a "love-at-first-sight story." Their courtship is both restrained and deeply heartfelt, rooted in shared religious gatherings and family activities.

Kalman’s frequent visits to Minka’s home, often accompanied by his sister as a chaperon, allow them to bond over music, Bible studies, and community gatherings. This relationship is depicted with innocence and sincerity, characterized by simple joys, such as singing hymns together and savoring family-made desserts. Minka’s enthusiasm grows with each of Kalman’s visits, as she becomes confident in her affection for him, even proclaiming, "You will be my husband, Kalman," after a particularly moving encounter. This romance is interwoven with the challenges of their faith and family expectations, but it remains a bright and hopeful aspect of their lives amid hardship.

This love story also illustrates the strict and stringent standards of Kalman and Minka's religious beliefs.

All in all, this was a very interesting and eye-opening book!

Check it out on Amazon!