When I Was Better by Rita Bozi. István and Teréza are a happy couple but then some Nazi’s, some soviets and the Hungarian revolution happens and they are really rather tested. It’s not a light book and it’s not one that has a lot of happiness in but the detail Rita goes into about the horrors of living through a whole host of things is gripping. The story is based on the true stories of Rita’s parents and family as Hungarian refugees and it is very thought provoking because you can judge the characters and their choices but you might end up doing the same in their position.

Honestly was drawn to this book through the title and where it comes from (per the description). A gripping tale of love and life in the middle of a war, occupation, and revolution.

DNF at 48%

Parts of this book were interesting but I was way more invested in one timeline than the other, and none of the characters really gripped me. May return to it eventually...the prose was good.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this novel. Istvan and Tereza are a couple separated in the midst of the Soviet occupation of Hungary and the estranged years they spent trying to find their way back to one another. Rita Bozi uses brilliant imagery in describing the harsh realities of life in a nation that you no longer recognise. Istvan and Tereza are riveting characters, both strong in their will and perseverance to reunite their family once again despite every adversity. I was engrossed through and through. Wonderfully written!


4.5/5

This riveting true story reveals the horrors of living in Hungary from the 40’s into the 60’s. Few historical novels are set in this time and place. Rita Bozi brilliantly shares the traumatic story of her parents and relatives.

The main characters are a young couple, Tereza and Istvan. Both are strong- willed and their personalities often clash. We watch them suffer through Nazi and Russian occupation followed by the Hungarian revolution and further civil unrest. Bozi does a masterful job of characterization, and we literally feel their fears, losses, and desires.
With excellent sensory imagery, we are absorbed into events that transpire. “The place looked like a glorified cafeteria with cold metal tables, drab olive walls and a scuffed floor of checkered tile. Dim, diffuse light made a dreary establishment, with nary a smile to be seen or a laugh to be heard, sadder still.”
Bozi uses an interesting organizational format with chapters flashing back and forth across decades of despair. Her organization certainly provides extra suspense to the lengthy story.
This story obviously required a tremendous amount of research and I applaud Bozi’s dedication to her family’s story. I recommend this book for readers drawn to the pathos of war and domination. Rating 5

When if Vaughn goes to meet his wife Teresa‘s plane it has been seven years since they’ve seen each other and the same amount since he seen his son Zalty (or at least he claims him as his son.) he’s waiting for them to arrive from Budapest hungry and when everyone departs except for them his flowers seem to Wilt and his mind wanders he thinks about everything that brought him to the decision to abandon his wife and baby son and flea the only country in home he new via a Turkish refugee camp then finally Canada. This book was long but so so good! I learned more from this book then I did from history class about the Russians occupying hungry and turkey taking over to the students that started the protest ET see I love books that involve historical events and this is one of the better ones I think the author knew her subject and if she didn’t know it she definitely did great research. If you love historical fiction at its best then you need to read “when I was better.“ I highly recommend it. I received this book from netGally and the publisher and I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review but all opinions are definitely my own.

The relationship of Istvan and Tereza is threatened by the Nazi invasion of their home country of Hungary, through Soviet invasion and years' long separation. A moving story of the resilience and love of this couple through the years, surviving and persevering against these odds. Uplifting and sensitive, a good read.