Goubitz lost 137 family members in the Second World War. His lifelong trauma, and the loss of romantic relationships and friendships are shockingly documented. Yet, the book also reads like a thrilling boy’s tale, full of adventurous growing-up struggles.
However, at the heart of this book is the inhumane treatment by civil servants of the Pension and Benefit Board (PUR) and the judiciary. Using official letters and evidence, Goubitz demonstrates the abuse of power and government scandal that ruined his life. This is a necessary and painful account of injustice and a search for trauma processing/healing.