The Wild Rose

I was born and raised in Hungary and lived there during WWII and the 1956 revolution. I was inside the Budapest Ghetto and was liberated by the Soviet Army on Jan 18, 1945. I was also at the square where Stalin's statue was dragged down and that event was probably comp[areable to the fall of the Berlin Wall. I personally had no political problems, and was unaware of Recsk, but my cousin did have a friend who was imprisonned there and the place was a reality. Also there was a very famous opera singer who came in from the west toerform and was not allowed out for years, so Katalin's forced stay is a reality. The book is extremely fascinating, gives a good insight to the life in Hungary during WWII and the Soviet occupation. While fiction, it should be read for it's historical insight and accuracy. As one who lived thought tese tines I higghly recommend to everybody. Great book!!!

Being an avid reader of all types of fiction, especially those pieces that are more than 400 pages, this is a book that I have read so many times that the spine is worn and the pages are dog-eared. "Watching" Katya and Steven and Mat grow up into deep, caring, compassionate people is a rare thing in the main characters of books today. The relationship between Katya and ALL the people in her life is something to envy. Everyone is so passionate about what they believe in and how they feel. It's amazing to watch them interact. I truly recommend this to anyone who likes a well earned ending with lots of character and personality struggle.

If you love history, romance and intrigue, you'll love this novel. You won't be able to put this book down.

The history, the romance, the excitement.. all well written. I couldn't put it down.

I loved this book! The connection to music was wonderful for me, personally. What I found, though, was an understanding of what the Hungarian people have gone through which was truly valuable to me. I have Hungarian neighbors whom I had no sensitivity towards before I read this book. While seeking my own pleasure in the reading of a novel, I garnered an appreciation for these people that wasn't available to me and I likely would not have looked elsewhere. Thankyou to Ms. Mortman for the human and historical lessons that everyone should be privey to!