The Walnut Tree

by Martha Blum

Sussel is a well to do young woman in Chernowitz, known as "little Vienna." She studies languages and pharmacy in several universities in Europe and is looking forward to a full and privileged life. But World War II completely overturns everyone's lives, as first the Russians and then the Germans overtake Chernowitz, rounding up all Jews for work camps and even execution. Sussel is forced to use her pharmaceutical skills, and even sex, to save her own life and those of her father and her childhood suitor, Max.
The Walnut Tree sets the devastating power of historical events against the personal forces of reconciliation and enduring love. This powerful, disturbing and finally transcendent story is written with captivating detail and sensuous, often poetic, writing. The novel deals with vital social, political, and ethical issues, and finally, and most importantly, with love.

Genres: Fiction

319 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1999

Reviews

[Paddy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read a hundred pages or so and still couldn't get into the story so happily returned to the library.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ok story about life as WWI begins in England and France and about young love. Not the best love story, but somewhat interesting.

[Brett Waytuck · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I wasn't sure, but was pulled in by the lyrical writing and captured, complex histories crossing war torn Europe and Saskatoon

[Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Difficult to read. I have been trying to finish this for quite some time. While descriptive, I had to force myself to finish reading it.