REVIEW: OF BITTER HERBS AND SWEET CONFECTIONS BY SUSAN SHALEV
Date: 23 October 2019
By: Daily Madhu
Written in first person POV, ‘Of Bitter Herbs and Sweet Confections’ by Susan Shalev is a fictionalized memoir of the World War II era, based on the true life experiences of the author's late mother-in-law.
Of Bitter Herbs and Sweet Confections is a fictionalized memoir, which tells the moving story of Tanya, a Jewish teenager forced to flee her Polish hometown in order to escape the Nazis. Tanya's sweeping odyssey of changing fortunes, taking her across thousands of kilometers far away from the death camps of Europe, is both heartrending and heartwarming. This inspiring story of survival, resilience and optimism in the face of adversity, based on true events, is a Holocaust novel with a difference, which opens a unique window onto a lesser-known facet of this horrific chapter in history.
Review:
The protagonist, Tanya Anglische lives in Nowy Sącz along with her parents and two younger brothers. She is a carefree, normal child whose life changes forever in the Summer of 1939, when her family is forced to flee as the Germans have already invaded Poland and are slowly advancing on their town.
I don't know what to say about this book. Saying it was an enjoyable read (which it definitely was) seems an understatement as well as a bit strange, considering that an actual person had to go through all these lurid and distressing circumstances.
I won't say that I sympathise, because it would be an insult to Tamar Englander Shalev, (Author's Mum in law) but rather I would say that I have a great deal of respect for her. Because even after going through so much, despite enduring all the hardships, she came out shining.
I had chills the entire time while reading the book. Today, for us, even shifting to a new house seems like a tedious task. These people had to uproot their entire lives, not knowing when they will be back. And of course there's the fear of war as well. You never know where you're going, or even if you will be safe. I salute to everyone who went through this.
This is a fast paced book and it was so interesting, I never felt like it was lagging anywhere. I loved that there was a Happily Ever After, not only in the book, but also in real life.
My favorite quote from the novel was:
‘From now on, Tanya’leh, we must live by the three esses rule.’ In answer to my puzzled expression he explains, ‘Three esses: Shelter, Sustenance, Survival.’
I would recommend this book to everyone, but especially to those who feel that their life sucks. Maybe you can read this book, and feel grateful for what you have. I give this book 5 Stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
P. S.
I know that this is completely unrelated to the review, but I am so glad that there were author's notes and a map at the end of the book to help clear my confusion at times.
About the Author:
I was born and raised in London, England.
I graduated from the University of Manchester in 1973 with a BA Hons in Psychology and began a career in Human Resources.
I immigrated to Israel in 1976, and married my husband Uri in the same year. We have been blessed with four children and nine grandchildren.
During a short relocation to Scotland I studied for an MSc in Industrial Relations at Strathclyde University. Back in Israel I worked for over 25 years as a writer and editor for prestigious academic institutions, including the Weizmann Institute of Science, and for a number of not-for-profit organizations, including the Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind.
At the ripe old age of 58 I decided to go back to school and pursue my long held dream of a doctorate, and in 2016 I was awarded a PhD in Sociology and Anthropology from Bar-Ilan University.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from the author in exchange of an honest review.
The picture used in the blog belongs to the author.
By: Daily Madhu
Written in first person POV, ‘Of Bitter Herbs and Sweet Confections’ by Susan Shalev is a fictionalized memoir of the World War II era, based on the true life experiences of the author's late mother-in-law.
The blurb is as follows:
Of Bitter Herbs and Sweet Confections is a fictionalized memoir, which tells the moving story of Tanya, a Jewish teenager forced to flee her Polish hometown in order to escape the Nazis. Tanya's sweeping odyssey of changing fortunes, taking her across thousands of kilometers far away from the death camps of Europe, is both heartrending and heartwarming. This inspiring story of survival, resilience and optimism in the face of adversity, based on true events, is a Holocaust novel with a difference, which opens a unique window onto a lesser-known facet of this horrific chapter in history.
Review:
The protagonist, Tanya Anglische lives in Nowy Sącz along with her parents and two younger brothers. She is a carefree, normal child whose life changes forever in the Summer of 1939, when her family is forced to flee as the Germans have already invaded Poland and are slowly advancing on their town.
I don't know what to say about this book. Saying it was an enjoyable read (which it definitely was) seems an understatement as well as a bit strange, considering that an actual person had to go through all these lurid and distressing circumstances.
I won't say that I sympathise, because it would be an insult to Tamar Englander Shalev, (Author's Mum in law) but rather I would say that I have a great deal of respect for her. Because even after going through so much, despite enduring all the hardships, she came out shining.
I had chills the entire time while reading the book. Today, for us, even shifting to a new house seems like a tedious task. These people had to uproot their entire lives, not knowing when they will be back. And of course there's the fear of war as well. You never know where you're going, or even if you will be safe. I salute to everyone who went through this.
This is a fast paced book and it was so interesting, I never felt like it was lagging anywhere. I loved that there was a Happily Ever After, not only in the book, but also in real life.
My favorite quote from the novel was:
‘From now on, Tanya’leh, we must live by the three esses rule.’ In answer to my puzzled expression he explains, ‘Three esses: Shelter, Sustenance, Survival.’
I would recommend this book to everyone, but especially to those who feel that their life sucks. Maybe you can read this book, and feel grateful for what you have. I give this book 5 Stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
P. S.
I know that this is completely unrelated to the review, but I am so glad that there were author's notes and a map at the end of the book to help clear my confusion at times.
About the Author:
I was born and raised in London, England.
I graduated from the University of Manchester in 1973 with a BA Hons in Psychology and began a career in Human Resources.
I immigrated to Israel in 1976, and married my husband Uri in the same year. We have been blessed with four children and nine grandchildren.
During a short relocation to Scotland I studied for an MSc in Industrial Relations at Strathclyde University. Back in Israel I worked for over 25 years as a writer and editor for prestigious academic institutions, including the Weizmann Institute of Science, and for a number of not-for-profit organizations, including the Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind.
At the ripe old age of 58 I decided to go back to school and pursue my long held dream of a doctorate, and in 2016 I was awarded a PhD in Sociology and Anthropology from Bar-Ilan University.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from the author in exchange of an honest review.
The picture used in the blog belongs to the author.
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