Mendelevski's Box: A heartwarming and heartbreaking Jewish survivor's journey

by Roger Swindells

He survived Auschwitz but now Simon Mendelevski has to find out who betrayed his family

September 1945. Auschwitz survivor Simon Mendelevski, penniless and unkempt, returns to Amsterdam in a desperate search for his family, friends and neighbours.

Simon meets two Dutch women, both of whom have also suffered. One, known to him before the war, is anxious to make amends for what she perceives as a failure by her fellow citizens to protect the Jewish population while easing the pain of her own loss. The other arrived in the city after the bombing of Rotterdam in May 1940 during which she lost a limb.

He searches for the address where he and his Jewish family were hidden prior to their arrest by the Nazis for anything tangible connected to his family, and for whoever betrayed them. Only after finding answers can he start to rebuild his life.

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Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, World War II, War, Holocaust, Ebooks

350 pages, Paperback

Published February 26, 2019

About the author

Roger Swindells was born and brought up in Grimsby in Lincolnshire moving to Ipswich Suffolk with his job as an officer of H.M.Customs and Excise before retiring after 37 years service.
Married to Lyn, a retired nurse, they have a son Matthew and two grand-daughters. He is an accomplished philatelist and life long fan of Grimsby Town FC , 'The Mariners'.
An avid student of 20th century Dutch history he always flirted with the idea of writing a Dutch based novel.
Following endless encouragement from his sister-in-law Sandra, a forty year love affair with The Netherlands in general and Amsterdam in particular and the discovery in the Dutch press of a story about a box of personal possessions found hidden in an Amsterdam house since WWII, he was inspired to write his first book, Mendelevski's Box winner of the bronze medal in the historical fiction genre in the prestigeous Readers Favourite 2020 competition

Reviews

[Johnny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not being an Auschwitz survivor (Thank God!) nor a resident of Amsterdam in post-WWII, I honestly don’t know how realistic Mendelevski’s Box actually is. However, as a consumer of historical fiction, I can tell potential readers that Mendelevski’s Box seems right. Though it is fiction, it was inspired by a suitcase (as opposed to a box) left behind in one of the hiding places for Jews when its owners were shipped to the camps. It is clear that Roger Swindells has done his homework.

The main characters have all experienced significant loss. Simon Mendelevski, the protagonist, lost his family, years of his life, real estate, his medical career, his identity as a practicing Jew. Grietje, who seems to be Simon’s benefactress due to some altruistic intention, has lost husband and sons. Maaike, one of Grietje’s hard-working lodgers, has lost family and a leg. At least, all three assume that they have lost everyone.

To be honest, I don’t know exactly what I was expecting. As with In a Field of Blue, a novel of post-WWII tragedy and adjustment set in Australia, what appeared to be something of a mystery forming a foundation for a very emotional story, Mendelevski’s Box appears early on to be more of a “romance novel” than “mystery.” I started reading Mendelevski’s Box to find out what was in the box, hidden at great cost and coming to Simon at great cost. Yet, I found myself caught up in a romantic triangle between Grietje, Simon, and Maaike. During the early section of the book, we become suspicious that Grietje has befriended for a motive beyond altruism. Indeed, there proves to be two motivations, both telegraphed early in the book.

Mendelevski’s Box is more than a mystery; it is a novel of creative survival. Simon is a naïve, idealistic, innocent, virgin. He is obsessed with finding the person who betrayed his family. He uncovers tales of collaborators and black marketeers. It is a time where the poorer Amsterdam residents often hunted for wood to burn in abandoned houses. It is a time when returning survivors of the camps found their former houses occupied by Dutch families. Worse, at any point they tried to reclaim those houses, even the post-war government was more concerned about collecting back-taxes from the Jews than helping them get their rightful property back.

Simon clearly needs a friendly native guide to lead him through the twisting circumstances and complicated rituals of regaining identity, establishing a bank account, attempting to recover his property without immediately having it confiscated as black market profit, and, if possible, finding the one who betrayed his family. Jos, the tavern owner who originally hired Maaike and now, takes a chance on Simon, proves to be Simon’s mediator in the shadow world of murky dealings and with people who may or may not be trusted. And Jos proves to be a vital lynchpin in Simon’s reintegration process.

