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Come Back for Me
Artur Mandelkorn is a young Hungarian Holocaust survivor whose desperate quest to find his sister takes him to post-war Israel. Intersecting Artur’s tale is that of Suzy Kohn, a Toronto teenager whose seemingly tranquil life is shattered when her uncle’s sudden death tears her family apart, leading her into a troubled relationship with a charismatic musician. Their stories eventually come together in Israel following the Six-Day War, where love and understanding become the threads that bind the two narratives together.
288 pages, Paperback
First published May 30, 2017
11 people are currently reading
1049 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Hart-Green
4 books404 followersSharon Hart-Green's debut novel COME BACK FOR ME is a gripping story of trauma, loss, and the redemptive power of love set in the aftermath of World War II. Published in 2017 by The New Jewish Press (an affiliate of the University of Toronto Press), it was chosen as an Editors' Choice Book by the Historical Novel Society.
Sharon received her PhD in Judaic Studies from Brandeis University and has taught Hebrew and Yiddish literature at the University of Toronto. Her first book NOT A SIMPLE STORY (Lexington Books) was a study of the work of Hebrew novelist S. Y. Agnon. Her second book, BRIDGING THE DIVIDE (Syracuse University Press), is a compilation of her translations of the Hebrew poems of Hava Pinhas-Cohen.
In addition, Sharon's short stories, poems, translations, and reviews have appeared in a number of publications, including Midstream, The Jewish Review of Books, and JewishFiction.net.
She is currently at work on a second novel, about the mystical inclinations of a young man in search of love.
Sharon received her PhD in Judaic Studies from Brandeis University and has taught Hebrew and Yiddish literature at the University of Toronto. Her first book NOT A SIMPLE STORY (Lexington Books) was a study of the work of Hebrew novelist S. Y. Agnon. Her second book, BRIDGING THE DIVIDE (Syracuse University Press), is a compilation of her translations of the Hebrew poems of Hava Pinhas-Cohen.
In addition, Sharon's short stories, poems, translations, and reviews have appeared in a number of publications, including Midstream, The Jewish Review of Books, and JewishFiction.net.
She is currently at work on a second novel, about the mystical inclinations of a young man in search of love.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
September 11, 2017
This book just became one of the top 20 best Books of the year in Jewish Literature in Canada!! Well deserved! Great debut!
Congrats to the author!
Nice to hear good news.
Today is the anniversary of 911
Life is soo sureal sometimes.
THIS BOOK is wonderful - big congrats again to Sharon on her first novel
"Come Back For Me", is a debut novel written with kosher-honest-to-Goodness energy. I love the simplistic clear writing, and FULLY ENGAGING STORYTELLING!!!!
NO SPOILERS
While my heart returned to wrenching darkness from the Holocaust .....through the eyes of the sympathetic characters created, my heart filled with sweetness.
I'm so proud of this book -- it's a HUGE 'average-to-small-size' novel. HUGE!!!
This is one of the best 'new' books on 'pre & post' Holocaust stories combined to come out in YEARS!!!
It has everything needed to give a great overview. It holds our interest completely....emotionally involving the reader.
Sharon Hart-Green transfers the 'experience' of past & present days. -- she 'glides' through history.... covering just enough to leave us with thoughts about the 'here&now'. But before that we -ourselves - are transferred into this world. We care deeply for the characters. If on a boat - I was on a boat. When eating a falafel, I was tasting it. Cut up cucumbers for breakfast...I use to crave those dairy morning meals before working in the fields. Wishing to be understood? Who hasn't?
Sharon Hart-Green provides us with THE BIG PICTURE from the early days during the Holocaust beginning in Hungry in the 40's....on to Israel. A full engaging family story -similar to those we might have read in past Holocaust stories -- but we are not bored for a second.
The reader senses a deeper purpose for this 're-visiting' part of the story. ..... I was hanging on by a thread wanting to know how the two parallel stories were going to come together.
I never once felt "been there, read this before". When storytelling is good - it's fresh - which this is!!!
The Hungarian Holocaust family story is really Artur Mandelkorn's tale, ( narrator), but even the minor characters demonstrate something extraordinary rich and compelling.
Toronto in the 1960's, -- is the parallel story. This story primarily belongs to Suzy Kohn. ( narrator). Again, the minor characters play an important role.
In both side stories -whether in Israel in the 40s, or Toronto in the 60s.....much of my curiosity came from the 'minor' characters equally as much as the major ones.
I read this novel in 2 sittings. My first break came about half way --
Artur was 18 years old. He had survived the Holocaust- still looking for family members - he had been living on a Kibbutz in Israel, before becoming an Israeli soldier.
He runs into Fanny. He hasn't seen her in about a year. ( we know there is chemistry).. ...
However, about a year ago -things ended bad one night during a Passover dinner.
Artur had never talked about his family to Fanny or anyone.
