Rockville Public Library Hosts Launch of Vernon Author’s Latest Book
The Rockville Public Library will host a book launch event for Vernon resident and author Hanna Perlstein Marcus on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 1 p.m.
Marcus’ latest book is “Sidonia’s Seam Binding,” the final installment in a trilogy about her mother Sidonia and her only daughter, who is Marcus. The first book is “Sidonia’s Thread” and the second is “Surviving Remnant.”
Sidonia survived the Holocaust because she was a skilled seamstress. While the rest of her family was lost to the Nazis, Sidonia was put to work. When World War II ended, Sidonia was sent to a displaced person’s camp. While there, she gave birth to her daughter.
In 1949 Sidonia and her 2-year-old daughter obtained a visa and were able to immigrate to the United States. They settled in Springfield, Mass., where Sidonia spent the rest of her life.
“My mother and I were on our own,” Marcus said. Her mother had lost all of her relatives in the Holocaust and knew no one in Springfield. She built a life using her skills, both as a seamstress and designer.
“Sidonia’s Seam Binding” tells the story of a mother and daughter who face an uncertain life after surviving the Holocaust.
“All of the books have a sewing theme, but they are not really about sewing,” Marcus said. “The books are about how two women who were alone in the world bonded through the mother’s genius at clothing and fashion design and dress making, and the daughter’s ability to model the mother’s creations.”
The third book, Marcus said, is more introspective and her evolution from age 12.
During Saturday’s book launch, Marcus will discuss the book as well as her mother’s designs. She’ll also bring two examples.
Marcus lived in Springfield until she went off to college at UMass Amherst, and then UConn. She has lived in Vernon for more than 30 years.
After the program, there will be refreshments and Marcus will autograph copies of her books.