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Aftermath: Coming of Age on Three Continents. A Memoir
“I spent the first three years of my life unaware of the disaster that had befallen my family.” Annette Libeskind Berkovits writes: “I was shaped by the aftermath of the Holocaust...I adapted...grew a protective shield for self-preservation, then put on a smile and moved forward to meet the world on my own terms.”
She was born in exile among the red poppy-strewn foothills of the Himalayan Mountains and raised in Soviet Kyrgyzstan. Annette and her parents returned via cattle train to Poland only to discover that the Nazis had murdered almost their entire extended family and reduced their homes to rubble. After her parents obtained exit visas from the Soviet authorities, she became a teenage immigrant to two different countries in the space of two years.
Israel, a country barely ten years old - rough, sweet, vibrant, with its brilliant sky and azure sea - was like stepping into Technicolor after Poland’s dreary grays. Annette fell in love with it. But just two years later Annette’s life was upended again when the family was driven to emigrate to America.
Leaving the blue of Israel behind Annette was greeted by the green patina of the Statue of Liberty as the ship reached New York harbor. Her father and an Auschwitz survivor aunt welcomed the family with excitement, but many obstacles lay ahead.
The American immigrant experience is realized here from a perspective of a young girl. New languages, customs, and cultures, learned at lightning speed while mastering the normal angst of adolescence, make this a vivid and immersive memoir, rich with the detail of everyday life.
Annette graduated from one of the most selective public high schools in America and later became an internationally respected wildlife conservation educator and a writer of memoir, poetry, and historical fiction. Her brother, Daniel Libeskind, the internationally renowned architect, is very much a part of her story.
She was born in exile among the red poppy-strewn foothills of the Himalayan Mountains and raised in Soviet Kyrgyzstan. Annette and her parents returned via cattle train to Poland only to discover that the Nazis had murdered almost their entire extended family and reduced their homes to rubble. After her parents obtained exit visas from the Soviet authorities, she became a teenage immigrant to two different countries in the space of two years.
Israel, a country barely ten years old - rough, sweet, vibrant, with its brilliant sky and azure sea - was like stepping into Technicolor after Poland’s dreary grays. Annette fell in love with it. But just two years later Annette’s life was upended again when the family was driven to emigrate to America.
Leaving the blue of Israel behind Annette was greeted by the green patina of the Statue of Liberty as the ship reached New York harbor. Her father and an Auschwitz survivor aunt welcomed the family with excitement, but many obstacles lay ahead.
The American immigrant experience is realized here from a perspective of a young girl. New languages, customs, and cultures, learned at lightning speed while mastering the normal angst of adolescence, make this a vivid and immersive memoir, rich with the detail of everyday life.
Annette graduated from one of the most selective public high schools in America and later became an internationally respected wildlife conservation educator and a writer of memoir, poetry, and historical fiction. Her brother, Daniel Libeskind, the internationally renowned architect, is very much a part of her story.
398 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 13, 2022
38 people are currently reading
824 people want to read
About the author
Annette Libeskind Berkovits
5 books49 followersAnnette Libeskind Berkovits was born in Kyrgyzstan and grew up in postwar Poland and the fledgling state of Israel before coming to America at age sixteen.
Despite being uprooted from country to country, Berkovits has channeled her passions into language study and writing. She has published two memoirs, short stories, selected poems, and now The Corset Maker, a historical novel. Erythra Thalassa: Brain Disrupted is her first poetry chapbook.
Her stories and poems have appeared in Silk Road Review: a Literary Crossroads; Persimmon Tree; American Gothic: a New Chamber Opera; Blood & Thunder: Musings on the Art of Medicine; and The Healing Muse.
Her first memoir, In the Unlikeliest of Places, a story of her remarkable father’s survival, was published by Wilfrid Laurier University Press in September 2014 and reissued in paperback in 2016. Her second memoir, Confessions of an Accidental Zoo Curator, was published in April 2017.
In her three-decade career with the Wildlife Conservation Society in New York, she spearheaded the institution’s nationwide and worldwide science education programs. Her achievements include the first-ever agreement to bring environmental education to China’s schools. The National Science Foundation has recognized her outstanding leadership in the field.
Despite being uprooted from country to country, Berkovits has channeled her passions into language study and writing. She has published two memoirs, short stories, selected poems, and now The Corset Maker, a historical novel. Erythra Thalassa: Brain Disrupted is her first poetry chapbook.
Her stories and poems have appeared in Silk Road Review: a Literary Crossroads; Persimmon Tree; American Gothic: a New Chamber Opera; Blood & Thunder: Musings on the Art of Medicine; and The Healing Muse.
Her first memoir, In the Unlikeliest of Places, a story of her remarkable father’s survival, was published by Wilfrid Laurier University Press in September 2014 and reissued in paperback in 2016. Her second memoir, Confessions of an Accidental Zoo Curator, was published in April 2017.
In her three-decade career with the Wildlife Conservation Society in New York, she spearheaded the institution’s nationwide and worldwide science education programs. Her achievements include the first-ever agreement to bring environmental education to China’s schools. The National Science Foundation has recognized her outstanding leadership in the field.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 7, 2022
I enjoyed this unique and artful autobiography. The sections of the book are assigned different colors (reflected in the cover art) which I found very unique and symbolic. What are the colors of our memories?
October 4, 2022
The true story of the author's coming of age in the wake of the horrific tragedies of the Holocaust, "Aftermath" explores how children absorb family trauma and cultural prejudice. But it's also a story of strength, in overcoming obstacles and making a home for yourself in spite of it all. A heart-wrenching but overall very inspiring book!
