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Sidonia's Thread: The Secrets of a Mother and Daughter Sewing a New Life in America
Did you and your parent ever keep a secret that lasted a lifetime? When Hanna Perlstein and her mother, Sidonia, come to Springfield, Massachusetts from a displaced persons camp after World War II, they know no one in America. With no other family, except each other, they build a world that revolves around Sidonia’s extraordinary talent with a needle and thread to create beautiful garments while Hanna serves as her dutiful model. As Sidonia becomes well-known in western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut for her remarkable sewing talent, she continues to keep her inner secrets about her past hidden not only from her daughter but from everyone else. Determined to craft a life of pride, self-reliance and perseverance, Sidonia teaches her daughter to “stand up straight” in fashion and in life. Sidonia’s Thread uses sewing metaphors to tell the tale of these two women as though stitched together like a handmade garment. Why did Sidonia keep these significant life secrets, and why was Hanna so afraid to ask about them? When Sidonia moves to elderly housing, Hanna steals some of her old letters and photographs hoping to find clues to her paternity, her mother’s reclusive behavior, and her heritage. Combined with a trip to her mother’s Hungarian homeland and a phone conversation with her father, Hanna’s surprising discoveries inspire a revised view of her life with her mother, replacing her conflicting emotions toward her mother with true reverence.
278 pages, Paperback
First published December 7, 2011
91 people are currently reading
787 people want to read
About the author
Hanna Perlstein Marcus
4 books11 followersHanna Perlstein Marcus was born at the Bergen Belsen displaced pesons camp after World War II and the Holocaust, and later immigrated to Springfield, Massachusetts. She is a licensed clinical social worker in Connecticut.
Hanna has recently released the last installment of the SIdonia's Thread trilogy, Sidonia's Seam Binding, which describes how she developed her own ambition and behavioral style apart from her single mother, explores her extraordinary Hungarian ancestry back to the eighteenth century, and conjures an alternate reality for her mother as though Hanna had never been born.
Join Hanna as she explores her experiences, emotions, aspirations, imagination, and heritage, the elements all mixed to produce the distinctive human qualities of her nature. It is a fitting ending to the Sidonia's Thread trilogy.
Hanna has recently released the last installment of the SIdonia's Thread trilogy, Sidonia's Seam Binding, which describes how she developed her own ambition and behavioral style apart from her single mother, explores her extraordinary Hungarian ancestry back to the eighteenth century, and conjures an alternate reality for her mother as though Hanna had never been born.
Join Hanna as she explores her experiences, emotions, aspirations, imagination, and heritage, the elements all mixed to produce the distinctive human qualities of her nature. It is a fitting ending to the Sidonia's Thread trilogy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
August 7, 2012
There are so many lives that have forever been affected by World War II. For many, their stories ended in the German concentration camps. The survivors have stories to tell and we don’t always want to hear them. Isn’t one story the same as another? I think not.
As I read Sidona’s Thread: The Secrets of a Mother and Daughter Sewing a New Life in America I was reminded of the uniqueness of each individual who came through that time. Hanna Perlstein Marcus was born at the Bergen Belson displaced persons camp. Her mother, Sidonia, eventually makes her way to Springfield, Massachusetts and literally cuts out a living as a seamstress for both she and her daughter. As she grows up, Hanna has many unanswered questions about her mother’s past, the primary one being the other half of her conception, the man who fathered her. When Sidonia moves to elderly housing in her later life, Hanna finds old letters and photographs in her mother’s drawer. In secrecy, she takes these without her mother’s knowledge and tries to put together the pieces of her mother’s past and find the basis of her own.
Though the war and all its horrors are a key player here, there is so much more. This is a story of perseverance, resiliency, spirit, family secrets, and mother-daughter relationships and at its core, familial love.
Hanna Perslstein Marcus learns so much with so little to go on. She pays tribute to her mother in this memoir that is told with sewing metaphors. Each chapter begins with a quote from Coats and Clarks Sewing Book: newest Methods from A to Z, the only sewing book her mother ever owned. These are well placed and relevant, weaved throughout the story seamlessly and making a good fit in the end.
I was thoroughly absorbed by Sidonia’s and Hanna’s story. Hanna Perlstein Marcus has gained my respect and gratitude for putting her heart on paper.
