SUSATO by ALFA

 

It was interesting to meet up with Erika Goulden in London recently who presented me with a copy of her latest book SUSATO.  Published by Scriptora at £10.99, Erika uses the pseudonym Alfa.  She is a long standing member of the Society of Women Writers and Journalists and has won several top awards for her poetry.

This book, however,  is very different from her previous work. Alfa writes about Susato, a medieval Westphalia town during the  Nazi era of World War Two.  We learn about Irmi who lives alone on her island retreat with her recollections.  On her island, Irmi writes about  life with her family who lived in Susato, a place of architectual beauty and wonderful history.  The reader soon realises - from the intriguing family photographs - that this story is true and we are treated to clever thumbnails of  some of her Jewish extended family.  Alfa describes her aunts and uncles, cousins and friends each one with their individual fascinating characteristics.

This current book is the latest title from Scriptora, an imprint from the Society of Women Writers and Journalists' publishing arm. An intriguing book that treats us to an aspect of the German way of life during that horrible war.