A Review of Regina’s Closet by Diana M. Raab

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Regina's Closet by Diana M. Raab

Reviewed by Theresa Bowman

This book was an easy read and I recommend it highly.

The author, Diana, was predominantly raised by her grandmother and she respected and loved her deeply. When Diana was ten, her grandmother committed suicide. In addition to being sad and lonely without her grandmother, Diana was also confused as to why her grandmother chose to take her own life. Diana received little if any explanation from her parents. As a grown woman, Diana received her grandmother’s journal which gave her great insight into her grandmother’s life from the time she was very young to adulthood. Diana wrote her book based on that journal.

The book was written in a clear and concise manner that allowed me to feel my own emotions regarding her story, versus riding on the emotions of the author. She explains that it was cathartic for her write the book and she allows you to see that by sharing her own thoughts throughout the book.

I enjoyed reading a first-hand account about a Jewish family’s struggle living in Poland during WWI and the experiences, events and emotions that occurred while immigrating to a place where life would be safe. Unlike other books I’ve read, this family is not sent to the concentration camps; they immigrate before being captured. The events witnessed by the author’s grandmother – then a young child caught in the turmoil along with the rest of her family – attest to the strength of the human spirit. I was captivated by the insights of this young girl, and also was saddened that she grew up without a childhood.

Surviving the impending war was only part of her grandmother’s story. Her mother’s constant and uncalled-for berating of her every action would, at times, cause my blood to boil. I found myself cheering on this grandmother and relishing her few good fortunes. This determined, intelligent and beautiful grandmother endured much and accomplished many successes until her spirit could no longer rally.