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Grandma Rachel's Ghosts
A Jewish Fantasy Story
Can the dead speak to us? And if they can, will we listen?
Jacob was five the first time he saw them, the two strange women in Grandma Rachel's kitchen. They appeared suddenly, from thin air.
It was summer and scorching hot, but the two women wore old-fashioned heavy winter dresses. They spoke with an accent like Grandma, from a land far away.
They had stories to tell. Nice stories that Jacob loved hearing, and awful, painful stories that made him cover his ears.
Now, years have passed and Grandma Rachel is dying. Will Jacob finally be able to listen to what the ghosts have to tell him before it's too late?
You will love Grandma Rachel's Ghosts because it is a Jewish fantasy story about love, family, loss, and the connection between past, present, and future.
Can the dead speak to us? And if they can, will we listen?
Jacob was five the first time he saw them, the two strange women in Grandma Rachel's kitchen. They appeared suddenly, from thin air.
It was summer and scorching hot, but the two women wore old-fashioned heavy winter dresses. They spoke with an accent like Grandma, from a land far away.
They had stories to tell. Nice stories that Jacob loved hearing, and awful, painful stories that made him cover his ears.
Now, years have passed and Grandma Rachel is dying. Will Jacob finally be able to listen to what the ghosts have to tell him before it's too late?
You will love Grandma Rachel's Ghosts because it is a Jewish fantasy story about love, family, loss, and the connection between past, present, and future.
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 15, 2017
16 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Dunsky
20 books213 followersJonathan Dunsky is the author of eight crime novels, seven of which -- Ten Years Gone, The Dead Sister, The Auschwitz Violinist, A Debt of Death, A Deadly Act, The Auschwitz Detective, and A Death in Jerusalem -- are mysteries taking place in the early days of the State of Israel and featuring private investigator Adam Lapid, a holocaust survivor and former soldier and Nazi hunter. He has also published a standalone thriller called The Payback Girl and a number of short stories in various genres.
Born in Israel, he served for four years in the Israeli Army. After his military service he worked as a team leader in various high-tech firms, ran his own Search Engine Optimization business, and lectured in the faculty of Business Management in Tel Aviv University. He holds a degree in computer sciences and business. He's lived for several years in Europe and currently resides in Israel with his wife and two sons.
You can contact him at http://jonathandunsky.com/contact/
Born in Israel, he served for four years in the Israeli Army. After his military service he worked as a team leader in various high-tech firms, ran his own Search Engine Optimization business, and lectured in the faculty of Business Management in Tel Aviv University. He holds a degree in computer sciences and business. He's lived for several years in Europe and currently resides in Israel with his wife and two sons.
You can contact him at http://jonathandunsky.com/contact/
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 29, 2021
Having read all of the books this author wrote, I wasn't aware he wrote short stories as well.
This book was one of them.
Twenty-five pages tells us stories of Jacob at five years old, first meeting his grandmothers two sisters long after they were killed in the Holocaust.
He has now come home to be with Rachel before she passes away, and is also dealing with his mother
grief. Jacob has never shared any of this information with his mother. Why? His mother never wanted to hear anything about her mothers past.
Jonathan Dunsky writes from heart. His Adam Lapid novels and others are wonderful.
This book was one of them.
Twenty-five pages tells us stories of Jacob at five years old, first meeting his grandmothers two sisters long after they were killed in the Holocaust.
He has now come home to be with Rachel before she passes away, and is also dealing with his mother
grief. Jacob has never shared any of this information with his mother. Why? His mother never wanted to hear anything about her mothers past.
Jonathan Dunsky writes from heart. His Adam Lapid novels and others are wonderful.
July 5, 2019
It says kindle edition but I have a paperback edition
As a child Jacob sees 2 strange women in Grandma Rachel's kitchen - he doesn't know they are ghosts. He loves listening to their stories
As year past and Grandma Rachel is getting older - Jacob worries about her being gone
As a child Jacob sees 2 strange women in Grandma Rachel's kitchen - he doesn't know they are ghosts. He loves listening to their stories
As year past and Grandma Rachel is getting older - Jacob worries about her being gone
February 10, 2021
Lovely
This was the best of all of his. I read them all and this is my favorite. I wish I could still see and talk to my grandma.
