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Fever at Dawn: A Novel Kindle Edition

by Péter Gárdos (Author), Elizabeth Szász (Translator) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 out of 5 stars 99 ratings

After World War II, two concentration camp survivors begin a battle for love in this heartwarming, historical novel based on a true story.

It’s 1945, and Miklós is looking for a wife. The fact that he has six months left to live doesn’t discourage him—he isn’t one to let small problems like that stand in the way, especially not after he’s survived a concentration camp. Currently marooned in an all-male sanatorium in Sweden, and desperate to get out, he acquires the names of the 117 Hungarian women also recovering in Sweden and writes each of them a letter in his beautiful cursive hand. Luckily for him, Lili decides to write back…

Drawn from the real-life letters of Péter Gárdos’s parents, and reminiscent of the film Life Is Beautiful, Fever at Dawn is a vibrant, ribald, and unforgettable tale, showing the death-defying power of the human will to live and to love.

“Fever at Dawn has the sweetness of The Rosie Project and the pathos of The Fault in Our Stars…A book to fall in love with.”—The Herald Sun

“At once heartrending and lighthearted, this romance covers enormous ground in love and war, joy and tragedy.” — Shelf Awareness, starred review

“A riveting and high-spirited journey from the brink of death toward life, [Fever at Dawn] asserts the power of love.”—Julie Orringer, author of The Invisible Bridge
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    199 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Mariner Books
  4. Publication date
    April 12, 2016
  5. File size
    5.6 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Fever at Dawn has the sweetness of The Rosie Project and the pathos of The Fault in our Stars. Better still, it is based on a true story, that of the author’s parents who found love in the aftermath of the Holocaust and the horrors of World War II….Verdict: a book to fall in love with.” —The Herald Sun

“On the surface Fever at Dawn may seem a harrowing tale of survival and suffering, but in this remarkable book the Holocaust merely provides the backdrop for the most improbable of true-life love stories….There is a timeless quality to Fever at Dawn, a kind of classical romanticism….Gardos’s fascinating novel is sure to become a staple in book clubs.” —The Australian
 
"Through this charming novel, the remarkable Miklós and Lili are immortalized — their pluck, their determination, their insistence on saying yes to life after so much death."—Minneapolis Star Tribune

“Will make you like life more when you’ve finished.” —The Bookseller (UK)

"At once heartrending and lighthearted, this romance covers enormous ground in love and war, joy and tragedy, humor and pathos. Fever at Dawn, with its historical backdrop, will win over many readers.”—Shelf Awareness, starred review

"A riveting and high-spirited journey from the brink of death toward life, a novel that asserts the power of love in a world newly devastated by unspeakable hate.  With courage, humor, and unfailing emotional honesty, Peter Gardos illuminates the incredible power of the human will—the drive not just to stay alive, but to fight for a life worth celebrating." —Julie Orringer, author of The Invisible Bridge

"Fever at Dawn belongs to the canon of extraordinary true stories about love and war and the power of letters. Dramatic, compassionate and deeply moving, this unforgettable story reminds us that the Holocaust is not only history it’s a warning."—Jennifer Clement, author of Prayers for the Stolen
 
“The impossibly moving story of two damaged youths who forge from their amour fou a love that will light the decades ahead. With playfulness and charm, with iron conviction, Fever at Dawn will convince you that it’s possible not only to survive the worst of human hell, but to transcend it.”—Francisco Goldman, author of Say Her Name
 
“Books don’t make me cry. Fever At Dawn did. Drawing you in with pathos and playful wit, it squeezes the heart with sorrow and leaves it expanded with joy and love.”—Gabor Maté M.D., author of In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts

“A magnificent novel, tonally flawless, its humor defiant in the face of vast tragedy.”—Joan London, author of Gilgamesh and The Good Parents

From the Back Cover

Love is the best medicine.??

July 1945. Miklos, a twenty-five-year-old Hungarian marooned in a Swedish hospital, has just been given a death sentence. His lungs are filled with fluid and in six months he will be gone. But Miklos has never felt more alive, and he certainly didn’t endure a concentration camp only to drown from within. And so he wages war on his own fate: he acquires the names of the 117 Hungarian women also recovering in Sweden, and he writes a letter to each of them in his beautiful cursive hand. One of these women, he is sure, will become his wife.
 
In another part of the country, Lili reads his letter and decides to write back. For the next few months, the two engage in a funny, absurd, hopeful epistolary dance. Eventually, they find a way to meet.
 
