Deborah Rey’s Weblog
I Speak My Soul. I Write.Come, Let’s Toll That Bell
He was your Grandfather,
he wasn’t mine.
She was my Mother,
she wasn’t yours.
He survived, his soul in shreds,
(so hard for him to live with),
she died, her remains somewhere
in Auschwitz (hard for me to live with).
We never even heard of him,
of that soldier, I mean,
but his family
was handed the telegram
politely announcing his death
in a bloody senseless war
in a far-off land.
The new captain on
his country’s ship came
just too late
for this son
brother
friend
lover
husband
father.
Today, November 11th,
one war ended,
in May of every year
we remember another one.
Then there are, to
name a few,
some ended
some still going on and on:
Korea
and Vietnam,
Irak,
Iran (next one?)
Lebanon,
Afghanistan
the Middle East
Africans killing their brothers,
fathers,
mothers
sisters
and on
and on
and on
is goes
and all we can do
is help those who survived,
but still live it,
still feel it crawling under their skin,
still cannot sleep
when thinking back to
a pal
my pal
your pal
his pal
our pal
blow to pieces.
We can help them and
helplessly wonder,
When will it all end?
Come, let us rejoice! We still are able
to be sad, feel the loss and mourn.
It’s more than most of those running
this mad world seem to be capable of.
Let’s rejoice that, upon seeing a poppy,
we remember and feel the loss.
Let’s not give up remembering,
let’s not be shy to shout it out,
let’s toll that bell,
year after year,
lest they forget.
© Deborah Rey 2009
They Blow My Horn…
*This is a superb novel which should be receiving literary awards, not harassment from jealous and small-minded detractors. It is harrowing, passionate and unforgettable. I can see that Deborah is rightfully determined that it shall not be suppressed, by anybody. May it at last receive the recognition that it so richly deserves.
David Gardiner (UK)
*Last night, after everyone was in bed, I started to read RACHEL SARAI’S VINEYARD and couldn’t stop… it was already 1 o’clock in the morning when I forced myself to go to bed… and I dreamed about Rachel, big and small, mother, Marie, Mado, father… and this morning I made my coffee and came straight here to read the next chapters… I ADORE it! It is amazingly vivid and we can see little Rachel and feel the pain of big Rachel and wonder about mother: how could she? And in some way try to see the kind of courageous woman that confront the germens, behind the evil mother and wife… And: “I sifted and selected and sorted all my old memories and mentally washed them at ninety-five degrees. To make them shrink. You cannot throw out memories, ’cause the buggers always find their way back, but you can make them shrink so they no longer fit.” – is the most brilliant and intelligent way to finish this amazing story… Thank you so very much for sending me the link. A flying warm hug angi
Angelina Neves (Mozambique)
*Amazing. Unforgettable. Few books I’ve read have stayed in my mind, but this is tops. For many reasons. I was gripped from beginning to end, when I often abandon a book by page 30. Brilliant.
Sally Spedding (UK)
*Truly remarkable. An outstanding talent.
John Francis (UK)
*I can step into the horror, with you so brave, magnificently defiant, trailing your lost childhood after you like a tattered rag doll. You are a witness and a witness gone through fire is a prophet. I throw my arms around you, raise you as high as I can. You are a lark, born of a dead tree.
Karen Corcoran Dabkowski (USA)Editor of The Blue House Magazine
*Deborah Rey’s, Rachel Sarai’s Vineyard, is a novel that illuminates the resilience and stamina of children that live in the world of war. It is something that many of us do not prefer to read because it is so disturbing. Having said this, I at times winced in sheer agony for the child that was thrown into raw adulterated circumstances at seven years of age. However, that is exactly a facet of Rey’s brilliance that is so rewarding in her novel. Her choice of words with the story’s unfolding, speak truly from the soul. Part of the novel’s lasting quality is the gut wrenching truth. One cannot help but feel they are with Rachel in a very compassionate way and will stay by her side until she is indeed, safe.
