Publication Date: May 1, 2023
In the spring of 1975, Ben Friedman will celebrate his rite of passage into adulthood. When his beloved grandfather suddenly dies and leaves him a mysterious inheritance, Ben begins to discover who he is and where he belongs. When he chooses a path his powerful father opposes, their relationship becomes volatile. Will Ben withstand the pressure?
In 1914, Dovid Weisman, Ben’s great-grandfather, struggles to protect his family when Germany declares war on Russia and the brutal Cossacks occupy his village of Siedlce, Poland. He finds that love and opportunity are still possible. If they can escape with their lives.
Slipping between war-torn Poland and modern American life, one family’s story is woven together across three generations.
What happens to faith and family traditions for those seeking a new life of refuge?
That’s the underlying theme in Anna’s Promise by D.G. Schulman. Spanning three generations, the story highlights the horrors of war in Poland and then jumps forward to 1975.
As Ben Friedman prepares for his bar mitzvah, his grandfather dies, but not before passing on a gift. Ben starts exploring his family’s heritage and learns of the significant differences between Chassidic and Reformed Jews.
The storyline shifts to 1914, where Ben’s great-grandfather Dovid is desperate to get his family to safety away from the occupying Cossacks. There’s plenty of rich historical detail to demonstrate the struggles they face.
Readers can easily see the assimilation that has taken place in order for the family to thrive. As Ben’s research taps into the family’s past religious practices, conflict arises, and he faces difficult decisions.
Anna’s Promise delves into a family’s history and depicts the challenges faced by three generations.
D.G. Schulman is a publishing executive who married the boy next door and lives in the Midwest, where she and her husband raised their two daughters. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Michigan and her Master of Arts in Communication from Eastern Michigan University. She’s the recipient of an Avery and Jule Hopwood award in the novel category and is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. When she’s not in front of a keyboard, she enjoys making chocolate, growing herbs, cooking, reading, and playing with her growing brood of grandkids.
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We appreciate you reviewing this book today.
Your words capture the essence of the story, and I’m truly appreciative of the time and consideration you put into your review.
You’ve astutely recognized the central themes of the book—the delicate balance between assimilation and tradition in the face of seeking refuge and a new life. I’m delighted that the intergenerational aspect of the narrative resonated with you, as it’s a theme very close to my heart.
This looks like a great novel. Thanks for hosting this giveaway..