Book Review The Happiest Man on Earth

Posted on 2 October 2025 by Jody

Summary

WINNER OF THE ABIA BIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR 2021

Life can be beautiful if you make it beautiful. It is up to you.

Eddie Jaku always considered himself a German first, a Jew second. He was proud of his country. But all of that changed in November 1938, when he was beaten, arrested and taken to a concentration camp.

Over the next seven years, Eddie faced unimaginable horrors every day, first in Buchenwald, then in Auschwitz, then on a Nazi death march. He lost family, friends, his country.

Because he survived, Eddie made the vow to smile every day. He pays tribute to those who were lost by telling his story, sharing his wisdom and living his best possible life. He now believes he is the ‘happiest man on earth’.

Published as Eddie turns 100, this is a powerful, heartbreaking and ultimately hopeful memoir of how happiness can be found even in the darkest of times.

Published by Pan Macmillan Australia

Comments

This book was liked very much by most of our readers. Described, surprisingly, as a happy read.

Most readers described this book to be a very uplifting story from a man who experienced such harrowing personal experiences and such great loss as a young man.

Eddy tells his story as one of the many unsettling personal recollections of a holocaust survivor.

In the beginning of the book he describes his families perception of themselves as being good and loyal Germans who greatly loved their country. The thought that their fellow countrymen would turn on them so violently was initially beyond their belief.

His story is short and simply written, giving detail to his personal experience with his education and skill learning that would stand him in good stead in dire life threatening moments throughout his incarceration and then later on in his life. He details many personal moments where his life was saved at the last moment by a quirk of fate and moments of being let down by people he considered to be friends.

His story also emphasises his love for his family and friends, his great will to survive his horror experience and his hopes for building a new future away from that place of cruelty and enslavement.

A few readers were wary of reading another “holocaust story” but Eddy moves on to rebuild his life in Australia with his own personal philosophy of resilience and compassion making a vow to bring happiness each day and to build a good life with his family.

In this Eddy is successful, and by sharing his story he uplifts his readers with the life choice that he makes and shares.

Read by MJ Readers August 2025

Book Review Mary’s Last Dance

Posted on 23 May 2022 by Jody

Mary’s Last Dance by Mary Li

Summary

Mary’s Last Dance is a powerful and uplifting memoir about chasing an impossible dream, and sacrificing one’s own ambition for the love of a child. It is a moving and unforgettable story of passion, dedication and devotion – and the highly anticipated sequel to one of the world’s most beloved books.

Mary Li is an international ballet star and a mother like no other. She became a household name when her husband Li Cunxin published his bestselling memoir, Mao’s Last Dancer – but that book told only half the story.

Growing up in a rambunctious family in Rockhampton, Mary discovered an extraordinary early passion for ballet. It saw her move to London at age sixteen, to study at the Royal Ballet School and dance at the London Festival Ballet with the likes of Nureyev, and later to Houston Ballet, where as Principal Dancer she fell in love with the acclaimed dancer Li Cunxin. The couple became the darlings of the dance world, and were happier than they could have imagined at the arrival of their firstborn daughter, Sophie.

Then right at the height of her international career, Mary seemingly disappeared from view. What could have happened to cause a woman so committed, so talented, to give it all away in a heartbeat? Now, almost twenty years on, we learn what happened next to this inspiring family, and why it is Mary’s turn to tell a truly remarkable tale.

Comments

Mary’s Last Dance is the memoir of Mary Li. She is an acclaimed Australian ballet dancer and wife of Li Cunxin. Her story is a window into life in Rockhampton in the 1960s and 1970s, the world of international ballet and the sacrifice and journey Mary made in leaving ballet when her daughter was found to be profoundly deaf. While the writing might lack flair and the story a little repetitive, it tells about a high achieving family, love, deference, determination and acceptance. It was historically informative and opened our eyes to the conflict between the hearing and non-hearing communities. An enjoyable read.

Read by the MJ Readers

Sydney Writers’ Festival 2022

Posted on 28 March 2022 by admin

City of Parramatta Libraries is very proud to be hosting two author talk events for the 2022 Sydney Writers’ Festival in May. Bookings are limited for these FREE events so don’t miss seeing these amazing authors in person.

Louisa Lim in conversation
When: Thursday 19 May at 6.30pm.
Where: Wentworth Point Community Centre & Library
What: Join award-winning journalist and podcaster Louisa Lim in conversation with author Linda Jaivin. Louisa will be discussing her fascinating portrait of Hong Kong Indelible City, which mixes memoir and reportage and aims to put Hongkongers at the centre of their own story.
How: For more information and to book click here.

Alicia Jasinska in conversation
When: Sunday 22 May at 3.00pm.
Where: Epping Leisure & Learning Centre
What: Join Alicia Jasinska as she discusses her latest fantasy The Midnight Girls in conversation with one of our Library staff members. The young adult book is set in a snow-cloaked kingdom where two enchantresses secretly compete for the heart of a prince, only to discover they may be falling for each other.
How: For more information and to book click here.

Goodreads Best Books of 2021

Posted on 14 December 2021 by admin

Announcing the winners of the 13th Annual Goodreads Choice Awards, a major book award decided by readers. Congratulations to the best books of the year! Why not reserve one or more titles now and see if you agree with the votes. We have all of the winners of the categories below and many of the nominees. With so many titles to choose from you are sure to find something to read this Summer.