In January of 2003 Anne Berest’s family received a postcard in Paris with the names of her great grandfather, great grandmother, great aunt and great uncle-all who were murdered at Auschwitz. Nothing else is written on the card. Intrigued and very curious, Anne, with the help of her mother, tried to find out who sent this postcard. Their search, through interviews, delving into hundreds of letters, and working with hand writing analysts and detectives uncovers details of Berest’s relatives before and during the holocaust, which, in turn, helps the author understand herself better.

This is a unique novel. It is part memoir, part biography and part mystery. Many of the scenes are difficult-graphic and horrific- but factual. The Postcard is one of the finest books on the holocaust and its aftermath that I have read.