One of the most interesting parts of this book is the author wrote it when he was in his nineties. It is the story of his childhood. He grew up Jewish in a Northern England manufacturing town. On one half of his street lived the Christians, and on the other half lived the Jews. Harry was the son of an abusive alcoholic and a devoted mother who struggled to make ends meet and to provide for her children. The invisible wall that divided his street came down when death came to the street in the form of World War One. The book was slightly reminiscent of Angela's Ashes. The main story of the book is his sister's love for the Christian neighbor boy across the street. It was enjoyable and although not the finest literature I've read, a quick interesting book. (The sequel is sitting on my nightstand, The Dream, about his families struggles as immigrants in the USA).
Monday, January 12, 2009
The Invisible Wall by Harry Bernstein
One of the most interesting parts of this book is the author wrote it when he was in his nineties. It is the story of his childhood. He grew up Jewish in a Northern England manufacturing town. On one half of his street lived the Christians, and on the other half lived the Jews. Harry was the son of an abusive alcoholic and a devoted mother who struggled to make ends meet and to provide for her children. The invisible wall that divided his street came down when death came to the street in the form of World War One. The book was slightly reminiscent of Angela's Ashes. The main story of the book is his sister's love for the Christian neighbor boy across the street. It was enjoyable and although not the finest literature I've read, a quick interesting book. (The sequel is sitting on my nightstand, The Dream, about his families struggles as immigrants in the USA).
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I also read this and thought it was a wonderful memoir. One of the most interesting things is that it was written by the author in his 90s! You're right... not the best writing, but interesting and a good look at a young boy's life in pre-war Britain.
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