rachelle
unreich
Rachelle Unreich delivers the powerful, true story of a Holocaust survivor – her own mother - in a tale that reminds us of the resilience of the soul and the ability of the heart to heal.
As Mira is nearing the end of her life, her daughter Rachelle wants to find out how her mother had lived through four concentration camps, including Auschwitz, and a Death March. There was a mystery to her survival, it seemed—which perhaps had something to do with the strange things that always happened around her. And, incredibly, when giving testimony later in life, she says that it was during this time—despite witnessing the depths of man’s cruelty—that she learned about “the goodness of people.”
A Brilliant Life portrays not only how remote a prospect it was to live through the Holocaust, but what it is like to be the child of a survivor.
'If A Brilliant Life were a painting, it would be hanging in a Palazzo in Italy among the classic chiaroscuro paintings of Caravaggio — a technique from the Renaissance era where the contrast of light and dark brushstrokes tells the whole story with some melancholy shades. Unreich has cleverly painted her mother’s story in all its shades of glory and despair; a woman who stepped into the canvas of life and painted her own bright fulfilling future.'
JANE ROCCA, Harper’s Bazaar
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'A delicate, evocative story of strength and survival that turns on one of the most powerful forces in the known universe: a mother's love. Braiding together the past and the present, A Brilliant Life shows how the two can never be separated - how, in families especially, we are shaped by the stories we inherit.'
JONATHAN FREEDLAND, bestselling author of The Escape Artist
'Journalist Unreich makes a graceful book debut with a family history, gleaned from interviews that she conducted with her 89-year-old mother, Mira, before she died from cancer… Mira’s recollections of the cruelty and sadism of the Holocaust are wrenching, yet the experiences did not quash her abiding faith in humanity. As a wife, mother, neighbor, and friend, she both embraced and enacted goodness. A daughter’s tender portrait of a woman who lived through terror.'
KIRKUS REVIEWS
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'I’m amazed, and deeply moved, by how strong the themes of joy and wonder are throughout this remarkable story. A Brilliant Life is an important act of bearing witness to the atrocities of the past, but it’s also a guide to living with optimism, generosity, and a continuing belief in humanity. It’s a book that will leave you changed, encouraging deep reflection on a personal, spiritual and societal level.’
BETTER READING
On Being Jewish Now
I am thrilled to be part of the anthology On Being Jewish Now, edited by the remarkable Zibby Owens. In it, I am one of 75 authors who have written essays about what being Jewish means to them today. The collection is moving, funny, uplifting and, I think, so informative and relevant. Available for pre-order now. All profits go to The Artists Against Antisemitism
On Being Jewish Now is an intimate collection of meaningful, smart, funny, sad, emotional, and inspiring essays from today’s authors and advocates about what it means to be Jewish, how things have changed since the attacks on October 7th, 2023, and the unique culture that brings this group together.
latest news
Rachelle was shortlisted for the ABIA 2024 Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year with her book A Brilliant Life.
A Brilliant Life has been shortlisted for the 2024 Margaret and Colin Literary Award. The award is given to the best Australian book that deals with any aspect of Australian life.
Thrilled to announch that A Brilliant Life has been shortlisted for The Leslie and Sophie Caplan Award for Jewish Non-Fiction in the Australian Jewish Book Awards.
about rachelle
Rachelle Unreich has been a journalist for 37 years, including seven years in the United States where she wrote about the entertainment industry. Her work has appeared in Harper’s Bazaar, The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, Australian Financial Review, Elle, Rolling Stone, Good Weekend, and she has been extensively published in the US, the UK, and Southeast Asia.
A Brilliant Life, the powerful true story of her mother Mira, a Holocaust survivor, is her first book.
speaking
Rachelle is an experienced interviewer and speaker. Over the years, she has interviewed many celebrities, including Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts, Harrison Ford, Warren Beatty, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kim Kardashian.
With the release of her book A Brilliant Life, she is available to speak at festivals and book events on the topics of overcoming trauma, starting a second chapter and the importance of recording one’s personal history.
articles
Rachelle Unreich’s work has appeared in Harper’s Bazaar, The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, Australian Financial Review, Elle, Rolling Stone, Good Weekend, and she has been extensively published in the US, the UK, and Southeast Asia.
