Author Shirley Russak Wachtel discusses her latest book, THE BAKER OF LOST MEMORIES, NYC, generational trauma, history, and much more in this compelling interview.
“As a daughter of Holocaust survivors,” Wachtel explains, “I have heard many tales of loss, trauma, and even heroism. These stories inspire me not only in the way I live my life, but also in the topics I take on as a writer. In THE BAKER OF LOST MEMORIES, I turn to the story of a child of someone in my generation—the second generation—who carries her parents’ trauma throughout her life. The experiences of our parents and the resounding effects on the next generation are what make this story compelling.
SYNOPSIS: It can take a lifetime to turn painful memories of the past into hope for the future. Growing up in 1960s Brooklyn, Lena wants to be a baker just like her mother was back in Poland prior to World War II. But questions about those days, and about a sister Lena never even knew, are ignored with solemn silence. It’s as if everything her parents left behind was a subject never to be broached.
The one person in whom Lena can confide is her best friend, Pearl. When she suddenly disappears from Lena’s life, Lena forges ahead: college, love and marriage with a wonderful man, the dream of owning a bakery becoming a reality, and the hope that someday Pearl will return to share in Lena’s happiness―and to be there for her during the unexpected losses to come.
Only when Lena discovers the depth of her parents’ anguish, and a startling truth about her own past, can they rebuild a family and overcome the heart-wrenching memories that have torn them apart.
To learn more about Shirley, or to purchase her book, please go to: https://www.shirleywachtel.com/
Creator/Host: Tammy Takaishi
Audio Engineer: Alex Repetti
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