The Apple: Based on the Herman Rosenblat Holocaust Love Story by Penelope Holt
Title: The Apple: Based on the Herman Rosenblat Holocaust Love Story
Author/website(s): Penelope Holt & Herman Rosenblat (Wikipedia link) / The Apple
200 pages
Publisher: York House Press
Publication date: August ’09
Genre: Non-fiction
Review book or pleasure reading: Review book
New-to-me author: Yes
Would I recommend this book: I would
Would I read more from this author: Depending on subject matter/topic
Journal notes: Come the end of this year you will find The Apple on my favorite books list for 2010. I was vaugely aware of the controversy surrounding Mr. Rosenblat’s memoir. I had seen some headlines but frankly paid little or no attention to the details. After reading The Apple it matters little to me whether Mr. Rosenblat’s story is pure fact, fiction or a some combination thereof. It was a story that touched me. There is a love story there just not the one most readers believed they’d find. It is story of deep, profound love – parent for child, sibling for sibling. Until I can walk the path of Mr. Rosenblat’s life I have no right to judge.
Oprah called the tale of love in a concentration camp that lies at the heart of holocaust survivor, Herman Rosenblat’s controversial memoir, “The greatest love story every told.” But when his story is attacked and his memoir cancelled, Rosenblat must defend his narrative. The Apple first tells the story of his struggle to survive the camps and the girl he says helped him by tossing apples over the fence. It then uncovers the story behind the story: Why did an old man weave real love with a dream of love into an account that touched and inspired many, but also ignited a firestorm of criticism.
(The Apple was provided to me by May at York House Press. I was not paid and this pdf file has been deleted from my Kindle.
I remember all the controversy that swirled around this book, but haven’t read it. I’m glad you liked it so much.
this is a terrible book. it has been reported that the writer was his publicist. it is a shame that it was published. as far as i can see the book is not sold in any stores and is mainly being given away for free for the ipod.
Not every book is for every reader. As my post stated whether it is fiction, fact or some combination thereof I still enjoyed.
this is true marcia. but this author tried to cleanse and re invent a terrible man. a monster who lied about the death of 6 million people. he deserves no forgiveness, and the author, who shamelessly promoted him, deserves no forum. on this Holocaust Remembrance day my only prayer is that the world will forget and ignore this man who disgraced his own people and the author who profited from it. esther
rosenblat is such a monster. a liar and a national disgrace. how can we say it is ok for the author to glorify him? makes me sick. shame on her.