The Apple: Based on the Herman Rosenblat Holocaust Memoir

by Penelope Holt

Oprah called the tale of love in a concentration camp that lies at the heart of holocaust survivor Herman Rosenblat's controversial memoir, "The greatest love story we've ever told." But when his story is attacked and his memoir canceled, Rosenblat must defend his narrative. The Apple first tells the story of his struggle to survive the camps and the girl he says helped him by tossing apples over the fence. It then uncovers the story behind the story: Why did an old man weave real love with a dream of love into an account that touched and inspired many, but also ignited a firestorm of criticism?

Genres: Holocaust, Fiction

187 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Sher❤ The Fabulous BookLover]

Not sure about my rating. Tragic story of the holocaust but i just wish the "apple"part wasn't fiction.

[Meaga Metkowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel gave a well balanced overview of the controversy. Although I agree that Herman made a mistake, we must understand that he is a Holocaust survivor and no one can fully understand what terrible things that he has dealt with. I don't think that the book is about whether or not Herman should have lied (obviously, he was in the wrong) but rather did he deserve such harsh criticism that he has had to deal with from the media? In other words, did people go too far?

[Lissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed in both the book itself and the story it told. The book was written in a very simplistic style; it gave me the impression that it was geared towards a much younger audience. I found it boring to read, and I had to force myself to finish it.

The author states in the preface that she wants to allow the readers to make up their own minds. That doesn't play out in the book, however; she's definitely biased towards Herman. And, really, the man does deserve sympathy. He is a Holocaust survivor and lost many family members during the war. He suffered in ways that a human being, and a child at that, should never suffer.

But it doesn't change the fact that he fabricated part of his memoir. He owes no apology to me for that, and I don't feel personally outraged because he did lie. I'm sure many people have lied about many things in many memoirs. Herman just got caught. And I don't think that he had any diabolical motives.

However, there are zealots in this world who deny that the Holocaust happened, and they will cling to any little shred of "evidence" that backs up their crazy claims. And I have a sinking feeling that this "memoir" will be mentioned many times in their future writings and debates. That pains me as both a human being and a person who is interested in history.

The Holocaust was awful. There is plenty of horrible things that happened in those years. And, although much fewer in number, there are moments of hope and inspiration that occurred in those years as well. We don't need to add more to the pile and trying to pass them off as real. When you say a book is a memoir, when you say that a book's contents are non-fiction, then that is exactly what it should be. If a person wishes to embellish, to add things here or there, then that person should classify the novel as "historical fiction" instead, or perhaps a "fictional memoir."

In the final few pages, the author (or perhaps Herman himself), tries to rationalize what he did, saying that lies had saved him at times. So, apparently, lies aren't that bad. But I don't buy that argument. Lying to save your life? Yeah, I don't have a problem with that; I'd definitely do it myself. Lying because it makes a better story, or because you wish something had happened a certain way? Every fiber in my history-loving soul disagrees with that. It was very, very weak, and that isn't going to win any arguments.

[Dorothea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think it's a good effort, and I appreciated the additions to the the original story of what happened post-scandal. However, the rewriting of Rosenblat's original story was not so good. The style didn't match Rosenblat's at all and rather degraded it, in a way. Strangely, also, many details Holt mentions are different than the ones that Rosenblat wrote. Of course, given the doubt about truth in the facts anyway, it may not really matter, but it makes one pause to think about the nature of rewriting as well- and the purpose for it. However, as mentioned, I did find it useful to see the story in the context of the scandal, including Oprah.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once upon a time, holocaust survivor Herman Rosenblat wrote a love story. Boy meets girl. Boy is dying in a concentration camp in Nazi Germany. Girl throws Boy apples over the concentration camp fence. Boy and Girl fall in love. You know, the usual. It was a beautiful story, and one that needed to be told.

It was so beautiful that one day, Oprah, being Oprah, declared it "the greatest love story ever told". She invited Rosenblat onto her show, and he spellbound the audience with tales of his life and claimed that he had written this story from his own experience.

Now, there was just one problem in the magical kingdom of TV land - the story wasn't true. Oprah went on the war path. And lots of Americans, having no sense of irony, got very upset about the whole thing.

The fact that a harrowing tale of life in the concentration camps had basis in truth, despite the fictional love story, was lost on people. The possibility that a person who, having just survived the holocaust, might have very good reasons for wanting to pretty things up a bit, didn't occur to them. And as for the idea that people have artistic freedom and the right to make of their own experiences whatever they will - well, that would be like saying that Oprah was wrong!

Rosenblat's fiction is a lie that tells the truth. And whilst I can well understand the desire to uncover the truth behind the story, Holt's decision to then write this 'true account' as a novel is baffling. 'The Apple'...bites.

What you end up with is a badly written 'true' work of fiction, about a beautifully written 'fictional' truth. What would you prefer - an ugly truth or a beautiful lie? Read them both. Make up your own mind.

[J.D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thankfully I am not a follower/fanatic/etc. of Oprah, so the story here was not necessarily tainted in any way. Additionally, there is so much emotional manipulation used by that show and others that it seems so silly that he's treated this poorly. It is imperative that we continue to collect all these different stories from survivors. They are able to inform them of what humans are capable of when hateful generalizations are used. Obviously this is on a larger scale, but the possibilities and frequency of this hate for others has not left. Did he manipulate folks in some way by putting this in? It definitely seems that way, but he makes a great point in saying that if it was not for that it would go unnoticed. So, whether this was intentional to sell copies or truly the fantasy of the memory going backwards is unimportant compared to what it talks for people to notice this story. We often want to ignore the harsh details and just get back to the point where there is hope. And I do think it's important for us all to be on a search for hope(however we get there), but not at the sake of missing reality.

That said, I think this book is a good place to start for those who may have not heard much about the Holocaust. By taking on the story of only a few characters, we are able to learn much more than a history class that gives us the broad scope of what happened. We are able to connect in an intimate way. There are definitely much better books from/about survivors, and I would definitely be intrigued to read Rosenblat's original, but it is a concise read into an important time in recent history.

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was much ado about this book. Herman Rosenblat, a holocaust survivor, made up a sweet love story about him and his wife Roma. How she saved his life by throwing apples to him, while he was starving in concentration camp Schlieben and how they found each other back, many years later in America. He only wanted to use this story to get some more attention for his autobiography about the horrors he and his brothers had to face during the World War II. He told this story to the newspaper and two times on Oprah’s sofa. America melted for this man, who was so in love with his wife. Until people find out that his story couldn’t be true. Oprah was furious and with her America. But what's so bad about a few little sentences which lighting up the horrible story of a young Jewish boy who was the victim of so much violence? For Herman the apple-story is true, the only sparkle in his dark past, a lifeline to hold on. The problem is of course that he lied against Oprah, the mother of all Americans and who lies against Oprah should be punished with a totally unnecessary and absurd agitation. The book and the little lie are not worth it to make such a fuss about it. It's only a few sentences and doesn't add anything important to the story. The book is very moving, but doesn't tell anything new about the holocaust. It still is a story full of love, isn't it because of the apple, then because of the love between Herman and his brothers.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a very interesting story and contains many elements that are unique to a story that is based around the Holocaust. If you like a good love story, and history, with a little conflict mixed in then you will really enjoy this book!

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a woeful book. See http://anzlitlovers.wordpress.com/200...