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Leo Hoffman grows up in a poor Jewish family in Hungary in the years before World War I. He has an unusual ability to absorb languages by hearing, much as a musical prodigy plays music by ear. When a school for young boys is established in his town, Leo is one of fifteen who enroll. His instructor discovers Leo's facility with languages and offers to obtain a scholarship for his continued education. He also makes arrangements for him to live with his brother and his sister-in-law in Budapest. When Leo's father refuses the proposal, Leo's sister, Klari, makes a huge sacrifice to overcome his resistance.
Leo's fluency in several languages, and his ability to fit in anywhere, enables him to survive when Hungary is defeated. He makes a new life for himself in Paris as a concierge in a fine hotel. When a "favor" turns into betrayal, Leo murders a man in self-defense – and revenge. He leaves Paris, and Martha, and travels to free-wheeling Shanghai, where he uses a stolen necklace to raise a fortune. He sends for Martha and they marry. Blackmailed by a Chinese gangster who knows the secret of his past, Leo is forced to spy for him.
The story continues to the beginning of World War II, and Malcolm expertly weaves historical fact with fiction to create a compelling read. The Japanese attack on Shanghai again changes the direction of Leo's life with tragedy.
Malcolm writes with skill and passion, and brings her characters and settings to life with rich description, believable dialogue, and expert use of tension. The multi-generational saga is my favorite type of novel, and I enjoyed every page of this one. Although the book ends with "To Be Continued," the story line is satisfactorily resolved, and the reader is not left hanging. I look forward to the sequel.
Reviewed by Marie DisBrow
for The Road to Romance
August 5, 2005
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