Reading notes on The Painted Bird (1965)

The Painted Bird (1965) by Jerzy Kosinski

After reading a WWII fiction by a Japanese author (see http://careyhuh.blogspot.com/2023/08/reading-notes-on-berlin-ha-hareteiruka.html), this book presented a much darker take on war-torn East Europe. Actually, it may be one of the darkest books on human cruelty I've ever read. I am saddened by the fact that in 2023, Eastern Europe is yet again in war and at least some of the monstrosities described in this book are likely being repeated today. Despite the unspeakable abuse the boy - the main character in the book - goes through, the book ends with some rays of light. Hurtful past can harm and harden us but life presents us with a chance for a better future and, like the boy, I cannot help but believe in lost voices being found again.

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