Not Me

by Michael Lavigne

Book Overview

Not Me is a remarkable debut novel that tells the dramatic and surprising stories of two men-father and son-through sixty years of uncertain memory, distorted history, and assumed identity. When Heshel Rosenheim, apparently suffering from Alzheimer's disease, hands his son, Michael, a box of moldy old journals, an amazing adventure begins-one that takes the reader from the concentration camps of Poland to an improbable love story during the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812973321
• ISBN13: 9780812973327
• Release Date: February 2007
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

I couldn't get passed the first page which mentioned masturbation.. I I I read WWII books all the ti

Nope. Alzheimer's is a painful topic for me.

A hard book to put down

This book is a tapestry of different themes on identity, alongside the age-old question of "when is one relieved of their sins?" I really enjoyed this completely different approach to the subject matter of WWII and the Concentration Camps, and became so engrossed in the novel that I just couldn't put it down. I thoroughly recommend it.

I couldn't put it down!

"Not Me" poses a horrifying concept, and is beautifully written. It raises so many moral questions, page by page, and is an exciting read that makes you think about the meaning of identity, purpose, redemption, family, truth, etc.

An Excellent Read

I read a lot of "Holocaust fiction," but this book escaped my notice until the author was named a runner-up for the new Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature last month. Now that I've read the novel, I can see why it's earning such accolades. Hopefully, now that the book is available in paperback it will reach a wider readership. I agree with all the other readers who found it a "page-turner" or "couldn't put it down." That was my experience, as well. I won't soon forget it.

the best book I've read in a long time

Michael Lavigne has written an amazing book! I couldn't put it down and I've recommended it to many people. The response has been consistently positive. The story is thought provoking on many levels. I am a serious reader and have never bothered to write a review before but this book deserves special praise. .

Living & Forgiving

I have always been compelled to read about the Holocaust. There are so many stories, all important, all unforgettable, and most horrific. And I am completely amazed at the simplest lesson gleaned from these stories. . . life goes on. The human desire to live despite the atrocities of mankind constantly enlightens and inspires me. The human act of forgiveness in the face of these demeaning acts seems to be almost inhuman or perhaps otherworldly. And love; when our humanness is completely and utterly exposed to our world of those who love us most, there remains to ability to empathize, sympathize and forgive, and yes to go on. Les we forget. This book is a lovely story of love and forgiveness, fathers and sons, and guilt and redemption. I was immediately pulled into the story and I enjoyed my time among the pages and the sense of wonder that remained when the last page was read. Read the book and enjoy the ride.