When We See You AgainĀ by Rachel Goldberg-Polin shares the authorās painful journey after her son, Hersh was kidnapped from the Nova Musical Festival on October 7th, 2023, and subsequently murdered by Hamas. This moving memoir depicts her life in āThe Before,ā her and her husband’s efforts to bring Hersh home, her ultimate loss, and how she is learning to navigate life with a core part of her missing. Goldberg-Polinās writing is devastating and deeply emotionaI; I was crying for more of the book than not. Her vivid imagery and metaphors made me feel like I was living each moment alongside her, and allowed me to empathize in a way I couldnāt before. If I learned one thing from this book, itās that grief is unique to each person, and we should not try to force othersā experiences into a box so they are easier to comprehend or handle.
Readers interested in memoirs that explore grief, resilience, and personal loss may appreciate this book. While āenjoyableā is not the right word to describe a book that discusses such a tragedy, IĀ greatlyĀ appreciated this memoir because it gave me a deeper understanding of grief and a new perspective on life. I would recommend this book for readers who are prepared for its emotional weight and intense descriptions of violence, kidnapping, and death.
Overall, I would rateĀ When We See You AgainĀ 5/5 stars and recommend it for mature teen and adult readers.
Reviewed by Remy F.
