The Spiral Shell, A French Village Reveals Its Secrets of Jewish Resistance in World War II, a memoir

Join us for an intimate conversation with the author of The Spiral Shell: A French Village Reveals Its Secrets of Jewish Resistance in World War II, a haunting and beautifully crafted memoir that blends personal journey, historical investigation, and moral reckoning.

When the author travels to a quiet French village seeking renewal, she stumbles into a hidden past—one marked by courage, fear, betrayal, and unexpected acts of resistance. What begins as a personal retreat unfolds into a riveting search for the Jewish families who once lived there and the ordinary people who risked everything to save them during the Holocaust. As she pieces together archival clues, testimonies, and the village’s long-buried memories, she uncovers a story of profound resilience and moral complexity.

This talk invites us to reflect on the power of storytelling to reveal truths that history alone cannot capture. Whether you are drawn to Jewish history, memoir, or questions of moral courage, this conversation offers a moving exploration of the past and its echoes in our present.

Sandell Morse is the prize-winning author of the memoir, The Spiral Shell, A French Village Reveals Its Secrets of Jewish Resistance in World War II (Schaffner Press, April 2020, paperback April 2022). The Spiral Shell is a Silver Medal winner in the Story Circle Women’s Book Awards, 2020, memoir, and a finalist for the New Hampshire Literary Award, 2021, nonfiction.

Morse’s essays have been noted in The Best American Essays series and published in Creative Nonfiction, Ploughshares, the New England Review, Fourth Genre ASCENT, Solstice, and Tiferet among others. She has won the Michael Steinberg essay prize, been nominated for Best of the Net, and two Pushcart Prizes.

Morse lives in Portsmouth NH, and can be found at sandellmorse.com, on Instagram and Facebook @sandellmorse, and on Substack at https://sandelldoubleespresso.substack.com/

Who are these classes for?

Our classes are for everyone—whether you’re brand new to the topic or have been engaging with it for years, we encourage participation from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experience levels. Unless otherwise noted, no prior knowledge or experience is needed. Not sure if a class is for you? Email us at Learning@Lehr.haus!

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Can I eat during class?

While we do not serve food in the study, you are welcome to order and enjoy drinks during class and join us for a meal before or after class. We highly recommend making a reservation if you know you'll be dining with us. Visit www.lehr.haus/reservation to check availability and book a table.