Review: Broken Promises: The Story of a Jewish Family in Germany by Bonnie Suchman

Unearthing an astonishing family history from the dark heart of the 20th century, Broken Promises: The Story of a Jewish Family in Germany by Bonnie Suchman is a revelatory and powerful read.

In an effort not to let a valuable story be lost, the author dove into the annals of Heppenheimer family history, from their humble beginnings to their industrial accomplishments, as they fought and struggled for their identity, security, and place to call home. From the first decade of the 1700s, once Jewish people were “allowed” to return to Germany, all the way to the decades following World War II, this is an epic sprawl of a family narrative, one that crosses oceans, centuries, philosophies, and industries.

The majority of the story comes in the 20th century, spanning three generations of Heppenheimers who lived in Germany through the war years. While there are many books about the Jewish experience before, during, and after World War II, few narratives are so immersive; readers get to know each person, their ancestors, and their children, for a story that is engrossing for any reader. Weaving a number of biographies with fluid grace, and with equal respect to each person’s varied and highly nuanced experience, it is obvious why this effort took years to complete.

Perhaps most impressive about this story is the depth of research that was obviously required to bring the lives of the Heppenheimer family to light. While a small amount of the early research is suppositional, the vast majority of the narrative is based on the verifiable historical record, enhancing the story as it unfolds. Not only does this work paint a complete picture of a family line, but it also provides a broader view of life as a Jew across multiple generations. Rather than focusing solely on the experiences of her husband’s family during the Holocaust, Suchman lays out the historical precedent and foundation for the rise of genocidal fascism. In that way, this memoir transcends its genre into sociology and anthropology.

The fact that this book was written by a lawyer is hard to ignore; the thoroughness of the backstories and the meticulous approach to language is captivating. On the technical side, there are almost no obvious grammatical or syntactical errors, evidence that the editing was executed just as carefully as the writing. At times, the author gets caught in the weeds, as some of the expositional, social, and industrial details are dry for the average reader. For instance, some of the family members’ depictions are informed by historical context, rather than direct source material or firsthand accounts, which can make some sections read like a textbook. However, a personal and intimate edge also appears throughout this book – the author is writing about her extended family, after all, despite having met so few of the people about whom she writes.

As a complete work, this incredibly in-depth portrait of the Heppenheimer family is far more than a memoir; it is a powerful and essential saga by a relentless researcher and a talented wordsmith.