Masquerade is Tivadar Soros' testimony of occurences in Hungary from Mar 19, 1944 and Jan 12, 1945 during the nazi occupation. Soros, a lawyer who had survived WWI as a prisoner of Russia's, escaped, wending his way home slowly and carefully as chaos reigned and Jews were personas non-grata.Once home he marries, fathers 2 sons and works as lawyer and in the real estate field.

Once Nazis arrived in Hungary Jews were targeted for round-ups and deportations to death camps or mass shootings. Soros, smart, charming and outgoing instinctively grasped how to cope during a world turned upside down and life threatening. He believed that people had a right to resist government when that government decided particular groups of citizens were now enemies, and should be destroyed.

He considers the options of saving his family and others; decides that hiding in plain sight as non-Jews made the most sense. He obtained id's and other necessary documents, real and forged for his family and decided they needed to live separately to ensure their survival. It wasn't easy getting documents, finding apartments or homes for family members, getting family to memorize identities and behave like non-Jews. Particularly challenging was Tivadar's mother-in-law who just wanted to remain at home as a Jew, and didn't comprehend the inherent danger.

Soros couldn't understand how the Nazi appointed Jewish Council to save themselves could justify calling Jews up to be relocated and/or deported. And more shocking was how the Jews called by the Council complied as requested, fatalistically believing they had no options. Every day brought news of Jews rounded up and shot on the banks of the Danube, or relocated to ghettos in the country, and from there trained to death camps. Within 1 month of the Nazis taking over Hungary, half a million Jews had been deported and/or killed!

Despite new identities, Soros family had to stay on their toes, and find new homes when necessary. Thankfully Soros had reserves of money, documents, food and other necessities. He thought it was only a matter of months before the Germans would be forced out and life could return to normal but the occupation, hunger, disease, depression, Russian airstrikes lasted over 10 months and took devastating tolls on Hungary's citizens. Some Jews took their own lives; while others did everything they could to survive. Some Jews believed their non-Jewish connections would help save them and some did but others were rounded up and killed despite who they knew and trusted.

Tivador went out to swim and walk and meet with his sons periodically, kept updated by listening to radio broadcasts, and believed that once the Russians pushed Germans out life would improve. He didn't count on the madness of the Arrow Cross members especially toward the end of the occupation who iincreased the murder of Jews in the ghetto, at hospitals, on the Danube, etc. Once Russians are in control, life does improve but slowly and not fully. Russians send citizens to Russia as prisoners of war, and brutally rape Hungarian women!

Soros'style of writing, sincere, calm, and casual makes it both easier and harder to read about the horror in Hungary and ongoing terror gripping the Jews. He shares thoughts on how these experiences heightened his empathy to the underdog and weak but doesn't judge or moralize, except to say that other countries should step in when they learn that a particular nation is engaged in genocide.

Tivadar was very close and caring to his family, and didn't show his worries, making 14-year son, George believe it was all just an adventure and his father would keep him safe!

Hard to fathom how Soros managed to accomplish all he did. Corny but perhaps his natural love, optimism and understanding of the human condition, education, and his hate-free and unbiased attitude played a significant role.

Excellent read! ( )

Interesting in the historical aspect of how some people survived this incredible period of time as a Jew. But, the book was not very exciting to read. ( )