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The Postcard

The International Bestseller

Anne Berest author Tina Kover translator

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Europa Editions (UK) Ltd

Published:5th Oct '23

Should be back in stock very soon

This hardback is available in another edition too:

The Postcard cover

A powerful exploration of family, identity, and the impact of history, The Postcard weaves a poignant narrative of love and loss.

In The Postcard, the narrative unfolds around the Berest family, who receive an enigmatic postcard in January 2003. This postcard features not only an image of the Opéra Garnier but also lists the names of their relatives who tragically perished in Auschwitz. This shocking revelation serves as a catalyst for Anne, a family member, who embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind her family's past and the dark history that haunts them.

As Anne delves deeper into her family's history, she traces their journey across various countries, beginning with their escape from Russia after the revolution. Her exploration takes her through Latvia, Palestine, and ultimately Paris, revealing a tapestry of experiences that shaped her ancestors' lives. This journey is not merely about uncovering facts; it becomes an emotional odyssey that challenges her understanding of identity, belonging, and the legacy of trauma.

The Postcard is a profound exploration of Jewish identity set against the backdrop of a secular society. It intertwines themes of love, loss, and resilience, painting a vivid picture of 20th-century Parisian life. Through the lens of family secrets and the bond between mothers and daughters, the story highlights the enduring power of storytelling in restoring hope and healing wounds left by the Holocaust.

“The Postcard is a vivid indictment of France’s betrayal of the Jews. And the truth about the postcard is an absolute heartbreaker.”

* The Sunday Times *

The Postcard provides a vivid portrait of Vichy France as antisemitic laws tightened.”

* Financial Times *

"Delving into the past allows Anne Berest to recover part of her identity both as an individual and as one of many damaged by the horrors of persecutions that took place before they were born."

* TLS *

"The names of Ephraïm, Emma, Noémie and Jacques Rabinovitch, along with the millions of other Jews who were murdered by the Nazi regime, need to live on in our history books so that future generations never forget. Anne Berest has written a commanding piece of work, a very personal journey, with The Postcard deserving every award and piece of acclaim that it garners. Noémie Rabinovitch’s beautiful face will be forever etched in my mind."

* Swirl and Thread *

"The Postcard goes on to spin a full and textured rendering of these relatives’ lives before they were cruelly killed, rendering the horrors of the Holocaust horrifically fresh. Once the novel has covered this ground, however, it becomes almost a modern-day thriller, circling in on the mysterious mail at its center." ("The Best–and Most Anticipated–Books of 2023", VOGUE)

* VOG

ISBN: 9781787704831

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

480 pages