The Other Side of Reason
In 'The Other Side of Reason', an evocative title which captures the central moral dilemmas of the novel, Margrit Zalisz has written a beautifully realised story of the healing that is made possible by the restorative power of love.
In portraying the relationship between Rolf, who was a member of Hitler’s Gestapo, and Antonia, the violinist he falls in love with after the war, Margrit is able to canvas the human emotions of cowardice, guilt, shame and transgression which could so easily lead to disillusionment and cynicism.
But in deftly drawn scenarios, the characters make positive choices under conditions of extreme duress, and with the self-knowledge they glean from their experiences, they discover their essential, shared humanity.
It is a wonderful story which, at the end of an emotional roller-coaster ride, finds the central characters where they should be – at one another’s side.
I cannot recommend it highly enough. It is a wonderful work of the imagination. It shows what people could be – if they had the will, compassion and empathy to change themselves and those around them. (Irina Dunn)
The Time to Love
This is the best of romantic fiction, full of surprising events, vivid descriptions of many places, with a tantalising mixture of people and their relationships. 'The Time to Love' invites the reader into a challenging world where the characters reveal their deepest emotions and solutions to many problems. (Marguerite Kisvardai)
The 'Time to Love' casts a spell never to be forgotten. (Nanice Leggas)
Loved it. A very rewarding story. (Judy Dinsdale)
I started reading last night and found the book so interesting that I couldn’t put it down. (Ruth Krista)
A charming story. Well done. (Patricia Kerr)
Light & Shade
These poems reflect a love for nature, especially the sea, from which the author seems to draw great inspiration. Sensitive thoughts and feelings are beautifully reflected in this book of verse. (Jocelyn Davis)
This delightful collection of poems explores love and loss, youth and age – even life and death. Like ‘sweet enchanting wistful dreams’, they cannot fail to touch the heart. (Melanie Rashleigh)
The Munich Vagabond
Margrit has written a book that is impossible to put down, and the journey she takes her reader on is inspiring. Julie Houghton, reviewer Warcry, Salvation Army magazine – see the full review here
Heartening to read about someone who is given a chance to overcome his unfortunate circumstances… This book proves that fact and fiction may have much in common and still make fascinating reading. (Wesley Harris, Retired Salvation Army Commissioner)
I like the book very much. Like Margrit’s previous book 'A String of Pearls' it is fascinating reading in a heart-warming English language written by Margrit who is no native English speaker. It is one of the finest love stories I have ever read, in fact in one go over a weekend. I commend it to you with all my heart. (Hans Schroeder)
This book is beautiful. There is so much I can relate to in the story. I hope there will be many other books by the author. (Marlis Henke)
I so much enjoyed reading 'The Munich Vagabond'. A novel that flows. A lot appears to be drawn from an early life in Germany. (Margaret Tomlinson)
I read it from start to finish in one night. (Herta Globke)
A String of Pearls
It is an enjoyment to read ‘A String of Pearls’. The fluid style makes easy reading and one is instantly hooked on. It is hard to put down the book. The reader’s attention is lured in to discover all details of the family life, to lap up the description of land scapes and areas which are part of Kirstin’s, the main character, life. Those who endured war or had to live under a dictatorship will find parts of their life experience here described. Thank you, Margrit, to remind me of how Nazi Germany and war was for us. (Renate Mielke)
I like ‘A Strings of Pearls’ very much! It is almost written like a movie; you easily can visualize the various locations and follow the storyline. Phrasing, dialogue, sprinkling of German words etc create a special and engaging mood. Historic facts e.g. around WW2 are briefly mentioned like annexation of Austria and Sudetenland, invasion of Poland and other countries, the Leningrad siege, the Shoah, attempts on Hitler’s life etc. The author steers clear of the temptation to dwell in these events without ignoring them. Of course you can’t. You can’t put the book down – I read it over a weekend. (Hans Schroeder)
‘A String of Pearls’ is a lovely, engaging story which describes the experience of living through World War II from a different perspective to the usual. It recounts the experiences of a young German woman, who is appalled by the actions of the Nazis and hates war. Through the main character - Kristin's experiences leading up to WW2, during it and after, when she migrates to Australia we learn that life is not black and white. We see that generalizations and stereotypes about Germans, Russians and Australians are quite inadequate and do not give us a complete picture of history. A very enjoyable tale, which also provides some vivid insights into life under the Nazis, during a war and finding a new home far from home. (Mary Merkenich)
The book group met for the second time, after church coffee, in order to discuss the book ‘A String of Pearls’ written by Margrit Zalisz. It provided lively discussions about very realistically portrayed life situations in Germany and later also in Australia, during and after the Second World War, and all participants agreed that they enjoyed reading the book very much. (Book Group @ Trinity Church)
The Inscrutable Heart
Set in Australia, Singapore, southern Italy and the heart of London, this group of stories explores the themes of reflection, duty and gentle regret. What the heroines do with their lives and loves kept me so interested that I read the book in one sitting. (Elizabeth McLennan)
In 'The Other Side of Reason', an evocative title which captures the central moral dilemmas of the novel, Margrit Zalisz has written a beautifully realised story of the healing that is made possible by the restorative power of love.