Mendelevski’s Box hit me harder emotionally than In a Field of Blue. Swindell’s foreward notes that Jews shipped to the camps from the Netherlands had the lowest survival rate of any of the Jewish populations in Europe. Then, to see the shabby way they were treated upon their attempted re-entry into “normal” (or, at least, “normalizing”) society was incredibly sad. Yet, Mendelevski’s Box is about facing up to the odds which stand against one. The novel is about guilt. The novel is about the roots of place and family. And, fortunately for the reader, the novel contains “some” wins and “some” aspects about which it is hard to feel good.

At first, I thought Mendelevski’s Box seemed like it was going to have a plodding pace. Soon, I discovered that if things moved any faster, I wouldn’t be able to take in the full atmosphere and absorb the significant risk involved in portions of the story. Since I can’t think of one thing I would change in the novel (yes, a rarity indeed for such an opinionated individual), I must give it the full five (5) stars.

[Maisie Swindells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Could not put down

Absolutely amazing book written by my grandad

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

In September, 1945, Simon Mendelevski returns to his home in the Netherlands from his years in Auschwitz. He left his home as a teenage boy and now returns as a young man who has seen the worst that life has to offer. He is hoping to find his parents and his young sister when he returns home but found almost no Jewish people left in Amsterdam. He is emaciated and is beginning to lose hope when he runs into the woman who used to clean his father's factory. She takes him in and helps him get back on his feet while he continues his search to find out who betrayed his family when they were in hiding and to find any friends, relatives or neighbors left in Amsterdam.

At the end of the war, only 18 of the 34,000 Dutch Jews who were sent to Sobibor returned after the war. Many of the Dutch citizens felt guilty and very sorry for the survivors who came back to Amsterdam and tried to help where they could. However, there was still a strong feeling of anti-antisemitism among many people. The hatred that remained made it very difficult for Simon to try to get information about his family. Despite this being a book about a horrendous time in world history, I had a feeling of hope at the end as Simon struggles to re-build his life.

I highly recommend this book for the look at the lives of the concentration camp survivors at the end of the war as they returned to their homes. The author did tremendous research to make this story real and excellent writing skills to make the characters come alive.

Thanks to the author for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.

[May · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book. But I am left feeling and wanting a deeper description of the abysmal conditions Jews returning home to Amsterdam after release from the camps must have felt. Also, Simon is naive and too trusting. I found myself mentally cautioning him... careful, careful, you do not know Jos, or the lawyer, or ... well enough!!
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4⭐️

Sue & Johnny have written excellent reviews. I encourage you to read those for better insights & details.

[Martin Croucher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for insight into life in 1945, transition, from prisoner to free man, but still a Jew.

Simon Mendelevski's story is a composite experience which could have been that of any Holocaust survivor returning from one nightmare into that of surviving & rebuilding from nothing. His experiences in 1945 must resonate with many. The book becomes an educational tool; an exciting page-turner as the reader travels with Simon through his days from September to November 1945.

The characters are well drawn from bar-owner Jos, to Grietje & Maaike, all damaged by war yet capable of humanity which brings hope to the whirling malestrom of life in Amsterdam after being under Nazi domination.

There is the feeling of not knowing who is who . Simon's discovery of his late father's box reveals just how Avriel Mandelevski was determined to leave something behind which indeed enables Simon to move forward.

Simon's family were betrayed. His search completed, it is those who have become closest to him bring about rough justice.

The book is written in the language of an innocent who has to re-evaluate everything.

Thank you to Roger Swindells for enabling his readers to explore this period through the urgency of Simon's voice.

[Mokum Lover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb storyline with twists and turns set against world events of Autumn 1945 in an atmospheric Amsterdam struggling to recover from Nazi occupation. Every character is in some way trying to rebuild his or her life. A story of betrayal, jealousy and love which keeps the reader thinking from the first paragraph to the very last when the final twists are revealed. Strong and completely believable characters placed in an area of Amsterdam clearly well known to the author at a time in history which has been outstandingly researched. Highly recommended

[Sybil Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I really enjoyed this book. I love World War II books and this was a little different than the ones I usually read. This is about a Jewish boy who with his father, mother and little sister were transported to a death camp. He was the only one who survived and he returns to his home town after the war. He is looking for the person who told the Nazis where his family was hiding. I thought it was a very good book.

