Veselí nad Moravou, Czech Republic – The story of Bohumil Vrbňák, a young boy whose life was irrevocably altered by the events of World War II, is now being told through the poignant memoir, “Chlapec, který nebyl Žid” (The Boy Who Wasn’t Jewish), penned by his granddaughter, Petra Manišová. The book, which has quickly resonated with readers in the Czech Republic, details Vrbňák’s accidental arrest and subsequent transport to a labor camp in Linz, Austria, in 1940, a consequence of a childhood friendship.
Manišová’s operate isn’t simply a historical recounting; it’s a deeply personal narrative built upon years of conversations with her grandfather, particularly during his final years. As she recounts, the stories emerged after Vrbňák suffered three strokes and was confined to a care facility. “Only after my grandfather ended up in a nursing home after three strokes and I visited him often did he begin to tell me what happened then,” Manišová explained, as reported by EuropeSays.com. The weight of the past, long held silent, finally found a voice.
A Childhood Interrupted
The story unfolds in the winter of 1940, in the small town of Zarazice, now part of Veselí nad Moravou. Ten-year-old Milek, as Vrbňák was known to his family, disregarded his parents’ warnings and ventured to the home of his Jewish friend, Ríša, drawn by the allure of a recent toy train set. This seemingly innocent act of childhood curiosity would have devastating consequences. According to Manišová, the Gestapo arrived at Ríša’s home that remarkably afternoon, arresting everyone inside.
Despite the obvious discrepancy – a blond-haired boy clearly not belonging to a Jewish family – Milek was swept up in the raid. “Even though his parents immediately informed Milek’s parents, the Gestapo was uncompromising,” Manišová writes. “He was guilty simply by befriending a Jewish boy and so he ended up on the transport to Linz.” This detail underscores the pervasive and arbitrary nature of persecution during that era. The act of friendship itself became a crime.
Life in the Camp and a Daring Escape
After three weeks of hardship – enduring hunger and thirst – Vrbňák arrived at the labor camp in Linz, where he and other prisoners were forced to dismantle broken machinery. Remarkably, the camp offered a relative degree of safety, but the emotional toll was immense. Manišová notes that her grandfather carried profound guilt for disobeying his parents and desperately wanted to return home.
Within the camp, Vrbňák formed an unlikely friendship with another boy, Eduard, a non-Jewish youth sent to Linz for disciplinary reasons. Eduard, according to Manišová, secretly hoarded crusts of bread, and eventually revealed a hidden space within a metal hangar where they could conceal themselves. “He told my grandfather that he was planning to escape. My grandfather was overjoyed, but had to wait until spring so they wouldn’t freeze to death on the journey home,” Manišová shared. After three months, the two boys successfully fled the camp, embarking on a perilous journey back to their families.
Their escape was a harrowing ordeal, marked by weeks of hiding and nocturnal travel. They sought refuge in barns and sheds, constantly evading detection until they finally reached safety. This period of uncertainty and fear underscores the courage and resilience required to survive under such oppressive circumstances.
A Story Years in the Making
The process of writing “Chlapec, který nebyl Žid” spanned five years, a testament to the emotional weight of the subject matter. Manišová found it difficult to write the story in one continuous stretch, often sharing drafts with her grandfather for his feedback. “He told me, ‘You’re writing it as if you were there with me,’” she recalled.
The book’s publication was bittersweet, as Vrbňák passed away in November 2020, before Manišová could share the finished work with him. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented her from visiting him in his final days, leaving her with a profound sense of loss. “With him went the desire to write. I was sad, wounded by the impossibility of speaking to him again, at least to say goodbye,” Manišová wrote in the book’s epilogue, as reported by Čteme české autory. She resumed writing in the spring of 2021, driven by a desire to honor her grandfather’s memory.
The initial print run of the book sold out quickly, and a reprint is now available. An audiobook version is also slated for release in April 2026. The enduring appeal of Vrbňák’s story speaks to the power of personal narratives in preserving historical memory and fostering empathy.
A Legacy of Remembrance
“Chlapec, který nebyl Žid” is more than just a historical account; it’s a testament to the enduring power of friendship, the resilience of the human spirit, and the importance of remembering the lessons of the past. Manišová’s meticulous research and heartfelt storytelling have brought to light a remarkable story of survival, offering a poignant reminder of the human cost of prejudice and intolerance. The book serves as a vital contribution to Holocaust literature, ensuring that Vrbňák’s experience – and the experiences of countless others – will not be forgotten.
As the book continues to find new readers, it stands as a powerful reminder of the importance of challenging injustice and standing up for what is right, even in the face of overwhelming adversity. The story of Bohumil Vrbňák, a boy who simply wanted to play with a friend, is a story that deserves to be told and remembered for generations to come.
The audiobook version of “Chlapec, který nebyl Žid” is scheduled for release in April 2026. Readers interested in learning more about the book and Petra Manišová’s work can find additional information at the Epocha publishing house website.
