Carole's Review: A doubtful inheritance

Author: Ted Todd
Title: A Doubtful Inheritance
Genre: Autobiography
Pages: ebook
Published: March 25th 2015
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

 We first meet the narrator Tim in the 1970s where he attends the Esalen Institute, a quintessential 70s Californian organization designed to help participants on the path to self-awareness. There, Tim comes traumatically face to face with the biggest issue in his life – the disappearance of his beloved father Lajos during WW2. From there the story flashes back to Russia, where, near the war’s end Lajos and brother Andor are the Jewish members of a retreating Hungarian army unit. What follows is a sweeping tale, taking in many settings across the globe - from a Siberian POW camp, through to Vienna, Argentina and Australia. The plot is certainly multi layered and plays out at different time lines between 1945 and the present day. 

This genre is always fun. Taking a biography and putting some fictional aspects to areas that need it. I read one the other day that could technically fall into this category. 

This story follows Tim in the 1970s who has to face the biggest tragedy of his life...the disappearance of his father during WWII. We get some "flashbacks" and POVs of his father during the war. 

So sad, but so full of hope. I felt bad for Tim. I cannot imagine not knowing what really happened to your father and that he is missing. There was one part that really stuck with me. He is going on saying how he is a 30-year-old man who has a good life with kids and a good job. However, he is still haunted by his father's disappearance and how he still feels the void. No matter how old you get or how great your life becomes things like that will forever scar you. That part made me tear up and re-read that part a couple of times, so good. 

I liked the flashbacks and jumping POV. I liked Tim's story, but I really was intrigued by the dad's story. It was sad, but I liked seeing the dad's story. Oooo that war. I wanted more of the dad's story, but the balance did seem to be okay.

I like the philosophical points too. It really rounded out the story and added more feels and makes you think. Yes, the story was good itself, but I like when books make me think and feel. 

Overall, I really recommend this for anyone who likes a people story. Sure, there are some historical aspects since a lot of the book is set in the war. This really makes you think and feel. I'll give this 4 stars. A good one for sure.