In reading Rachel Sarai’s Vineyard, you might be amazed, as I was, how such a young child could accomplish the tasks she did. Then you realize the young girl’s strength and determination to outwit the enemy. In the end, Rachel is successful on many levels as she demonstrates that brutality is damaging to the soul in words, in deeds and in thoughts. Her ability to adapt and confront is an astounding achievement considering the stresses of war-torn families and its dysfunctional components.
Without giving the story away, I can say that I have emerged from the book a better person. And I feel a more profound sense of the perils we selfishly impose on fellow human beings. Rey has spoken the truth and has chosen the path where love and respect prevail. This is exemplified in the book with the tumultuous relationships of the family and her resolution of accepting the unknown answers to her questions and her appreciation of love and life. This is a triumphant release on many levels. And I am proud of Deborah Rey for speaking her soul, and choosing love over hate.
Beth Stolar Kehayes (USA)
*I used to think all the classic stories of World Word II had been told. I was wrong. This is unique, special and unpredictable. A rare and enlightening piece of work.
John Shaw (UK)
*… and I was/am/will be speechless to read these lauding words coming from esteemed and great authors one and all.
Deborah Rey (France)
What Others Say About The Book (and me)
*This is, quite simply, an astonishing book. It confronts the reader with truths that most will never see and all would choose to avoid. But it is so powerfully written, that it blazes. It burns. The style is unique. I can’t think of anyone who writes like this. And I cannot imagine what it must have been like writing it. Putting down on paper the manipulation, the child’s bewilderment, the pain, the hurt. I will be re-reading it, but not until it has worked through me and out again. It is such a remarkable story, told in such a remarkable way that it must be read. For the perspective on the Nazis, it must be told. The casual brutality of their occupation outside of the camps is something that is not really written or read about nowadays. And from a personal relationship perspective, this is a book which has to exist. ‘The evil that men do’ in both its forms, collective and very much individual.
Joe Stein (UK)
*OOOFFF. Such powerful writing. So much emotion. Some parts almost too painful to read. How could any woman have punished an innocent child for something for which it had no responsibility? I truly hated Mother until I had finished reading to the end, when at least I understood the reason for her methodic cruelty; but it was still unforgivable. I hope that publishing this harrowing account has been cathartic. A novel? Hm.
Susie Kelly (France)
*This full length story is written by a lady that means so much to me. Deborah was the force behind “La Fenêtre”, a series of anthologies. (make it a point to find one) I’m sure after you read this novel, you will want more of Deborah Rey.
Carl Palmer (USA)
*What strikes me, is the skill with which Rey has woven the story with the voices of young Rachel and the present ‘Rachel’. Young Rachel is an absolute star and what she has had to endure almost seems to make her a person and personality in her own right, far less the younger version of the author. I could see this as a film and also as an excellent stage play, and I would definitely like to see as many people as possible reading/seeing the story of a remarkable person (young and older). I don’t think I’ve ever read anything so sensitively written in its honesty, ie. being true to the voice of the narrator. A beautifully written and heart-wrenching book. Not an easy read at times, but life isn’t easy. This author has lived, and inspires readers by her continued endurance, with grace. Should be used on MA courses.
Kim Schroeder (Germany)
Amazon.com … Oy Vay!
For those of you looking for my book on Amazon.com (in the USA):
Search DEBORAH REY
NOT Rachel Sarai’s Vineyard. Amazon.com, oh Amazon.com. Will you ever wake up?
Oui, Madame Veil. You know all about it…
Not much happening at the moment, but for truly serious reviewers I still have a few copies of the book available. Contact me at: immasgirl(at)gmail(dot)com if you are interested.
What A Lovely Book!
I realise this looks weird, but would you believe it if I told you I – the author – saw the published copy of RACHEL SARAI’S VINEYARD for the very first time only yesterday? Let me explain….
