Genre: Book
Grade: A-
Notable People: Anne Berest
Title: Harbor Lights: The Postcard
Review: An unsigned postcard arrives at the Berest home in Paris in January of 2003. A photo of the Opera Garnier is on the front – on the back, no message, just four names written in ballpoint pen – Ephraim, Emma, Noemie and Jacques. The names were of writer Anne Berest’s maternal great-grandparents and their children (her aunt and uncle) who had died in Auschwitz. It takes 16 more years for her to try to find out who sent that postcard and why, and what that story discloses about her family. Set in France, and an Incredibly hard hitting and, at times, extremely painful recounting of the horrors of the Nazis and the Holocaust – but on a very personal/familial level. Well written historical fiction, that may be closer to non-fiction than not. This is not a fast book to read, as I had to put it down at times, as it became so fraught with emotion and tragedy, but a lot of heroism as well. It’s a time we would all like to, but should never forget. Very well translated from the original French best-seller.