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you're going to have your favorite of the two. Harry lives on a street in which one side of it is occupied with Christian families while the other side houses Jewish residents. I promise you, there'll be a better world than the one we're living in today." On Sher's "Out of Ten Scale:"This is a book club read for me and I went into reading this book with a completely open mind. Harry describes his mother as the glue that held the family together and maintains enormous respect for her. I still have to give this my honest opinion in my rating and for the genre Non-Fiction:Memoir, I am going to rate this book an 8.5 OUT OF 10. I am very interested in reading on to hear the outcome of their immigration and how their lives turned out.
The readers watch the small triumphs and great misfortunes to this family with a sense of being "a fly on the wall" to this story.The ReviewHarry Bernstein was 96 years old when this book was published and I believe now he is either 99 or nearing it. Favorite Quotes: This book had some memorable quotes that I'd love to share:"I think of the slaughters that have taken place in the wars throughout history, the one that is being fought now in France, and I ask myself, why does God countenance all this. Of his siblings, he writes most about his older sister, Lily, who falls in love with a Christian boy from the opposite side of the "invisible wall." Their love story is tragic as Harry's family refuses to allow her to have any type of a romantic relationship with him. After reading this book, which includes a chapter of The Dream at the end, I have found enormous respect for Harry Bernstein and thank him for sharing his remarkable tale. In addition, the second movie may not have the same impact as the first.
I can't imagine accomplishing such a tremendous dream of publishing not one, but two books, in my ninties. And why does he permit one religion to persecute another when both are his children. However, like I said in the review, being on the heels of Angela's Ashes really made the timing of this read a little "off" for me. Even more remarkable is its international acclaim and the accomplishment of being a New York Times Bestseller. Like many families at the time, they are faced with extreme poverty thus living a life with meals of bread and butter with tea.
But, the effect of the poverty, the diet, and the alcoholic father was repetitious to the prior read so I don't think that it gave me the same impact that it would have if I had read them months apart. Thankfully, at the end of this book, the reader does get an understanding of Harry's outcome when they are able to read about his travel back to England with his beloved wife, Ruby.I read this book immediately after reading Angela's Ashes. it was mine because I had no idea that the content of the two books were so similar. I'm not sure that this was a positive thing because the books are quite similar in nature, although completely different stories. If God is our creator, the supreme, kind and benevolent being whom we all worship, why does he permit us to destroy one another. The StoryThis is the first part of Harry Bernstein's life story. The human brain has a potential for development. The second half of this book (my favorite part, by the way) is focused on the tragic love story of Lily and Arthur as seen through the eyes of Harry.
Someday it will grow big enough so that everybody will see and understand the truth, and then we won't act like a bunch of sheep, and then that wall that separates the two sides of our street will crumble, just like the Wall of Jericho. He has also written a sequel to The Invisible Wall entitled The Dream which details their eventual passage to and life in America. It starts with his earliest childhood memories in a small English mill town, just prior to World War I. People get smarter.
He is a ghost of a presence in the family home and, when he is there, his presence is ominous and scary for the family members. He lives with several siblings in this little home including two sisters and three brothers. And so there came that terrible question - supposing, supposing it is all fantasy - is there really a God.""The war, it seemed, had almost completely destroyed the invisible wall that had separated us, bringing the two sides together."".They've got us fooled with words like patriotism and duty and honor, and they've got us divided up into classes and religions so that each one of us figures he's better than the other. Maybe Lily and I gave it a little push today. In the middle of the street is the "invisible wall" that separates the two "communities" that all reside together on this little street.
Oh yes, `arry, we're going to have a better world. That completely amazes me. Believe me, it will. It's like watching two World War II movies in a row. But one day you'll hear a trumpet blow, and then it will be all gone.
Not only was the book well written, but it kept me involved emotionally in the story. Of what he does earn, he spends most of it on drinks in a local pub. What sets them apart. Things won't always be the way they are now.
Harry's father works at a tailor's shop and makes meager money. But it'll all change, `arry. How all parties dealt with this "taboo" love was riveting and thought-provoking.I think that Harry did a lovely job with the prose of this book. In fact, it is made known to her that if she pursues the relationship, that she will be considered dead to the family.Admist their great poverty, lack of proper education, and sufferance of prejudice, they remain hopeful that relatives in America will eventually send them tickets for passage to America.
But, that's not Harry's fault.
Reminds me a little of Stones from the River. Interesting to read a story that takes place during WWI and II in Europe, but not about the war. Well written, intriguing story. Good book club book.
Everyday, these families were forced to coexist with people they would've otherwise never associated themselves with. It had me on an emotional rollercoaster as I went from feeling hopeful to feeling helpless.
He made his street and its inhabitants simply come to life in my mind, and I had a hard time putting this book down. Bernstein is an incredible storyteller.
The Invisible Wall is a bittersweet memoir written by a 93 year old Jewish man named Harry Bernstein, recounting the trials and tribulations he and his family faced while growing up in the early 20th century on in the working poor section of Lancashire, England. This is a tale of innovation versus tradition, young versus old, faith versus fact, love versus obligation, dreams versus reality, etc.
It was terrific. The street he grew up on was significant as it divided the Christian neighbourhood from the Jewish neighbourhood right down the center.
Other than the fact these families had a different faith, they find that there aren't many other differences amongst themselves, and Harry retells the confusion and strained relationships between the families on each side because of it.This incredible story covers so many different conflicts so gracefully.
He had a hard childhood but found a wonderful wife and I bet he was a wonderful father not like he had. Wonderful writing from Harry, read all 3 of his books starting with this one. Connie Roscoe Would love to meet him. He is amazing to recall his childhood and etc. at his age.
worthwhile reading I like a book I think about after putting it down. It was enjoyable and a very easy read.
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