The book was launched in London on September 19th, but I could not be there (no airline takes a passenger with O² and I am still rather fragile after my ‘to die or not to die’ joke). So, everybody there saw Rachel Sarai’s Vineyard, some copies were sold and the rest went back home with David Gardiner and Daffni Percival (the boss-lady and founder of Merilang Press). Copies were ordered for me and then…
Time went by and even more time went by. No books for Deborah. David Gardiner – bless him – sent me a copy, I ordered one from Amazon co.uk (Express Delivery = bankruptcy) and then…
Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. Postal strikes in the UK had slowed down international postal traffic to the extend that a book posted on the 9th of October only reached me yesterday … after also making a detour to Mount Pleasant in the States. But, I did hold the (for me) first hardcover between my clammy hands. Same day, the book from Amazon arrived. WOW, I’m rich. Two copies of Rachel Sarai’s Vineyard!
In the meantime, the printer sent off 25 copies of the book on October 5th by courier. Hm. Courier got back to printer and told them the TWO boxes with books had been refused! Somebody there has a very big thumb and knows how to suck it: I am always at home and why the heck would I refuse copies of my book?
Anyhow, this morning they came back and delivered … Grrrrrrrrrrrr … ONE box. They forgot the other one in the depot, so they are coming back tomorrow. Enough to drive a fairly sane person bonkers.
Then, we have Amazon.com, who should have the book in its catalogue, but persists in keeping up the first edition, the Special Limited Numbered and Signed one, with the mention: Out of Print. Same for Amazon.ca. Good heavens, I always respected Amazon, but let me tell you … have very little respect left now.
Interesting news: copy 68/100 of the Special Edition has gone down from £100 to £75. My signature still is worth a lot of money, it seems.
The ‘Let’s boycott Deborah Rey and her Novel’ idjuts are still at it, which is becoming rather laughable. I pity them, actually, and wonder why they are wasting so much time on it. They run after me daily and several times a day. Poor sods. Pathetic cowards that they are, the are hiding behind the proxy IP: hidemyass.com. Oh well, maybe it’s better to hide a sick ass like theirs, yet, they don’t have to for me, because I know who they are anyhow.
OH, I forget to tell you that the book looks lovely!
Yes, of course you can buy the book!
Here’s where:
http://www.amazon.co.uk
or
http://www.merilang.co.uk
Oh, and number 68/100 of the Special Limited Edition (Signed by yours truly) is on Amazon for a mere £100.
Rachel Sarai’s Vineyard on YouTube
This most touching video is the work of my editor, friend and esteemed fellow writer, David Gardiner. Thank you, David.
ABOUT RACHEL SARAI’S VINEYARD
In a Europe where the Nazis apply Henry Ford’s industrial philosophy to the destruction of human beings, a little girl might expect her home to be a place of shelter and protection from the indescribable horrors of war. But five-year-old Rachel Sarai must take over her father’s work in the Dutch Resistance, distribute messages, smuggle people to safety during curfew hours, lie, steal, and confront the Gestapo.
Her home is a chilling microcosm of the outside world: unsafe and driven by visceral hatred, jealousy, brutality and lust for power. She learns how an unscrupulous woman can manipulate the worst catastrophe in human history to serve her own domestic agenda. She comes to understand the extent of evil one warped individual is capable of, but survives thanks to the unadulterated love another person gives her during the first seven years of her life.
The mature Rachel Sarai telling her story refuses to pretend that life is nice or that she is nice.
You will find no euphemisms here, no evasion, no holding back, no mincing of words.
It’s probably pointless waiting for the movie. Most of this book could never be filmed. This is as dark as it gets.
available at www.AMAZON.CO.UK and at www.MERILANG.co.uk/shop.htm (the publisher)
Rachel Sarai’s Vineyard
Launched September 19th 2009 in London, my novel is now available at www.Amazon.co.uk and at www.merilang.co.uk/shop.htm (the publisher)
May 2009/5770 be a good and happy start for Rachel Sarai and her Vineyard.
Deborah Rey