In portraying the relationship between Rolf, who was a member of Hitler’s Gestapo, and Antonia, the violinist he falls in love with after the war, Margrit is able to canvas the human emotions of cowardice, guilt, shame and transgression which could so easily lead to disillusionment and cynicism.
But in deftly drawn scenarios, the characters make positive choices under conditions of extreme duress, and with the self-knowledge they glean from their experiences, they discover their essential, shared humanity.
It is a wonderful story which, at the end of an emotional roller-coaster ride, finds the central characters where they should be – at one another’s side.
I cannot recommend it highly enough. It is a wonderful work of the imagination. It shows what people could be – if they had the will, compassion and empathy to change themselves and those around them. (Irina Dunn)
The Time to Love
This is the best of romantic fiction, full of surprising events, vivid descriptions of many places, with a tantalising mixture of people and their relationships. 'The Time to Love' invites the reader into a challenging world where the characters reveal their deepest emotions and solutions to many problems. (Marguerite Kisvardai)
The 'Time to Love' casts a spell never to be forgotten. (Nanice Leggas)
Loved it. A very rewarding story. (Judy Dinsdale)
I started reading last night and found the book so interesting that I couldn’t put it down. (Ruth Krista)
A charming story. Well done. (Patricia Kerr)
Light & Shade
These poems reflect a love for nature, especially the sea, from which the author seems to draw great inspiration. Sensitive thoughts and feelings are beautifully reflected in this book of verse. (Jocelyn Davis)
This delightful collection of poems explores love and loss, youth and age – even life and death. Like ‘sweet enchanting wistful dreams’, they cannot fail to touch the heart. (Melanie Rashleigh)
The Munich Vagabond
Margrit has written a book that is impossible to put down, and the journey she takes her reader on is inspiring. Julie Houghton, reviewer Warcry, Salvation Army magazine – see the full review here
Heartening to read about someone who is given a chance to overcome his unfortunate circumstances… This book proves that fact and fiction may have much in common and still make fascinating reading. (Wesley Harris, Retired Salvation Army Commissioner)
I like the book very much. Like Margrit’s previous book 'A String of Pearls' it is fascinating reading in a heart-warming English language written by Margrit who is no native English speaker. It is one of the finest love stories I have ever read, in fact in one go over a weekend. I commend it to you with all my heart. (Hans Schroeder)
This book is beautiful. There is so much I can relate to in the story. I hope there will be many other books by the author. (Marlis Henke)
I so much enjoyed reading 'The Munich Vagabond'. A novel that flows. A lot appears to be drawn from an early life in Germany. (Margaret Tomlinson)
I read it from start to finish in one night. (Herta Globke)
A String of Pearls
It is an enjoyment to read ‘A String of Pearls’. The fluid style makes easy reading and one is instantly hooked on. It is hard to put down the book. The reader’s attention is lured in to discover all details of the family life, to lap up the description of land scapes and areas which are part of Kirstin’s, the main character, life. Those who endured war or had to live under a dictatorship will find parts of their life experience here described. Thank you, Margrit, to remind me of how Nazi Germany and war was for us. (Renate Mielke)
I like ‘A Strings of Pearls’ very much! It is almost written like a movie; you easily can visualize the various locations and follow the storyline. Phrasing, dialogue, sprinkling of German words etc create a special and engaging mood. Historic facts e.g. around WW2 are briefly mentioned like annexation of Austria and Sudetenland, invasion of Poland and other countries, the Leningrad siege, the Shoah, attempts on Hitler’s life etc. The author steers clear of the temptation to dwell in these events without ignoring them. Of course you can’t. You can’t put the book down – I read it over a weekend. (Hans Schroeder)
‘A String of Pearls’ is a lovely, engaging story which describes the experience of living through World War II from a different perspective to the usual. It recounts the experiences of a young German woman, who is appalled by the actions of the Nazis and hates war. Through the main character - Kristin's experiences leading up to WW2, during it and after, when she migrates to Australia we learn that life is not black and white. We see that generalizations and stereotypes about Germans, Russians and Australians are quite inadequate and do not give us a complete picture of history. A very enjoyable tale, which also provides some vivid insights into life under the Nazis, during a war and finding a new home far from home. (Mary Merkenich)
The book group met for the second time, after church coffee, in order to discuss the book ‘A String of Pearls’ written by Margrit Zalisz. It provided lively discussions about very realistically portrayed life situations in Germany and later also in Australia, during and after the Second World War, and all participants agreed that they enjoyed reading the book very much. (Book Group @ Trinity Church)
The Inscrutable Heart
Set in Australia, Singapore, southern Italy and the heart of London, this group of stories explores the themes of reflection, duty and gentle regret. What the heroines do with their lives and loves kept me so interested that I read the book in one sitting. (Elizabeth McLennan)