As I read Sidona’s Thread: The Secrets of a Mother and Daughter Sewing a New Life in America I was reminded of the uniqueness of each individual who came through that time. Hanna Perlstein Marcus was born at the Bergen Belson displaced persons camp. Her mother, Sidonia, eventually makes her way to Springfield, Massachusetts and literally cuts out a living as a seamstress for both she and her daughter. As she grows up, Hanna has many unanswered questions about her mother’s past, the primary one being the other half of her conception, the man who fathered her. When Sidonia moves to elderly housing in her later life, Hanna finds old letters and photographs in her mother’s drawer. In secrecy, she takes these without her mother’s knowledge and tries to put together the pieces of her mother’s past and find the basis of her own.
Though the war and all its horrors are a key player here, there is so much more. This is a story of perseverance, resiliency, spirit, family secrets, and mother-daughter relationships and at its core, familial love.
Hanna Perslstein Marcus learns so much with so little to go on. She pays tribute to her mother in this memoir that is told with sewing metaphors. Each chapter begins with a quote from Coats and Clarks Sewing Book: newest Methods from A to Z, the only sewing book her mother ever owned. These are well placed and relevant, weaved throughout the story seamlessly and making a good fit in the end.
I was thoroughly absorbed by Sidonia’s and Hanna’s story. Hanna Perlstein Marcus has gained my respect and gratitude for putting her heart on paper.
June 2, 2019
3.5 stars
June 23, 2012
I found Sidonia's Thread to be one of the most inspiring books I've ever had the pleasure of reading. I could identify with the author, as my own grandparents emmigrated from Germany in the 1920's and had to build a life, learn the language, and took great pride in becoming American citizens. The atrocities Sidonia faced before coming to America eventually received world wide recognition. The author does an excellent job in describing in detail how her mother came to be the person she was. I loved the 'sewing' them, as I can relate to that as well. I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and would recommend it highly to one and all.
March 26, 2014
I was blown away about this memoir of a mother who survived the Holocaust and her daughter who learned more, piece by piece, about the choices her mother had to make to ensure their life in America. For those who are interested in stories about Holocaust survivors as well as the next generation who were raised by them, this is a great read. Also, the writer organized it according to the chapters of her mother's favorite sewing book. I have already recommended it to my mother.
February 5, 2015
Very good
I really enjoyed reading this account of a holocaust victims life after the holocaust. As always, these accounts are incredibly sad, how can they not be? Sidonia was an incredible woman. I'd say even a bit ahead of the times. Worth reading.
I really enjoyed reading this account of a holocaust victims life after the holocaust. As always, these accounts are incredibly sad, how can they not be? Sidonia was an incredible woman. I'd say even a bit ahead of the times. Worth reading.
May 14, 2012
I had heard some of these stories but this book blew me away.
March 10, 2014
This is the story of Sidonia as written by her daughter, Hannah. Hannah did not take a traditional approach in telling her mother's story. Sidonia had one skill that carried through life. She was an exemplenary seamstress. In telling her story, Hannah used a sewing technique to organize each chapter. For example, when discussing fitting and fitting clothes, she also discussed how her mother fit into her new family especially after divorce.
Sidonia was the only member of her family to survive the concentration camps. Her daughter was born after liberation and before they immigrated to the USA. The details of her birth is something her mother never discusses. There are times when Hannah feels angry at her mother for this, but for many years they feel each is the only one the can depend on. So the anger is mixed with love and devotion.
I read this on my kindle, and the only issue I had was the pictures were not very clear.
Otherwise it was a very good book that was easy to read.
Sidonia was the only member of her family to survive the concentration camps. Her daughter was born after liberation and before they immigrated to the USA. The details of her birth is something her mother never discusses. There are times when Hannah feels angry at her mother for this, but for many years they feel each is the only one the can depend on. So the anger is mixed with love and devotion.
I read this on my kindle, and the only issue I had was the pictures were not very clear.
Otherwise it was a very good book that was easy to read.
February 20, 2014
This is such a poignant memoir, one I will be reading again! I have read a number of books by survivors of the holocaust, and this book is once again unique, even though "some" of the story is familiar.....how the family came to be in a concentration camp, how the whole family was lost except for the mother, and how she carried many of her secrets to her grave, and how her experiences as a prisoner of the concentration camp, as a holocaust survivor shaped not only her life, but the lives of her daughter and ultimately her daughter's family. Sidonia Perlstein was an extremely strong woman, a real survivor, and her one great love in her life was her daughter, born after the war, and raised without a father. Sidonia instilled great pride into Hanna, and the story of the love of a mother for her daughter is infused into every word of the book.