"When I told her about the murder of my parents and my baby sister in the concentration camp, and how I had learned of it on the very day of my arrival at her uncles seder, she was so stricken that she grabbed hold of my arm and held on as if she were about to faint. I put my arm around her waist and steadied her. When she'd
regained her composure, she urged me to continue. I try to explain the affect that my parents' deaths had on me, and how alone and isolated it made me feel. I could only describe it as a kind of temporary madness. Acknowledging my ghastly behavior at the seder, I started to apologize. But.....". Tell me you don't want to know more?/!! :)
Artur has a sister Manya whom he thinks about daily. When you read this story ... you'll understand why - and more.
Susie Kohn, in Toronto, has her 'coming-of-age' story....
BOTH STORIES have your heart - have messages - are rich in Jewish history - family - and culture.
Congrats to Sharon Hart-Green. She received her PhD in Judaic studies from Brandeis University and has taught Hebrew and Yiddish literature at the University of Toronto.
A Beautiful novel ( exceptional first novel), .... maintaining a delicate balance of light and dark!!!!
Congrats to the author!
Nice to hear good news.
Today is the anniversary of 911
Life is soo sureal sometimes.
THIS BOOK is wonderful - big congrats again to Sharon on her first novel
"Come Back For Me", is a debut novel written with kosher-honest-to-Goodness energy. I love the simplistic clear writing, and FULLY ENGAGING STORYTELLING!!!!
NO SPOILERS
While my heart returned to wrenching darkness from the Holocaust .....through the eyes of the sympathetic characters created, my heart filled with sweetness.
I'm so proud of this book -- it's a HUGE 'average-to-small-size' novel. HUGE!!!
This is one of the best 'new' books on 'pre & post' Holocaust stories combined to come out in YEARS!!!
It has everything needed to give a great overview. It holds our interest completely....emotionally involving the reader.
Sharon Hart-Green transfers the 'experience' of past & present days. -- she 'glides' through history.... covering just enough to leave us with thoughts about the 'here&now'. But before that we -ourselves - are transferred into this world. We care deeply for the characters. If on a boat - I was on a boat. When eating a falafel, I was tasting it. Cut up cucumbers for breakfast...I use to crave those dairy morning meals before working in the fields. Wishing to be understood? Who hasn't?
Sharon Hart-Green provides us with THE BIG PICTURE from the early days during the Holocaust beginning in Hungry in the 40's....on to Israel. A full engaging family story -similar to those we might have read in past Holocaust stories -- but we are not bored for a second.
The reader senses a deeper purpose for this 're-visiting' part of the story. ..... I was hanging on by a thread wanting to know how the two parallel stories were going to come together.
I never once felt "been there, read this before". When storytelling is good - it's fresh - which this is!!!
The Hungarian Holocaust family story is really Artur Mandelkorn's tale, ( narrator), but even the minor characters demonstrate something extraordinary rich and compelling.
Toronto in the 1960's, -- is the parallel story. This story primarily belongs to Suzy Kohn. ( narrator). Again, the minor characters play an important role.
In both side stories -whether in Israel in the 40s, or Toronto in the 60s.....much of my curiosity came from the 'minor' characters equally as much as the major ones.
I read this novel in 2 sittings. My first break came about half way --
Artur was 18 years old. He had survived the Holocaust- still looking for family members - he had been living on a Kibbutz in Israel, before becoming an Israeli soldier.
He runs into Fanny. He hasn't seen her in about a year. ( we know there is chemistry).. ...
However, about a year ago -things ended bad one night during a Passover dinner.
Artur had never talked about his family to Fanny or anyone.
"When I told her about the murder of my parents and my baby sister in the concentration camp, and how I had learned of it on the very day of my arrival at her uncles seder, she was so stricken that she grabbed hold of my arm and held on as if she were about to faint. I put my arm around her waist and steadied her. When she'd
regained her composure, she urged me to continue. I try to explain the affect that my parents' deaths had on me, and how alone and isolated it made me feel. I could only describe it as a kind of temporary madness. Acknowledging my ghastly behavior at the seder, I started to apologize. But.....". Tell me you don't want to know more?/!! :)
Artur has a sister Manya whom he thinks about daily. When you read this story ... you'll understand why - and more.
Susie Kohn, in Toronto, has her 'coming-of-age' story....
BOTH STORIES have your heart - have messages - are rich in Jewish history - family - and culture.
Congrats to Sharon Hart-Green. She received her PhD in Judaic studies from Brandeis University and has taught Hebrew and Yiddish literature at the University of Toronto.
A Beautiful novel ( exceptional first novel), .... maintaining a delicate balance of light and dark!!!!
April 13, 2018
4.5 stars!
Beautiful characters. Beautiful story. Beautiful writing.
This was a deeply touching and extremely well-written novel revolving around a brother and sister who are separated during the destruction and devastation of WWII. The story is presented in two timelines, each equally captivating. I found myself glued to the pages, holding my breath in anticipation, hopeful for a happy family reunion.
The author, Sharon Hart-Green, writes with such smooth clarity and eloquence – the words flowed beautifully off the page and into my heart. I was drawn deep into the lives of these characters, rooting for them from page one. I highly recommend this compelling novel, especially to those who enjoy historical fiction.
A big thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of her book in exchange for an honest review! I truly loved this novel!
