About this book: Who is this small being on the street of the East German city of Chemnitz; this unfinished creature and mere larva child? In the first part of her book, Gabriella Mautner paints a picture of Jewish life in the 20's and 30's. Then comes the frightening year 1933. "Once in exile your childhood is over. Even if you are free of the iron prison which Chemnitz meant for us at the end. The exile robs you of your friends, your laughter, your joy. All at once you have aged through the pain of separation and the wounds of uprootedness." In 1998 Gabriella Mautner was invited to return to Chemnitz. The second part of this book deals with meetings of some of its citizens and the quest of reconciliation.