Joschi Molnar ist ein Rätsel: Vater, Holocaust-Überlebender, Witz und fabelhafter Lügner. Nach seinem Tod hinterlässt er seinen drei überlebenden Kindern gegensätzliche Versionen seines Lebens, die jedoch mit ihrer Kindheit korrespondieren: Dreissig Jahre nach Joschi Molnars Tod ist sein bleibendes Vermächtnis von Verwirrung, unbeantworteten Fragen und unwiderruflichen Unterschieden geprägt. Geburtstag ihres Vaters würden die Molnar-Kinder - zusammen mit Joschis sechzehnjähriger Enkelin Lily - ein Wiedersehen feiern: aber in einem lebhaften italienischen Restaurant, in dem sie sich an den Mann erinnern, den keiner von ihnen wirklich kannte, löst sich ihre gemeinsame Geschichte in Märchen, Kämpfen, Geständnissen und Gelächter auf.

I was wondering if it would be possible to write a "light-hearted comedy" (as the book was announced) against the background of the horrors of the Buchenwald concentration camp. And I was curious how in this case the history of a postwar Jewish generation would be told.

The story of Pásztor is a series of stories in which one story contains the germ of the next story. Story after story the slow unraveling of the family history follows. On the first page the family is put down as a not quite ordinary family in which stories and fantasy play a large role. This creates expectations and Pásztor dissolves those expectations partially. I was surprised at the ingenious way in which she weaves the stories together.

At the same time the book was to short for me: it had some story lines that could be better developed. Now some characters remain somewhat superficial, although they have enormous potential. Oddly enough granddaughter Lidy, from whose perspective the story is told, remains the most superficial.

As with all Jewish histories prosecution plays a major role, whether in the twentieth century or the centuries before: unfortunately this is a recurring element. In this case it is the Holocaust and the (alleged) internment in Buchenwald of grandfather Joschi. But Joschi has told everyone around him a different version of the family history and therefore the family struggles with the truth, their Jewish identity and with each other. Eventually a reconciliation follows and also a solemn commemoration around Buchenwald.

After finishing this book I concluded that Pásztor has succeeded to preserve the balance between seriousness and humor and has written an entertaining story. A promising debut! ( )