Eternally Yours: Stories and Essays

    English is not Holzmann's mother tongue nor the language he uses in daily life. Then why did he write in English? "Hebrew is the language I speak." he says "But my Hebrew is too poor to write a book. Worse, I lack the background and knowledge of Hebrew literature and Jewish scriptures which are essential for writing a book in Hebrew."

    As to German, the language I know best," he says "I tried it. But to my surprise I found that my German is too schwerfällig to express the light mood of my stories and the way I use to think."

    Liz Robbins wrote to him from Victoria "The fact that English is not your first language adds a definite intrigue and beauty to your style so don't let anyone 'Americanize' your manuscript".

The essays and stories:

* Why am I Jewish?
* Dark Sunset over Germany
* How to get out of Ma?
* IQ
* Wedding in an Orange Grove
* The Hour that Never Was
* There is only One Mrs. Bauman
* See You at the Funeral

Holzmann met a multitude of characters in life who fill his stories. Here are some of them:

* CSM Menkins the Company Sergeant Major who cursed in Yiddish
* Dr. Logan. the bald headed Jecke who was Director General of the Ministry.
* "Clair, the schoolmate of his mother who flashed the deep cleft between her breasts and her naked upper thigh into his face."
* His two friends from the SS who came to visit him at night, when they discussed Germany and the Jews.
* Gretchen. the German woman who never ceased to curse Hitler.
* Lazlo Minkowith, the homosexual cook of the Officers Mess.
* Sister Mary Scott who sought revenge for Captain Sounder's slight.
* Colonel Helen Oak of Middle East GHQ in Cairo.
* Miri, the bridegroom's future sister in law, who wrote a book about men, whom she interviewed, tried out and documented.
* the Rav's daughter (wearing jeans) who stood in for the tenth man.