TUESDAY AFTERNOON BOOK CLUB

The Tuesday Afternoon Book Club met in November to discuss “Once We Were Brothers” by Ronald H. Balson. This historical fiction book takes readers from present day United States to Poland during World War II.  Two boys, once as close as brothers, find themselves on the opposite sides of the Holocaust.  Elliot Rosenzweig, a respected civic leader and wealthy philanthropist, is attending a fundraiser when he is suddenly accosted and accused of being a former Nazi SS officer names Otto Piatek, “the butcher of Zamosc”.  Although the charges are denounced as preposterous, his accuser, Ben Solomon, is convinced he is right.  Solomon persuades attorney Catherine Lockhart to take his case, revealing that the true Piatek was abandoned as a child and raised by Solomon’s family only to betray them during the Nazi occupation.   But has he accused the right man?   “Once We Were Brothers” is the compelling story of two boys and a family who struggle to survive in war-torn Poland and a young love that incredibly endures through the unspeakable cruelty of the Holocaust.  This book became a favorite of the Book Club members.  Balson has written several more books set in Europe.

Stop by the LeRoy Public Library to check out “Once We Were Brothers” or one of the many historical fiction books on the shelves.  The library staff also has pulled out many holiday books for your December reading.  Check the selection soon.