November 13, 2022
An intriguing and inspirational account of an extraordinary childhood and a Polish family's complicated search for a new life after the displacement and tragedy caused by the Nazis in the second World War. Told from the refreshing perspective of a teenage Annette Libeskind, this memoir sheds a clear and topical light on the multiple challenges faced by migrants who must learn new languages and new cultural mores in their effort to carve a new life far from home.
October 4, 2022
A standout memoir for 2022!
October 17, 2022
‘I spent the first three years of my life unaware of the disaster that had befallen my family.’ Annette Libeskind Berkovits writes: ‘I was shaped by the aftermath of the Holocaust...I adapted...grew a protective shield for self preservation, then put on a smile and moved forward to meet the world on my own terms.’
She was born in exile among the red poppy-strewn foothills of the Himalayan Mountains and raised in Soviet Kyrgyzstan. Annette and her parents returned via cattle car to Poland only to discover that the Nazis had murdered almost their entire extended family and reduced their homes to rubble. After her parents obtained exit visas from the Soviet authorities, she became a teenage immigrant to two different countries in the space of two years.
Israel, a country barely 10 years old - rough, sweet, vibrant, with its brilliant sky and azure sea - was like stepping into Technicolor after Poland’s dreary grays. But two years later Annette’s family emigrated to America. Leaving the blue of Israel behind they were greeted by the green patina of the Statue of Liberty waiting for them as their ship reached New York harbor.
The American immigrant experience, a variegated patchwork quilt, is realized here from a perspective of a young girl. New languages, customs, and cultures learned at speed, while mastering the angst and agonies of normal adolescence, make this a vivid and immersive memoir, rich with the detail of everyday life.
Annette swiftly gained admission to a selective public high school and later became an internationally respected ecological educator and a writer of memoir, poetry, and historical fiction. Her brother, Daniel Libeskind, the internationally renowned architect, is very much a part of her story.
She was born in exile among the red poppy-strewn foothills of the Himalayan Mountains and raised in Soviet Kyrgyzstan. Annette and her parents returned via cattle car to Poland only to discover that the Nazis had murdered almost their entire extended family and reduced their homes to rubble. After her parents obtained exit visas from the Soviet authorities, she became a teenage immigrant to two different countries in the space of two years.
Israel, a country barely 10 years old - rough, sweet, vibrant, with its brilliant sky and azure sea - was like stepping into Technicolor after Poland’s dreary grays. But two years later Annette’s family emigrated to America. Leaving the blue of Israel behind they were greeted by the green patina of the Statue of Liberty waiting for them as their ship reached New York harbor.
The American immigrant experience, a variegated patchwork quilt, is realized here from a perspective of a young girl. New languages, customs, and cultures learned at speed, while mastering the angst and agonies of normal adolescence, make this a vivid and immersive memoir, rich with the detail of everyday life.
Annette swiftly gained admission to a selective public high school and later became an internationally respected ecological educator and a writer of memoir, poetry, and historical fiction. Her brother, Daniel Libeskind, the internationally renowned architect, is very much a part of her story.
October 4, 2022
Very memorable–I read this one a while ago, and I still can't stop thinking about it! Do yourself a favor and pick this up.
October 4, 2022
Another stunning memoir from Annette Libeskind Berkovits! She writes of the alternating tragedy and triumph of her family's experiences with the utmost honesty.
October 5, 2022
A beautiful and kaleidoscopic look at life in the aftermath of the Holocaust. Traversing several countries (and continents!) together, the Libeskinds' journey is unforgettable.
October 4, 2022
A must-read book! A very important historical document of a family picking up the pieces in the wake of the Holocaust.
November 24, 2022
Annette Berkovits’ memoir is a Second Generation Holocaust Survivor story that captured me immediately. I liked it very much. Well written and easy to follow, I was compelled to continue rapidly until the end. Her lively style, her detailed adventures as she moves to the different countries- first with its difficulties, then with the adaption that the author always achieves, maintains one’s interest. In the background the Holocaust and its influence in the lives of all the members of the family remain present. Very important in her story are the expectations of her parents in regard to Annette’s and her brothers ‘education. We are amazed as we follow Annette in her struggles to adapt in one country after another and to find happiness wherever she finds herself. We feel sad when she has problems and we laugh when she is happy and fulfilled. I enjoyed reading this story very much and I recommend it for all ages.
April 24, 2023
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
Very detailed & interesting book based on one woman’s story. This book has an interesting & original viewpoint from the author who lived during the Holocaust & came to America with her family. It’s a true “living the American dream” story, growing up & learning a whole new life in a whole new place.
Very detailed & interesting book based on one woman’s story. This book has an interesting & original viewpoint from the author who lived during the Holocaust & came to America with her family. It’s a true “living the American dream” story, growing up & learning a whole new life in a whole new place.
October 23, 2022
“Aftermath” is a moving memoir of Annette L. Berkovits’ childhood and teen years. She describes her family’s sometimes difficult odyssey with humor, sympathy, and courage. Her vivid descriptions of her own gradually maturing outlook and the love she holds for her family make compelling reading.
November 13, 2022
Wow. Absolutely beautifully written memoir. It’s been years since I’ve read one and I’m glad I picked this one up. I highly recommend this to everyone!
March 11, 2023
Excellent memoir . Beautifully written. Thank you goodreads for winning this giveaway. So enjoyable.
October 9, 2025
Really interesting memoir!
I really enjoyed this memoir. I loved reading how she navigated in her new countries. It was a page turner for me!
I really enjoyed this memoir. I loved reading how she navigated in her new countries. It was a page turner for me!
December 19, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews