I Want You to Know We're Still Here: My Family, the Holocaust and My Search for Truth

Esther Safran Foer's memoir is a powerful inter-generational story about the Holocaust and its aftermath, exploring the experiences of four generations of her family. It is a testament to the resilience and perseverance of the Jewish people.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 21 January 2021
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Esther Safran Foer has penned a deeply personal and profoundly significant memoir that captures the essence of her family's history, both uniquely and painfully. Her recollections serve as a vital testament to the Ashkenazi Jewish community.

Robert Peston, Political Editor for ITV, aptly describes this memoir as a poignant and powerful exploration of storytelling and memory across generations.

Within my family, the love of reading and writing runs deep. Our home is a treasure trove of books, with a diverse array of contemporary design books gracing the coffee table in the living room, legal tomes nestled in my husband's home office, and stacks of children's books ready to be enjoyed by my grandchildren during their visits. However, the side table beside my bed is adorned with a collection of books dedicated to the Holocaust. Framed maps of shtetls adorn my office walls, and photographs of relatives who perished in the Holocaust hang on our family gallery walls.

At times, I find myself navigating a dichotomous existence, reveling in the immense fulfillment derived from family, friends, and a fulfilling career while simultaneously grappling with the darker aspects of life that are tempered by the shadows of the Holocaust. In the depths of my mind, there reside ghosts and demons that haunt me, originating from the shtetls in Ukraine where my family originated. Certain details that lend vividness to these visions are products of my imagination, born from a family where the memory of the horrors they endured was too painful to speak of.

This memoir is a testament to the resilience and perseverance of four generations who have faced the Holocaust and its aftermath. We are survivors and survivors of survivors, storytellers and memory keepers, and we are still here, standing strong.

Esther Safran Foer's writing is a masterful exploration of the complexities of family, identity, and the enduring power of memory. Her memoir offers a profound glimpse into the lives of her ancestors, shedding light on their struggles, triumphs, and the indomitable spirit that has carried them through the darkest of times. It is a testament to the human capacity for resilience and the importance of never forgetting the lessons of history.

In conclusion, Esther Safran Foer's memoir is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of the Holocaust and its impact on generations. It is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of storytelling. Through her words, we are given a glimpse into the lives of her ancestors, and we are reminded of the importance of cherishing our memories and passing them down to future generations.

Weight: 212g
Dimension: 197 x 129 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780008297640