Customer Reviews
an amazing story about the persecution of two jewish boys - By: madhukukar@aol.com, 11 Sep 2001 
The book is full of adventure & childhood wit. It is written from a child's point of view & deightfully explores childhood innocencein a time of destruction & horror. It is about the tale of two jewish brothers whose strength & determination is accuentated as they try to escape from the germans. Their relationship is tested as they try to survivein extremely difficult conditions.
a story of adventure and hope - By: naymanr@yahoo.co.uk, 21 Aug 2001 Joseph Joffo produces here an autobiographical work which seeks to convey, through the eyes of a 10 year old, the impact of German anti-semitism during WWII. Joseph & his inseparable brother, Maurice, are two normal Parisian school children who are forced to flee Paris & occupied France when their father sees that the Vichy government's new anti-semitic laws will inevitably lead to deportation or worse. He sends first his two older sons, Henri & Albert to safetyin "unoccupied" southern France & swiftly dispatches Joseph & Maurice to join them. A Bag of marbles is Joseph's story of survival & adventure as he seeks to remain one step ahead of the Nazis. An engrossing read, written with the humour which characterises a 10 year old's perspective on the world & without bitterness. To be recommended.
French masterpiece - By: , 09 Mar 2001 
Joffo's Bag of Marbles is a heart-warming storyin which he follows himself & his older brother, both Jews,in their struggle to avoid the German soldiers who are occupying their country. In making sure they are not caught & sent to concentration camps, the boys go through a series of wonderful adventuresin which their childish innocence is excellently portrayed. I read this bookin French before reading this English translation & i can honestly say that i have seen very few books translated this well. Joffo's honest emotion is rarely lostin the English words used by Sokolinsky.
