There are time when I review a book when I use the phrase 'what a lovely book' as there is nothing else I can think of to say how I feel and the above title falls into that category. It is one of those book that you finish and then sigh with satisfaction and a gentle sorrow that there is not more to read – I hate to categorise books and lump them together because each are different, but books that have made me feel this way over when reviewing on Random Jottings are Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, Kisses on a Postcard, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and the The Great Western Beach. Two of these are fiction, two non-fiction but though on the surface they would appear to have nothing in common, they all demonstrate human strength and weaknesses, love, wit and humour and make you feel glad you have got to know the characters portrayed.
This is the story of Jack Rosenblum and his quest to become an English Gentleman.
'Jack aspired to be an Englishman from the very first moment he and his wife Sadie disembarked at Harwich in August 1937' He is given a pamphlet entitled While you are in England: helpful information and Friendly guidance for every Refugee' and this become his bible. First rule 'Spend your time immediately in learning the English language…'
Jack devotes himself to assimilating himself into his new life, refusing to speak German at all and obeying his list with 'more fervour than the most ardent Bar Mitzvah boy did the laws of Kashrut'. He sets up in the carpet business, works hard and becomes successful and wealthy. After the war, tired of utility clothing, he decides on a bespoke suit Savile Row, takes delivery of a brand new Jag having been on the waiting list for two years, lives in an elegant house, eats out several times a week in restaurants where he was treated with great respect which he put down to his suit, but in reality was due to his
wildly extravagant tipping which the waiters secretly despised. He feels he is on the way to becoming the Gentleman of his dreams.
But the one thing Jack wants to do, the final ambition to be realised which he is sure will make him a proper English gentleman, is to join a golf club. He applies to every club he can find only to be rejected time and time again. We know why, he does not. He is Jewish and therefore no golf club will grant him membership. He has a wonderful set of clubs, he wishes to play but can't so when one day he sees a property for sale along with sixty acres of land in Dorset, he buys it and decides to build his own golf club.
As you do.
While Jack is determined to become an English Gentleman, his wife Sadie is unhappy, missing her family who were left behind in Germany and who vanished during the Second World War. Though devoted to Jack she almost hates him at times for his obsession and hides her sorrow in baking, using the recipes in the book given to her by her mother, and to rekindle memories of happier times.
"She began to whirl up the batter. She did not weigh any of the ingredients, trusting her instincts……she found the widest cake tins in the cupboard and put layer after layer of the oozing mixture under the grill, and when each tin was completely full, carefully removed the cake inside and smothered it in a layer of sharp lemon icing. Each cake was placed on top of each other and then another, until when dawn came, there was a cake towering many feet high with a thousand layer of rings, every layer holding a memory"
I am going to stop her because I know full well that if I go on I am going to tell you the entire story and I don't want to spoil this delightful book for you. I want you to buy a copy of Mr Rosenblum's List and read it for yourself and meet not only Jack and Sadie, but all the characters in their Dorset village and the beautiful description of their house and countryside and Sadie's growing and eventual love of her garden and life. Jack and Sadie find friendship, betrayal, happiness and sadness in their village in Devon and share fears that their daughter Elizabeth, who becomes more English than they and who goes to Cambridge, will grow away from them and forget her cultural heritage. And oh my goodness me the more you read, the more you so hope that all ends happily and Jack realises his dream.
Natasha Solomons lives in Dorset and this is her first novel. It was inspired by her grandparents who were welcomed when they moved to Ibberton and where, after years of living in exile, they found a home. Some of the recipes and places in the book are real (I am particularly glad that the wonderful cakes fall into this category!). Check out her website on www.natashasolomons.com and from a visit here I see that the film rights have been sold for this delightful book. I wonder who will play Jack and Sadie…..
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