Leah's Book Picks: "Here is Still Here," by Sivan Slapak

In this edition of Leah’s picks I review Here is Still Here, by Sivan Slapak. The collection was published this year by Linda Leith in Canada.

Here is Still Here offers a beautiful collection of interconnected short stories. It follows Isabel, the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, as she escapes Montreal for Israel, tries on different lovers, and looks to forge a unique identity that is compatible — but different — from her upbringing.

The collection captures the intricate push-and-pull experienced by many 3G Holocaust survivors looking to understand how to live with — and without — their history of trauma.

The collection seems to ask: what happens when you don’t live up to the standards imposed on you by your family, your friends and your community? As it turns out: you can still turn out perfectly fine.

Watch the full review for more about the book.

Do you have a recommendation for a book I should review? Leave it in the comments.

Leah’s (Previous) Picks:

• In The Courtyard of the Kabbalist, by Ruchama Feuerman. Buy it here.