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"Moving, truthful, and wise account of exile from Poland in 1968. "Olga Tokarczuk. Nobel Prize for Literature"
In 1968, the communist regime in Poland unleashed a state-sponsored antisemitic campaign, leaving Jewish families-who were all Holocaust survivors-with no further prospects for life in Poland. Sabina Baral, a 20-year-old student at the time, chronicles her family's harrowing journey as they were stripped of their citizenship, uprooted from their home, and thrust into an uncertain world. While Poland was fraught with xenophobia and hate, the reception in other countries offered a more welcoming respite.
Baral's deeply personal narrative goes beyond displacement to capture the emotional weight of being labeled "unwanted," the profound challenges of forced emigration, and the unyielding hope for dignity and belonging. From bittersweet goodbyes in Poland to long stopovers in Vienna and Rome, her story reflects the universal struggles of immigrants navigating systemic oppression, cultural dislocation, and prejudice.
This is not a Holocaust memoir, but rather a generational memoir that examines the enduring impact of antisemitism over time. Burdened by the trauma of Holocaust survival, Baral sheds light on the scars left by systemic hatred, offering an intimate portrait of the human cost of bigotry and exclusion.
Already a celebrated literary success in Poland, with six editions and acclaimed adaptations for theater and television, Notes from Exile transcends its origins to touch hearts worldwide. This English edition invites readers of all backgrounds-Jews and non-Jews alike-to reflect on the resilience of those who have endured exile and to draw timeless lessons from history's profound narratives.
For readers of Jewish history, immigrant narratives, and stories of survival, Notes from Exile is a testament to memory, justice, and the strength of the human spirit. As Nobel laureate Olga Tokarczuk calls it, "A powerful document and great literature."
