“An extremely readable and ultimately moving novel” based on the true story of a boatful of Jewish refugees refused entry to Palestine (The New York Times). In October 1940, as the storm clouds of World War II gathered, the SS Atlantic set sail for Palestine. A condemned and overcrowded ship, it was overflowing with bedraggled Jewish refugees who, having bought their way out of Nazi Germany and … their way out of Nazi Germany and Austria, hoped to find safety from the concentration camps that had begun to claim their brethren. But they were not destined to find the shelter they sought.
In this poignant novel, Hanna Sommerfeld recalls her long-ago voyage on the Atlantic—a journey plagued by epidemics and food shortages that led not to freedom but, improbably, to incarceration in a British penal colony off the eastern coast of Africa. For Hanna, it would also lead to a heartbreaking loss.
Weaving Hanna’s current life with her son’s family in Haifa, Israel, with her memories of marriage and her coming-of-age in the jungles of Mauritius, Boat of Stone is a unique Holocaust story that not only reveals a little-known chapter of history, but also introduces one of the most unforgettable characters you are likely to meet: a gritty, humorous, wise, and adventurous woman who refuses to become a victim. It is “a splendid novel” from National Book Award finalist Maureen Earl, author of Gulliver Quick (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel).
more
Would possible have given the book 5 stars instead of 4, except for the main character being so fond of the “f…” word. Totally unnecessary in my mind. But I liked the way information/background came out a little at a time and the end was a total surprise to me. So, in all, a good read.
I m not sure younger readers will appreciate this book but they should read it and older readers will be there. The instinct to survive is incredible and to live and keep
a solid feeling about what life is really about in such times of difficulty is certainly to be followed. The character is not wimpy nor accepting but ploughing through
the next phase and is written in three parts. A historical, exciting journey with a
good ending.
The funny part of this book was the main character as an old woman in Jerusalem. She is typical of a grandmother who has suffered more than she wishes to share, sometimes wry, sometimes funny, sometimes caustic.
It was entertaining because the events described were true, but woven around a fictional personal account. The essence of historical fiction.
Amazing story about the Jews and this ship, which most of us never heard of, being stranded on an island during WW11 and the deprivations, starvations, cruelties and other frightening things that happened to this unfortunate group of refugees.
Most people have heard the story of the ship, the St. Louis, but this is very different. These people were not shipped back to Germany to die at the hands of the Nazis, but had to endure terrible hardships that made life for them very scary.
A must read for anyone interested in WW11 history, whether they are Jewish or not.
What did I think of this book? It was 400 boring pages of nothing
Really good book… Learned a lot g from it. Made look for. Reference material.
An interesting novel about forced removal of Jews to a country I never knew they were held in. It seems like the Jewish nation and its people were prisoners of almost every country in the world. Thank your God in heaven if you have never been forced to live so deprived and with only a glimmer of hope for any future.
great read
Challenging subject. In war even the good guys aren’t very good
Very well written and hard to put down
This book was excellent. You will think about it for a long time.
There is so much we don’t know about the people who survived their desperate journeys for a better life during the holocaust era. This book made me wonder about others who fled and found themselves in similar situations. Bless them.
Everyone should read this book for the historical account as well as the wonderful character that made it through the horror. It describes Little known facts about the treatment and difficulties of the Jewish people that did get away from Eastern Europe in 1940.
The main character has a wonderful ironic humor that can make you smile in the midst of the sadness.
It was disjointed and confusing! Could never really follow a story line. The characters were unclear.
A very personal family story written as fiction. My husband’s father was on one of the boats in this story and was denied entry into then Palestine because of the Arab mandate. He along with thousands of other Jewish refugees were detained by the British on the Island of Mauritius for 5 long years separated from his family. Many of these refugees could not survive that period because the living conditions were so primitive. The author did her research very thoroughly and accurately.
I thought it was necessary for everyone to read to learn what some people have to suffer to maintain their Religion. It was very informative for me.