Book Review: To Zenzi

Historical fiction novel by Robert L. Shuster, published 2022

Disaster & Heartbreak

Told from the perspective of 13 year old Tobias, and set during Berlin's fall to the Allies, To Zenzi brought me along on an incredible journey through the voice of an artistic and sensitive teenage boy.

Opening with a letter from present-day Tobias (which led me to question his lucidity), he then regales the reader with the nearly unbelievable story of his past. It's 1945 and the Soviets are just outside of Berlin's city limits- air raids, bomb shelters, death and pure devastation have become normalized for Tobias and his family. Soon what little comforts he had known are taken away, and with the promise of full meals that included the ever elusive bread, he is swayed into joining the German Youth Army.

Along the way he is mistakenly labeled a German hero, even being awarded the Iron Cross from Adolf Hitler himself. Hitler takes an interest in his artistic talent and promotes him to be the "eyes above ground" by sketching the goings on throughout the city and reporting back each day. Navigating the complete chaos of the city and it's inhabitants create several challenges in his few weeks as Hitler's eyes, but during this time Tobias still manages to see his girlfriend, Zenzi. A girl of Jewish descent, Zenzi ultimately convinces him to escape to the Americans with her. This would become a journey fraught with disaster and heartbreak.

From stealing gold, to full fledged battle, even to murder, Tobias' struggle to survive this time of his life was harrowing to say this least.

4 out of 5 Stars

When I reached the afterword of this story, I mistakenly thought that I was done, and if I'm being honest, I was left wanting more. But then I realized my mistake and goodness was I pleased! Shuster brilliantly reinvents everything that the reader believes this book to be with the afterword. It's unique and beautifully tragic, and left me wanting to read more from this debut author.

I'd recommend to anyone with an interest in historical fiction, particularly with the WWII sub-genre.

(Thanks to Discovery for my ARC of this novel: https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/to-zenzi-robert-shuster#review)