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gemrox's review against another edition
4.0
I think everyone should read this book. Some of the sentences are simple but devastating at the same time.
hollyko's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
gabbyeleene's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Racism, Slavery, Religious bigotry, and War
Minor: Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
alittlemixofvix's review against another edition
3.0
I was completely unaware of the treatment given to Sinti and Roma families during the war, and this gave an insight into that history.
I learnt a lot reading this, and not just about their treatment, but also about their language and culture too. The photos gave an added personal touch to the story. I am shocked by the behaviour after the war in terms of compensation and general lack of empathy for the victims.
What I felt let it down was the lack of emotion shown in the writing - though this may have been due to the translation of the original text. The sentences sometimes jumped about which made it hard to follow and there were a lot of names thrown in.
Overall, an interesting whilst educational read that is harrowing to realise that it's someone's life - but personally I felt was let down by the actual writing/translation.
*I received a complimentary copy of the book from RandomThingsTours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I learnt a lot reading this, and not just about their treatment, but also about their language and culture too. The photos gave an added personal touch to the story. I am shocked by the behaviour after the war in terms of compensation and general lack of empathy for the victims.
What I felt let it down was the lack of emotion shown in the writing - though this may have been due to the translation of the original text. The sentences sometimes jumped about which made it hard to follow and there were a lot of names thrown in.
Overall, an interesting whilst educational read that is harrowing to realise that it's someone's life - but personally I felt was let down by the actual writing/translation.
*I received a complimentary copy of the book from RandomThingsTours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
hannahmaybookreviews's review against another edition
5.0
Title: A Gypsy in Auschwitz
Author: Otto Rosenberg
Publisher: Monoray/Octopus Books
Genre: Non Fiction Holocaust Biography
Pages: 240
Rating: 5/5
Synopsis:
At the age of 9, Otto Rosenberg was living a simple but happy life, this is until the Nazis tore his family away from their home. Taken to a camp on the outskirts of Berlin, they were placed with other Roma and Sinti families. Otto noticed that his family began to be broken up and people would often disappear, some were also ‘sent East’. Eventually it was Otto’s turn.
He arrived at Auschwitz at the age of 15, all alone. Trying his best to survive he worked hard and scrounged for food whenever possible, as well as being a witness to some horrific violence. Otto manages to starve off death, survive illnesses and extreme hunger. Transported to other camps, through luck and determination Otto manages to live, he manages to survive to tell his story.
Review:
The history of the Holocaust has always had a special place in my heart, I have seen Auschwitz for myself and met survivors, I have read many biographies and they have all hit me deeply, so I was expecting this read to do the same and I wasn’t wrong.
I’ll start with Otto’s early memories; they were so heart warming to read and the cheeky chappy that Otto was brought a few smiles to my face. I loved that the book used photographs as part of the story too, it really did bring Otto’s history to life.
Otto had such a kind soul, he was hard working from a young age and always took pride in what he did as well as being willing to help anyone, ever in dyer circumstances. I honestly loved his ethic and I really do admire the human he was.
It was very harrowing to read what those innocent people were put through, and it was extremely sad to read about how they become numb to what they were seeing and experiencing, I honestly can’t even begin to imagine the turmoil they must of felt.
This book really hit me in the feelings a few times, there were two moments that will really stay with me. The first moment was reading these words, “The world is full of terrible people, but there are always a few good men among them.” I really couldn’t agree with this more. The second moment and what really struck a nerve with me was when I read how after liberation, the victims still struggled to get their life on track because they were often left to figure it out on their own.
One thing I really loved about this book is that it wasn’t over complex or information overload, which meant it didn’t become over whelming. I really liked the tone of the book too, it felt like Otto was speaking to me at times.
This was a very powerful read and beautifully written too, full of raw emotion. I finished this in 2 sittings because I was interested in everything Otto had to say. I am very thankful that his daughter ensured his story was told and in such a lovely way too. A real humbling read.
