In 'House of Glass' by Hadley Freeman, the author unveils the haunting legacy of her Jewish family's survival during World War II. As she sifts through forgotten memories and hidden truths, Freeman discovers the dark complexities of her ancestors' lives in both pre-war Europe and post-war America. Each revelation sheds new light on the impact of history on personal identity and familial bonds. With a narrative that intertwines history, memory, and self-discovery, readers are invited into a poignant exploration of resilience and the power of storytelling. Will Freeman's journey reveal the secrets that bind her family together, or will it shatter the very glass house they’ve built?
By Hadley Freeman
Published: 2020
"In a world that often feels like shattered glass, we piece together our stories from the fragments—each shard reflecting a part of who we are and who we aspire to be."
A writer investigates her family’s secret history, uncovering a story that spans a century, two World Wars, and three generations. Hadley Freeman knew her grandmother Sara lived in France just as Hitler started to gain power, but rarely did anyone in her family talk about it. Long after her grandmother’s death, she found a shoebox tucked in the closet containing photographs of her grandmother with a mysterious stranger, a cryptic telegram from the Red Cross, and a drawing signed by Picasso. This discovery sent Freeman on a decade-long quest to uncover the significance of these keepsakes, taking her from Picasso’s archives in Paris to a secret room in a farmhouse in Auvergne to Long Island to Auschwitz. Freeman pieces together the puzzle of her family’s past, discovering more about the lives of her grandmother and her three brothers, Jacques, Henri, and Alex. Their stories sometimes typical, sometimes astonishing—reveal the broad range of experiences of Eastern European Jews during Holocaust. This thrilling family saga is filled with extraordinary twists, vivid characters, and famous cameos, illuminating the Jewish and immigrant experience in the World War II era. Addressing themes of assimilation, identity, and home, this powerful story about the past echoes issues that remain relevant today.
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“In a world that often feels like shattered glass, we piece together our stories from the fragments—each shard reflecting a part of who we are and who we aspire to be.”
House of Glass
By Hadley Freeman
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Hadley Freeman is a celebrated British author, journalist, and cultural critic known for her sharp wit and keen observations on contemporary society. She writes for The Guardian and has authored several notable books, including 'House of Glass: The Story and Secrets of a Twentieth-Century Jewish Family' and 'The Meaning of Perfect.' Freeman's writing style combines humor with introspective analysis, often exploring themes of identity, family, and the intricacies of modern life, making her a distinctive voice in both literature and journalism.
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