Book Sandwich

Annie's Ghosts by Steve Luxenberg

Posted by Shawn on Thursday July 16th 2009, on 10:35 pm | Filed under text | Tags: Annie's Ghosts, book review, non-fiction, Steve Luxenberg

I wish I could say I loved reading Annie’s Ghosts. On the other hand, I can’t say that I disliked reading it, either. The book chronicles author Steve Luxenberg’s research into a family secret he discovered at the time of his mother’s death. She had a sister that she had never mentioned to him, or anyone else in their immediate family. In fact, Luxenberg has clear memories of his mother’s frequent proclamations of being an only child. So why did she keep her sister hidden? By the time Luxenberg learned of the secret, he was left to try and solve the mystery on his own. Luxenberg employed many of the skills he had acquired as a professional journalist in hunting down his aunt (Annie, for whom the book is named). He traveled cross country and even to a small Ukrainian town, to try and dig up clues about why Annie had been kept a secret by his mother. He interviewed family members, acquaintances and many others who might’ve been able to provide some insight into the situation. In turn, he uncovers even more family secrets that he was unaware of (specifically, his father’s somewhat questionable discharge from the military, and another relative’s abandoned pre-Holocaust marriage). Annie’s Ghosts is full of captivating family drama and intriguing historical information. There were times when I was very riveted by the story of what would be, on the outside, a seemingly typical 20th-century American family. But I must admit, I was glad when I had finished the final chapter of this book. I can only imagine the whirlwind of emotions Luxenberg must’ve experienced while writing this book. Just reading it at times was an intense experience.

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Dear Shawno,

Thanks for the review. As the author, I would have been delighted with an unconditional rave, of course, but I’m a reader, too, and I can understand how books can leave you with mixed feelings. But it seems that the book has stayed with you, and that can’t be said about many books. I especially like your comment that Annie’s Ghosts is full of captivating family drama and intriguing historical information. There were times when I was very riveted by the story of what would be, on the outside, a seemingly typical 20th-century American family.”

Thanks again. If your readers are interested in learning more about the book, they can visit my website, steveluxenberg.com. There are photos and documents there that go beyond the book.

–Steve Luxenberg

Comment by Steve Luxenberg 07.22.09 @ 7:53 am

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