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Daria's Secrets
A half century after the Holocaust, Daria Abramson, suffering nightmares of the Lodz ghetto and her time with its infamous ruler, Chaim Rumkowski, turns for help to a sensitive but dogged therapist. During their intense sessions, she lays bare buried memories and faces deep feelings of guilt about the war and the death of her husband. Secrets long held by Daria spill out in fierce succession, revelations disclosed to those she loves most – her daughter, granddaughter, and Ruth, a lifelong friend and fellow survivor. In turn, they expose their own shocking surprises. In Daria’s Secrets, by Jeff Ingber, we travel together with a courageous woman as she attempts to overcome the anguish of the heart’s remembrance, in order to finally live.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 14, 2022
4 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Ingber
9 books56 followersJeff Ingber is a former financial industry executive and current consultant. His writings include novels, screenplays, short stories, and articles. Jeff's first screenplay was the basis for the 2019 film "Crypto" starring Kurt Russell and Alexis Bledel. A previous novel, "Shattered Lives," was made into a documentary film by Mactavish Pictures. A graduate of Queens College and NYU Law School, Jeff lives in New Jersey with his wife.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 10, 2022
I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review, with thanks to Reedsy Discover and the author. This gift has not impacted my review.
Link: https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/dar...
"'Some days,' I announce, 'It seems that death has cheated me, not the other way around.'"
Trigger warning: This book deals with the holocaust, child sexual abuse, murder, infidelity, panic attacks, age differences in relationships and many other dark themes.
Daria Abramson is a mother, a grandmother, a widow and a holocaust survivor. She has lost more in her life on this Earth than many of us can fathom, and now, half a century after her experiences in the Lodz Ghetto and her subsequent stay in an orphanage run by an infamous paedophile, she is seeking therapy at the advice of her lifelong friend Ruth and her daughter, Keren. Daria has been plagued by nightmares. The topics of these nightmares range, some concerning her sister and her parents, who all died during the holocaust, her dead husband, Rumkowski (the leader of the orphanage) and has been struggling with panic attacks. Despite her initial hesitations about therapy, Daria finds herself able to talk and think more about her past, her revelations highlighting her shortcomings in her relationship with her family and ultimately, they enable her to do better as a mother, grandmother and as a friend to Ruth. The secrets revealed throughout this book are hard-hitting and emotive, which are probably adjectives I would use to describe this book as a whole.
Ingber writes Daria as an incredibly strong individual who isn't always aware of her own strength, often placing the blame upon herself for things she may not have been able to control. She struggles throughout this book with being a "good person," wishing she was stronger for her family, and the reader finds themselves invested in her character totally. The dynamic difference between Daria and her daughter Keren, to Daria and her grandchildren, is so clear. The frigid hostility that exists between the mother and daughter for issues not communicated is completely eradicated between the grandmother and grandchildren, something I think is often reflected in the real world. Parents often see their grandchildren as a second chance to do better. I loved reading the moments between Daria and her grandchildren, Melanie and Josh.
"Three things cannot hide for long: the Moon, the Sun and the Truth."
This book ultimately deals with Truth. Secrets that have had their grip on Daria for almost fifty years and as a reader, your heart bleeds for all the characters. For Daria and her loss, for Keren and her difficult marriage, for Ruth and her what-ifs in life. The secrets (which I won't reveal because I urge you to go and read this book) are revealed in such an ordinary, slice of life kind of way. This book could truly be a snapshot of reality with the natural character interactions and relationships depicted. Nothing is perfect, everything can be hard, but life is always worth it. Once again, I'm urging you to pick up this book. The themes are hard, but it is such a well-told story about an incredible individual who you can't help but want something good for in the end.
Link: https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/dar...
"'Some days,' I announce, 'It seems that death has cheated me, not the other way around.'"
Trigger warning: This book deals with the holocaust, child sexual abuse, murder, infidelity, panic attacks, age differences in relationships and many other dark themes.
Daria Abramson is a mother, a grandmother, a widow and a holocaust survivor. She has lost more in her life on this Earth than many of us can fathom, and now, half a century after her experiences in the Lodz Ghetto and her subsequent stay in an orphanage run by an infamous paedophile, she is seeking therapy at the advice of her lifelong friend Ruth and her daughter, Keren. Daria has been plagued by nightmares. The topics of these nightmares range, some concerning her sister and her parents, who all died during the holocaust, her dead husband, Rumkowski (the leader of the orphanage) and has been struggling with panic attacks. Despite her initial hesitations about therapy, Daria finds herself able to talk and think more about her past, her revelations highlighting her shortcomings in her relationship with her family and ultimately, they enable her to do better as a mother, grandmother and as a friend to Ruth. The secrets revealed throughout this book are hard-hitting and emotive, which are probably adjectives I would use to describe this book as a whole.
