One Hundred Saturdays: Stella Levi and the Vanished World of Jewish Rhodes

In her memoir, One Hundred Saturdays, Stella Levi shares the full details of her past with Michael Frank, including her experiences in the Juderia of Rhodes and her journey to the United States. The book is a testament to the power of relationships, memories, and resilience and is shortlisted for the Wingate Literary Prize 2024 and the National Jewish Book Award.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 26 January 2023
Publisher: Profile Books Ltd

SHORTLISTED FOR THE WINGATE LITERARY PRIZE 2024


A WALL STREET JOURNAL BOOK OF THE YEAR


NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARD WINNER


BEAUTIFUL, SOBER, AND AFFECTING - A TESTAMENT TO REMEMBRANCE AND FRIENDSHIP




Dalia Sofer, in her remarkable work titled "One Hundred Saturdays," has crafted a poignant and profound testament to remembrance and friendship. This captivating book has been shortlisted for the prestigious Wingate Literary Prize 2024 and has also received the National Jewish Book Award.




"One Hundred Saturdays" is a momentous historic retrieval and a work of literary art that delves into the life of Stella Levi, a woman who had lived nearly a century before her time. Until she met Michael Frank, Stella had never shared the full details of her past with anyone. However, when she asked him to help her polish a talk she was to give about life in the Juderia of Rhodes, their lives intertwined in a way that neither could have predicted.




Stella is a formidable modern Scheherazade, whose Saturday instalments offer a captivating window into the vibrant and vanished world of the Jews of Rhodes. Through her storytelling, she unravels the long threads of her history, from her sun-soaked childhood on the shores of Rhodes to the fifteen harrowing months she spent in camps scattered throughout Europe. Her resilience and determination are awe-inspiring, as she navigates the darkest chapters of her life and emerges as one of only 150 Jews from Rhodes to survive.




What makes "One Hundred Saturdays" truly extraordinary is its unique format. The book is divided into one hundred Saturdays, each representing a different chapter in Stella's life. Each Saturday is accompanied by stunning color illustrations based on Stella's family photographs, adding a personal and poignant touch to the narrative.




Through her memoir, Stella explores the profound impact of relationships and the power of memories. She revisits the memories of her childhood, the friendships she formed, and the love she experienced. These memories serve as a source of solace and strength, reminding her of the resilience of the human spirit.




"One Hundred Saturdays" is not only a vital slice of history that has largely been ignored but also a story of the possibility of an ever-evolving self, even after confronting the darkest depths of Hell. Stella's journey is a testament to the human spirit's enduring power and the capacity for growth and transformation.




In conclusion, "One Hundred Saturdays" is a remarkable memoir that offers a profound exploration of remembrance, friendship, and resilience. Dalia Sofer's storytelling is elegant and sly, while the illustrations add a personal and poignant touch to the narrative. This book is a testament to the human spirit's enduring power and the possibility of an ever-evolving self, even in the face of adversity. It is a must-read for anyone who seeks to understand the complexities of human experience and the power of storytelling to heal and inspire.

Weight: 364g
Dimension: 144 x 224 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800815377
Edition number: Main