To dispel loneliness

Nimal Sedera

Harry Burnstein is ninety-six years. He is the latest addition to the list of reputed international novelists. Harry was never a writer and began writing his first book memories of his life only at the age of 93 after the death of his wife. Harry explains.

"I was feeling so lonely after the death of my wife Ruby died of leukemia....I didn't know how to kill my time...Then I took up to writing my own life story..on the typewriter....ultimately it became a book...I called it 'the Invisible wall.'

" I based the story on a practical theme of the barrier that divides Jewish side from the Christian side in his home town of Stockport near Manchester.

Harry explains that the only thing common to both sides was the poverty. He recalls how his family people were discriminated because of no fault, simply because they were Jews.

Harry Bernstein recalls that when they were small..they were asked to spit when they were passing a catholic church. This experience is the 'invisible wall' he called. Harry and Ruby met at a dance in New York. And after dating for an year they got married. They were both Jewish. They were married by a rabbi. Harry and Ruby were never practising Jews.

Harry explains his plight that pushed him to be a writer. "You know when you reach 90 and when you have no one to talk..there is nowhere else..than to think of the past...Roam in the past..The 1st twenty-five years of my life is the saddest period..Our family was so poor..and so much were the hardships..." Things changed so much to the better after my marriage..she was a wonderful wife.."

Having written the book he sent the finished manuscript to New York publishers. Having no luck he then sent it to London office of Random house. The book sat for one year and then came the happy news of it being accepted for publication. Editor Kate Elton said that this is a fantastic book...

"The Invisible Wall" was published this year when the writer is aged 96. It is now published in England, Sweden and will be released in Germany, Italy, Finland and Norway.." Harry is so happy of the progress. He cannot believe that he has become a world known writer...He will be rich very soon.

Bernstein now lives in New Jersey in a two roomed apartment. Its walls are covered with reminders of the life with his wife. "We were so poor when we got married. Our honeymoon trip was a walk across the central park..and the next day we both went to work.

Harry began soon writing the second book. He has titled it "The Dream". It centres on the family moving from UK to USA. The book has already been contracted.

"I hope to write another book or two...My mother has taught me to complete things undertaken..So I will accomplish my mission.."