Near the Danube Bridge

A family experiences persecution for their Seventh-day Adventism in communist Yugoslavia in Allen-Walters' biography. Religious oppression in 20th-century communist regimes is well documented; however, the story of the treatment of members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church--whose observance of Saturday as the Sabbath, vegetarianism, and abstinence from alcohol make them stand out among their fellow Christians--has been understudied. Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Elisabeth Hartig Lentulo was compelled to share her own family's history with violent autocracies. She possessed recordings made by her deceased father, Kalman Hartig, who talked to church audiences about his upbringing in an affluent Yugoslavian family, his conversion to the Seventh-day Adventist movement, and his later hardship under the nation's nascent communist government; she solicited the help of writer Allen-Walters to write a book detailing this history. Together, the duo gathered and translated primary source documents and letters, interviewed family members, and researched the historical record. Imprisoned as a conscientious objector in post-World War II Yugoslavia, Hartig described himself as a "shrink-wrapped skeleton." Prison leaders targeted him for his distinctive religious beliefs, and specifically beat him for refusing to work on the Sabbath. Allen-Walters, a professional violinist, also highlights how music powerfully lifted Hartig's spirits, as his own background with the violin and church music sustained his faith. The stories of Hartig and his wife, Hermina, whose winding path of migration across Europe eventually took them to the United States, give the book its driving force. The author also effectively places the narratives within a larger genealogical history of their extended families, as well as the historical context of Eastern Europe. Scholars may lament the book's lack of formal citations, as it's based primarily on family documents and oral histories; however, these provide a firsthand look at communist Yugoslavia from the perspective of a religious minority, and many documents are helpfully reprinted throughout. The harrowing, engaging narrative is also complemented by a wealth of other visual aids, including maps, family trees, and a plethora of black-and-white photographs. A poignant story of survival, faith, and family.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. (Online Review)

Starred review from October 15, 2024
Writer Allen-Walters and researcher Elisabeth Hartig Lentulo joined forces to tell the story of Lentulo's family in Yugoslavia over the twentieth century. Both Lentulo's father, Kalman Hartig, and mother, Hermina Kirchner, belonged to the Danube Swabians, ethnic Germans within what was then an ethnic patchwork quilt of southeastern Europe. They also shared their Seventh-day Adventist faith. At the start of the 1950s, Kalman was a church youth leader avidly courting Hermina after meeting her at an Adventist assembly. He also hoped to honor his pacifist principles and avoid combat duty by registering as a conscientious objector. Instead, he was arrested, tortured, and sentenced to two years of hard labor by unsympathetic Communist authorities. His letters and later recollections recount a hellish odyssey through labor camps. The narrative also traces the Hartigs' and Kirchners' harrowing WWII experiences and Kalman and Hermina's marriage, the path that eventually took them to the U.S. Using Lentulo's obviously extensive research, Allen-Waters deftly handles a story that sprawls over almost a century. Tastefully reconstructed dialogue brings the narrative alive, as does well-chosen period detail. The result is a fascinating, heartfelt work of personal history.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

November 25, 2024
Allen-Walters presents the intertwined stories of two families in the Banat region of Serbia during World War II whose unwavering Christian faith guides them through the brutal hardships of communist rule in what was then named Yugoslavia. The book emphasizes how their steadfast adherence to their beliefs provided both protection and strength in the face of oppression, as they ultimately found their freedom and immigration to the United States. Central to the narrative is Kalman Hartig, a courageous Seventh-day Adventist and violinist, who endured persecution and imprisonment as a conscientious objector.
Walters skillfully depicts the Hartig and Kirchner families' experiences, exploring sibling tensions and early religious influences, with family photographs adding personal and historical depth. The book intricately weaves these family stories against the backdrop of war and post-war challenges, particularly focusing on religious tolerance and immigration. Rich with biblical stories and verses that deepen the characters' motivations, the memoir vividly portrays the horrors of labor camps and prisons, leaving readers deeply moved. Kalman’s letters to his family ground the narrative, evoking empathy far beyond simple descriptions. Themes of healing and rebuilding with familial support are also explored.
Kalman Hartig’s story is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit, faith, and the transformative power of music. Through Hartig’s harrowing experiences, the book explores themes of perseverance, integrity, and the will to survive despite unrelenting cruelty. This moving account not only honors Hartig's bravery but also serves as a call to cherish freedom and practice tolerance for all religious and ethnic backgrounds. This book will resonate deeply with readers who value personal stories of overcoming adversity, particularly within the context of faith-based endurance.
Takeaway: Rousing story of Christian perseverance under communist rule.
Comparable Titles: Walter J. Ciszek’s With God in Russia, Liao Yiwu’s God Is Red.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-