The Takeaway Men

A Novel

by Meryl Ain

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Pub Date Aug 04 2020 | Archive Date Aug 31 2020

SparkPress

Historical Fiction | Women's Fiction

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Description

With the cloud of the Holocaust still looming over them, twin sisters Bronka and Johanna Lubinski and their parents arrive in the US from a Displaced Persons Camp. In the years after World War II, they experience the difficulties of adjusting to American culture as well as the burgeoning fear of the Cold War. Years later, the discovery of a former Nazi hiding in their community brings the Holocaust out of the shadows. As the girls get older, they start to wonder about their parents’ pasts, and they begin to demand answers. But it soon becomes clear that those memories will be more difficult and painful to uncover than they could have anticipated. Poignant and haunting, The Takeaway Men explores the impact of immigration, identity, prejudice, secrets, and lies on parents and children in mid-twentieth-century America.

With the cloud of the Holocaust still looming over them, twin sisters Bronka and Johanna Lubinski and their parents arrive in the US from a Displaced Persons Camp. In the years after World War II...

Advance Praise

“At a time when the darkness of the Holocaust is being whitewashed, Meryl Ain’s remarkable debut novel illuminates the postwar Jewish American landscape like a truth-seeking torch. An emotionally rich and lovingly told saga of survivors, with great sensitivity to what was lost, buried, and resurrected.”

―Thane Rosenbaum, author of The Golems of Gotham, Second Hand Smoke, and Elijah Visible

“In The Takeaway Men, Meryl Ain tells a gripping story of lives intertwined and shaped by the horrors of the Holocaust and its aftermath. With sensitivity and compassion she makes her characters come alive and remain in our heads and our hearts long after the novel ends. A powerful read!”

―Francine Klagsbrun, author of Lioness: Golda Meir and the Nation of Israel

Available Editions

EDITION	Other Format
ISBN	9781684630479
PRICE	$16.95 (USD)
PAGES	264

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Additional Information

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Featured Reviews

Sydney L, Reviewer

First and foremost, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Meryl Ain has compiled a colorful cast of characters against the backdrop of Jewish refugees trying to find a future in Queens during the 1950’s-60’s. Secrets, lies and coverups are attached to the characters all with the intent of protecting the younger generation.

What I love most about this book is how different each character is....from a father who lost his whole family in the Holocaust and despite moving to the US, cannot let go or talk about the last. A mother who completely covered up her true identity as a savior and a hero to take care of her husband. Fraternal twins who couldn’t be more different yet confide only in each other. It’s hard to sum up this story without spoiling it.

The title and the abrupt ending are my only issues with an incredible story. I’m not quite sure how the title relates to the story but that might come to me as I continue to think about it. For me, it ended suddenly. I wasn’t ready for it to be over. I wanted more so Ms.Ain...mission accomplished!

Thank you NetGalley for the early copy!