A Story of Holocaust Echoes.
(The Sugar Men is the novel based on the short story: The Lucky One.)
Susannah Morgan has been settled in sleepy North Carolina for almost sixty-five years, but is still haunted by memories of her escape from the holocaust as a child.
For most of her life the flashbacks have been a lonely obsession – one she has managed to hide from her children.
But as her life draws to a close her memories start asking questions, and the only way she can find answers is to return to the scene of the unspeakable crime.
Against the wishes of her children she flies back to Germany to find her truth. What she discovers there explains so much about who she is, who her children are, and how the wretched legacy of the holocaust is wide and deep and persistent.
The Sugar Men is a companion novel to Rosa’s Gold and Beyond the Shadow of Night, but they can be read in any order.
20 Comments
Vera Scott
Just finished this book and thought it was a wonderful story. I was touched in many ways, being the daughter of parents who met and lived in post war Germany. They were not Jews, but had to deal with the complex emotions of young German citizens learning of and dealing with the reality of Hitler’s atrocities.
Ray
Hello Vera.
It’s so rewarding for any writer when someone enjoys one of their stories and can connect with the elements of history portrayed, like you clearly did. So thank you very much for your kind comments.
Ruth Kelly
I just finished reading “The Sugarmen” I found it to be very well written. Though fictional… it told the story of so many that suffered through one of the most horrible atrocities known to humankind! I ran the gamut of emotions…anger, love, sadness, joy, sorrow…None that did not live through that life can ever imagine what they suffered. I thank you for keeping their memory alive. It is in doing so, that hopefully, we can hope, pray and make certain that history does not repeat itself!
Ray
Thank you very much for those generous comments Ruth. For someone to have a reaction like that means a lot to me. And, of course, I share your hopes.
Pam Brackett
Just finished this book this morning and the story was one I will never forget. It was done in such kind and gentle manner. For Susannah to realize that Teddy had kept her in his heart all those years and that he shared her ordeal was truly a gift.
I so agree with Ruth in that I hope we all learn from this atrocity as we travel down a very slippery slope…
Is this story based on someone you knew?
Ray
Hello Pam. Thanks for your kind comments about The Sugar Men.
To answer your question – no, the story isn’t based on anyone I knew, it’s just where the story took me when I was trying to consider where those tentacles of history reach.
Lois Foster-Middleton
Thank you. An emotional yet gripping book. The subject is one that needs to be told and must never be forgotten. It was told a a kind, caring and honest way. I am so glad I read it.
Ray
Many thanks for your generous comments, Lois. A reaction like your makes all the hard work worthwhile.
Joan Ungemach Brumbach
Although our German ancestors arrived in America just prior to the Civil War, there has always been a fascination with the World Wars, in which my father and grandfather fought—for the US. I had a German professor in college who once admitted to the class that he had been one of the first American soldiers into the camps and how the atrocities had stuck with him. That was all he said but having seen newsreels, etc. his comment and expression have always stuck with me. This book has now given me a deeper knowledge of his experience.
Ray
Hello Joan, and thank you for reading The Sugar Men. I’m really pleased you gained something from it.
Stephen Schultz
How much background research did you do for The Sugar Men? I’ve read a great deal on this part of our history, but nothing that brings it so clean to the bone of an individual’s experience.
Ray
Hi Stephen. Thank you for your praise of The Sugar Men. Of course, I carried out a lot of research for the story so as to get under Suzannah’s skin, to understand how those experiences would follow her throughout their life. But the research was mainly reading about and listening to first hand accounts by some of those unfortunate souls who really did experience it.
Rick
Authors nowadays seem to write more about the colour and type of paint on the doo, that type of curtains and what people are eating or wearing nothing to do with the plot just padding. the joy of your book was that you described emotions and experiences and our imagination filled in the rest. The subject is horrific, but superbly written with great sensitivity
Ray
Thanks for those generous words, Rick. I do try, and I read enough to know exactly what you mean. Sometimes as a reader I want to scream out ‘just get on with the story’.
Cassandra
I agree with Rick!!! Keep up the the good work!!
Ray
I’ll Try, Cassandra!! Thanks!!
Barb
Just finished The Sugar Men. Loved it. So into her life. She went through such a long journey and finally accepted her past and present life. Ty for such real characters and such a beautiful story. Barb♥️
Ray
Really pleased you enjoyed it Barb. Thanks for your comments.
Joan Cieslak
Beautiful writing. I was especially touched by the way you wrote of how to accept death. Thank you for this book. It was wonderful !
Ray
Hi Joan. Thank you very much for those kind words. That’s a very difficult subject area to approach. I’m pleased you enjoyed that as well as the rest of the book.