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4.52 AVERAGE
4.52 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
This was a pretty quick read, definitely one for YA, maybe a little younger than high school in the difficulty of reading, but still the topic or the age of the characters at the time and things they thought about could be considered more high school. But it you really read Anne Frank’s diary, you know she was definitely the age and thinking about things sometimes we think middle school age shouldn’t be reading, even if they are all thinking and wondering about some of that anyway at that age.
But I digress from my review. World War II and the holocaust especially is something that when I actually spend time reading about or thinking about, it’s just so hard to imagine the enormity of what happened. Yeah, I’ve seen the pictures, and I’ve been the holocaust museum in DC. But every single time I read or hear about the experience from an actual survivor it just completely messes up my brain trying to even imagine what it could be like. Some of the things the author talks about, how in the camp they were able to ignore or learned to not be in so much pain from things like that, and then once they had been liberated immediately those pains and hunger came back. Thinking of how the body adjusts to things in even that type of situation, the hunger that I can’t imagine. Being able to have hope in the concentration camp and even while on the march or while they were forced to ride on top of a train car to protect weapons. Yet when they were finally free it was hard to hold onto that hope thinking about things they’d lost.
It’s hard to write a review of a memoir like this. Just know that it is one worth reading if you want the basic story. I feel like I would probably want to read the full adult memoir called The Choice at some point. If you’ve read the adult memoir, I’d love to hear your thoughts as well.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
emotional
medium-paced
I haven't read Edith's original memoir The Choice, but I've since requested to reserve it at my local library. If this beautiful yet harrowing book is anything to go by I know I'll enjoy it.
When I say 'enjoy it', it leaves me with a pit in my stomach, these aren't the right words to express when reading about Edith's awful experience.
I appreciated her sharing with us her life before during and after the war. Which is something that actually sets her memoir apart from others. We got a full picture of the true devastation, not just physically but mentally also.
The message given to us through Edith's words are that we always have a choice, and what a valuable memo to be reminded of. Edith's strength, resilience and determination speak volumes and it left me feeling positive despite the horrors she experienced.
I highly recommend everyone read this book not just the younger audience.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC.
When I say 'enjoy it', it leaves me with a pit in my stomach, these aren't the right words to express when reading about Edith's awful experience.
I appreciated her sharing with us her life before during and after the war. Which is something that actually sets her memoir apart from others. We got a full picture of the true devastation, not just physically but mentally also.
The message given to us through Edith's words are that we always have a choice, and what a valuable memo to be reminded of. Edith's strength, resilience and determination speak volumes and it left me feeling positive despite the horrors she experienced.
I highly recommend everyone read this book not just the younger audience.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC.
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
ARC review; thanks to NetGalley, Ebury Publishing, Penguin Random House, and Rider for the access to this ebook.
I decided a while back I wouldn't rate nonfiction and memoirs anymore, so I'll skip the rating, here are my thoughts. I've read a few memoirs from holocaust survivors and I always appreciate their strength in sharing their stories with such detail about the horrors they endured and survived.
According to the author's note, this is a retelling of her memoir "The Choice," geared towards a wider audience. Apparently, most of this book is quite different from "The Choice" and a lot more personal. I haven't read "The Choice" so I can't compare, but this felt indeed very personal and open. I also appreciate the author's intentions in revisiting this story and her message of resilience and hope.
One thing I have to say is that Palestine is mentioned as an escape route Jews considered during the holocaust, and the author provides no thoughts or opinions about her views on Palestine or what's currently happening. I found this a little odd because she inserts current thoughts and opinions about the things she's writing about from her past. So it stands out to me that there's no reflection about or condemnation of the current genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.
Perhaps this retelling was written long before October 7th, but this genocide started long before then and I believe the author would've known that, so, I don't know... In the author's note, the author also mentions a lot of the issues that plague the world today, like suicide, depression, etc., but genocide isn't included in that list, and I would say it's definitely a big issue that's affecting a lot of people.
I feel some type of way about that, but it doesn't take away from how powerful I think this short book was.
I decided a while back I wouldn't rate nonfiction and memoirs anymore, so I'll skip the rating, here are my thoughts. I've read a few memoirs from holocaust survivors and I always appreciate their strength in sharing their stories with such detail about the horrors they endured and survived.
According to the author's note, this is a retelling of her memoir "The Choice," geared towards a wider audience. Apparently, most of this book is quite different from "The Choice" and a lot more personal. I haven't read "The Choice" so I can't compare, but this felt indeed very personal and open. I also appreciate the author's intentions in revisiting this story and her message of resilience and hope.
One thing I have to say is that Palestine is mentioned as an escape route Jews considered during the holocaust, and the author provides no thoughts or opinions about her views on Palestine or what's currently happening. I found this a little odd because she inserts current thoughts and opinions about the things she's writing about from her past. So it stands out to me that there's no reflection about or condemnation of the current genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.
Perhaps this retelling was written long before October 7th, but this genocide started long before then and I believe the author would've known that, so, I don't know... In the author's note, the author also mentions a lot of the issues that plague the world today, like suicide, depression, etc., but genocide isn't included in that list, and I would say it's definitely a big issue that's affecting a lot of people.
I feel some type of way about that, but it doesn't take away from how powerful I think this short book was.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced