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The Mitzvah of Repentance
Mitzvah, an act of Kindness. Repentance, to amend for one's transgressions.
The Fischers, a prominent St. Louis family, take in a German refugee after the conclusion of World War II. The arrival of Magda Zimmerman, a survivor of Hitler's atrocities, exposes deep rifts and grievances within the Fischer household. The family's Christian charity is put to the test as they grapple with the past sins of their patriarch, Cecil Fischer.
Clara Lange, a young widow with a tainted past, offers her services as translator and tutor to the refugee. Inserting herself between Magda and the Fischer family, Clara finds herself traveling down a shadowy path with an uncertain future.
This American Gothic Tale takes on international significance in the wake of global war. Told in first person, by a narrator unsure of herself, unsure of the truth, The Mitzvah of Repentance is a unique journey into the grey world between right and wrong.
The best of intentions leads to betrayal.
Survival and revenge become indistinguishable.
A search for answers bring redemption.
The Mitzvah of Repentance
The Fischers, a prominent St. Louis family, take in a German refugee after the conclusion of World War II. The arrival of Magda Zimmerman, a survivor of Hitler's atrocities, exposes deep rifts and grievances within the Fischer household. The family's Christian charity is put to the test as they grapple with the past sins of their patriarch, Cecil Fischer.
Clara Lange, a young widow with a tainted past, offers her services as translator and tutor to the refugee. Inserting herself between Magda and the Fischer family, Clara finds herself traveling down a shadowy path with an uncertain future.
This American Gothic Tale takes on international significance in the wake of global war. Told in first person, by a narrator unsure of herself, unsure of the truth, The Mitzvah of Repentance is a unique journey into the grey world between right and wrong.
The best of intentions leads to betrayal.
Survival and revenge become indistinguishable.
A search for answers bring redemption.
The Mitzvah of Repentance
502 pages, Paperback
Published July 8, 2025
1 person is currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Robert Colton
31 books39 followers I became interested in Roman history at a very young age. While always reading or writing, I didn’t know that my true passion would be the invention of my trio of fictional characters attempting to make their way in Pompeii, until I was reading "The Robe" by Lloyd C. Douglas. I am a fan of the happily ever after conclusions,and "The Robe" did not offer that.
I put my other unending writing projects down and started typing the tale of a young noble Roman who was a bit less noble than Douglas’s hero. After years of research on Pompeii and the details of Rome that would have influenced a likeable, and unfortunate young man, an entire world came together for me. "Pompeii: A Tale of Murder in Ancient Rome" is just the beginning.
A fan of autumn and a lover of animals, I am always reading something that takes me back to the glory days of Rome. I stumble through the day, quoting Cicero and daydreaming about a time long gone, but not forgotten.
I put my other unending writing projects down and started typing the tale of a young noble Roman who was a bit less noble than Douglas’s hero. After years of research on Pompeii and the details of Rome that would have influenced a likeable, and unfortunate young man, an entire world came together for me. "Pompeii: A Tale of Murder in Ancient Rome" is just the beginning.
A fan of autumn and a lover of animals, I am always reading something that takes me back to the glory days of Rome. I stumble through the day, quoting Cicero and daydreaming about a time long gone, but not forgotten.
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August 11, 2025
An intriguing richly-layered tale about secrets, lies and redemption in post-WWII St. Louis. A young widow Clare Lange notices Jewish refugee Magda Zimmerman struggling to find her train at Chicago’s Union Station and decides to take her under her wing since she speaks German and is traveling on the same train to St. Louis. Magda, who has lost her family in Germany, is being taken in by the wealthy Fischer family who previously owned one of the famous St. Louis breweries. The patriarch of the family Cecil Fischer is her biological father after having had a brief affair with her mother in his youth. Both women are taken in by the family, Clare acting as translator and English teacher for Magda. Everyone in the household seems to be hiding something, and the secrets are revealed slowly as the book unfolds. It is extremely well-written, rich with period details and back stories, and has a shocking surprise ending. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!!!
Displaying 1 of 1 review