Book Revies by Murray Russel

REVIEW OF “HEROES DON’T CRY” BY JUDITH KOPACSI-GELBERGER SUBMITTED BY MURRAY RUSSELL In “Heroes Don’t Cry” Judith Kopacsi-Gelberger shares childhood insights to illustrate one of the most dramatic moments of Eastern European history. Moments that led her to a lifelong struggle for justice. Her father, Sandor Kopacsi, was the police chief of Budapest when he found himself at the center of the1956 Hungarian Revolution. The former anti-Nazi resistance fighter refused Soviet demands during the uprising and became instead the Deputy Commander of the National Guard. As Soviet tanks crushed the rebellion, Sandor was imprisoned. After the political trials, Sandor was the only leader of the uprising not to be executed. His release in the General Amnesty led to a life of surveillance and oppression by the authorities. Judith was 10 years old during the Revolution. She was brought for safety to the besieged Yugoslavian Embassy along with leaders and families of the revolutionaries. She was smuggled out for life saving medical treatment. This proud and outspoken youth began to keep a diary and struggle against the multi-leveled bureaucratic oppression and bigotry that she and her family faced. Leaving for Canada at 19 she begins to build anew life among an ex-patriot community still harboring fears and resentments from their troubled past. She witnessed the continual erosion of her father’s health and spirit from Soviet oppression and vows to begin a campaign to win his freedom. The campaign struggles against a repressive Communist bureaucracy but grows into an international human rights effort that brings Sandor and his wife to Canada in 1975. To tell this tale Judith draws on the memories for her storied and colorful family tree. We meet freedom fighters, parliamentarians, brothel owners and innocents who never returned from Auschwitz. We see a proud and principled young woman revealing loves and wounds in an era when she didn’t know who was saving her or who was spying on her. We see a devoted daughter who tackles a ruthless regime to save her family. We see inside one of the most tumultuous episodes of 20th century Europe with courage and compassion and conviction. We are fortunate to have this testament.