Eliho slib – Balson Ronald H. (2022)

Eli's Promise is a masterful work of historical fiction, unfolding across three time periods: Nazi-occupied Poland, the American zone of post-war Germany, and Chicago during the Vietnam War. Ronald H. Balson, recipient of the National Jewish Book Award for Literature, explores the cost of war, the ambivalent value of survival, and the unbreakable strength of family bonds in this book. 1939: Eli Rosen lives with his wife Ester and their young son in Lublin, Poland, where his family runs a construction company. It is expropriated by the Nazis and entrusted to the management of Maxmilián Poleski, a spineless racketeer. Thus, a shaky alliance is formed: if Eli takes care of the business, Maxmilián will ensure the safety of his family. Will Poleski keep his promise, or will their relationship end in betrayal and tragedy? 1946: Eli and his son live in Allied-controlled Germany, firmly hoping for a visa to America. He hasn't seen his wife since the war. A man wanders the camp selling illegal American visas – could he know her fate? 1965: Eli rents a room in the Albany Park neighborhood of Chicago. He is on a mission. With patience, cunning, and unwavering effort, he navigates the unfamiliar streets of Chicago and a dangerous political game while searching for the truth about Ester...