We Must Not Think of Ourselves is a moving story set in the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II. The novel follows Adam Paskow, an English teacher and childless widower, confined to the ghetto along with 450,000 others. Forced to leave his spacious flat, Adam now shares a cramped apartment with two other families, works in a soup kitchen, and teaches English to children in a bombed-out movie theater.
Adam’s life takes a turn when Emanuel Ringelblum recruits him to join a secret group of archivists documenting their experiences. Through interviews with his students and fellow residents, Adam records their lives, dreams, fears, and survival strategies. One of these interviews is with his flatmate, Sala Wiskoff, who, despite being married with two children, falls in love with Adam. Their relationship becomes a vital source of connection amidst the chaos.
Grodstein masterfully captures the Warsaw Ghetto’s stark reality, with vivid depictions of the squalor, fear, and desperation. With stark realism, she captures the constant threat of violence and harrowing scenes of Nazi brutality. She also highlights the relentless optimism and determination of those living on the edge.
However, the sheer number of characters and the back-and-forth narrative structure can be disorienting, making it challenging to track the various storylines. While the episodic nature allows for a broad portrayal of ghetto life, it sometimes detracts from the depth of individual character arcs. 4 stars.
** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy. The opinions are my own.