The girl with the ladder
A four-generation family saga begins in Vienna at the dawn of the twentieth century, as the great city makes the transition from gaslight to electricity.
At its heart is Margareta Drimer—the girl with the ladder—a rebellious, sexually liberated young woman and, unexpectedly, an electrician. Choosing to leave school behind, she educates herself and becomes her father's assistant. Determined to shape her own destiny, she immigrates to the Land of Israel alone. But fate has other plans. A devastating fire at a kibbutz changes her life forever, while a long-buried family secret leaves its mark on the generations that follow.
Through the eyes of Hatzav, a contemporary artist and Margareta's granddaughter, the family's story unfolds, revealing remarkable women who faced tragedy, hardship, and resilience. When Hatzav uncovers the secret hidden for decades, her own life is transformed. Will she be able to break the family's cycle of pain and finally find happiness?
Saar Publishing | July 2025
"I have no words. I'm crying and happy too. How emotional. Four generations of a difficult life. One woman larger than life – Pnina Margarita Dreamer. I didn't stop reading until I finished. Excellent writing, a fascinating plot, and I felt like I was in a movie where an entire life passes in a blink. A must read."
"A gripping and powerful book that stays in the heart long after the last page. Unforgettable female characters, a shocking family secret, and writing that manages to be both gentle and sharp."