Based on the true story of Péter Gárdos’s parents, and drawn from their letters, Fever at Dawn is captivating readers around the world—a vibrant, ribald, and improbably joyous tale showing the death-defying power of the human will to live and to love.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B011H55IRG
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mariner Books (April 12, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 12, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5.6 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 199 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 99 ratings

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
99 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book to be a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, particularly through the love story of the parents. Moreover, the translation receives positive feedback, with customers describing it as a beautifully written account.

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5 customers mention "Resiliency"5 positive0 negative

Customers praise the book's portrayal of the human spirit's resilience, particularly through the love story of the parents and their experiences during WWII.

"...It is a memoir of his parents meeting and their lives during the Holocaust...." Read more

"...is a book may reaffirm one's belief in the sweetness and resilience of the human spirit...." Read more

"...It is the love story of the parents. The after effect of the atrocities are realized...." Read more

"...Inspiring and courageous; will touch your heart." Read more

3 customers mention "Translation"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the translation of the book, describing it as a beautifully written account, with one customer noting its extensive use of letter quotes.

"...The book quotes letters extensively, thus giving an authentic voice to the characters, however it contributed to creating an uneven flow of the..." Read more

"...Definitely, enjoyed the translation. Blanche Tyrkko" Read more

"A beautifully written account of a the author's parents amazing story, during a fascinating but cruel period in history...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • P. Blevins
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story
    Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Fever At Dawn is written by PEter GArdos and translated by Elizabeth SzAsz. It is his first novel and is being pushed in thirty countries. It is a memoir of his parents meeting and their lives during the Holocaust.
    Miklos was one of 224 concentration camp survivors being taken from Lubeck, Germany to Stockholm, Sweden. Most of them were in such poor shape that it was a miracle that they survived. Miklos had tuberculous and although it wasn’t contagious, it was still in a form that would result in his ding. He had been mistaken as a deserter and beaten until all of his teeth were knocked out. They were replaced with metal teeth. Miklos had sent to the Swedish Office for Refugees and asked for a list of names and addresses of 117 young Hungarian women who were in various temporary housed in Sweden. He wrote to all 117 individuals intending to find a wife among the women. The women were all under thirty and were from Debrecen. One of those letters went to Lily Reich who was a patient with a kidney problem. Lily wrote back.
    As they write back and forth, Miklos keeps trying to find a way to go and meet her. Since his doctor gave him 6 months to live, he put a priority on seeing her. When he finally made it to her hospital, he couldn’t stay long. However, in those three days, they fell in love.
    What happens to them and how, is what makes the book interesting. It is definitely a different type of Holocaust biography.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Mia L.
    4.0 out of 5 stars A testament to the resilience of the human spirit
    Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    "Fever at Dawn" is based on a true story of two young survivors of the horrors of WWII. The book chronicles the remarkable ability of some humans to remain open to the possibility of finding love and redemption despite having spent several soul-crushing years in a death camp. This is a book may reaffirm one's belief in the sweetness and resilience of the human spirit. The book quotes letters extensively, thus giving an authentic voice to the characters, however it contributed to creating an uneven flow of the narrative.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kats
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must have selection or any Holocaust or Hungarian library.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Holocaust Story taken place in Budapest during WWII. Author elaborates on social and cultural changes. Easy transaction, item as described by seller. Would buy again.
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  • Blanche Tyrkko
    3.0 out of 5 stars It is the love story of the parents
    Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    "Fever At Dawn" is written by the son of parents met after being liberated from German concentration camps. It is the love story of the parents. The after effect of the atrocities are realized. Although the parent's love letters are the basis of the novel, the letters were discovered by their son. The parent's survival and love were a well-kept secret to their son. In fact, he wondered why they never spoke about them. Definitely, enjoyed the translation. Blanche Tyrkko
    One person found this helpful
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  • Book-lovin' Granny
    4.0 out of 5 stars Not sure if the translation is to blame -- but ...
    Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Not sure if the translation is to blame -- but the characters' actions seem kind of improbable. And that is strange, because they are allegedly based upon real people.
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  • Beverley Gutscher
    5.0 out of 5 stars A beautifully written account of a the author's parents amazing story
    Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    A beautifully written account of a the author's parents amazing story, during a fascinating but cruel period in history. Inspiring and courageous; will touch your heart.
    One person found this helpful
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  • cliffc@frii.com
    5.0 out of 5 stars Speedy service
    Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Outstanding service. Product is as advertised.
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  • Charlene
    4.0 out of 5 stars Survival Story
    Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Amazing what people survived in WWII.
    Helpful
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