Beautiful characters. Beautiful story. Beautiful writing.
This was a deeply touching and extremely well-written novel revolving around a brother and sister who are separated during the destruction and devastation of WWII. The story is presented in two timelines, each equally captivating. I found myself glued to the pages, holding my breath in anticipation, hopeful for a happy family reunion.
The author, Sharon Hart-Green, writes with such smooth clarity and eloquence – the words flowed beautifully off the page and into my heart. I was drawn deep into the lives of these characters, rooting for them from page one. I highly recommend this compelling novel, especially to those who enjoy historical fiction.
A big thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of her book in exchange for an honest review! I truly loved this novel!
November 10, 2017
✨ All five stars to Come Back for Me ✨
My friends who are drawn to WWII fiction, Holocaust fiction especially, will not want to miss this book.
Sharon Hart-Green has a clear and simple writing style. For a debut, I was impressed with how well-written it was. The story has two narrators, and while I enjoyed both, I was deeply affected by Arthur and Manya's story, a brother and sister who were heartbreakingly separated during the Holocaust.
Arthur's devotion to Manya was palpable, and having experienced the loss of my brother, the connection between the siblings resonated on a personal level with me. This is a fresh, original, and authentic story, and one I can imagine re-visiting. I highly recommend this to fans of historical fiction.
I won a copy of this book from the author, but in the midst of reading it, the story was so special, I bought a paperback copy because I wanted to share this book with a friend. These thoughts are my own.
My friends who are drawn to WWII fiction, Holocaust fiction especially, will not want to miss this book.
Sharon Hart-Green has a clear and simple writing style. For a debut, I was impressed with how well-written it was. The story has two narrators, and while I enjoyed both, I was deeply affected by Arthur and Manya's story, a brother and sister who were heartbreakingly separated during the Holocaust.
Arthur's devotion to Manya was palpable, and having experienced the loss of my brother, the connection between the siblings resonated on a personal level with me. This is a fresh, original, and authentic story, and one I can imagine re-visiting. I highly recommend this to fans of historical fiction.
I won a copy of this book from the author, but in the midst of reading it, the story was so special, I bought a paperback copy because I wanted to share this book with a friend. These thoughts are my own.
February 23, 2021
What an impressive debut! On the one side the story of Artur Mandelkorn, how he struggled as a young Holocaust survivor in Israel looking for his lost siblings. On the other the life of Suzy Kohn, a teenage girl in Canada in the sixties and how these two come together in the end. Although there was a bit of a flaw in the middle of the book (there usually is) it was fast paced and so well written that I just wanted to go on reading. I had tears in my eyes at the end. I realised that it is a specialist subject, so not for everyone perhaps, but I thought it worth more than the 5 stars that can be given.
August 13, 2017
The horror of the Holocaust, the survivors' loss of everything they owned and all those they loved is told through the life story of a young Hungarian named Artur. The contrast in the lives of Jewish teenagers living in Toronto in the late 1960s with that of Jewish teens living in communes in 1947 Palestine is contrasted. Much of who we become and how we behave is determined by our living conditions. Regardless of circumstances there are ties that connect families even though their geographic and economic statuses may be vast. In this novel the determination of a teenaged survivor of the death camps in Germany takes him on journeys that will eventually result in locating a family member who survived Austritch. This is an important book; well written and informative about the struggles of the young survivors of the Holocaust.
May 28, 2017
As previously mentioned, I received this as an ARC from the author.
This book did something to me that doesn't happen often. It made me get very emotional and it made me cry. I still feel torn up.
It is the story of a family that faces major heartbreak due to events from the Second World War.
I am glad this story is out now because it is greatly needed. Many of the older members of the community are passing away. And because of this, many of the youngsters have no personal "link" to the events that happened. Never forget what happened.
What will stuck with me the most after reading this story is that eventhough families go through the worst of times, they are the people who can be depended upon.
This book did something to me that doesn't happen often. It made me get very emotional and it made me cry. I still feel torn up.
It is the story of a family that faces major heartbreak due to events from the Second World War.
I am glad this story is out now because it is greatly needed. Many of the older members of the community are passing away. And because of this, many of the youngsters have no personal "link" to the events that happened. Never forget what happened.
What will stuck with me the most after reading this story is that eventhough families go through the worst of times, they are the people who can be depended upon.
June 14, 2017
Artur Mandelkorn is a Hungarian Holocaust survivor who is desperately trying to find his sister Manya. They became separated during the war and he continues to look for while while building a life for himself and his family while living on a kibbutz in Israel. We see Arthur grow from being a young man to being a widower with two sons. He lives primarily on a kibbutz in Israel but his story also takes him to London and eventually to Canada and back to Israel while he tries to connect with missing family members.
Suzy Kohn, is a teenager in Toronto, dealing with a family members death and first love. Her story is more of a coming of age tale.
Both of these characters stories are told but it is Arthur's story that really resonated with me. I found his story to be more interesting and captivating. Eventually their two stories come together. I knew that they would when Suzy recalls being called "Manya" by her deceased Uncle. But how are they related and what happened to Manya all of those years ago.
