The Address Summary: The Address is a short story by Dutch writer Marga Minco, first published in 1956. It is set in Holland during and after World War II and tells the story of a young woman who returns home after the war to find that her mother has died and her possessions have been taken in by a non-Jewish neighbor.
The narrator, who is never named, is a young Jewish woman who has been living in hiding during the war. She returns home after the war to find that her mother has died and her house has been destroyed. She goes to the house of Mrs. Dorling, a non-Jewish neighbor who had been keeping some of her mother’s belongings for safekeeping.
Mrs. Dorling is initially cold and hostile to the narrator. She refuses to let her into the house and tells her that her mother is dead. The narrator eventually convinces Mrs. Dorling to let her in, and she sees that Mrs. Dorling is wearing her mother’s green cardigan. The narrator realizes that Mrs. Dorling has taken her mother’s things out of spite, and she leaves in anger.
The Address is a powerful story about the aftermath of war. It explores the themes of loss, grief, and betrayal. The story is also a reminder of the importance of human connection, even in the darkest of times.
Here are some additional details about the story:
- The story is set in Amsterdam, Holland.
- The war is never explicitly mentioned in the story, but it is clear that it has had a devastating impact on the city and its inhabitants.
- The narrator’s mother is a kind and gentle woman who is killed during the war.
- Mrs. Dorling is a cold and hostile woman who is resentful of the narrator’s family.
- The narrator is eventually able to find some peace and closure by remembering her mother’s kindness and love.
The Address is a moving and thought-provoking story that offers a glimpse into the lives of those who survived the Holocaust. It is a reminder of the importance of human connection and the power of hope.