The Invisible Wall

Bernstein writes about his childhood in the years before and during the First World War. On one level it's a love story about a forbidden relationship between his Jewish sister and the Christian boy she later marries. But it also covers poverty, Jewish/Christian relations, and the young men who went to fight in the war and the loved ones left behind. A really good read. Hard to believe he wrote this in his late nineties!

The book give insight into the times and unfortunately continued prejudice. The interesting thing is that when there was a disaster people suddenly got along. As soon as the desaster was over life went back to what it was. Too bad.

This book was great. Too bad the author waited until he was in his 90's to start writing. I also ordered for my granddaughters because it was such a good glimpse into the separation of Jews and Christians in one neighborhood in England, Also, the story could be told without sex, violence, and profanity.

This is an excellent memoir from 1910-1922 in England. It would have been wonderful if everyone had a book like this from their parents. I will probably read the next book. My parents were born in 1911 in the U.S.
the book only had a little damage in about 3 pages.

Kept my interest. I liked the period piece set in England. It was a different perspective of the poor Jews of that time unlike their relatives that may have emigrated to the USA. Good character study of the mother.

This book really evokes a time and place. The author eloquently transports the reader to a neighborhood full of memorable characters in Lancashire circa pre WWI. It will anger you, make you laugh, make you cry. It is a very powerful book.

I enjoyed reading this book very much. I enjoyed reading about Harry's life as a boy on a very unusual street in England. It amazed me that at ninety six years old he was able to remember still so much of his boyhood community and growing up.

Quick read, full of heart. Provides a unique look into the divided Jewish and Christian cultures through the eyes of an observant child. Prose was straightforward, in character for the narrator/author, and easy to read.

I thought the book was fabulous! I read the first two of his books and am currently reading his third book, The Golden Willow. I have enjoyed all of Harry's books and I feel that I know his life quite well. His writing is very descriptive and interesting. I am sad that he passed away in 2011.

The Invisible Wall was a most interesting book.
It held your attention throughout. You didn't want to put it down.
The history of England between Jews and Christians in this poor neighborhood was facinating.

I learned things I never knew.
I wish there was a sequel.

The author gave his viewpoint on living in those times.........and people always have prejudices which was brought out in the novel. I bought the second book by this author but have yet to read it. The moral? You are what you have been taught, and prejudice is a learned behavior for all of us.

a Fast and Fascinating read; Harry Bernstein's life today is a triumph of hope and a mother's love and stubbornness over poverty and an evilly present dad. An absorbing picture of early 19th c. life in northern England. I have passed it on to my 94 year old mom and 98 year old father in law, and both were totally mesmerized into reading it in a day.

Book was recommended by a friend who knows the author. It was a wonderful & interesting story - unbelievable at times amazed at how the family coped & survived. Believable as it is a true story - very easy to read because of the excellent writing