The Chimney Tree

by Helaine G. Helmreich

Deep in a Polish forest stands a chimney tree, its trunk hollowed out by lightning. It is 1935, and the tree is a cherished meeting place for Miriam, the beautiful daughter of the Rabbi of Dubnitz, and her Christian love, Tadeusz. Miriam's life is devastated when her forbidden liaison is discovered; she is quickly married to a man from another town and sent away. His cruelty and madness send her fleeing to Warsaw, where she finally finds happiness and a new family. Life begins afresh until the Holocaust, when Miriam is separated from her husband and son, faced with the loss of everything she holds dear.
Miriam's quest to reunite her family moves from shtetl to city, from Poland to New York, Soviet Russia and Israel. An epic tale of one woman's determination to survive and rebuild her life.

400 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2000

Reviews

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a book I would have chosen, but a friend lent it to me and I loved it from the first chapter. A really amazing story.

[Robert Paul Olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd like to see them Five Stars flashing, this book was just sensational from start to finish. The story takes place in Poland from 1939 to the end of the war, and this is what it must have been like for the Jews of Poland. Sure they knew war was coming and they knew how the Nazi's felt about them but they were not prepared for the gut wrenching torture that they were put through. Living through it left you broken, with what to live for?

[Romi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. A sweeping look at one woman’s life before, during and after the Holocaust. I connected to her and felt the book was beautifully written.

[Harriet]

loved it!