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4.62 AVERAGE
4.62 AVERAGE
I found an old copy of this book from 1947 at a local thrift store. Picked it up because the title made me curious. It was very, very difficult to read a first hand account of the horrors of Auschwitz written by a woman who survived the camps, and written so soon after the experience. My heart ached and my mind reeled as the author described the depravity of the Nazis and the horrible, horrible suffering inflicted upon all who went to the camps- Jews, homosexuals, gypsies, communists. Olga Lengyel was not Jewish, but her husband , a doctor, in a Nazi occupied country, was vocal in his dislike of the Nazis. When he is told he must be shipped to Germany within the hour, Olga makes the worst mistake of her life in convincing the Nazis to allow her children, her parents, and herself to accompany him. In short order they are all loaded onto one of the now infamous cattle cars and on their way to Auschwitz. Her parents and her two sons are sent to the gas chambers immediately on arrival to the camp. She and her husband are separated, and she sees him briefly, once more, but he does not survive either. The author's purpose in writing this story is that the world remember what happened, so that it never happen again. I was compelled to read this book, as if not doing so would be to disregard this story.
five stars
As ever, five stars are needed for yet another vitally important historical document.
Olga’s journey of heartbreak, honesty, determination, grief, love and hope are heightened in this here book.
I have read a lot of holocaust/Auschwitz survivor books but not many from a female doctor pov.
And as always, you have to say that these books are a warning to the future from the past!
As ever, five stars are needed for yet another vitally important historical document.
Olga’s journey of heartbreak, honesty, determination, grief, love and hope are heightened in this here book.
I have read a lot of holocaust/Auschwitz survivor books but not many from a female doctor pov.
And as always, you have to say that these books are a warning to the future from the past!
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
What would you do if your loved one was taken to be sent elsewhere and you were given the opportunity to go with them not just yourself, but your entire family without much hassle? Knowing the Holocaust now, one would easily say they would refuse to go, but Olga Lengyel had no idea the fate that would await her family for one choice she made in a single hour that was full of emotion and fear at being separated from her loving husband.
I recently read this book again. It's a book that has crossed my mind for 20 years. It's reminded me that everyday has value. It lead me to meet a Holocaust survivor and take so many holocaust history classes. It's well worth the time to read.
A very tough read but an important one. I've been reading quite a few Holocaust survival stories over the last month. This one is a stand out.
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
dark
emotional
medium-paced