Under A Cruel Star: A Life In Prague, 1941-1968

Heda Margolius Kovály’s memoir begins in Prague during World War II. After the Nazi invasion, Heda and her family are sent to a ghetto, and, later, to concentration camps in Poland, where both her mother and father perish. Heda manages to escape, however, and makes her way back to Prague. Once there, she realizes that even old friends, for the most part, are unwilling to help her, as doing so would put them at risk.

This climate of isolation, fear, and anti-Semitism wounds Heda deeply. She spends her time hiding, waiting out the end of the War. Once the War ends, she is reunited with Rudolf Margolius, her childhood lover. They are soon married and have a child named Ivan.

Rudolf is very involved with The Communist Party. He is idealistic and motivated. He finds success when he is appointed cabinet chief in the Ministry of Foreign Trade. The Party soon becomes corrupt, however—though most are hesitant or unwilling to see it. Many arrests take place, most resulting in execution or life imprisonment, and Heda begins to fear for Rudolf. Rudolf, however, is unconcerned, and remains idealistic.

In early 1952, Rudolf is arrested. He is charged in “The Trial for the Anti-State Conspiracy of Rudolf Slansky.” Rudolf M. did not have any contact with Slansky, but this does not prevent him from eventually being found guilty. While awaiting the verdict, Heda suffers poverty, sickness, isolation, gossip, intense anxiety, and depression. Roughly a year later, she learns that Rudolf has been sentenced to death.

Heda visits Rudolf before his execution. It is a heartfelt exchange. Rudolf instructs her to marry again, which she does shortly afterwards. She marries Pavel Kovaly, and achieves some stability in her profession, learning that she has a knack for translating.

In 1968, Heda participates in the Prague Spring, an uprising by the citizens of Czechoslovakia against Soviet rule. This uprising is soon squashed, however, and the memoir ends with Heda leaving the country by train.

Heda suffers much in her life. One would think that, after escaping a concentration camp, life would improve, but, for Heda, adversity and struggle continue to follow her. Even though she leaves Czechoslovakia, the past is always with her. The memoir, itself, is testament to this fact.

Heda often finds peace in the natural world, in what is beautiful and free. Although her life is tragic, Heda writes beautifully, and it is perhaps this beauty that offers some form of reclamation.