I wish there was more of Arthur's story. I also wish there was more of Manya. I wanted to see her story after they were separated. Her story is eventually told to Arthur, I just would have liked seeing more of her plight as well.
In all honesty, I could have done without Suzy's story line. I know that the Canadian family story line served a purpose which becomes evident at the end of the book, but as I mentioned before, if this book would have been mainly about Arthur (or his missing sister or the older brother )I would have enjoyed it more. Having said that, I did like that Arthur got a chance to meet more family and have more answers concerning lost family members. This touched a cord with me as I have a Holocaust Survivor in my family. Just this year at the age of 95 she learned that one of her siblings survived (all this time she believed she was the only one who survived in her family). Unfortunately her brother died several years ago and she never got the chance to see him. The last time seeing him in person was when she was 15 years old. So the ending of this book was personal on that level for me.
I received a copy of this book from the Author in exchange for an honest review.
See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
Suzy Kohn, is a teenager in Toronto, dealing with a family members death and first love. Her story is more of a coming of age tale.
Both of these characters stories are told but it is Arthur's story that really resonated with me. I found his story to be more interesting and captivating. Eventually their two stories come together. I knew that they would when Suzy recalls being called "Manya" by her deceased Uncle. But how are they related and what happened to Manya all of those years ago.
I wish there was more of Arthur's story. I also wish there was more of Manya. I wanted to see her story after they were separated. Her story is eventually told to Arthur, I just would have liked seeing more of her plight as well.
In all honesty, I could have done without Suzy's story line. I know that the Canadian family story line served a purpose which becomes evident at the end of the book, but as I mentioned before, if this book would have been mainly about Arthur (or his missing sister or the older brother )I would have enjoyed it more. Having said that, I did like that Arthur got a chance to meet more family and have more answers concerning lost family members. This touched a cord with me as I have a Holocaust Survivor in my family. Just this year at the age of 95 she learned that one of her siblings survived (all this time she believed she was the only one who survived in her family). Unfortunately her brother died several years ago and she never got the chance to see him. The last time seeing him in person was when she was 15 years old. So the ending of this book was personal on that level for me.
I received a copy of this book from the Author in exchange for an honest review.
See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
May 12, 2017
I was asked by the author to read and review this book and I loved the book. The story grabbed me from the very beginning and I kept wanting to read so I could see what happens. The story goes back and forth from the past to the present and the author did a great job with this. The transition back and forth was smooth and I never got confused about what time period I was reading. The author does a great job developing the characters and you really learn about each one. The story tugs at your heart but is so believable. What the Jewish people endured is horrifying. This story I am sure very accurately depicted the truth to their suffering and the affects it had on the lives of the survivors. There were several surprises in the book and the book moved at a steady pace. Every page left me wanting to learn more. Just like Suzy was curious about the name her Uncle had said. I too was curious about what happened to each character. I would compare this book right up there with The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and Once We Were Brothers by Ronald Balson. The book has major life lessons and shows the strength and endurance of humans. I also loved the authors writing style. She was descriptive when needed but not wordy. I would definitely recommend this book and will tell my friends and book club members about it. Look forward to reading more by this author.
March 22, 2019
Had I had the luxury of time, I feel as though I would have read the novel in one sitting. Each chapter left you wanting for more. The two main characters Arthur a Holocaust survivor in the mid 1940's and Suzy a high school senior in the late 1960's would seem like an unlikely pair to come together. Sharon Hart-Green does an artful job of telling their parallel stories twenty-five years apart and finally bringing them together. Along the way she does a wonderful job of describing the different elements of their lives, such as the birth of a Jewish nation, Kibbutz living, searching for survivors, the sixties,rebellious teenagers, high school, finding and understanding your Jewish roots, etc...
Trying to figure out the ending was challenging and a task I woefully failed at. Without giving anything away the final chapter should leave you greatly satisfied
Trying to figure out the ending was challenging and a task I woefully failed at. Without giving anything away the final chapter should leave you greatly satisfied
January 15, 2018
Please see my review on amazon under SBKL.
This novel is a winner!!!!
*** I purchase books on Amazon and cannot transport them to GR without reviewing them.
( if there is a better way; please tell me)
This novel is a winner!!!!
*** I purchase books on Amazon and cannot transport them to GR without reviewing them.
( if there is a better way; please tell me)
December 1, 2017
The four-word title for Sharon Hart-Green's debut novel--Come Back for Me--holds all of the poignancy and tragedy that is contained within the pages of this epic novel. Several periods of history are woven together: Canada during the turbulent 1960s, Hungary during the Holocaust, and Israel post-Holocaust. Eventually, the two stories come seamlessly together in an emotional crescendo. Sharon's writing is both eloquent and accessible, and she imbues her main character, Artur Mandelkorn, with the perfect blend of humanity, intelligence, persistence, and, ultimately, acceptance. This is an important book that educates the Western world on the politics of Palestine and Israel, and all readers on the process of recovery after immense tragedy. I learned a great deal while reading this novel, and also want to commend the publisher for the cover and production of this lovely book. One can't help but wonder if there might be a sequel in the works. I hope so. If not, I look forward to whatever Sharon publishes next.
