Three children who survive the destruction of their orthodox
Jewish communities during WWII are followed throughout their lives. One
survives because his Catholic nanny hides him as her son until he is “restored”
to Judaism after the war. One survives because that same boy prevents her from
following her mother and father to certain death. The third survives because
her family is fortunate enough to escape to neutral land and then Paris after
the war.
The aftermath of the war influences all the decisions,
secrets and separations that follow them all their lives. The Ultra orthodox
community is sympathetically rendered as is the decision of one of the three to
leave that insular and confining faith.
The characters and faith are presented with clarity. Book
groups will discover the lifestyle of the orthodox and its ramifications. A discussion of the decisions of the three
characters and the decision of a
granddaughter should lead to a lively conversation.
4 of 5 stars
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