Regina’s Closet: Finding My Grandmother’s Secret Journal

Diana M. Raab
Beaufort Books (2007)
ISBN 9780825305757
Reviewed by April Sullivan for Reader Views (9/08)

 

“Regina’s Closet” is the story of author Diana Raab’s grandmother. Regina committed suicide when Diana was only 10-years-old. This sudden and devastating loss left Diana with many questions. Thirty years later she gets a chance to get a glimpse into her grandmother’s life, and clues to her death through a journal found in her closet.

Using a blend of journal entries, personal stories, and historical research, Raab weaves together a short, but straightforward story. We learn about the pain and devastation she went through as a child and young woman living through World War I and the Holocaust in Poland and Vienna. We read about her early career goals, her marriage, her family, and life in Paris and later the U.S. We relive Regina’s story through Diana’s own words and memories after she comes into the picture in the 1950s as the beloved granddaughter.

Most striking about this book is not Regina’s story, but Diana’s story. She shows us how strong the genetic bonds are between family members. Regina had a strained relationship with her mother. She tried so hard not to repeat the same mistakes with her daughter Eva. Yet we see some of the same personality traits coming out in Eva in her relationship with her daughter Diana. I also found the career paths of the three women interestingly similar. Regina wanted to be a doctor and studied medicine for two years in Vienna. Eva and Diana both entered the medical field. Diana is most interested in understanding the reasons for her grandmother’s depression and resulting suicide. As if by understanding it she can prevent the symptoms creeping up in herself. Whether it is mental illness or cancer, genetic predisposition is something that all of us can relate to, yet are scared to be related to.

Regina’s story is a compelling one. I feel lucky to be a shared recipient in the find of this journal. Finding the journal and writing this book seemed to be a cathartic process for the author. One that I think will yield more results that we, the readers, will enjoy in future books as we have with “Regina’s Closet.”  I look forward to reading more from Diana M. Raab.

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