April 25, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. I loved how the author relates the theme of sewing to the stories in the book. It's a heartfelt memoir about a Mother-Daughter relationship strained by the events that took place early in her Mother's life during the holocaust. Most of the events take place in Springfield, MA and the east coast. It was really interesting how her mother kept so many secrets from her daughter.... mostly I believe it served as a protective shell for her to keep hidden away inside. Her daughter knew not to ask or pry to much because doing so would crack that protective shell or open "Pandora's Box" so to speak and prove to be too difficult for her Mother to handle. So she pretended not to know and kept the charade of secrecy. I was fortunate enough to meet the author at a speaking engagement. She's very sweet and charming in person as she comes across in the book. She should be proud of the story she has shared and I hope that someday she's able to uncover more of the mystery about her past and that of her family history.
August 1, 2015
A great book about a survivor of the Holocaust and her daughter born out of wedlock. Sidonia's amazing survival is a story in and of itself. She was an incredibly strong woman and one to be admired. I cannot imagine the terror Sidonia suffered during her years in the concentration camps, but she came through it and lived a strong, independent life for many years after. Her gift of sewing kept she and her daughter fed, housed and clothed through tumultuous times. The only sad story here was her inability to tell her daughter about her father and their relationship. But, in the end, it seemed that Hanna was able to put all of her questions to rest and accept her mother for the great woman she was.
January 21, 2020
3.5 Stars
I finally was able to immerse myself in this book about 50% into it, I could not put it down. I related to so many aspects of the mother daughter relationship in the end while knowing these very familiar places the author was speaking of. It made me cry...the horrific story of survival of the holocaust and how Sidonia made a life as a Jewish-single mother in a very difficult era while making a better life for her daughter.
I finally was able to immerse myself in this book about 50% into it, I could not put it down. I related to so many aspects of the mother daughter relationship in the end while knowing these very familiar places the author was speaking of. It made me cry...the horrific story of survival of the holocaust and how Sidonia made a life as a Jewish-single mother in a very difficult era while making a better life for her daughter.
April 14, 2018
I read this book in one sitting - during a flight home from vacation. I enjoyed it and am grateful to know this story of a strong woman (Sidonia) who not only survived but successfully raised a daughter who shares her best traits.
September 5, 2018
"A daughter's memoir of her relationship with her mother, a seamstress, and a Holocaust survivor."--patron
"Very interesting life + story." --patron
"Very interesting life + story." --patron
November 20, 2017
Goodreads book
Really enjoyed the book. Very sad what people went through during the war. Just because of religion or ethenticity. So so sad.
Really enjoyed the book. Very sad what people went through during the war. Just because of religion or ethenticity. So so sad.
November 14, 2017
This is the memoir of a mother who survived the holocaust written by her daughter. Sidonia’s amazing survival is one of an incredibly strong woman with an impeccable skill as a seamstress and a strong love for her daughter. I could hardly put this one down!
March 18, 2020
This was an emotional and bittersweet story with many hardships. I thought it was clever how the author used sewing as a symbol of her mother's life. I agreed with the author that her mother built the foundation for a successful American family in succeeding generations with her perseverance, strength, and family values.
September 19, 2017
I am from Massachusetts and live near this area. It was interesting to know more about the people from this area in a time when my mother was growing up in their neighborhood.
July 2, 2019
This was an incredible story of survival. It was so frightening at times I didn't think I could continue and I was only reading it. Sidonia lived it. She was a true testament to just how strong and brave a person can be. A sad story with a happy ending for Sidonia, the author and her family.
April 15, 2018
A friend with a connection to the author recommended this book for me to read.
I was surprised by how well written the book was. There was a construct of each chapter had stories that echoed a sewing technique or term, inspired by the 1 sewing book Sidonia received from a client. The first 2/3s of the book is very readable and quick, there is the mystery of who is the father of Sidonia’s child (the author was that child), what happened to Sidonia in the period just after the war, and so many secrets that a daughter craved from a mother unwilling to share deeply hidden and (she felt) shameful secrets.
The last third was a little slower, but that also echoes the gradual decline in health of Sidonia and how does the adult child assume the role of parent, as well as the grieving process.
Overall, this was an enjoyable story about a mother and a daughter, the secrets of the former and the unraveling of the thread by the daughter.
Good.
I was surprised by how well written the book was. There was a construct of each chapter had stories that echoed a sewing technique or term, inspired by the 1 sewing book Sidonia received from a client. The first 2/3s of the book is very readable and quick, there is the mystery of who is the father of Sidonia’s child (the author was that child), what happened to Sidonia in the period just after the war, and so many secrets that a daughter craved from a mother unwilling to share deeply hidden and (she felt) shameful secrets.
The last third was a little slower, but that also echoes the gradual decline in health of Sidonia and how does the adult child assume the role of parent, as well as the grieving process.
Overall, this was an enjoyable story about a mother and a daughter, the secrets of the former and the unraveling of the thread by the daughter.
