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book_concierge's review
4.0
Digital audiobook narrated by Jilly Bond
4****
Subtitle: The Rediscovered Memoir of One Woman’s Harrowing Escape From the Nazis
In 1921 Frankel – a Jewish woman from Poland – opened La Maison du Livre, Berlin’s first French bookshop. It was popular with artists and diplomats, celebrities and poets. But by 1935 the city was in the grip of the Nazis – first came bureaucratic hurdles, then police inspections and book confiscations. In November 1938 came Kristallnacht, when hundreds of Jewish shops and businesses were destroyed. Frankel fled to Paris. But she was hardly safe for long.
Originally titled No Place To Lay One’s Head this has been re-issued with the popular “bookshop” title – certainly a marketing strategy. There’s virtually nothing in the memoir about the bookshop, and little about Berlin.
This is not to say that Frankel’s memoir isn’t worth reading. I was engaged, interested and riveted by her tale. The many near misses and constant uncertainty would break many. I marveled at her tenacity, determination and sheer will to survive.
Jilly Bond does an excellent job of narrating the audiobook. She sets a good pace and has very clear diction. I don’t speak French, so am not certain, but her French pronunciation sounds authentic to me.
The text version includes numerous notes at the end, including copies of correspondence and a review of Frankel’s original memoir. I was surprised to learn from these appendices that she was married; her husband is never mentioned in the book.
4****
Subtitle: The Rediscovered Memoir of One Woman’s Harrowing Escape From the Nazis
In 1921 Frankel – a Jewish woman from Poland – opened La Maison du Livre, Berlin’s first French bookshop. It was popular with artists and diplomats, celebrities and poets. But by 1935 the city was in the grip of the Nazis – first came bureaucratic hurdles, then police inspections and book confiscations. In November 1938 came Kristallnacht, when hundreds of Jewish shops and businesses were destroyed. Frankel fled to Paris. But she was hardly safe for long.
Originally titled No Place To Lay One’s Head this has been re-issued with the popular “bookshop” title – certainly a marketing strategy. There’s virtually nothing in the memoir about the bookshop, and little about Berlin.
This is not to say that Frankel’s memoir isn’t worth reading. I was engaged, interested and riveted by her tale. The many near misses and constant uncertainty would break many. I marveled at her tenacity, determination and sheer will to survive.
Jilly Bond does an excellent job of narrating the audiobook. She sets a good pace and has very clear diction. I don’t speak French, so am not certain, but her French pronunciation sounds authentic to me.
The text version includes numerous notes at the end, including copies of correspondence and a review of Frankel’s original memoir. I was surprised to learn from these appendices that she was married; her husband is never mentioned in the book.
kendra_kendra's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.25
debandleo's review
4.0
Really enjoyed reading this honest, brutal account of actual events during the German occupation of France during WWII.
beastreader's review
3.0
I enjoy reading stories on this topic. It is important to remember history so that we don't make the same mistakes. Sadly; I feel like we have taken a few steps backwards in today's world. Every day you read headlines about racism.
It is people like Françoise, who we have to thank for sharing their stories. While, I can't imagine enduring everything that Françoise did. In a way, I kind of could reading this book. I don't want to take anything away from Françoise but I was only semi engaged with this book. It was not like The Diary of Anne Frank or The Hiding Place.
However, I still found myself interested in what I was reading and at times could not stop reading. Again, I applaud Françoise for sharing her story.
It is people like Françoise, who we have to thank for sharing their stories. While, I can't imagine enduring everything that Françoise did. In a way, I kind of could reading this book. I don't want to take anything away from Françoise but I was only semi engaged with this book. It was not like The Diary of Anne Frank or The Hiding Place.
However, I still found myself interested in what I was reading and at times could not stop reading. Again, I applaud Françoise for sharing her story.
katscribefever's review
4.0
In 1921, Françoise Frenkel, a young Polish woman of Jewish descent, partners with her husband to set up her lifelong dream of a French bookshop located in Berlin. Within a few years, her husband must go into hiding, and she soon must follow his lead in order to protect herself from the encroaching Nazi Party. What follows is a leapfrogging tale of close calls and near-misses as she witnesses time and again the duality of power: a trap that ensnares or an olive branch to compassionately extend. A beautiful and uplifting tale from a dark period of history, this memoir is a great choice for fans of history or biographies.
brewychock51's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0