Letters from the Lost: a memoir of discovery by Helen Waldstein Wilkes
This book is a compilation of letters from Helen's relatives that never made it out of the Czech Republic to safety and most of whom died in the Holocaust. There is also a few letters from an uncle that survived the camps, but was utterly changed by them. More than the letters, the book describes Helen's parents' own flight to Canada, their struggles to make a living in their adopted country, and the silence they maintained about the lost family. Helen describes this well, including her own experiences with exclusion and her gradual interest in the past. She talks about her research, her visits to the Czech Republic, searching for news of her family and revisiting family homes and memories. A moving book, open and honest about the difficulties and the rewards of such a search.
You know I find these books so interesting, thank you for your review. Could be a postal challenge choice.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely was a postal challenge choice for me Irene.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of this one -- it sounds like it could be a rather heart-wrenching read, I think. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteFound it doing a search for "letters" in the title at the library.
ReplyDelete