Sara Young tried her hand at young adult writing with Holocaust novel My Enemy’s Cradle. This gripping story keeps you worried about Cyrla and her fate. It’s the brink of World War II; no one is free. Everyone lives in fear; holding their breath. Cyrla is sent to stay with Anneke, her cousin. Then, upon being surrounded by spies and friends alike, she must face a man of the past that can’t seem to let her go. Sara Young expertly provokes questions and thoughts with her word choice and yet fails to fully develop some characters; leaving much of their character to wonder about. Firstly, this novel’s strength is definitely the word choice and the thoughts and questions they evoke. The story is touching and descriptive, yet so open to interpretation.
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It sounds like rather than loving him, she’s in love with the thought of him. If she truly was so in love, why would it matter that there are less men around? And to say that being pregnant is ‘enough?’ The way she goes on to justify her motives, feels like she better hurry and get hitched before the pickings get too slim. Then she goes on to make it seem like she wants to leave and this is her best chance. The word choice and how she justifies the potential marriage makes you doubt her true intentions. Next, I think a major flaw with the book is how the characters are so two-dimensional and underdeveloped. Take Mrs. Bakker, when she is talking to Cyrla about the Nuremberg Laws. “Have you heard the news? The Nuremberg Laws are to be implemented here… It will be very bad for Jews here, I think,” …something in her voice made me wary. “For anyone with Jewish blood.”… “Well,” said Mrs. Bakker, “take care of yourself, Cyrla.” (Young 11) This could be Mrs. Bakker being a nosy, old neighbor; but is it more? Could it be her hinting of turning Cyrla in for being Jewish, or could she just be warning Cyrla? We don’t have enough background on her at this point to know, although with the threat that they later receive, it seems like a warning. A bit of foreshadowing of what’s to come, but this never really is said or provided
It sounds like rather than loving him, she’s in love with the thought of him. If she truly was so in love, why would it matter that there are less men around? And to say that being pregnant is ‘enough?’ The way she goes on to justify her motives, feels like she better hurry and get hitched before the pickings get too slim. Then she goes on to make it seem like she wants to leave and this is her best chance. The word choice and how she justifies the potential marriage makes you doubt her true intentions. Next, I think a major flaw with the book is how the characters are so two-dimensional and underdeveloped. Take Mrs. Bakker, when she is talking to Cyrla about the Nuremberg Laws. “Have you heard the news? The Nuremberg Laws are to be implemented here… It will be very bad for Jews here, I think,” …something in her voice made me wary. “For anyone with Jewish blood.”… “Well,” said Mrs. Bakker, “take care of yourself, Cyrla.” (Young 11) This could be Mrs. Bakker being a nosy, old neighbor; but is it more? Could it be her hinting of turning Cyrla in for being Jewish, or could she just be warning Cyrla? We don’t have enough background on her at this point to know, although with the threat that they later receive, it seems like a warning. A bit of foreshadowing of what’s to come, but this never really is said or provided