Briar Rose Chapter 4 Summary

  • Back in the present day, we're in a synagogue at a funeral. Oh no. Gemma has died.
  • By Gemma's grave, Becca remembers her promise. She has to find that castle.
  • Back at her parents' house, Becca serves pie and mingles. Her sisters sulk upstairs. What a nice family.
  • Becca asks her father about Gemma's castle. Could it be real?
  • Dad says no, it was just a story.
  • Turns out no one in the family knows that much about Gemma's past. No one even knows where she was born. Very mysterious. Also, what kid doesn't ask about where her parents are from?
  • Later, after all the neighbors and family friends have left, Becca tells her nieces and nephews a story.
  • The grownups gather after the kids are in bed. Dr. Berlin, Becca's dad, has a box of Gemma's things for the family to go through together.
  • Mrs. Berlin, Gemma's daughter, begins to go through the box. Lots of photos, seems like, plus some newspaper clippings.
  • There are also what seem to be Gemma's immigration papers into America. The papers suggest that her real name was Gitl Mandlestein.
  • They find a picture of a handsome man. Could this be Mrs. Berlin's father? Mrs. Berlin doesn't know. Gemma never spoke about him.
  • Another thing in the box is a man's ring. Interesting.
  • The papers in the box suggest that Gemma got away from Poland in the middle of World War II. Mrs. Berlin is surprised. She thought her mother came to the U.S. before the war began.
  • That's it for the contents of the box. The family was hoping to get some answers, but they only have more questions.
  • Becca renews her promise to learn more about her grandmother's life.