This was the best of all of his. I read them all and this is my favorite. I wish I could still see and talk to my grandma.
June 19, 2023
Could see this being a book discussion with rugalech
August 17, 2020
Wonderful Story
I love this book. The stoke my heart. I was Nursing home nurse who felt that so called confused pAtients felt safer and loved in their memories.
I love this book. The stoke my heart. I was Nursing home nurse who felt that so called confused pAtients felt safer and loved in their memories.
June 17, 2024
Because of the Rugelach
Okay, I probably would have just left the five star review and not elaborated but a little bit of the ghosts wore off on me (literally - see below)....
This beautiful little story is the recollection of a small boy (of five) seeing his Grandma Rachel's sisters for the first time (and then many times over the years). His grandmother Rachel speaks to them often and she was surprised when her grandson, the narrator, asks questions about their conversations. Realizing that her grandson can see and hear her sisters (who died in the Holocaust) as clearly as she does, a strong bond develops between the four of them. The dialogue continues over the years until Grandma Rachel lay dying on her hospital bed. I admit that I got choked up a couple of times while reading, but I tend to get emotional when I read, especially these types of stories.
But the real reason I am writing this is because of the rugelach - Dunsky writes with passion about the rugelach (also in his book Ten Years Gone). He writes about his Grandma kneading and rolling up the doughy treats, the sour cream, the cinnamon, the raisins, the aroma of freshly baked... His descriptions of rugelach make my mouth water and sound even better than my own. But the thing is, that when I finished the story, the tips of my fingers wafted faintly of cinnamon. I swear to you that I am not kidding. I checked several times to convince myself that it was not my imagination, and it was not!
This story and Dunsky's books are not easy to find in libraries, but if your library subscribes, they are all available on Hoopla!
Okay, I probably would have just left the five star review and not elaborated but a little bit of the ghosts wore off on me (literally - see below)....
This beautiful little story is the recollection of a small boy (of five) seeing his Grandma Rachel's sisters for the first time (and then many times over the years). His grandmother Rachel speaks to them often and she was surprised when her grandson, the narrator, asks questions about their conversations. Realizing that her grandson can see and hear her sisters (who died in the Holocaust) as clearly as she does, a strong bond develops between the four of them. The dialogue continues over the years until Grandma Rachel lay dying on her hospital bed. I admit that I got choked up a couple of times while reading, but I tend to get emotional when I read, especially these types of stories.
But the real reason I am writing this is because of the rugelach - Dunsky writes with passion about the rugelach (also in his book Ten Years Gone). He writes about his Grandma kneading and rolling up the doughy treats, the sour cream, the cinnamon, the raisins, the aroma of freshly baked... His descriptions of rugelach make my mouth water and sound even better than my own. But the thing is, that when I finished the story, the tips of my fingers wafted faintly of cinnamon. I swear to you that I am not kidding. I checked several times to convince myself that it was not my imagination, and it was not!
This story and Dunsky's books are not easy to find in libraries, but if your library subscribes, they are all available on Hoopla!
August 4, 2021
A ghost story that will touch your heart
Only Jacob and his grandmother can see the ghosts. Only the two of them can hear the stories the ghosts tell. Jacob’s mother can’t or won’t see them. This beautiful ghost story reminds us of the importance of listening to our family history before it is too late.
Only Jacob and his grandmother can see the ghosts. Only the two of them can hear the stories the ghosts tell. Jacob’s mother can’t or won’t see them. This beautiful ghost story reminds us of the importance of listening to our family history before it is too late.
March 11, 2021
We must never forget!
This is a wonderful way to keep the memory alive of those who were lost during the Holocaust. It's far gentler than many memoirs while bringing a necessary truth into today's growing skepticism of our well-documented past.
This is a wonderful way to keep the memory alive of those who were lost during the Holocaust. It's far gentler than many memoirs while bringing a necessary truth into today's growing skepticism of our well-documented past.
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March 19, 2021Disappointed
I am a true fan of Mr. Dunsky. I was eager to start this book. Perhaps I missed something, but did not enjoy the read. Look forward to reading other books from Mr. Dunsky.
I am a true fan of Mr. Dunsky. I was eager to start this book. Perhaps I missed something, but did not enjoy the read. Look forward to reading other books from Mr. Dunsky.
February 26, 2024
Short stiry
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews