(Memoir, 336 pp, 2026)
The Wanderers, by Daniela Gerson, is a poignant narrative history and genealogical detective story that uncovers the overlooked experiences of Polish Jews who survived the Holocaust by fleeing into the Soviet Union. The book follows the parallel odysseys of the grandparents of Gerson and her wife, Talia Inlender, as they embark on a 5,000-mile journey through Ukrainian territories, Soviet Gulags, and Central Asia. Through contemporary reporting and historical research, Gerson explores the universal struggles of refugees forced to make impossible decisions, ultimately revealing how these legacies of exile and survival continue to resonate across generations and borders today.
Reading and discussion guide from the author’s website, created by Reboot
Review by Howard Freedman, J, April 23, 2026
Review by H K Curtiss, Booklist, February 1, 2026
Review by Diane Cole, The Wall Street Journal, April 7, 2026
Review by Jason K. Friedman, Jewish Book Council, March 30, 2026
Review by Publishers Weekly
Review by Debbie Nathan, The Forward, April 28, 2026
Daniela Gerson & Nicholas Lemann (author of Returning) in conversation at the Jewish Museum, April 15, 2026 (video)
