In order to be recognized as such, a hero must have certain characteristics. Vision, courage, empathy, strength of character, destiny, love, passion and mystery, even a little bit of madness. Raoul Wallenberg seems to have had them all and Davide Amante, in his novel The Wallenberg Dossier tells them masterfully.
In fact, The Wallenberg Dossier is a difficult novel to define, no matter how you try to pigeonhole it, it eludes you. Any definition is too narrow. Fascinating and surprising biography of a hero? Yes, but the novel is something more. Passionate and unexpected love story, page after page to the last breath? Yes, and more. Fast and well constructed thriller? Yes and more. Historical novel? Yes and more. A thorough investigation of the human soul in the Nazi era? Yes and more. A representation of heroism and its power to change man’s destiny? Yes again. The Wallenberg dossier seems to be all these things together, certainly an editorial success, well written and far-reaching, a compelling story, even more so if you consider that this novel tells a true story.
The Wallenberg Dossier is enjoying so much among a diverse audience of readers because it is a positive novel, it makes you think that there are still surprising and fascinating personalities in the world. And it does so with simplicity, that is, telling you the facts without too much construction or elaboration.
A man, involved in a war that is bigger than him, decides to take part in it to help those who need most. During the wartime events he falls in love and saves the life of the woman who, many years later, will return to save himself. If we do good, sooner or later this good will return when we need it. Even in the darkest moments of his history, man is capable of redeeming himself. And this is perhaps the secret of this exceptional novel.
The novel focuses on a love story, so strong that it is capable of changing the course of history.
The protagonist is Raoul Wallenberg, except that a woman he saved takes her place to become the true protagonist of the story. Around them are the misdeeds of the Second World War and a series of absolutely exceptional characters, starting from a never-before-seen Eichmann and ending with an exceptionally intense Russian colonel. In the middle, a story and characters outlined with mastery by a writer of undoubted skill.
The Wallenberg dossier takes the reader little by little into an inhuman and violent world and reveals the poetry of life beneath the rubble of this world. A hymn to courage, visionaryness, love. An absolutely must read book.
The Wallenberg Dossier
250 Pages
ISBN 9788894315615
Find it on Amazon.com
Raoul Wallenberg, the historical facts.
In the annals of history, certain individuals emerge as beacons of hope and courage, standing against the tide of oppression and making a profound impact on the lives of countless others. Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat, is one such hero whose selfless actions during World War II saved thousands of Jews from the clutches of the Holocaust. His story is a testament to the power of human compassion and the extraordinary impact one person can have in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Raoul Wallenberg was born on August 4, 1912, into a prominent Swedish family known for their humanitarian work. Raised with a strong sense of duty and compassion, Wallenberg went on to study architecture at the University of Michigan and later business at the University of Stockholm. His diverse education and exposure to different cultures laid the foundation for the diplomatic skills that would become instrumental in his heroic endeavors.
As World War II unfolded and the atrocities of the Holocaust escalated, Wallenberg’s destiny took an unexpected turn when he was appointed as a diplomat to Hungary in 1944. At the time, Adolf Eichmann’s “Final Solution” was in full swing, and the Jewish population of Hungary was under imminent threat of extermination.
Upon his arrival in Budapest, Wallenberg quickly understood the gravity of the situation and embarked on a mission to save as many lives as possible. Despite the risks, he issued protective passports and established safe houses under the guise of Swedish diplomatic facilities. Wallenberg’s creativity and resourcefulness were evident as he used unconventional methods, such as bribes and threats, to thwart the Nazis’ plans.
Wallenberg’s most notable achievement was the creation of the “Schutz-Pass,” a protective passport that declared the bearer under the custody of the Swedish government. These documents were distributed to thousands of Jews, effectively shielding them from deportation to concentration camps. Wallenberg also set up safe houses, declaring them Swedish territory, where thousands found refuge from the horrors outside.
Raoul Wallenberg’s commitment to saving lives came at a great personal cost. He faced constant danger, navigating the treacherous political landscape of wartime Hungary. As the Soviet Red Army approached Budapest, Wallenberg’s fate took a tragic turn. In January 1945, he was arrested by Soviet forces on charges of espionage. Despite efforts by the Swedish government to secure his release, Wallenberg disappeared into the Soviet prison system, and his ultimate fate remains unknown.
The heroic efforts of Raoul Wallenberg did not go unnoticed. In 1981, he was posthumously granted honorary citizenship by the United States, and numerous countries have recognized his contributions with honors and memorials. His legacy lives on in the Raoul Wallenberg Committee of the United States and other organizations dedicated to promoting human rights and combating intolerance.
Raoul Wallenberg’s extraordinary courage and compassion in the face of unspeakable evil highlight the potential for individuals to make a profound impact on the world. His legacy serves as an enduring reminder of the importance of standing up against injustice, even in the darkest of times. Wallenberg’s selfless actions continue to inspire generations to strive for a world where compassion triumphs over cruelty and where the actions of one person can make a monumental difference in the lives of many.