Part fictional, part autobiographical, COMING UP FOR AIR is an intriguing, funny, and at times distressing account of a child’s development to young woman.
The story leads the reader from Germany during WWII to the frugal aftermath and beyond, portraying with great insight and nuances the temptations, doubts and insecurities which beset a teenage girl approaching womanhood.
The story is for everyone who ever wondered what it was like for ‘the others’. But, more than that, it is the account of a human being struggling to come to terms with growing up and trying to break out of an imposed set of cultural and moral mores to become her own reference point and think for herself, deciding on a brave future that is based on trust in her own strengths and allowing for her own weaknesses.
Perhaps never before has there been a greater ‘generation gap’ than the one that opened up between the average pre-War generation awakening in the West-German wonderland of bubble gum, films, nylon stockings, jazz, sex and rock-n’-roll and the next generation which naively accepted it all at face value and desperately tried to live up to a new world’s perceived expectations.
Audience:
COMING UP FOR AIR is aimed at the young adult audience, but has been received exceedingly well by the mature (and very mature) reader.
COMING UP FOR AIR is entertaining, educational and thought-provoking.
What did the readers think (reviews from amazon.com)?
more...
The story leads the reader from Germany during WWII to the frugal aftermath and beyond, portraying with great insight and nuances the temptations, doubts and insecurities which beset a teenage girl approaching womanhood.
The story is for everyone who ever wondered what it was like for ‘the others’. But, more than that, it is the account of a human being struggling to come to terms with growing up and trying to break out of an imposed set of cultural and moral mores to become her own reference point and think for herself, deciding on a brave future that is based on trust in her own strengths and allowing for her own weaknesses.
Perhaps never before has there been a greater ‘generation gap’ than the one that opened up between the average pre-War generation awakening in the West-German wonderland of bubble gum, films, nylon stockings, jazz, sex and rock-n’-roll and the next generation which naively accepted it all at face value and desperately tried to live up to a new world’s perceived expectations.
Audience:
COMING UP FOR AIR is aimed at the young adult audience, but has been received exceedingly well by the mature (and very mature) reader.
COMING UP FOR AIR is entertaining, educational and thought-provoking.
What did the readers think (reviews from amazon.com)?
more...
Rose Mary Boehm is an exquisite writer who knows how to capture the true essence of each moment, wrapping them with her words - sometimes delicate, sometimes rough - to create literary gifts for her readers. Take a look at life through the eyes of young Annemarie Becker, learn her story and gain access to a piece of History unknown for some, distant for many and enlightening for all.
L. Flores, Los Angeles, CA, USA *** I fell in love with this book just since the beginning. I never read a book about Second World War from the point of view of a little child, specially a german little one. It is a lovely book and gives a different point of view from any other lectures.. It is a lovely book. I highly recomend it. Giu, MI, USA *** Rose Mary Boehm lived her young life in Germany during the onset of World War II and its eventual horrors. Nearly simultaneously, I lived my life here in the United States during the onset of World War II only hearing second-hand about its horrors. This book takes you through the whole experience as told through the eyes of a precocious young child and onward as she grows into a strong woman, full of common sense and self-reliance. She never gives up no matter the pain. It was a constant battle for me while reading this intriguing tale not to interject my own feelings remembered and thus revisited as I read Ms. Boehm's story. The personal closeness, "living" her story with her, was quite a fascinating experience. She made the story so real it was difficult to remind myself she calls it a work of fiction. A fine poet, Ms. Boehm has the ability to use original images that come to life in the reading. I would certainly recommend Coming Up for Air wholeheartedly, and am looking forward to Ms. Boehm's next book, soon to be published. Julie G, USA |
This is the story of Anne Marie Becker who grew up during World War II. She was only two-years-old when the bombs started falling. As the author states, part of this novel is fiction, part fact and part autobiographical. In any case, Coming Up For Air is a hard book to put down.
Through her excellent writing, Ms. Boehm transports us right into the war and shows us all the horrors and atrocities that happened then. As we watch Anne Marie grow up we experience her first love and then date rape. When she is old enough to get a job, older men have some particular ideas. Rose Marie doesn't just describe to us what happens; she shows us in such detail that we experience everything that Anne Marie goes through! This page turner just isn't a story of growing up through that terrible war either. It's a story of growing up fast and finding your own freedom. It's about shaking off the chains of a previously rigid existence, coming up for air, taking a deep breath and finding your own life. This reviewer was transported back to live through that terrible time. I highly recommend Coming Up For Air to all young adults and adults. Deborah S. Hockenberry, USA *** Ms Boehm is a truly gifted author. This book is beautifully written and quintessentially captures the beauty and mystery of the world when seen through a child's eyes, even in a time of terror. Being part autobiographical and part fiction, one has to wonder where that narrow line lies and at times you find yourself gasping with the sheer trauma of life, whether as experienced by the young child or adolescent trying to find her way in the world. Particularly moving was the unlimited love of the little Anne Marie Becker for her father as she waited for his return and the reality of growing up and seeing that love change into a more familiar and sceptical kind. The characterisation of her mother is powerful and she manages to convey her as a truly remarkable character, nevertheless with evident human flaws. I recommended this book to many others, including my book club and my 15 year old daughter. They all found it to be an exceptional read. E.C. Aston, UK |
This tale took me to a place in history I had never seen before, with eyes of a child. I had a hard time putting it down. It was fast moving and the imagery it captured made me feel like I have been there too! By the end it got into more adult issues that still bother me....so it had my attention on several different levels. I'm looking forward to a sequel!
Jeffrey L. Beck, USA *** Rose Mary Boehm is a great impressionist. She uses her words to paint the sights, sounds and feelings of a young Girl surviving WWII in Germany and the years that followed. It's an engaging tale about how world events effect a solitary young life. A great read for both adults and older teens as it weaves history into a personal viewpoint. I do hope the author will consider another volume about Miss Becker as I hope this saga will continue. I didn't want the book to end and I want to hear more of this amazing story. S. Black, PA, USA *** I was born at roughly the same time as Anne Marie Becker, the heroine of this book. So I also grew up in a country at war - in fact the country which was locked in deadly conflict with Anne Marie's. But I lived in a part of Britain which was of little interest to the Germans, so, unlike so many of my countrymen and women, knew nothing of the bombs and disruption which were her regular portion. Or of being invaded by the marauding Soviet Army, who were deliberately let off the leash for several days, given droit des seigneurs over the conquered people, especially the poor women. Nevertheless, the war was a constant in my life as well, and it was very interesting to see it from the other side, especially from a contemporary. I enjoyed the rest of the book as well, about the little girl growing into the confused teenager and then blossoming into a young woman. Then comes the sampling of freedom in the adult world, with its dangers and temptations, before the "Stop! Where am I going? What do I want to do with my life?" moment. Followed by the cutting of apron strings, the sailing off into the sunset of the unknown, more in command of self and with confidence in the future. Vic Heaney, author of 'Vic's Big Walk' |
AUTHOR'S NOTE
This novel has been written in three parts in more than one way: one third of it is autobiographical, one third are tales from friends and one third is pure invention. Some characters in the novel are based on real people, some are blends of people I’ve known; events, places, dates and time I shifted at will and all names are fictitious.
A BIG THANK YOU
to all those of my friends who have shared their experiences and memories with me, allowing me to weave them into my story. You all know who you are and I couldn’t have written this book without you.