The Invisible Wall

A Love Story That Broke Barriers

By: Harry Bernstein

Narrated by: John Lee

This enchanting true story, written when the author was 93, is a moving tale of working-class life, the social divide, and forbidden love on the eve of the first World War.

The narrow street on which Harry grew up appeared identical to countless other working-class English neighborhoods, except for the invisible wall that ran down the center of the street, dividing the Jewish families on one side from the Christians on the other. The geographical distance may have been yards, but socially, it was miles. Families on either side did not speak or meet. But when Harry's older sister fell for the boy across the street, Harry became a go-between for the lovers, crossing the great divide to hide their secret. When the truth inevitably came out, Harry had to decide, at a very young age, what he believed was morally right.

©2007 Harry Bernstein (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"Young Harry serves as a wide-eyed guide to a world since dismantled....True to a child's experience, it is the details of domestic life that illuminate the tale." (Publishers Weekly)
"A groundbreaking story of family secrets and forbidden love told in plain, beautiful prose through the eyes of a young Jewish boy....the chapters are tense with danger and with tenderness." (Booklist)
"In Mr. Bernstein's hands, the small events of family life and the daily dramas on the street take on a shimmering, timeless quality." (The New York Times)

My faith in humanity restored

Lovely story. I love stories that make me see how far we've come! My faith in humanity is restored once again with this book. Very worthwhile and enjoyable.

Gentle memories

I enjoyed this gentle memoir of Harry Bernstein's early childhood, living on an impoverished bicultural street in World War I England, but found little new ground was covered. The territory is familiar, with elements of "Romeo and Juliet", "Fiddler on the Roof", and "How Green was My Valley". While there are unsympathetic characters (on both sides of the street), the threat level as described seems somewhat low in spite of the author's report of feeling terrified - of his father, of the gentile bullies lying in wait after school, even the horrors of the war seem to have soft edges. I think for this to be a 5-star read Harry would have to give a stronger accounting of the more challenging characters - particularly his father and his sister, Rose. Perhaps writing the memoir eight decades after the events in question changes the author’s perspective of the import of certain events and behaviors.

What made the story enjoyable was the fondness the author had for his childhood home, in spite of the daily struggle with poverty and anti-Semitism, and his ability to inspire the same fondness in the reader. Fortunately his writing style is straightforward and unsentimental, allowing the material to be more poignant than maudlin. The reading by John Lee was good, adding to the sense of place and time. He was especially good at distinguishing the old and the young. A good, easy read.

Like you're there in person...

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I could listen to this over and over again without being bored. I could visualize the street, the neighbors on both sides, the struggle of his mother, the sights and smells. So many angles to examine within this book - it's a classic.

Any additional comments?

As usual - the follow-up story by the same author falls short.

Angela's Ashes for Jews

If you liked Angela's Ashes you will love this book ! Cannot wait for the follow
on about Mr. Bernstein's life in America. Beautifully told story about life in early 20th century England. Who knew that there was a thriving Jewish community outside of London

Wonderful

This book is going on my list of all-time favorites!! As others have said, it is very similar to Angela's Ashes, showing the poverty and related struggles of this era and people. But it is oh so different, so don't feel that if you have read one you will not enjoy another.

I loved the characters, I loved the stories. I loved the narration. I loved the ending and do want to hear more. Probably the only negative I have is that I was unsure of the timing until the end. I wasn't sure if the war was WWI or WWII.