Too many men

Too Many Men by Lily Brett
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The title is completely confusing.
These words are repeated few times in the book - by a Gipsy clairvoyant, by a voice of Rudolf Höss a commandant of German Concentration and Death Camp - Auschwitz, by herself, but I do not see any relation to the story.
Similarly the voice of Rudolf Höss - my explanation is that has been used as a way to present some details on the background of Nazi idea of Jews extermination. As for me it brought more confusion than knowledge.
The story - an American business woman - Ruth - organises for her, living in Melbourne , 81 years old father, a tour of Poland, a place of his youth, a country where his family lived and where all of them were moved by Germans into the Auschwitz Death Camp.
Father - Edek - firstly does not see much sense in such a visit. Secondly, as should be expected - visiting familiar places brings back sad reflections. Thirdly - there are some positives - he immensely enjoys Polish food, although quantities of ham, eggs and cakes eaten by him as specified in the book are rather superhuman.
More importantly he finds a woman, who seems as an ideal partner for his remaining years.
It is quite different story for Ruth.
She leads very satisfying life in New York - own flourishing business, great care of health, diet, exercises, clothes, cosmetics.
There is a mention of 2 failed marriages, but she does not feel any lack of family.
Visit to Poland relives in her many traumas. It looks these are much stronger than traumas of some survivors, who, like Ruth's father, managed to erase them from day-today life.
Separate issue is her absolute disgust of life in Poland and behaviour of Polish people.
I found it very biased and exaggerated, but it is rather intimate, personal issue.

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