Hanna Perlstein Marcus's Blog, page 7

New Book Details a Refugees Life in Springfield

Thanks to Mike Dobbs, Managing Editor of Reminder Publications in the Greater Springfield, MA area, for the nice article about my new book, Surviving Remnant, and my experiences growing up in Springfield. You can read the article here 

Historic Classical

I never thought I would return to my old high school, Classical High School, in Springfield, MA, especially since they convert it to condominiums in the late 1980’s. However, I found myself presenting an author talk right there, facing the grand staircase, gazing up at the decorative ceilings, and appreciating the beautiful architecture designed in the nineteenth century.

Thank you Historic Classical, dedicated to preserving the memory and legacy of Classical High School. Without you, our alumni would never be able to return to the place of so many adolescent memories and where we planted the seeds of many of our nation’s artists, writers, professors, attorneys, physicians, teachers, and more who have had such an important impact on their community and country.

It was great to see such an overflowing crowd of classmates and friends from the Springfield area to hear me talk about my experiences since the publication of Sidonia’s Thread and my new book, Surviving Remnant.. Thanks to Shera Cohen, of Historic Classical, for  coordinating the event.

 

Manchester, CT Public Library

It was a fun occasion seeing old friends and former co-workers at Manchester, CT library! Thanks librarian Kathy Lee for coordinating the event and making sure all the equipment was set and ready to go! As an independent writer, sometimes it’s a lonely job, but seeing all the readers at my author talks makes the job worth it!

Eliane’s Special Birthday Party

What a wonderful occasion to celebrate Eliane’s (not Elaine) special birthday. Even though Eliane and I just met (at one of my author talks), it feels as if we have known each other for a long time. A group of Eliane’s friends celebrated at a luncheon at her home, where I gave an author talk about my books, Sidonia’s Thread and Surviving Remnant.

The distinctive aspect of the attendees? Many were second generation of Holocaust survivors, as is Eliane—a great group of women, and some men too! Especially exciting was meeting Eliane’s mother, Gisela, a Holocaust survivor and subject of Gisela’s Legacy on YouTube!

Best of luck to Eliane and best wishes for a happy and fulfilling life!

 

 

 

BookLife Prize Review of Surviving Remnant

Thanks to The BookLife Prize for the kind review of Surviving Remnant. The critique helps me to better understand my writing and the impact it has on the reader. Some excerpts of BookLife’s report:

“Marcus’s frequent use of the Hungarian and Yiddish-flavored English of her friends, family, and neighbors when recounting conversations about life and love brightens her storytelling with authenticity and warmth. Her balanced descriptions suit her material both from the perspective of the historian and the family tale-teller, bringing across both the optimism of the community regardless of the difficulties inherent in diaspora. ”

“Marcus creates vibrant depictions of characters throughout the “greenhorn” community…excels at her craft, creating largely layered and memorable characterizations.”

 

Saxton B. Little Free Library, Columbia, CT – October 11, 2017

Join Hanna at the Saxton B. Little Free Library, 319 CT-87, Columbia, CT on October 11 at 6 pm and see their newly renovated space! Looking forward to seeing familiar faces at the library and patrons who are interested in hearing about Surviving Remnant, the follow up book to Sidonia’s Thread.

Copies of both books available for sale and signing!

 

A Great Five Star Review in Reader’s Favorite

Reader’s Favorite has once again given a five star review to one of my memoirs, just as they did for Sidonia’s Thread! Many thanks to Lucinda E. Clarke for her insightful review and clear understanding of the immigrant community with which I grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts. Her review of Surviving Remnant is reprinted as follows:

“There have been many stories about the horrors of the Holocaust before and during the Second World War, but Surviving Remnant by Hanna Perlstein Marcus is one of the few that tells us what happened to those who survived. I learned so much from this book, which I read almost in one sitting. Hanna’s mother spent four years in a displaced person’s camp, waiting to be resettled after the war. The paltry amount offered in reparation by the German government took my breath away, and the difficulties so many faced when they finally landed in America. Despite them being welcomed, few people consider the problems of settling into a new country with a different language, customs and culture. Hanna vividly describes the small Jewish community, which became a second family, and the bewilderment of being the only child of a single parent which was very rare in the 1950s – she spent years wondering who and where her father was.

The most amusing part of Hanna Perlstein Marcus’s book, Surviving Remnant, was her matchmaking attempts to find her mother a new husband and herself a new father. She was doomed to failure. Typical of many mothers of that time, hers was not a warm, cuddly mother, but often cold and distant, possibly due to the amount of pain she had suffered. Life was not easy for any of the families and some were more successful than others. Hanna’s mother was a skilled seamstress and eventually made a name for herself in the community. One thing I liked about this book was the lack of complaining, with no victim mentality, although surviving Jews had good reason to complain. Instead, they each in their own way began a new life and made the best of what little they had. The majority did very well in America and I’m sure with the attitudes described in this book the majority of the next generation excelled in their chosen field. Well-drawn characters, and enjoyable descriptions of various events and celebrations make this book a good read.”

Read more at Barnes and Noble online!

A Wonderful Audience at Hampden, MA Public Library

It was a wonderful experience talking to fans of Sidonia’s Thread and Surviving Remnant at Hampden, MA Free Public Library. I was glad to share my experiences as an independent writer and the process I employ as I turn an idea into a manuscript and finally, into a book. It was so nice to see people I had not seen since I was a kid in the north end of Springfield, Massachusetts. Thanks for coming out to see me!

 

A Great Author Talk at Hadassah/BSBI Sisterhood Club

It was a great turnout at the newly merged Hadassah/Beth Sholom B’ni Israel Sisterhood Book Club! What methods do I use in writing my memoirs? One of my methods is to always remember the “me” in “memoir.” The stories are always told from my personal perspective and from no one else’s viewpoint. You can argue a point, but you can never see from my eyes. Maybe that has been the secret to the success of my books so far!

 

Hampden Free Public Library – June 24, 2017

Join Hanna at the Hampden Free Public Library, 625 Main St., Hampden, Massachusetts on Saturday, June 24 at 12 Noon. Looking forward to meeting the great book fans in Hampden to discuss my new book, Surviving Remnant.