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4.52 AVERAGE
4.52 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
This was a heartbreaking book with teens as the primary audience. I believe this is the YA version of the adult memoir, The Choice, and after reading this, I would be very interested in reading The Choice. However, I would caution more sensitive readers as Edith describes many of the horrors that she experienced in many explicit ways. Still, I think if they can handle it, it is important for teens (and adults) to know what actually happened during this horrendous time period and to stand up when we see things moving in that direction. This is definitely feeling relevant to me right now (I'm from the US) as we prepare for the 2024 elections.
The style of this book felt almost as if the author were stepping away from what was happening, particularly when things got intense or traumatic, and while it made it easier to bear, it also took me out of the intense emotions. During some of those scenes, I almost felt like I was watching a silent movie about what was going on. I'm wondering if this is because this book is geared towards younger readers, and if the style is different in the original book. I will definitely be checking it out, in any case.
This was a "short read" but I definitely took my time with it, reading only a couple of chapters at a time. I think this would perfect for a high school English or history class. Because of the difficulty of some of the content, I wouldn't recommend it for middle school.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The style of this book felt almost as if the author were stepping away from what was happening, particularly when things got intense or traumatic, and while it made it easier to bear, it also took me out of the intense emotions. During some of those scenes, I almost felt like I was watching a silent movie about what was going on. I'm wondering if this is because this book is geared towards younger readers, and if the style is different in the original book. I will definitely be checking it out, in any case.
This was a "short read" but I definitely took my time with it, reading only a couple of chapters at a time. I think this would perfect for a high school English or history class. Because of the difficulty of some of the content, I wouldn't recommend it for middle school.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence
dark
sad
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
It's been a while since I read an actual Holocaust survivor story, rather than fiction/based on a true story. And wow. What an account. The Ballerina of Auschwitz is listed as being "a dramatic retelling of The Choice" which I haven't read.
I do have a slight issue with the sheer number of books that are called "The x of insert concentration camp name", but at least it makes it clear what it's about. However, I really loved the simplicity of the cover art, and really appreciate it not having the stripes of the uniforms as a background.
The Ballerina of Auschwitz is a beautifully written account of life as a Jewish girl in Nazi occupied Hungary/Czechoslovakia (her town was part of both countries at different times) and later Auschwitz, and then "home" as a survivor.
As you'd expect it was a story with a lot of loss and heartache. The chapters about Ediths time in Auschwitz are not as brutally descriptive as some I've read, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Edith has written as much as she could bear to reccount.
It is also a story of hope. The hope that "I just have to survive today and I'll be free tomorrow" is something I've read in other survivor accounts as well. The hope that she would see Eric and Klara again. The hope that one day everything would be right again.
There are two quotes that I love.
The first is something she realised after being shaved at Auschwitz, and sums up her strength of character. "We have a choice: to pay attention to what we've lost or to pay attention to what we still have." It's something I try and remind myself of too.
The second is when Edith was on a death march, during which 1900 women died. It's a wonderful example of Edith's beautiful writing style.
"We are like the head of a dandelion gone to seed and blown by the wind"
I do have a slight issue with the sheer number of books that are called "The x of insert concentration camp name", but at least it makes it clear what it's about. However, I really loved the simplicity of the cover art, and really appreciate it not having the stripes of the uniforms as a background.
The Ballerina of Auschwitz is a beautifully written account of life as a Jewish girl in Nazi occupied Hungary/Czechoslovakia (her town was part of both countries at different times) and later Auschwitz, and then "home" as a survivor.
As you'd expect it was a story with a lot of loss and heartache. The chapters about Ediths time in Auschwitz are not as brutally descriptive as some I've read, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Edith has written as much as she could bear to reccount.
It is also a story of hope. The hope that "I just have to survive today and I'll be free tomorrow" is something I've read in other survivor accounts as well. The hope that she would see Eric and Klara again. The hope that one day everything would be right again.
There are two quotes that I love.
The first is something she realised after being shaved at Auschwitz, and sums up her strength of character. "We have a choice: to pay attention to what we've lost or to pay attention to what we still have." It's something I try and remind myself of too.
The second is when Edith was on a death march, during which 1900 women died. It's a wonderful example of Edith's beautiful writing style.
"We are like the head of a dandelion gone to seed and blown by the wind"
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
"The Ballerina of Auschwitz" by Edith Eger wasn't a read that I've expected. It's a story of 16 years old Edith sent with her mother and sister to Auschwitz camp. It's a tale of survival and strength required to live and see the end of the WWII. It gives us a portrait of her life before and their family dynamics.
I have an enormous respect for all survivors along with all people who lost their lives during any war or conflict therfore its very hard for me to say that this book seemed to me to be lacking emotions. In my life I've not only read books about surviving the camps but also was talking to many people who experienced it first hand.
Personally I can only give it a 3,5 stars as the retelling wasn't made by any professional writer but it is a still a personal view. It's a quick read and worth a shot.
Thanks to @netgalley for the early copy in exchange for honest review
I have an enormous respect for all survivors along with all people who lost their lives during any war or conflict therfore its very hard for me to say that this book seemed to me to be lacking emotions. In my life I've not only read books about surviving the camps but also was talking to many people who experienced it first hand.
Personally I can only give it a 3,5 stars as the retelling wasn't made by any professional writer but it is a still a personal view. It's a quick read and worth a shot.
Thanks to @netgalley for the early copy in exchange for honest review