Book 101: The Red Magician

My recently ordered books just arrived two days ago. Much to my mother's dismay, it equally results to added unaccommodated relics of interest or kalat. And since a friend of mine just recently wanted to borrow specific titles, the need to arrange and catalog my book collection was imminent. Upon dusting a few books in one pile, I saw an old, yellow-paged thin book at the corner. I grabbed the book and was trying to remember where I actually bought it. I was quite sure I haven't read it and tried to skim through the pages. The next thing I knew I was in my bed, my dusting was put to a halt, and I began reading this interesting novel about The Red Magician, an award winning book by Lisa Goldstein.


The book follows the relationship of Voros and Kicsi at the start of their first encounter in Kicsi's small Hungarian Village. The story kicked off when the village's influential Rabbi threw a curse at the village school that teaches Hebrew, which may influence the youth negatively. In the event of the ongoing curse, a wandering traveler, with a distinctive red hair arrived in the small village and was accepted by Kicsi's family as a guest. Voros, they found out, had been to different places. He has an aura of wisdom, care and mysticism, which attracted the young Kicsi to him. In truth, he is a powerful magician who can battle evil, counter illusions and foresee the future. Voros, in the event of his stay, displayed his magical skills when there was a quick confrontation with the Rabbi's curse. He then garnered a reputation for being a powerful magician. His reason for being in the village was later on revealed when he warned people of an impending doom. He warned the people to flee the village and move to safer western lands. The Rabbi, being the leader of the congregation, contested him and forced him to leave.

Kicsi, being drawn to Voros, acted as his ally and friend. But when Voros was forced to retreat by the Rabbi, Kicsi was distraught and concentrated on looking for signs to see him again. But that was the time of Pre-Holocaust. In a few years, Nazi soldiers arrived at their village and forced them to leave their village and be taken to separate camps. This is what Voros was warning them about. The people went through the whole Holocaust regime wherein they were separated from their families, taken to extermination camps and concentration camps, stripped off their belongings, some executed and some were taken as slaves. They were constantly starved to death and drained of hope for liberation. All seems lost for Kicsi when Voros re-entered into her life together with the aid of American and Britain troops, which marks the end of the Nazi regime. Together, they help each others' causes. Voros is helping Kicsi recover physically and spiritually by instilling the importance of life to her. While Kicsi helps Voros to finally end his battle with the Rabbi, who hunts him down to avenge their village's annihilation.


This particular story highlights the human spirit against possibly the worst thing that has happened in our world's history, which is the Holocaust. It is a simple story of facing defeat, challenges and learning how to fight and live again. Aside from the context of magic and fantasy , the story makes one realize that no matter how painful and challenging life is, human beings are very resilient. The red magician represents hope and constant voice to listen to aid. He also represents the fight for life and retribution of past mistakes. Kicsi, already robbed of her family and loved ones, slowly picks up the pieces and saves herself from welcoming death to end all sufferings.

It's a heartfelt simple story recommended to be read by youngsters.

After finishing the book, I must say that it had a sudden effect on me. I went online and "wikied" information about the Holocaust. I must say the information, written in historical detail, was appalling. I have briefly seen a couple of Holocaust movies and books, but I ended up not thoroughly finishing it because it always ends up upsetting me. I couldn't reconcile how a "genocidal state" before thought of actually exterminating Jewish people as if they were insects. I cannot believe that it went on and accounted almost 11 million lives all over Europe. It's quite upsetting that every single arm of bureaucracy of that state fueled the genocide. Medical experiments done to children and inmates, distinguishing extermination camps to concentration camps, designed starvation, public executions and all types of abuses were recorded in history. I couldn't even bear to look at the historical pictures.

But just like Kicsi, the story shows that there is no room for sulking and revenge. What is best for everyone is to move on and surrender retribution to proper and legal procedures. Pain and history go hand in hand, but it could serve as an advantage to will it as a remembrance of lessons to treasure life and celebrate the resilient spirit of human beings.

*Pic sources: http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y141/igallo/RedMag3.gif
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