The Reasons Why you wrote your book or books discussion

As the author of a Holocaust book ("Jacob's Courage: A Holocaust Love Story"), I appreciate books that offer a frank, emotional examination of morality. Repugnance, despair and the dark side of human nature exist. We learn nothing about ourselves if we do not examine this part of our psyche. There is a great deal more to humanity than the ubiquitous battleground of good versus evil. Humans are not one or the other, but a combination of both. We are beautiful and ugly, soothing and terrifying, brutal and caring; we love and we despise. Deep within the fear and panic of the Holocaust laid decisions about ethical behavior and our concept of morality. Unlike animals, humans are governed by principles, moral beliefs and integrity. We are not unclouded by delusions of morality, but instead governed by them.

I combined this examination of terror and morality with the alluring beauty of young love and the driving power of religious devotion in "Jacob's Courage." Our lives are complex - even within the garish midst of the Holocaust. Powerful passion and tender love can and does exist during times of horror and despair. So does a deep commitment to our relationship with faith and God. These powerful motivators churn within our consciousness, creating new judicial relationships and inspiring our behavior. The world is seldom seen in black and white, or shades of gray - even during the Holocaust. In the midst of terrible anguish, beauty exists. Within beauty, despair can exist.

Holocaust survivors lost everything, but perhaps somehow gained something as well. Certainly an honest examination of the darkest time in humanity must reveal torturous brutality and death. Yes, many Holocaust survivors lost all of their loved ones. However, life is not always so simple. One can feel hope for the survival of the human spirit among the ashes of destruction. There can be room for such books about Judaism.

In an age of realism, readers seem to have a passion for books about real-life characters. Being a child of this generation, I tend to agree. I have nothing against classic stories about good versus evil. Certainly good and evil exist always. Yet, today's more discerning reader expects characters to be more like themselves – multifaceted, often chaotic individuals who possess characteristics both good and bad. Novels should not always be about traditional heroes and villains. If we wish to emulate reality, then our good characters should become complex humans, with flaws, limitations, imperfections and faults. Our villains should possess some good qualities, as well.

And, above all other passions that define human nature, lies guilt. No emotion pushes us to behave in a stronger sense than does guilt. I constructed characters aggravated constantly and aggressively by guilt. We are forever tortured by our past and guilt is the primary motivator in our decisions about the future. We can ignore it or learn from it, but we can never escape from it. I believe that it is impossible to write about the Holocaust without a hefty dose of guilt. In “Jacob's Courage” all of my characters are burdened by guilt – even the most innocent.

Characters living through the Holocaust were faced with the most perfidious forces. Deceit, brutality, sickness, starvation, the death of loved-ones and the utmost reaches of cruelty were the daily companions of Holocaust victims. Novels about this time are by causality dark and dangerous. Yet, in the midst of this despair, there was life, love, passion, desire, fervor and excitement. Even in such hopeless desolation, there is love of God, infatuation and longing for those things that humans crave. Characters such as these must by nature embellish all of these conditions. Such is the complex state of being in human nature.

This was my desire in describing the Holocaust through the eyes of a "normal" Jewish family. If we speak only of heroic individuals battling against dark forces, we dismiss the truth of our nature. Humans are far more complex than such characters imply. Not all Jews imprisoned and tortured by Nazi Germany were good. Not all Germans were bad. Yet, below the surface of brutality, we find the human instinct for life, love and compassion. Most of the Jews in Nazi concentration camps comprehended that they would not survive. Yet, within the camps, they constructed schools for their children, orchestras, civic rules and positions, medical clinics and religious celebrations. Despite their impending mortality, the Jews of the Holocaust created a civil world within the ongoing genocide. They observed religious holidays, ordained rabbis and conducted marriage ceremonies. Even in their darkest moments, they created a “normal” life for their progeny.

Genocide cannot be described without inflicting horror upon the reader. Such books are not for the faint of heart. Yet, if one is to search for an understanding of human nature, then one must descend into the depths of depravity and terror. One cannot understand humanity without comprehending its wicked flaws. But, deep within the recesses of such torture, the reader will discover the faint flicker of light representing love, passion, desire, hope and worship. The human spirit strives for liberty and freedom, as well. Here is the essence of Jacob's Courage - an examination of that faint flicker of light, in the midst of the dark whirlwind of malevolence.

i almost read past the first paragraph of your topic

Charles wrote: "As the author of a Holocaust book ("Jacob's Courage: A Holocaust Love Story"), I appreciate books that offer a frank, emotional examination of morality. Repugnance, despair and the dark side of hu..."

You said, "i almost read past the first paragraph of your topic." What does that mean?

i got bored

sorry

I appreciate the feedback. I'll try to be less "boring" in the future.

i am sure your writing is great for some people i just wasnt hooked.

Ari wrote: "i am sure your writing is great for some people i just wasnt hooked."

That's OK. The Holocaust is a pretty difficult subject. That's why I wrote about it as the background to a love story. "Jacob's Courage" is first and foremost a love story. It describes the most beautiful and the most horrific aspects of existence. The book must have gathered some interest because a film company has contacted me about the movie rights. Still, I recognize that books about the Holocaust are not for everyone.

really. i dont think anything that important is irrelavant. i just like short and to the point summarys