August 13, 2017
Brava on this wonderful debut novel! I found myself caught up in the story from the start. The story line shifts back and forth from one time period and location; Toronto in the 1960s and beyond; to another: starting in Eastern Europe in the mid 1940s and moving forward. This could be jarring and dissonant but the author writes in such a way that the story moves seamlessly between periods and locales until they eventually meet up in time and place. The characters are so well written that the reader will feel as though these are people she knows. I could not put the book down until I finished it. Looking forward to the author's next novel.
August 1, 2017
Come Back for Me is one of those books that you swallow up whole, in one or two sessions at most. Sharon Hart-Green uses vivid imagery to paint a sweeping, engaging story from beginning to end. You root for the characters and wait with great anticipation for their lives to intertwine. This is a beautiful, unique take on a complex and complicated genre that will leave you wanting for more.
April 30, 2018
Sharon Hart-Green's writing easily captures human pain & emotional bankruptcy in her characters. Past and "present" are shared in an important way as the reader moves between different time periods and wildly different settings. We ride an emotional roller coaster as we move through the book's pages with each of the characters.
The history of a people is depicted in fine detail: early Israel especially was such a visual for me...I could see the scenery right before my eyes.
Well done, Sharon! Anticipating a sequel. :)
The history of a people is depicted in fine detail: early Israel especially was such a visual for me...I could see the scenery right before my eyes.
Well done, Sharon! Anticipating a sequel. :)
June 30, 2017
I consider myself extremely fortunate to have been approached by author Sharon Hart-Green to receive a copy of her first novel Come Back for Me in exchange for an honest review. As soon as I received it and started reading it I was hooked. Come Back for Me is by far one of my most favorite books. I haven't read a book in a long time that played on every one of my emotions as this book did. Applause for Sharon Hart-Green for Come Back for Me and for many new novels I hope she plans to write.
Come Back for Me tells the stories of a young Hungarian Holocaust survivor, Artur Mandelkorn and Suzy Kohn, an impressionable Jewish teenage girl living in Toronto, Canada during the 1960's. We learn about Artur and Suzy as the novel alternates between the two time periods. When the reader first meets Artur he is fourteen years old. His family had been hiding from the Nazis but they were no longer safe. Artur's parents encourage his younger sister Manya and Artur to escape from their small village as the Nazi take over and hiding becomes more difficult . Their parents, baby sister, Kati and older brother, Karl decide to stay and take their chances finding a new hiding place in the village. Artur and Manya run and find shelter in old barns. Afraid to stay in one place too long they seek out new places almost daily, venturing out only at night so not to be seen easily. One evening they come to an inn and notice potato peels on the porch. The two are so hungry that they become determined to steal a few scraps. However,the owners of the Inn, Ferko and Ana Papp, discover them but instead of turning them over to the Germans they decide to make them their children. Ferko tells his neighbors that Artur and Manya were the children of Ana's sister who had died. Everything would have been fine and safe for Artur and Manya but a visitor was coming that Ana knew from childhood. The visitor knew that Ana did not have a sister so Artur's and Manya's safety was at risk again. All four of them leave the village before sunrise. They board a train but on the way German soldiers questioned them. This was the beginning of Artur's nightmare. He and Manya are separated. She is put on a train with women and he with men. As she is pushed into the train Artur hears Manya scream,"Come back for me." From that frightful day, Artur never gives up hope trying to find Manya.
Suzy's story begins as she learns about her Uncle Charles' death. Uncle Charles and Aunt Bella, her father's sister, live close by to Suzy and her family. Suzy was quite close to both Uncle Charles and Aunt Bella and had a very special relationship with both of them. Suzy was away at sleep-away camp when Uncle Charles, only 39 years old, dies. She has a hard time forgiving her family for not bringing her home for his funeral. I can relate to that. My maternal grandmother passed away when I was a freshman in college. I was on a vacation with my college friends when she actually died. My parents felt that they did not want to ruin my vacation and decided not to bring me back for her funeral. I know that they wanted to protect me but I had such strong feelings for my grandmoter and I felt almost guilty not being at her funeral. Based on my experience, I felt sorry for Suzy that she did not have the chance to say good-bye to her uncle. The circumstances of Uncle Charles' death places a rift between Suzy and her parents. Aunt Bella goes into a deep depression and is no longer the vibrant person she once was. The reader watches Suzy grow up and come to terms with the girl she was and the woman she is becoming.
Artur's story and Suzy's do come together and come to make sense. I cried, I laughed, I felt hope and despair. Sharon Hart-Green is an excellent story teller. I couldn't wait to read more and was almost disappointed when I finished reading the novel because I did not want it to end. I can see a sequel or maybe several sequels to Come Back for Me. I hope Sharon Hart-Green does too. I can't wait to read her next book. I would recommend this book very highly.