[Judith Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A page turner

Starting with a time after liberation the author tells the story of a survivor returning to Amsterdam. With all that survivors experienced in the death camps they still had an uphill fight upon returning home..
The author shows us that there is good and bad in all his characters. Couldn't put it down.

[Grant Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful characters!

I truly loved getting to know the characters in this story. They are flawed and real and honorable. There's intrigue, hate and love, despair and hope and enough twists and turns to keep you reading until the end.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bitter truths for survivor when he returns home after imprisonment during WWII.
The majority of recent books covering Jewish survivors are centered in Germany whereas this one takes us to The Netherlands.


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[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing story

A bit different than other ww2 stories, but just as interesting. This one is told by a survivor and how he rebuilds his life. A cast of characters who have their own stories and difficulties to deal with and how they help each other.

[Terri Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating

There. Are so many stories to hear and read about the times after ww2. It warms my heart to hear of the kindness and chills me to the bone to realize the horrors.

[Sheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting

The characters were so well developed. I cried with Simon and celebrated his new life. The suffering and resilience of the human spirit at its finest

[dorothy cannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent narrative

This book tackles the issue of what happened to the jews after the war .
A very informative book on Something I have never thought about.
A riviting read

[Rosanna Bird · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended by a family friend. Although it is not the usual genre that I would select, I must admit I thoroughly enjoyed being transported into the world of Simon Mendelevski and the other characters he meets on his journey. The descriptions of the places and characters are so vivid that you feel like you are there living the story. There is a combination of sadness, intrigue, romance and humour within this novel, which adds to its appeal. The historical facts and details in the book indicate that the author has an in depth knowledge of this historical period. I would highly recommend this book, as I found it captivating.

[Diane Tenorio · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story line of this book is intriguing but the writing is pedestrian. Conversations between the characters comes straight out of a comic book. There's no depth, no feelings, and very little imagery. This subject is one of the world's most atrocious acts. This author can t get past mundane conversations with his characters. Don't bother with it.

[John Krause · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mysterious Box

This was a difficult book to read,At first,I was put off by the foreign Dutch names and places.I gave up but continued to return.It proved to be a first rate detail of post WW II life.

[DOUG BELVILLE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertained while learning

A great story that grabs the reader and educates, informs and holds their attention throughout. Took a chance on this one and was very pleased with my decision to give it a go.

[Sharon Pheasant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept interest through out. Always waiting for Jos to turn on Simon, surprise he never did!

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling read

Compelling read and hard to put down! Believable characters. Highlights the deaths of Jews, the stealing of wealth, jewelry, artwork, and furniture and furnishings.

[Mary Bridges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was different to read about how Simon and Maaike were rebuilding their lives. How difficult that would have been.

[tom burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please make it a movie

A gripping novel with an unsolved mystery at the end. As a historical novel it's definitely up there with the best

[R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific read

Really enjoyed this book
It was emotionally gripping
It was well written
And I had a very hard time putting it down

[Barry Dawes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Survival

Fantastic read telling of survival after the war and what jews who servived had to endure to start to live again.

