Review by Booklist Review
The author of previous graphic biographies of Johnny Cash and Fidel Castro, Kleist recounts another true story of a turbulent life with this portrayal of Harry Haft, a Polish Jew who literally fought his way to survival in the Auschwitz concentration camp. Taking note of his strength and resilience, the guards enter him in boxing matches set up for the amusement of the SS officers. Haft defeats every opponent before escaping from a death march as the Soviet Red Army approaches. Immigrating to the U.S. after the war, he embarks on a professional boxing career, culminating in a match with future heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano. While Haft's bouts in Auschwitz were driven by a desire to continue living, his American fights were motivated by hope of achieving fame so that the fiancee he lost in Poland would hear of his success. Kleist's expressive, inky brushwork powerfully conveys Haft's harrowing story. Although Haft might not be as famous as Kleist's previous subjects, his tale of survival by any means is equally enthralling.--Flagg, Gordon Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
This graphic novel, which tells the true story of Holocaust survivor Hertzko "Harry" Haft, leaves a deep impression. Haft is separated from his family in Nazi-occupied Poland, sent to a series of concentration camps, and subjected to unimaginable brutality, including being forced by the SS to fight in a terrifying series of boxing matches. Readers need only observe Haft's chilling physical transformation to see how remarkable his story of survival is. Despite the sheer inhumanity of his circumstances, Haft is driven by an indomitable will, fueled by the conviction that Leah, the woman he loves, is also somehow managing to survive the Nazi genocide. When his pugilistic skills lead him to a career as a boxer in America after the war, Haft can only hope that his rising success-which includes a shot at the legendary boxer, Rocky Marciano-attracts Leah's attention and ultimately reunites them. Although Kleist (Johnny Cash: I See a Darkness) spares the reader nothing in depicting one of the darkest periods in human history, he always has the unconquerable spirit of his protagonist clearly in focus. Drawn in stark black and white panels, characterized by a visceral sharpness of lines and angles, Kleist's narrative is set in a perfect visual landscape. It's safe to say this is an early candidate for graphic novel of the year honors. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
Starred Review. Shrimpy but scrappy, teenager Hertzko Haft helps his struggling Jewish family survive Nazi occupation of Poland. But just before he is to marry his love, Leah, Hertzko is sent to a work camp and then to Auschwitz. Over four years, he keeps alive by canny friendships, smuggling, and learning to box in tournaments held to entertain Nazi camp officers. Finally, Hertzko escapes and turns professional boxer, seeking the missing Leah. Stark black-and-white drawings from Kleist (the well-received Johnny Cash) convey Hertzko's single-minded calculus of survival. An excellent concluding essay from German sports journalist Martin Krauss further explicates boxing in concentration camps. VERDICT Based on son Alan Scott Haft's Harry Haft, this wrenching biography coupled with stunning high-contrast storytelling put this title on a par with Nathan Powell's much-praised art for March (LJ 7/13). Moreover, the characters are drawn with the energetic nimbleness so admired in Will Eisner's work. Sports fans and history readers, teen and up, will find this mesmerizing. M.C. (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