Come Back for Me tells the stories of a young Hungarian Holocaust survivor, Artur Mandelkorn and Suzy Kohn, an impressionable Jewish teenage girl living in Toronto, Canada during the 1960's. We learn about Artur and Suzy as the novel alternates between the two time periods. When the reader first meets Artur he is fourteen years old. His family had been hiding from the Nazis but they were no longer safe. Artur's parents encourage his younger sister Manya and Artur to escape from their small village as the Nazi take over and hiding becomes more difficult . Their parents, baby sister, Kati and older brother, Karl decide to stay and take their chances finding a new hiding place in the village. Artur and Manya run and find shelter in old barns. Afraid to stay in one place too long they seek out new places almost daily, venturing out only at night so not to be seen easily. One evening they come to an inn and notice potato peels on the porch. The two are so hungry that they become determined to steal a few scraps. However,the owners of the Inn, Ferko and Ana Papp, discover them but instead of turning them over to the Germans they decide to make them their children. Ferko tells his neighbors that Artur and Manya were the children of Ana's sister who had died. Everything would have been fine and safe for Artur and Manya but a visitor was coming that Ana knew from childhood. The visitor knew that Ana did not have a sister so Artur's and Manya's safety was at risk again. All four of them leave the village before sunrise. They board a train but on the way German soldiers questioned them. This was the beginning of Artur's nightmare. He and Manya are separated. She is put on a train with women and he with men. As she is pushed into the train Artur hears Manya scream,"Come back for me." From that frightful day, Artur never gives up hope trying to find Manya.
Suzy's story begins as she learns about her Uncle Charles' death. Uncle Charles and Aunt Bella, her father's sister, live close by to Suzy and her family. Suzy was quite close to both Uncle Charles and Aunt Bella and had a very special relationship with both of them. Suzy was away at sleep-away camp when Uncle Charles, only 39 years old, dies. She has a hard time forgiving her family for not bringing her home for his funeral. I can relate to that. My maternal grandmother passed away when I was a freshman in college. I was on a vacation with my college friends when she actually died. My parents felt that they did not want to ruin my vacation and decided not to bring me back for her funeral. I know that they wanted to protect me but I had such strong feelings for my grandmoter and I felt almost guilty not being at her funeral. Based on my experience, I felt sorry for Suzy that she did not have the chance to say good-bye to her uncle. The circumstances of Uncle Charles' death places a rift between Suzy and her parents. Aunt Bella goes into a deep depression and is no longer the vibrant person she once was. The reader watches Suzy grow up and come to terms with the girl she was and the woman she is becoming.
Artur's story and Suzy's do come together and come to make sense. I cried, I laughed, I felt hope and despair. Sharon Hart-Green is an excellent story teller. I couldn't wait to read more and was almost disappointed when I finished reading the novel because I did not want it to end. I can see a sequel or maybe several sequels to Come Back for Me. I hope Sharon Hart-Green does too. I can't wait to read her next book. I would recommend this book very highly.
June 3, 2017
‘Hope is never lost; it just migrates.’
This is a novel about being Jewish, about loss and survival, and the impact of trauma. It is also about the meaning of family, and the bonds of friendship. There are two major characters, and the story shifts between them. The story moves between the past and present, between memories and hopes.
Artur Mandelkorn is a young Hungarian Holocaust survivor. He searches for the other members of his family, particularly for his sister Manya. When he became separated from her, she calls ‘Come back for me.’ Artur’s search takes him, somewhat reluctantly at first, to Israel.
Suzy Kohn is a teenager living in Toronto. The sudden death of her uncle has a huge impact on her family. Suzy drifts into a relationship, but comes to realise that something is missing.
As the novel shifts between Artur and Suzy, two quite different stories unfold. I admit that I was most caught up by Artur’s story, hoping that he could find his sister, hoping that he could find a path for himself. At first, Suzy’s story distracted me but I came to recognise her dislocation, her search for place and meaning. And then … well, you’ll need to read it for yourself. I’d hate to inadvertently spoil the impact of this novel on a first-time reader.
I finished the novel, wanting more. Knowing the past, wanting a clearer view of the future for Artur and for Suzy.
Note: I was offered, and accepted, a free electronic copy of this novel for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
This is a novel about being Jewish, about loss and survival, and the impact of trauma. It is also about the meaning of family, and the bonds of friendship. There are two major characters, and the story shifts between them. The story moves between the past and present, between memories and hopes.
Artur Mandelkorn is a young Hungarian Holocaust survivor. He searches for the other members of his family, particularly for his sister Manya. When he became separated from her, she calls ‘Come back for me.’ Artur’s search takes him, somewhat reluctantly at first, to Israel.
Suzy Kohn is a teenager living in Toronto. The sudden death of her uncle has a huge impact on her family. Suzy drifts into a relationship, but comes to realise that something is missing.
As the novel shifts between Artur and Suzy, two quite different stories unfold. I admit that I was most caught up by Artur’s story, hoping that he could find his sister, hoping that he could find a path for himself. At first, Suzy’s story distracted me but I came to recognise her dislocation, her search for place and meaning. And then … well, you’ll need to read it for yourself. I’d hate to inadvertently spoil the impact of this novel on a first-time reader.
I finished the novel, wanting more. Knowing the past, wanting a clearer view of the future for Artur and for Suzy.
