The Postcard

The Postcard, or La Carte Postale, by Anne Myriam Berest is a 2023 historical fiction novel. Originally published in French, the novel follows Lélia Picabia’s search for answers surrounding a mysterious postcard bearing the names of her ancestors, who were murdered at Auschwitz. Although this work is based on true events, the author fictionalizes the history by adding the characters’ real-time personalities and emotions. The novel explores the themes of Inherited Trauma, Lack of Safety, and Survivor’s Guilt, as well as antisemitism, war, and Jewish identity.

The Postcard won the American Choix Goncourt Prize, the ELLE Readers Prize, and the Prix Renaudot des Lycéens.

This guide refers to the translated edition by Tina Cover, published by Europa Editions Press, 2023.

Content Warning: The source material and this guide discuss graphic violence, torture and death, and violent sexual assault. The source material also uses derogatory, antisemitic language, and explores drug use, lethal drug use, and suicide.

Plot Summary

Book 1 of The Postcard opens on Lélia explaining her family’s history to her adult daughter Anne, who is pregnant. Anne is the novel’s author and protagonist. The book blends fiction, history, and

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