The Testing of Hanna Senesh

by Ruth Whitman, Livia Rothkirchen

In poetry and prose, Ruth Whitman recreates the last nine months in the life of Hanna Senesh-poet, pioneer, and hero of World War II. Having immigrated to Palestine in 1939, Hanna later decided to return to her native Hungary to help save its Jewish population from the Nazis. She trained with the British Intelligence, parachuted into Yugoslavia, and eventually slipped across the border to Hungary. Tragically, the very next day she was denounced by an informer. After nine months of imprisonment, interrogation, and torture, Hanna Senesh, aged twenty-three, was executed. She left behind a legacy of poems and her diary. Her work is now part of the folk heritage of Israel. Ruth Whitman has written an inspiring postscript to Hanna's diary. Based on research and interviews with Hanna's family, friends, and fellow parachutists, the book begins where time and circumstance forced Hanna to leave off. The result is a sensitive portrait of a remarkable woman.

Genres: Poetry

120 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1986

Reviews

[Van Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This powerful and memorable little book has the authority, austerity and incandescence of Scripture, which perhaps it already is. With heartrending immediacy, Whitman tells the true story of a Jew who voluntarily faces torture and death in the custody of an army of occupation—and who senses that this excruciating, sordid and humiliating defeat is not just the routine termination of a minor trouble-maker, but a morally necessary self-sacrifice whose full meaning may one day be revealed to the world.
What's the book's message? Somehow, Whitman manages to transcend politics, history, and maybe even religion. You'll love it if you believe the legacy of pioneering prewar Zionists and freedom fighters like Senesh is a beautiful homeland and vibrant democracy, heroically holding its own against a hostile world. But you'll love it no less, maybe more, if you feel the martyred Razan al-Najjar could be Senesh's reincarnation.
The candle Whitman lights burns for life and for love; but it's not pale or pretty or trite. Agonizing death can be an integral part of real life. Cold fury can be an expression of true love. It takes a big heart to contain and communicate these contradictions.
I knew Ruth Whitman and her second husband Morton Sacks for many years. Both were fascinating and lovable characters. I first read The Testing of Hanna Senesh about thirty years ago, and was deeply moved. Then the book was lost or given away, and to replace it I bought her anthology—but its abridgments seemed flat; I don't recommend it. Finally I was able to find another copy of the original book—which is even better than I remembered. It's a treasure.