Herman Rosenblat, Polish-American author (b. 1929)

Herman A. Rosenblat, born circa 1929, an American author of Polish origin, gained notoriety for his purported Holocaust memoir, Angel at the Fence. This book, initially slated for publication in 2009 by Berkley Books, claimed to recount the extraordinary true story of a young girl who, during World War II, passed him food through the barbed-wire fence of the Schlieben sub-camp, a satellite facility of the notorious Buchenwald concentration camp. The narrative presented a compelling, albeit ultimately fictitious, account of hope and an unlikely connection amidst the horrors of the Holocaust.

However, the planned publication of Angel at the Fence was abruptly cancelled. This decision came after it was revealed that numerous core elements of Rosenblat's memoir were fabricated and directly contradicted verifiable historical facts. For instance, the described interactions through the fence would have been virtually impossible given the extreme security, constant surveillance, and brutal conditions prevalent in Nazi concentration camps, where prisoners faced starvation and any unauthorized contact was severely punished, often with death. Following the public disclosure of these discrepancies, Rosenblat himself admitted to deliberately fabricating parts of the story, stating his intention was to "bring joy" to his readers, rather than to deceive.

Prior to the public exposure of the memoir's untruths, the narrative had garnered significant attention and interest. Harris Salomon of Atlantic Overseas Pictures notably purchased the film rights to the book for a substantial sum of $25 million. The story also deeply resonated with influential figures, including media mogul Oprah Winfrey, who, before the fabrications came to light, famously described it on her show as "the single greatest love story" she had encountered in over 22 years of hosting.

Interestingly, while the original memoir was discredited, the compelling and complex saga surrounding Rosenblat's fabricated story itself became the subject of a new creative endeavor. An independent feature film focusing on the "Herman Rosenblat affair"—the true story of the hoax and its aftermath—began development. In June 2010, Atlantic Overseas Pictures and producer Harris Salomon formalized a co-production agreement with Castel Film Studios, a renowned film production facility in Central and Eastern Europe known for its work on films such as Cold Mountain and Borat, as well as with 3rd-i Films in London. This collaboration aimed to produce a feature film based on an original screenplay titled The Apple, penned by award-winning screenwriter Ivo Marloh, with production originally scheduled for 2015.

Frequently Asked Questions about Herman A. Rosenblat's Memoir

What was Angel at the Fence?

Angel at the Fence was a fictitious Holocaust memoir written by Herman A. Rosenblat, purporting to tell the true story of a girl who passed him food through a concentration camp fence during World War II.

Why was Herman A. Rosenblat's memoir cancelled?

The book's publication was cancelled after it was discovered that many elements of the memoir were fabricated and contradicted verifiable historical facts.

What did Herman A. Rosenblat say about the fabrications?

Rosenblat later admitted to deliberately lying, stating his intention was to "bring joy" through his story.

How much were the film rights for Angel at the Fence sold for?

The film rights were purchased for $25 million by Harris Salomon of Atlantic Overseas Pictures before the fabrications became public.

What was Oprah Winfrey's reaction to the original story?

Oprah Winfrey described the story as "the single greatest love story" she had heard in over 22 years of hosting her show, prior to the disclosure of its fictitious nature.

What is The Apple film about?

The Apple is an independent feature film that focuses on the "Herman Rosenblat affair" itself, chronicling the true story behind the fabricated memoir and its public unraveling.