Note: I was offered, and accepted, a free electronic copy of this novel for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
February 29, 2020
A beautiful read! Pain, hope, love, and desire to live life all come together in this masterful portrait of two lives on opposite sides of the world with an amazing story. Artur and Suzy will not easily be forgotten.
September 9, 2019
A brilliantly written story that has you 'binge' reading to discover if and how the protagonists ,who the author has so masterly portrayed , achieve their goal /telos.
January 10, 2018
Come Back for Me is a beautiful story, beautifully written. I finished it yesterday, and I haven't stopped thinking of it since. I particularly loved how Jewish philosophy on life, death, and suffering is woven into the voices of the characters, and how the various characters are portrayed with a brilliant level of compassion and kindness.
I highly recommend this to anyone who is looking to read an insightful and uplifting book.
I highly recommend this to anyone who is looking to read an insightful and uplifting book.
October 21, 2017
I enjoyed this book immensely. The story went back and forth in time from the mid-40’s with a young Jewish Hungarian man, Artur, to the mid 60’s with Jewish girl, Suzy in Toronto. I enjoyed seeing how the author described the 2 settings of early Israel and the events of the 60’s in America. There are not many books that address Jewish identity in the diaspora (or lack thereof) during the 60’s. I couldn’t put it down because I wanted to see how the characters were connected. I recommend this book.
June 22, 2017
Within this book, you are going to see and feel things, that you may have heard told through stories, and seen on the TV screen by others. Here we will follow Artur Mandelkorn a young Hungarian holocaust survivor who is trying desperately to find his sister.
Artur remains sternly focused on this endeavor, and it leads him into the post war of Israel.
Suzy Kohn is a teen from Toronto, whose usual routine has been ruined by Israel’s war, causing her to lose her Uncle, and tearing her family apart.
After Israel’s six-day long war, Suzy and Artur’s paths cross, and the two are compelled to share their stories with one another.
Artur continues his search for his sister, now with Suzy by his side. Together, Artur and Suzy share their losses, and stories, and feelings, and eventually find that they have more in common than they thought.
Artur and Suzy start building on a friendship that unexpectedly turns into romance. The two share their loss, traumatic experiences, memories, and even Jewish ties, and realize that above all, it is family that weaves everything together.
I found this book to be truly exciting and even eye opening. I have never read a book that was anything like this. It was a new experience for me, to read something with a Jewish insight, and I truly found it enlightening, to say the least. I give this book five beautiful stars, and look forward to reading more books by this author in the future!
Artur remains sternly focused on this endeavor, and it leads him into the post war of Israel.
Suzy Kohn is a teen from Toronto, whose usual routine has been ruined by Israel’s war, causing her to lose her Uncle, and tearing her family apart.
After Israel’s six-day long war, Suzy and Artur’s paths cross, and the two are compelled to share their stories with one another.
Artur continues his search for his sister, now with Suzy by his side. Together, Artur and Suzy share their losses, and stories, and feelings, and eventually find that they have more in common than they thought.
Artur and Suzy start building on a friendship that unexpectedly turns into romance. The two share their loss, traumatic experiences, memories, and even Jewish ties, and realize that above all, it is family that weaves everything together.
I found this book to be truly exciting and even eye opening. I have never read a book that was anything like this. It was a new experience for me, to read something with a Jewish insight, and I truly found it enlightening, to say the least. I give this book five beautiful stars, and look forward to reading more books by this author in the future!
December 9, 2017
RECOMMENDED: Come Back For Me is an unusual and unforgettable book, a narrative of generational trauma and generational healing, an old-fashioned fable complete with plot convolutions and recognition tokens. It's sad story, even unbearably so at times, but not a depressing book. The two narrators, a WW2 survivor and a young girl growing up in late 60s Toronto, are convincingly portrayed, and the two narrative threads and time frames are deftly woven together, with a conclusion that satisfies. Sharon Hart-Green's narrative style is also a pleasure -- unobtrusive and authentic to each of the two main story lines. The scope of the book and author's handling of the theme of retrieving the past reminds me of books like Wuthering Heights, where it takes two or three generations for a family to rise up and for its members once again to begin to live. And like a lot of 19th century novels, the novel spends the time necessary to tell an engrossing story. Come Back For Me is a consummate act of storytelling that quietly steals over you as you read.
December 10, 2017
I have avoided most Holocaust-related fiction because I felt it might be too overwhelmingly depressing. But Sharon Hart-Green's debut novel manages to strike just the right balance of realistic, tragic drama with an underlying spirit of hopefulness.
The author runs two simultaneous plot lines -- one involving the teenaged Suzy Kohn of Toronto in the late 1960's; the other the Holocaust victim Artur Mandlekorn. Separated from his 14-year-old sister, Manya, in a labor camp, Artur devotes much of his energy and pins most of his life's hopes on finding her alive after the war, refusing to believe she might have died. The reader knows that somehow, his story will converge with the drama in Suzy's family, where an aunt suffers a clinical depression after the death of her husband, who was a survivor. Suzy's indifferent relationship with her Judaism will also be challenged as her life connects with Artur, as well as by her growing discovery in college that her religious/spiritual identity matters.
