The Invisible Wall: A Love Story That Broke Barriers

Written by Harry Bernstein at the age of 93, "The Invisible Wall" is a memoir about a young boy's experiences and observations growing up in a mill town near Manchester, England before and after World War I. Although the story is set in a very small locale, the inter-personal relationships the author (perceptively and lovingly) describes are applicable to all Humankind.

The book is a wondrous mix of both sadness and hope, sorrow and love. In ways similar to "Angela's Ashes," the affirmation of life, despite tradjedy and hardship, runs free throughout its pages.

Mr. Bernstein's story is a microcosm of Human Nature: Our never-ending need for love and companionship, and to endure even when things are most bleak; our mistrust of others whose backgrounds and beliefs are different from our own; how early experiences influence our character and personality throughout our entire lives; our ability, in some instances, to grow beyond narrow confines; the tragedies brought about by conflicts and wars; and the reality that some people are born with kind and generous hearts, while others are not.

Whether one is a Christian, Jew, Muslim or whatever, "The Invisible Wall" is a book of great sensitivity and relevance, one that will not be quickly forgotten. Mr. Bernstein, now working on a second book, is an inspiration to us all.

Ralph Block
Westlake Village, CA

When I first heard about this book in the news I was already hooked. Harry Bernstein, in his 90's and lonely after the death of his wife of 60+ years, writes his memories of growing up in a Lancashire mill town in England in the early 1900's. He describes the "invisible wall" that ran down the middle of his street, keeping the Jews on his side and the Christians on the other mostly separate. The only thing they really had in common was poverty and a distrust of each other. It's an amazing memoir as he remembers some of the incidents that happened on his street, such as going to school for the first time, his sister Lily winning a scholarship to the grammar school, and the young men who went to fight in WWI. He tells of the sacrifices his mother made for the children, and how mean and uncaring his father was. The one thing that sort of brought the two sides together was when his sister fell in love with a Christian boy, although it caused a lot of trouble and heartache.

Overall, a very difficult book to put down from the very first sentence. The writing is beautiful and descriptive, and gives a sense of the hardships the working poor faced. But it's not all sadness, and there are some bright moments, although it reads very much like a Dickens novel in many respects. The bigotry of both sides of the street is detailed and told without bitterness. And Bernstein makes his family and neighbors come alive - you feel real sympathy for his mother and sister and their hopes and dreams, and even some for his alcoholic father. It's difficult to describe the emotions in the book, and yet I couldn't wait to keep reading it. Perhaps the best book I've read in a long time and I fully recommend it.

I'm surprised there haven't been more reviews posted here, what with all the publicity this book has garnered.

I just finished the book and thought it was superb. My only question, which actually I have with all memoirs, is the author's precise memory of dialogue from almost 90 years ago. I mean, I have trouble remembering what I said one hour ago!

But, the book was fabulous and I'd love to know what happened to his other siblings after they came to America.

The Invisible Wall is the best book I've read in years. I was totally captivated by Mr. Bernstein's writing style and the characters in the book. I rarely read non-fiction, but I would recommend this book to anyone. Long after I'd turned the last page, I was still thinking about Lily. My husband also thoroughly enjoyed the book. This is one book that I will treasure for a long time. Great work, Mr. Bernstein!

I was touched by The Invisible Wall in a profound way. Harry Bernstein waited to tell the story of his childhood until he was 96 years old. I am not sure if that fact is what had me riveted or the way the story of his upbringing in northern England unfolds. As a young boy, Berstein had to endure a childhood of antisemitism where he was considered a Christ killer because he was Jewish and an alcoholic father. Even his family had their own prejudices and Harry seemed to be caught in the middle. Add a controversial (for their time) love story in the midst of all this and you have a best seller. Bernstein's mother is credited for keeping the family together with her strength and determination. I read this out of curiosity but finished it because it was wonderful and too hard to put down.
The remarkable spirit that pours from the pages of The Invisible Wall will capture your heart.