The Walnut Tree

Sussel is a well to do young woman in Chernowitz, known as "little Vienna." She studies languages and pharmacy in several universities in Europe and is looking forward to a full and privileged life. But World War II completely overturns everyone's lives, as first the Russians and then the Germans overtake Chernowitz, rounding up all Jews for work camps and even execution. Sussel is forced to use her pharmaceutical skills, and even sex, to save her own life and those of her father and her childhood suitor, Max.

The Walnut Tree sets the devastating power of historical events against the personal forces of reconciliation and enduring love. This powerful, disturbing and finally transcendent story is written with captivating detail and sensuous, often poetic, writing. The novel deals with vital social, political, and ethical issues, and finally, and most importantly, with love.