Good.
May 10, 2013
Beautiful.
I have never read anything quite
Like Sedonia's Thread. It is a remarkable work of sheer strength, tenacity, and the ability of the human spirit to overcome unimaginable odds.
The author, being the subject's daughter, poured her heart and soul into this memoir. Her love and devotion, not to mention her respect to lineage, is evident in every word of this story. Her passion and love for her genealogy came through loud and clear, in an admirable and profound way.
Thank you, Hanna Perlstein Marcus, for sharing your life, and that of Szidonia with us. This account, and the story of your relationship will stay with me every time I glance at your beautiful cover photo on my bookshelf.
I have never read anything quite
Like Sedonia's Thread. It is a remarkable work of sheer strength, tenacity, and the ability of the human spirit to overcome unimaginable odds.
The author, being the subject's daughter, poured her heart and soul into this memoir. Her love and devotion, not to mention her respect to lineage, is evident in every word of this story. Her passion and love for her genealogy came through loud and clear, in an admirable and profound way.
Thank you, Hanna Perlstein Marcus, for sharing your life, and that of Szidonia with us. This account, and the story of your relationship will stay with me every time I glance at your beautiful cover photo on my bookshelf.
February 18, 2014
One of a plethora of books by the children of Holocaust survivors now being published in the Kindle format and offered as specials. But this one is different. It is not so much a story of the Holocaust as the story of the life of Sidonia and her daughter (the author) born in a DP camp following liberation, and after they immigrate to the US. It is an interesting story of survival and and the complex relationship between the daughter and mother. A story that Oprah or Dr. Phil would probably ruin, but one the author tells in a compelling manner and one that leaves you with great admiration for the humanity of Sidonia and the love of her and her daughter for each other.
February 21, 2014
Like most Holocaust books, this was a sad book. However, little was written about actual experiences during the war; rather it is the period after the war, moving to America, adapting to a new life which was difficult for a single woman with a child. This book was written by the daughter, who wanted to know who and where her father was - sure that he did not want her, why he did not marry her mother. Her mother was closed off from her emotionally and only gave her glimpses of life in the camps. This was a powerful book - showing how relationships can be at the same time difficult and loving.
November 20, 2013
This was one of the most interesting books about the Holocaust I have ever read. Told from the perspective of the daughter of a survivor who raised her alone in America, this account really showed how it affected the life of such a young woman, the only one left in her family. It was a beautiful account of an unusual mother-daughter relationship and how the daughter (the author) came to understand her mother and her mother's way of loving her.
January 25, 2013
This is a really well written book about a mother & daughter's struggles to rebuild their lives in a new country after the war. Stories of the mother's survival as told through her daughter's recollections are woven throughout to provide us with a picture of resiliancy & determination that shows us the incredible strength her mother had to survive.
April 19, 2013
This book is so compelling that I could not put it down until I finished it. Written by her daughter Sidonia's Thread tells her mothers story from the early years, then through the Holocaust until her recent passing. The details and stories give insight to the life of her mom, a Holocaust survivor, and her growing up in the US. I recommend this for everyone.
July 27, 2014
from a mothers point of view this book made you realised what you would do for you're child heartbreaking but totally poignant sometimes felt reading something that happened in another lifetime and could not think this could happened the strength and courage mother and daughter possess amazing good true and strong read
December 14, 2019
The Holocaust Personalized
This story is a must read. The author allows a glimpse of the determination and resolve that her mother, a survivor of the holocaust, possessed. It is an extremely well written with love and respect for a woman who had faced atrocities that we can never fully understand.
This story is a must read. The author allows a glimpse of the determination and resolve that her mother, a survivor of the holocaust, possessed. It is an extremely well written with love and respect for a woman who had faced atrocities that we can never fully understand.
January 22, 2014
very good. It shows how a girl and her mother come to America and live from being very poor and how Hannah and her mother progress and each chapter starts with a quote from COATS and CLARKS SEWING BOOK. Sidonia is a very talented seamstress and that is what keeps them going.
December 13, 2015
I loved the originality of this book! To write about her mother and the authors relationship through the vehicle of a book of her mothers craft is very unique and so well thought out. The story is excellently written and love conveyed is heartwarming.
May 6, 2017
Great book
Wonderfully written book, fascinating story. Written by the daughter of a concentration camp survivor of their life after WW2 here in the US. It brought tears to my eyes at the end. Well worth your time to read .
Wonderfully written book, fascinating story. Written by the daughter of a concentration camp survivor of their life after WW2 here in the US. It brought tears to my eyes at the end. Well worth your time to read .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews