A Long Postponed Visit

The main character of the novel ‘Jerry,’ was forced to leave his native country (Poland) during the 1967/69 political unrest in the country, after being harassed by the secret police & subjected to anti-Semitism. Years later, after the fall of the regime, as a biochemist he returned to Poland for conference and recounts the events of his life prior to his exile, and was confronted with the realities of the “fresh” post- communism in the country. The main emotional thread of the novel is a passionate affair Jerry have had with Catherine, an actress whom he had to abandon when he fled the country, and who meanwhile became artistically a celebrity. Tragically, she dies before they had a chance for reconciliation. The novel also recalls all other events of Jerry’s life, as his happy marriage to Vera and her tragic death, his children and other relationships and his friends. The novel artfully touches upon socio–political and historical analysis and related facts, and is weaving them into an intriguing story of one man’s tumultuous life.

The main character of the novel ‘Jerry,’ was forced to leave his native country (Poland) during the 1967/69 political unrest in the country, after being harassed by the secret police & subjected to anti-Semitism. Years later, after the fall of the regime, as a biochemist he returned to Poland for conference and recounts the events of his life prior to his exile, and was confronted with the realities of the “fresh” post- communism in the country. The main emotional thread of the novel is a passionate affair Jerry have had with Catherine, an actress whom he had to abandon when he fled the country, and who meanwhile became artistically a celebrity. Tragically, she dies before they had a chance for reconciliation. The novel also recalls all other events of Jerry’s life, as his happy marriage to Vera and her tragic death, his children and other relationships and his friends. The novel artfully touches upon socio–political and historical analysis and related facts, and is weaving them into an intriguing story of one man’s tumultuous life. This edition of the novel is extended by approx. 10 computer pages. All that, with the intention to futrher unfold the characters of the novel and enhance their diversity.

Arthur Friedberg (AF) is Dutch, of Polish descent; born in the northeast of Poland. In 1941 he was deported to Siberia together with his parents, where he spent five years, returning to Poland in 1946. After finishing high school, AF studied chemistry at the Technical University reaching the level of PhD, MSc, Eng. After a temporary democratisation in the country, at the end of 1956, still a student, AF became involved in growing movement of famous student’s theatres and film clubs. His artistic activities he continued aside of professional engagement throughout the 1960s. He emigrated from Poland in 1969. AF worked professionally as a scientist for sixteen years at Technical Universities in Poland & Sweden, and afterwards, for many years in industry in the Netherlands & France. He is now retired and is living in the Netherlands. AF is the author of two books: A long postponed visit (London,2005) & Largo de Santa Luzia and other Stories (London,2007). The actually presented novel, ‘A long postponed Visit’ is a reviewed and extended by approx. 10 pages version of the original one.