[Bandit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apparently there’s a publishing company specializing in WWII fiction and nonfiction written by or from the perspective off the concentration camp survivors. I didn’t know about it, only learned about it in the afterword. I selected this book because I’m interested in that era, I’ve read and watched so much about WWII, but despite having some knowledge of Dutch role and fate during the war, wasn’t familiar with post war Amsterdam. The author, a Dutch scholar, does a very good job of bringing the era to life in his writing, the privation, the effort to establish some normality, to live again without fear. The main protagonist, much like Amsterdam itself, has to learn all this. Simon is the only survivor, his entire family was killed in the camps, he went in as a teen from a well to do family of a famous watchmaker, he came out five years later a shadow of a man, too old for his 21 years in some ways, but also greatly inexperienced in many others. Simon’s taking in by his family’s former maid, he then befriends a neighbor girl, who helps him get a job with what appears to be the world’s greatest boss, who in turn helps Simon track down a family treasure left behind by his family, the eponymous Mendelevski’s box. A life changing sort of a find, which does indeed end up changing lives of Simon and those around him. It’s a nice story and I appreciate it as a work of historical fiction. Dramatic fiction wise it leaves some things to be desired, which is to say at times it does read like a debut that it is, a certain flat aspect to writing, some characters oversimplifications, general lack of complexity in fact whether to do with characters or plot, a certain tendency to overwrite and overexplain, the soliloquy prone dialogues and so on. But overall it was a pretty engaging read with likeable characters and a straightforward narrative. A credible effort, great research and decent enough writing, had the latter met the former, would have been a really good read. But it will grab the readers emotionally, because of the inherent tragedy of the story.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never before read a book about a survivor of Nazi concentration camps set in the time immediately after he was liberated, processed out of temporary governmental custody, and returned to the city from which he’d been taken. This book introduces the reader to Simon who has been back in Amsterdam for only a few weeks following his return from the Sobibor camp. He is a young man, in his very early 20s, and the only survivor of his family; his father, mother, and younger sister all died in the camp. His poverty is complete. He is dressed in raggedy clothing, is close to starving, has no job, has only a few coins, has no shelter, has no idea of how to get help recovering from his losses or rebuilding his life. In this tragic state he is seen and recognized by a woman who was formerly employed in his father’s business, and she becomes the person who shares her meager food and apartment with him while he tries to get healthy, regain some semblance of balance, and craft together a post-war post-camp life.

From that point forward the story is about Simon’s relationships, his courage and good character manifesting itself in many ways, his naïveté, his determination to live again, and his developing sense of how to meld together his past and present and future into a meaningful and productive life. He encounters kind people and scoundrels, he works hard, he falls in love, he learns how to live as a man who’s no longer a pampered boy, and finally he is launched back into life in its fullness.

I have never thought about what it would be like to come back from the concentration camp to the very city one was taken from, to have to meet up with the past in the once familiar buildings and streets from which one’s family, neighbors, and entire community have been erased, while trying to survive and even thrive. This novel tells the painful and ultimately joyful story of one man’s experiences, and it is an interesting, amazing, horrifying, and inspiring tale. It was written simply, in a straightforward manner, with no attempt at drama or a deep psychological plunge into Simon’s inner life. Its subtlety and clarity made it possible fo r me, the reader, to come close to Simon as he journeyed from death to life. It is worth reading.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a little disappointed by this book as the story itself is gripping and chilling as it tells of the aftermath of the Holocaust and the problems the survivors faced on their return home, including trying to prove who they are, what they once owned, and even just continuing to live. And while the characters themselves were well written and the story fairly well written, the dialogue between them felt flat and stilted with little human emotion aside from odd often unexpected flair ups. As much of the story was told through the characters interactions this made for quite an odd read but it is worth sticking with it as the story itself is interesting and is part of the Holocaust history that doesn't really get covered that much.

[Darlene-Marie Slagle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book because the topic is something of which I know very little, the fate of European Jews that survived extermination camps and returned home. This is about a young male Dutch Jew who survived but the rest of his family did not. In the intro, the author states that only 18 of the 34,000 Dutch Jews rounded up survived the war. That is staggering. Although this is a novel, I felt the connection to what had happened. Sobering. Fascism only spawns horror. This book gives our hero a future, but the enormity of the Holocaust was not diminished. Nor should it ever be. Kudos to the author.

[JN Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Post WWII Amsterdam

This is an easy fictional read to learn about Amsterdam after the war and how they treated their Jewish population. I was surprised at the attitude as I had always thought the Dutch to be accepting and liberal. The story line and characters are good. JC

[Mary Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A box of surprises

Fascinating story of a return from Austwich. The challenges faced by survivors. I learnt a lot about the Dutch system which seemed very unhelpful. Great story of love too