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eBook Category: Science Fiction Hugo Award Nominee, HOMer Award Nominee, Nebula Award(R) Finalist, AnLab Award Nominee
eBook Description: Sarah has one final conversation with her dying grandfather. But to the rest of the world, he is known only as the last living survivor of the Holocaust. In a world that is rapidly heading toward a repeat of those horrors, can Sarah bear to take over his legacy as a witness?

eBook Publisher: Fictionwise.com, Published: Analog, 2000
Fictionwise Release Date: April 2001

991 Reader Ratings:

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Available eBook Formats [MultiFormat - What's this?]: eReader (PDB) [32 KB] , ePub (EPUB) [29 KB] , Rocket/REB1100 (RB) [18 KB] , Portable Document Format (PDF) [85 KB] , Palm Doc (PDB) [19 KB] , Microsoft Reader (LIT) [53 KB] , Franklin eBookMan (FUB) [88 KB] , hiebook (KML) [75 KB] , Sony Reader (LRF) [46 KB] , iSilo (PDB) [16 KB] , Mobipocket (PRC) [20 KB] , Kindle Compatible (MOBI) [47 KB] , OEBFF Format (IMP) [30 KB]
Words: 5746
Reading time: 16-22 min.
Microsoft Reader (LIT) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
Portable Document Format (PDF) Format:  Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud DISABLED
All Other formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED

The time is fast drawing near when the last survivors of the Holocaust will pass away. In “Kaddish for the Last Survivor,” Michael Burstein anticipates this day and the upheavals it causes in the life of the last survivor’s granddaughter, Sarah. Using the advanced technologies of the near-future, Sarah’s grandfather enlists her help in preserving his memories of the Holocaust. On the way to resolving this personal crisis, Sarah must also deal with her mother who, apparently representative of her generation, previously tried to shield Sarah from the Holocaust. Unlike most other science fiction stories with a point of view or message to get across, the point here is not a subtle one. This story displays its message vividly, openly, and proudly, not unlike the death camp tattoos worn by Holocaust survivors, and which also play a central role in the story. This is a tight, well-written story that I recommend for those who do not mind a very obvious and pointed message in their reading. -Paul Walker, Fictionwise Recommender

After several such light stories, "Kaddish for the Last Survivor" by Michael A. Burstein is a welcome change. Here Burstein considers that very last Holocaust survivor, and his granddaughter, as the old man is dying. Who will remember? A serious issue, solidly handled. A definite step up for Burstein: I was pleasantly surprised. -Rich Horton, Tangent Online (Learn more about Tangent Online, the Internet's leading SF&F short fiction review website)

As calmly as she could, Sarah said, "Excuse me?"

The man smiled. "I asked, given the fact that your grandfather, who lived a long and healthy life, is now on his deathbed, why does your family feel the need to perpetuate the hoax of the Holocaust?"

Tom stepped forward, shouting, "Now, listen here, you--"

Sarah gently reached out and grabbed Tom's shoulder. "Tom, stop." She turned to the man. "Excuse me, but I didn't catch your name."

"Sorry. Maxwell Schwab, from the Institute for Historical Revision. I'm doing an article for our academic journal." He waved his hand at the other reporters. "We'd like to know why your family has gone to the trouble of inviting the mass media here, pretending to the world that the Holocaust actually happened and that your grandfather was a victim of this fictional event."

Tom pulled at her arm. "Come on, Sarah, we don't need to listen to this shi--this crap."

Sarah resisted. "No, wait." She pivoted her body to face the reporter. "Mr. Schwab?"

"Yes?"

Sarah slapped him on the face, hard, glad she'd studied self-defense. He staggered back, and fell onto his backside.