Author: Otto Rosenberg
Publisher: Monoray/Octopus Books
Genre: Non Fiction Holocaust Biography
Pages: 240
Rating: 5/5
Synopsis:
At the age of 9, Otto Rosenberg was living a simple but happy life, this is until the Nazis tore his family away from their home. Taken to a camp on the outskirts of Berlin, they were placed with other Roma and Sinti families. Otto noticed that his family began to be broken up and people would often disappear, some were also ‘sent East’. Eventually it was Otto’s turn.
He arrived at Auschwitz at the age of 15, all alone. Trying his best to survive he worked hard and scrounged for food whenever possible, as well as being a witness to some horrific violence. Otto manages to starve off death, survive illnesses and extreme hunger. Transported to other camps, through luck and determination Otto manages to live, he manages to survive to tell his story.
Review:
The history of the Holocaust has always had a special place in my heart, I have seen Auschwitz for myself and met survivors, I have read many biographies and they have all hit me deeply, so I was expecting this read to do the same and I wasn’t wrong.
I’ll start with Otto’s early memories; they were so heart warming to read and the cheeky chappy that Otto was brought a few smiles to my face. I loved that the book used photographs as part of the story too, it really did bring Otto’s history to life.
Otto had such a kind soul, he was hard working from a young age and always took pride in what he did as well as being willing to help anyone, ever in dyer circumstances. I honestly loved his ethic and I really do admire the human he was.
It was very harrowing to read what those innocent people were put through, and it was extremely sad to read about how they become numb to what they were seeing and experiencing, I honestly can’t even begin to imagine the turmoil they must of felt.
This book really hit me in the feelings a few times, there were two moments that will really stay with me. The first moment was reading these words, “The world is full of terrible people, but there are always a few good men among them.” I really couldn’t agree with this more. The second moment and what really struck a nerve with me was when I read how after liberation, the victims still struggled to get their life on track because they were often left to figure it out on their own.
One thing I really loved about this book is that it wasn’t over complex or information overload, which meant it didn’t become over whelming. I really liked the tone of the book too, it felt like Otto was speaking to me at times.
This was a very powerful read and beautifully written too, full of raw emotion. I finished this in 2 sittings because I was interested in everything Otto had to say. I am very thankful that his daughter ensured his story was told and in such a lovely way too. A real humbling read.
jugglingpup's review against another edition
4.0
I got an ARC of this book.
I read pretty much every memoir I can about the Holocaust. It is that time period that I just can't look away from and need to know every single story about. This is the very Romani story I have seen get published. Seeing non-Jewish stories are rare. So I got really excited, though excited is probably not the right word.
The narration felt like Rosenberg was telling a story, which I get he was. But I mean it felt like we were sitting together over tea while he just told his story. There were little asides here and there. There was a lot of "oh yeah!" moments about remembering someone or explaining that he has seen a certain person since they got out of the camps. It felt so intensely intimate and confessional in a way that other memoirs haven't.
The story read very fast. There were not a ton of details. It was not graphic the way a lot of other memoirs have been. I hope that means that Rosenberg was spared from some of the horrors, but it also might just be that he was not willing to go that in-depth. It was fascinating just how much he was able to talk himself into and out of, which might be why he focused more on that. It made his story uniquely his.
Overall, it was a wonderful memoir. Intimate and necessary.
I read pretty much every memoir I can about the Holocaust. It is that time period that I just can't look away from and need to know every single story about. This is the very Romani story I have seen get published. Seeing non-Jewish stories are rare. So I got really excited, though excited is probably not the right word.
The narration felt like Rosenberg was telling a story, which I get he was. But I mean it felt like we were sitting together over tea while he just told his story. There were little asides here and there. There was a lot of "oh yeah!" moments about remembering someone or explaining that he has seen a certain person since they got out of the camps. It felt so intensely intimate and confessional in a way that other memoirs haven't.
The story read very fast. There were not a ton of details. It was not graphic the way a lot of other memoirs have been. I hope that means that Rosenberg was spared from some of the horrors, but it also might just be that he was not willing to go that in-depth. It was fascinating just how much he was able to talk himself into and out of, which might be why he focused more on that. It made his story uniquely his.
Overall, it was a wonderful memoir. Intimate and necessary.