Louise Illig-Mooncie – “The Jewish Ghost” – review by Aydin Deniz
The Jewish Ghost. Being German: A Search for Meaning by Louise Illig-Mooncie
Review by Aydin Deniz
Louise Illig-Mooncie ‘The Jewish Ghost’
The aftermath of any tragedy has, as well as the obvious victims, consequences for those unfortunate enough to be associated with the perpetrators. For Louise Illig-Mooncie, being German during the post World War II period had the effect of an ever-present feeling of guilt, invariably magnified by encounters with furious Jewish people, whether that be at a party, or via the parents of a romantic interest.
This issue of racial hatred and punishment by proxy is a timeless difficulty and prevalent today as much as it was for religious groups at the beginning of recorded human history.
Using simple and concise language, she honestly conveys to us her personal experience of emotional turmoil and insecurity, and how this led to her attempt at understanding a life beyond the restiction of our physical selves.
It is interesting to hear from a side that is, to a certain extent, lacking in voice. I feel it is a shame that there are not more detailed descriptions of her mixed emotions of helplessness and guilt, and how and to what extent this affected her life, and that of her son’s, as this might have enabled us to transfer the situation and perhaps empathise with those that are currently in this plight.
However, that is a personal preference and this book is more of a spiritual autobiography. One that I imagine will be highly appreciated by those on a similar journey of self-discovery.
Aydin Deniz
Many thanks for your very insightful and sensitive review!
It is very interesting for me to see how each reader responds differently to the contents of the book.
I would just like to elaborate on why I haven’t been more explicit about the more painful aspects of my journey.
Firstly, I did not wish to seem self-indulgent and bore people with too much of my pain.
Secondly, I feel that the pain itself is only a secondary aspect, it is not the message. We all live with pain, one way or another, mine is not special, but I wanted to show the reader that there can be a way ‘out of pain’, a path to heal and to open up to a more compassionate life with each other.
Thank you once again & best wishes, Louise