The Invisible Wall: A Love Story That Broke Barriers
By:
Harry Bernstein
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Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Description:
“There are places that I have never forgotten. A little cobbled street in a smoky mill town in the North of England has haunted me for the greater part of my life. It was inevitable that I should write about it and the people who lived on both sides of its ‘Invisible Wall.’ ”
The narrow street where Harry Bernstein grew up, in a small English mill town, was seemingly unremarkable. It was identical to countless other streets in countless other working-class neighborhoods of the early 1900s, except for the “invisible wall” that ran down its center, dividing Jewish families on one side from Christian families on the other. Only a few feet of cobblestones separated Jews from Gentiles, but socially, it they were miles apart.
On the eve of World War I, Harry’s family struggles to make ends meet. His father earns little money at the Jewish tailoring shop and brings home even less, preferring to spend his wages drinking and gambling. Harry’s mother, devoted to her children and fiercely resilient, survives on her dreams: new shoes that might secure Harry’s admission to a fancy school; that her daughter might marry the local rabbi; that the entire family might one day be whisked off to the paradise of America.
Then Harry’s older sister, Lily, does the unthinkable: She falls in love with Arthur, a Christian boy from across the street.
When Harry unwittingly discovers their secret affair, he must choose between the morals he’s been taught all his life, his loyalty to his selfless mother, and what he knows to be true in his own heart.
A wonderfully charming memoir written when the author was ninety-three, The Invisible Wallvibrantly brings to life an all-but-forgotten time and place. It is a moving tale of working-class life, and of the boundaries that can be overcome by love.
From the Hardcover edition.
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Release Date: 2008-02-12
Customer Review: 4 out of 5
Great book discussion choice - Harry Bernstein's memoir, "The Invisible Wall" is a great choice for book discussion groups. Although it is not a difficult read, the vividly drawn characters and themes of cultural divides and religious prejudices give plenty of meat for discussion. Bernstein's book gives us a fascinating glimpse into the life of an impoverished English neighborhood during and following World War I. The portrait is more than a little bleak; life for Bernstein's family was often difficult, and he doesn't sugarcoat it. Despite the sadness, there are moments of happiness and hope. "The Invisible Wall" is also a story of love finding a way in the face of immense opposition. You will not be disappointed in this moving memoir.
Customer Review: 1 out of 5
Sentimental and Obvious - Although this memoir has an exciting story to tell, the writing is so poor, I had to force myself to finish it. The beginning is suppose to be written from the point of view of a 4 year old, but in fact the author's voice is the same throughout the novel.
A gimic I didn't like was the author'z way of planting hints of what's going to happen. When Lilly has trouble breathing and has pains, you know she's going to die young of heart problems.
I read the book in large print and thought this was a book for adolescents since it is very moralistic, and black and white. But perhaps adolescents will not like it either.
Customer Review: 5 out of 5
A "slice of life" book - My sister and mother raved about this book, so I finally decided to read it and boy, what a wonderful slice of life book that let's me get a real glimpse of poverty stricken family life in England in the early 1900's. I live close to Mr. Bernstein (down at the Jersey shore) and I hope that I will be able to meet him if he does a lecture locally. Please read this and also "The Dream". We think that THOSE were the "good old days", but really, for many people, they were tough times. Thank you Harry Bernstein for 2 wonderful books.
Customer Review: 5 out of 5
Brilliant!! - This book really evokes a time and place. The author eloquently transports the reader to a neighborhood full of memorable characters in Lancashire circa pre WWI. It will anger you, make you laugh, make you cry. It is a very powerful book.
Customer Review: 5 out of 5
Beautiful and moving. . . - This was a very beautifully told memoir with a surprising amount of detail and description. It was as much a story of the life Harry and his family lived as it was the love story between his sister and the non-Jewish boyfriend she loved. Lovely.
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