The True Story of Hansel and Gretel

I really enjoy re-tellings of classical children's fairy tales, so that is probably why Louise Murphy's novel, The True Story of Hansel and Gretel caught my attention. The story takes place in Poland during WWII. A Jewish family escapes from the ghetto and is on the run from the Nazis. Hoping to at least save the children, the parents hide them in the forest. Telling them to forget their Jewish names, they are left with new names: Hansel and Gretel. The young children wander through the forest until coming upon a hut. They are intrigued by the bread that is tacked to the sides of the hut. Magda, the old woman who lives in the hut, takes the children in. Although many of the villagers call her a witch, she is a trusted healer and midwife. She is able to pass the children off as her grandchildren and cares for them during the waning days of the war. Meanwhile, the Russians are beginning to push the Nazis back, and the Nazis attempt to tighten their grip on the Poles. Of course, the Nazis do horrible things, which is not left out of this story, and everyone's survival is uncertain.

Although it's not a very cheerful novel (as these never are), it is a good story. The characters are quite remarkable, especially little Hansel, who is forced to grow up very quickly. The spirit and bravery of the villagers and the partisans keeps the story from feeling overwhelmingly bleak. I won't give away the ending, but there is a part toward the end that was completely unbelievable. I think I actually said out loud: "Oh, COME ON!" Despite this small disappointment, it's still a good read.