Max's Diamonds

Jay Greenfield has a great imagination which makes this book a page turner. The family dysfunctions after the horrors of the holocaust, the gaining respectful entry into New England Yankee society, fear, trust, and doing the right thing are all explored in this warm love story of a family with some questionable diamonds, determination and talented musicians.

A review by Miryam Wasserman:Should Jews perform or listen to Wagner's music is a question hovering over MAX'S DIAMONDS a debut novel by Jay Greenfield. Set immediately after WWII in Rockaway, the book--part bildungsroman part mystery-- follows the life of Paul Hartman who grows up haunted by the holocaust personified by cousin Max -an Auswitch survivor who shares his room during Paul's early adolescent years. Paul cannot avoid staring at Max's numbers tattooed on his arm. There are diamonds which Max acquired in some hinted at horrific ways and which he smuggled out of the camp and deposited in locations all over the world. Some of them --given to paul's widowed mother- will pay for paul's fancy education, but when max gives him a key for a safety deposit box shortly before his death, paul throws the key into the ocean. The secret of the key and guilt surrounding its destruction the somewhat improbable brushes with underworld characters make this an enjoyable page turner.The musical element is introduced by the entrance of Sibyl a flutist and paul's love interest. Both young people are obsessed by professional ambitions at the expense of their relationship. A lost and found child, the discovery of paul and sibyl's jewish identities add layers to the stort. Mr greenfield a trial lawyer for several decades brings authenticity to discussions about law. The familiar location sground the book. Except for a late far-fetched romance with a fantasy woman near the book's end one need not suspend too much belief to enjoy this lively book which has much to recommend it.

the story drags a little and the naaration is ok.

Max’s Diamonds is the story of Paul Hartman, the close relative of Holocaust victims—and survivors. Thanks to Paul’s now-deceased, farsighted father, Paul grew up in Far Rockaway, New York (the novel opens in 1947), but although Paul escaped the Nazis, he can’t escape their legacy. For Paul, his Cousin Max’s diamonds are that legacy.Intelligent and tightly-plotted, Max’s Diamonds, in telling Paul’s story, goes beyond the impact of the Holocaust and addresses larger issues: How can American Jews honor their heritage while still participating to the larger, non-Jewish world? (The pull between assimilation and belonging is a particularly American dilemma that affects every category of immigrants.)When Paul goes on to become a lawyer and eventually a clerk to a judge, he also finds himself torn between his love of family of origin and his commitment to the law as well as his ambition and his new family.It’s a satisfying read from beginning to end, one that left me thinking afterwards: exactly the kind of book I love. Get That Novel Written!

Right up front, this is not an easy read. There is a lot of pain and horrific suffering here and I had a a gut reaction to it, yet this tells a story that must be told. Although the characters may be fictional, the history is not. It existed in the real world and it has had an impact on every generation since. I found the journey a hard and difficult one but extremely worthwhile. The characters are so real and well defined that when you reach the end, you find yourself thinking of them as people you might have known. Definitely worth it!

Characters arent likeable or relatable. Endless legal details, insanity, violence and actually disgusting. A complete waste of time. Dont bother

This well structured and eminently readable novel delves into the meaning of self-imposed guilt by a young man who has (at least at first) nothing to feel guilty about. Greenfield's take on the Holocaust is unusual -- indeed unique in my opinion -- in that it focuses more on the effect of the Nazi genocide (and its perpetrators as well as victims) on people who did not experience it themselves but nonetheless feel affected. The story also reveals a perceptive understanding of Jewish attitudes and moral standards as applied to particular circumstances. In addition, it is a damned good page turner. Highly recommended.

I enjoyed reading this book about Jewish characters from my parents and grandparents generation with similar experience of the times and narrative of the story.