Ingber writes Daria as an incredibly strong individual who isn't always aware of her own strength, often placing the blame upon herself for things she may not have been able to control. She struggles throughout this book with being a "good person," wishing she was stronger for her family, and the reader finds themselves invested in her character totally. The dynamic difference between Daria and her daughter Keren, to Daria and her grandchildren, is so clear. The frigid hostility that exists between the mother and daughter for issues not communicated is completely eradicated between the grandmother and grandchildren, something I think is often reflected in the real world. Parents often see their grandchildren as a second chance to do better. I loved reading the moments between Daria and her grandchildren, Melanie and Josh.
"Three things cannot hide for long: the Moon, the Sun and the Truth."
This book ultimately deals with Truth. Secrets that have had their grip on Daria for almost fifty years and as a reader, your heart bleeds for all the characters. For Daria and her loss, for Keren and her difficult marriage, for Ruth and her what-ifs in life. The secrets (which I won't reveal because I urge you to go and read this book) are revealed in such an ordinary, slice of life kind of way. This book could truly be a snapshot of reality with the natural character interactions and relationships depicted. Nothing is perfect, everything can be hard, but life is always worth it. Once again, I'm urging you to pick up this book. The themes are hard, but it is such a well-told story about an incredible individual who you can't help but want something good for in the end.
June 10, 2022
Daria’s Secrets by Jeff Ingber tells the story of Daria Abramson, a young girl living a carefree life in Kalisz, Poland, until the war broke out. Then, one summer day, they were all marched out of the ghetto, and she was forcefully separated from her family and taken as a seamstress. Later, she would find out that her loving parents and sister were taken to Chelmno, a killing camp. Now, nearly half a century later, Daria is experiencing nightmares from her past and is trying to heal from the past traumas. Hence, she goes to see doctor Metzger, a therapist who guides her toward healing her past and making a beautiful life for herself. Alongside Metzger, Daria is loved and supported by her daughter Karen, her best friend Ruth, and the visions of Peter, her dead husband, and Chaim Rumkowski, someone who history and Daria remember very differently.
Ingber writes in an effortlessly beautiful tone with vivid imagery and creates details that lead the reader on a remarkable emotional and visual journey. As we travel throughout the pages of this book, it feels like we are embodying Daria and feeling everything she is feeling. Ingber manages to keep his narrative straightforward while filled with the most beautiful stylistic figures in a way that touches and lures the reader in and leaves us wanting more.
I am pleasantly surprised by Ingber’s approach to writing and his character development. Daria is written so beautifully that you can’t help but empathize with her and want to give her all your love and support even though she is a fictional character. She has the innocence and courage of the young girl forced to survive in the most inhuman conditions in Poland while also having the knowledge and heart of a lady who has lived a long life filled with both joy and sadness, success and downfalls, and love and loss.
In addition, the psychology behind Metzger’s question and every answer Daria gives, including her frows, begs, and smiles, are crafted so perfectly that anyone can sympathize with it. This is a captivating read, especially for those interested in Psychology.
Daria’s Secrets by Jeff Ingber is a lovely work of fiction that depicts the lives of many victims and survivors of any war, which is, sadly, still relevant today. This book will have you on your toes and reaching for the tissues from its first to its final page.
Ingber writes in an effortlessly beautiful tone with vivid imagery and creates details that lead the reader on a remarkable emotional and visual journey. As we travel throughout the pages of this book, it feels like we are embodying Daria and feeling everything she is feeling. Ingber manages to keep his narrative straightforward while filled with the most beautiful stylistic figures in a way that touches and lures the reader in and leaves us wanting more.
I am pleasantly surprised by Ingber’s approach to writing and his character development. Daria is written so beautifully that you can’t help but empathize with her and want to give her all your love and support even though she is a fictional character. She has the innocence and courage of the young girl forced to survive in the most inhuman conditions in Poland while also having the knowledge and heart of a lady who has lived a long life filled with both joy and sadness, success and downfalls, and love and loss.
In addition, the psychology behind Metzger’s question and every answer Daria gives, including her frows, begs, and smiles, are crafted so perfectly that anyone can sympathize with it. This is a captivating read, especially for those interested in Psychology.
Daria’s Secrets by Jeff Ingber is a lovely work of fiction that depicts the lives of many victims and survivors of any war, which is, sadly, still relevant today. This book will have you on your toes and reaching for the tissues from its first to its final page.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews