All her life up to the age of 27, Linda Ambrus Broenniman believed her family was Catholic. Then her relative accidently slipped on his family’s secret. The Ambrus’s were actually Jewish. Decades later, the author’s parents’ house burned and little was salvaged. What did make it out of the fire, however, was an old box containing notes, photos, journals, and other evidence of her family’s long-lost history. And so Linda took it upon herself to organize her resources, research her family, contact relatives, and even travel abroad to piece together the story of her ancestors. What she uncovered was an extensive list of admirable people and incredible stories. The Politzer Saga is a collective history of generations of the Ambrus family and the obstacles they overcame to survive.
Book
The author organizes the book based on the generation in question and includes photos she found in her research. While we also learn about historical events that her ancestors lived through, it’s the family member’s personal stories that add context to what humans – especially marginalized, oppressed, targeted groups – endured during the most tumultuous points in their countries’ history. Several of her ancestors pursued medical careers despite the regulations on Jewish people at the time. And of course many were forced to relocated during wartime, economic downturns, epidemics, etc. The Ambrus family history and survival against antisemitism and more spans across continents and generations.
Review
Broenniman’s diligence and tenacity shows throughout The Politzer Saga. The novel is thoroughly researched, wonderfully organized, and crafted with the right amount of sincerity in the narrative that adds up to a compelling and fascinating read. I am often skeptical when it comes to memoirs and nonfiction, but this book is definitely worth a read for those interested in family ancestry/history, and one person’s journey to uncover the secrets her family hid to survive.
Linda Ambrus Broenniman joins the Cantina Book Club Podcast to talk about her research and how she brought this project to life. Keep an ear out for the episode and pick up a copy of The Politzer Saga, available now.
