The true story of a German-Jewish love that overcame the burdens of the past. Finalist for the 2017 Book of the Year Award by the Chicago Writers Association “A book that is hard to put down.” —Jerusalem Post “This book confirms Annette Gendler as an indispensable Jewish voice for our time." —Yossi Klein Halevi, author of Like Dreamers "The ghosts of the past haunt a woman’s search for herself in this thoughtful, poignant memoir about the transformative power of love and faith.” —Hillary Jordan, author of Mudbound, now a Netflix movie “An exquisitely written conversion story which expounds upon personal and collective identity.” —Washington Independent Review of Books “A compelling, gracefully written memoir about the impact of the past on the present.” —Michael Steinberg, author of Still Pitching History was repeating itself when Annette fell in love with Harry, a Jewish man, the son of Holocaust survivors, in Germany in 1985. Her Great-Aunt Resi had been married to a Jew in Czechoslovakia before World War II―a marriage that, while happy, put the entire family in mortal danger once the Nazis took over their hometown in 1938. Annette and Harry’s love, meanwhile, was the ultimate nightmare for Harry’s family. Not only was their son considering marrying a non-Jew, but a German. Weighed down by the burdens of their family histories, Annette and Harry kept their relationship secret for three years, until they could forge a path into the future and create a new life in Chicago. Annette found a spiritual home in Judaism―a choice that paved the way toward acceptance by Harry’s family, and redemption for some of the wounds of her own family’s past.

Embark on a profound journey through the landscapes of the human heart with William Gomes's captivating anthology, "Bridges Over Shadows: Poetry of Home, Heart, and Healing." This meticulously crafted collection traverses the intricate realms of home, confronts the deep scars of racism and hate, navigates the tumultuous waters of grief, and celebrates the boundless expressions of love. Gomes's verses serve as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, the transformative power of empathy, and the enduring connections that bind us all. Divided into thematic sections—Home, Racism, Hate, Love, and Grief—"Bridges Over Shadows" explores the unseen foundations that define our sense of belonging, the voices that echo within the walls of home, and the traditions that weave through generations, creating a tapestry rich with personal and cultural narratives. It challenges the constructs of race, examines the impact of hate, and amplifies the voices of those marginalized by prejudice, urging a collective journey towards understanding, empathy, and unity. In the realms of love and grief, Gomes delves deep into the heart, capturing the silent gestures of affection, the infinite echoes of love that transcend time and space, and the colors of mourning that paint our experiences of loss. Through vivid, multisensory imagery and sophisticated literary devices, these poems invite readers to reflect on the complexities of love and the transformative journey through grief, highlighting the unseen threads that connect us to those we've lost. Whether you find solace in the written word or the spoken voice, "Bridges Over Shadows" offers a bridge over the shadows of existence, illuminating the paths of healing, understanding, and resilience. This anthology is more than a collection of poems; it is an invitation to explore the depths of our experiences, to find light in the darkness, and to celebrate the indomitable strength of love and the human spirit. Join William Gomes on this evocative journey, and discover the bridges that carry us over shadows, guiding us back to the light of hope and the warmth of home. "Bridges Over Shadows: Poetry of Home, Heart, and Healing" is a beacon for anyone seeking solace in shared understanding, a celebration of the resilience that defines us, and a reflection of our boundless capacity to heal, to love, and to find our way home.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1872.