This story also explores the psychological trauma of Holocaust survivors, not only directly but also into the next generation. Succinctly but effectively, the author shows the impact of this trauma on survivors living in the newly born State of Israel, coping with some of their neuroses and fears, adding to the complexity of a new society born of hope and devastation.
This was a gripping read, expertly done, and leads to a very satisfying conclusion that is both hopeful and also realistic.
The author runs two simultaneous plot lines -- one involving the teenaged Suzy Kohn of Toronto in the late 1960's; the other the Holocaust victim Artur Mandlekorn. Separated from his 14-year-old sister, Manya, in a labor camp, Artur devotes much of his energy and pins most of his life's hopes on finding her alive after the war, refusing to believe she might have died. The reader knows that somehow, his story will converge with the drama in Suzy's family, where an aunt suffers a clinical depression after the death of her husband, who was a survivor. Suzy's indifferent relationship with her Judaism will also be challenged as her life connects with Artur, as well as by her growing discovery in college that her religious/spiritual identity matters.
This story also explores the psychological trauma of Holocaust survivors, not only directly but also into the next generation. Succinctly but effectively, the author shows the impact of this trauma on survivors living in the newly born State of Israel, coping with some of their neuroses and fears, adding to the complexity of a new society born of hope and devastation.
This was a gripping read, expertly done, and leads to a very satisfying conclusion that is both hopeful and also realistic.
October 29, 2017
I have read many novels about the Holocaust. I've even written one myself. Sharon Hart's Green novel touched me deeply. Her ability to grab the reader to invest themselves in a book is extraordinary. I, too, was compelled to keep reading about Artur and Fanny. Yes, there is sadness for anyone who went through the experience of being in Europe in the 1940s; however, there is also a journey of hope the author takes us on by sharing Israel. I don't want to reveal too much, yet I will not forget the wrenching tragedy of separation and loss. Her ability to take us into a teenager's world in the late 60s gives the reader a chance to breathe. Suzy is like many of us trying to figure out Jewish identity. It's a complex puzzle that Hart-Green deals with well. Family secrets invaded many homes who suffered consequences during WWll. Why bring it up? Bury it! The secrets revealed enhanced the story and pushed the narration forward. It's a tight, well-written novel. I recommend it highly because there is hope.
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April 20, 2020
I have been working on obtaining books that have been on my to read list for a few years. Some I can borrow from my public library, others I inter loan (although not now during the pandemic lock down.) As not all books are available, I sometimes eliminate titles as there are so many more to take their place. This book seemed so compelling to me, and as it was published in Canada, did not make it to my library system, so I bought it.
What a magnificent novel. Dual stories that converge in a meaningful way through beautiful prose and characters, and a story line that is painful and redemptive. It is a realistic exploration of Holocaust era loss and the resultant toll on survivors.
What a magnificent novel. Dual stories that converge in a meaningful way through beautiful prose and characters, and a story line that is painful and redemptive. It is a realistic exploration of Holocaust era loss and the resultant toll on survivors.
February 15, 2020
This poignant, beautifully-written saga floored me with its vivid depiction of Hungarians struggling to survive during the Holocaust as well as of life in the burgeoning state of Israel and, later, in Toronto. It had me in tears more than once. All the way through, I kept wondering how the stories of the two main protagonists would intersect and, sure enough, the author cleverly knit them together at the end in a logical and satisfying way. Highly recommended not only as an enjoyable read but for its historical value.
March 5, 2018
I really enjoyed this heart-warming story. The characters were portrayed in depth & one could identify with the painful dilemmas each was faced with. The book is written as 2 narratives being told by 2 different people in different parts of the world who lived many years apart; yet, I could tell from the start that there was a connection & I could hardly wait to find out what it was. It was an exciting read & I would recommend it highly. I bought several copies to give to members of my family & friends.
Dr Robert Libman
Dr Robert Libman
March 4, 2018
This book was a pleasure to read from beginning to end. I loved that it moved between Israel and Canada (two of my favourite countries) and also from worn torn Europe to current times. The story was told through the honest and sweet emotions of characters who I could relate to. It was a great read.
December 8, 2017
A stirring tale of loss, memory and the power of love. ‘Come Back For Me’ (The New Jewish Press) by esteemed Jewish scholar Sharon Hart-Green relates the story of two parallel lives that must inevitably collide: Hungarian Holocaust survivor Artur Mandelkorn who desperately seeks his beloved sister Manya and teen-aged Suzy Kohn who struggles with the secrecy that shrouds her past and Hungarian- Jewish origins. This debut novel packs a powerful punch for all readers- leading us all on a meaningful journey of reflection.
February 9, 2018
Hart-Green's novel begins with two teenagers decades apart. One struggles with the Shoah and its aftereffects; the other is growing up in Toronto during the turbulent 1960s. This short novel has a big heart and reveals how the Holocaust transformed families long after the war.
For my complete review, see https://jewishhomela.com/2018/02/09/b...
For my complete review, see https://jewishhomela.com/2018/02/09/b...
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