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anciense's review against another edition
5.0
Key words from this book: hope(lessness), guilt, cold, why?.
I am almost afraid to rate/review this, because how can you rate/review a book about this topic? Who am I to say whether or not I liked the way someone wrote about their trauma/experiences?
This book was heart-breaking, but in a way I have never read before. The writing style seemed detached and not as emotional as other Holocaust literature I've read which I think is interesting. It also communicates what Delbo makes clear: "You cannot understand" (p. 127). How can we ever know what it was like? How can we ever know if we do not speak the same language as survivors (and I not only mean Holocaust survivors, but every kind of survivors)?
"There are people who say, "I'm thirsty." They step into a café and order a beer." (p. 145)
But even though the writing style read detached and non-emotional, the details of Delbo's memories make it tragic nonetheless - one poem that broke me was Prayer to the Living to Forgive Them for Being Alive, a couple of sentences of which: "I beg you / do something / learn a dance step / something to justify your existence / something that gives you the right / to be dressed in your skin in your body hair / learn to walk and to laugh / because it would be too senseless / after all / for so many to have died / while you live / doing nothing with your life." (p. 230)
The third part of the book speaks so much about how the survivors believe that everything must have changed, the hope to be free again - to start their lives again and, upon their return, the realization that nothing at all has changed, that there is still war, that there always will be war, etc. It is heartbreaking but very important but very depressing.
I could go on for ages and ages about this book and I think I will have to come back to the many sentences, stories and poems I have marked to fully process this. I think this is a very important part of Holocaust literature precisely because it is not that emotive, because it does not attempt to be able to convey you things you have to know ("I do think. I think people should know. They've got to know. Why would we have made this great effort to return if it's all for nothing, if we remain silent, if we don't say what it was like?" / "What good does it do to say it?" (p.344)).
I would recommend it if you're interested in Holocaust literature or cultural memory, but be aware that this book is extremely, extremely depressing - also sad, but mostly depressing (as it should).
Also, last addition: what I mean with non-emotional, is that she does not go into detail about the horrors, does not make it a spectacle or a heroic tale, as many other books I have read - she tells it like it happened, how she perceived it. I cannot convey to you what I mean with this, but it's such a great book. Omg.
I am almost afraid to rate/review this, because how can you rate/review a book about this topic? Who am I to say whether or not I liked the way someone wrote about their trauma/experiences?
This book was heart-breaking, but in a way I have never read before. The writing style seemed detached and not as emotional as other Holocaust literature I've read which I think is interesting. It also communicates what Delbo makes clear: "You cannot understand" (p. 127). How can we ever know what it was like? How can we ever know if we do not speak the same language as survivors (and I not only mean Holocaust survivors, but every kind of survivors)?
"There are people who say, "I'm thirsty." They step into a café and order a beer." (p. 145)
But even though the writing style read detached and non-emotional, the details of Delbo's memories make it tragic nonetheless - one poem that broke me was Prayer to the Living to Forgive Them for Being Alive, a couple of sentences of which: "I beg you / do something / learn a dance step / something to justify your existence / something that gives you the right / to be dressed in your skin in your body hair / learn to walk and to laugh / because it would be too senseless / after all / for so many to have died / while you live / doing nothing with your life." (p. 230)
The third part of the book speaks so much about how the survivors believe that everything must have changed, the hope to be free again - to start their lives again and, upon their return, the realization that nothing at all has changed, that there is still war, that there always will be war, etc. It is heartbreaking but very important but very depressing.
I could go on for ages and ages about this book and I think I will have to come back to the many sentences, stories and poems I have marked to fully process this. I think this is a very important part of Holocaust literature precisely because it is not that emotive, because it does not attempt to be able to convey you things you have to know ("I do think. I think people should know. They've got to know. Why would we have made this great effort to return if it's all for nothing, if we remain silent, if we don't say what it was like?" / "What good does it do to say it?" (p.344)).
I would recommend it if you're interested in Holocaust literature or cultural memory, but be aware that this book is extremely, extremely depressing - also sad, but mostly depressing (as it should).
Also, last addition: what I mean with non-emotional, is that she does not go into detail about the horrors, does not make it a spectacle or a heroic tale, as many other books I have read - she tells it like it happened, how she perceived it. I cannot convey to you what I mean with this, but it's such a great book. Omg.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition
5.0
This book is one of those good books that you find difficult to say how good it is.
Delbo was imprisoned in Auschwitz (and Ravensbruck) because of her involvement with the French Resistance (her husband was killed). This was written long after the events and is a blend of poetry and memory.
It is readable and wonderful and heartbreaking. They really should reach this in school,to be honest.
Delbo was imprisoned in Auschwitz (and Ravensbruck) because of her involvement with the French Resistance (her husband was killed). This was written long after the events and is a blend of poetry and memory.
It is readable and wonderful and heartbreaking. They really should reach this in school,to be honest.
loweye's review
5.0
One of the hardest books I have ever read. At times I found myself sobbing, or uncontrollably angry. Her gentle words weaved into poetry paint a wall of grief that seems insurmountable.
It is truly one of the most wonderful books I have ever read, despite the pain and horror I felt. These emotions made me thankful for my life and grounded me towards what is truly important.
It is truly one of the most wonderful books I have ever read, despite the pain and horror I felt. These emotions made me thankful for my life and grounded me towards what is truly important.
ginates's review against another edition
5.0
I needed several breaks from this one. It grips you and dares you to read on, and it would be an insult to leave this book unfinished because it is a challenge to read about the horrors Delbo had to endure. Then you would miss out on the hope, the camaraderie between women who only have each other, and some of the best pieces of writing I have encountered as a literature student.
ellies_book_corner's review against another edition
5.0
It is difficult to review this book in a way that would do it justice. It is a book which must be read by anyone with an interest in Holocaust literature. The structure, the way her experiences are presented and the combination of prose, prose-poetry and poetry is unique among the Holocaust literature I have read, and extremely powerful. It makes it a slightly more challenging read than many of the memoirs which are presented fully in chronological order with one scene leading to the next, connected, with context and explanations. But don't be put off by that - it is that which makes Auschwitz and After what it is. And it is so worth the read.
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