lucy_bookworm's review
2.0
It is hard to review a memoir of a Holocaust survivor, or anyone else who has lived through such a horrific situation and rate it less than 4 or 5 stars.
I will start by saying that I very much admire Andra & Tatiana for sharing their story.
The girls were only 6 & 4 years old when they were sent to Birkenau in April 1944. Against all odds, they survived, though we get little detail about their internment as they have only fragmented memories of the camp, mostly around being frightened, cold & the smell of burning. Their mother always reminded them "Remember, your names," and they do not forget. Their names & memory of a photograph of their parents wedding that they would kiss each night to help remember their often-absent father helped them to ultimately be reunited with their surviving family members.
The sisters are not professional writers & whether it is their via original authoring or the translation, we end up with quite a confusing mix of points-of-view (we, they, I). I appreciated the notes at the end which tell of the work that the sisters now do in terms of educating school groups and other visitors about the Holocaust. It was touching when they noted that German children often struggle to look them in the eye.
I listened to the audiobook, and unfortunately the very “home counties” accent of the narrator didn’t work for me, I would have preferred a narrator with just a bit more “grit” rather than “polish” to their voice.
The poor writing, scant detail & choice of narrator mean I only give this 2*, but I still feel it is important that the stories are heard.
I will start by saying that I very much admire Andra & Tatiana for sharing their story.
The girls were only 6 & 4 years old when they were sent to Birkenau in April 1944. Against all odds, they survived, though we get little detail about their internment as they have only fragmented memories of the camp, mostly around being frightened, cold & the smell of burning. Their mother always reminded them "Remember, your names," and they do not forget. Their names & memory of a photograph of their parents wedding that they would kiss each night to help remember their often-absent father helped them to ultimately be reunited with their surviving family members.
The sisters are not professional writers & whether it is their via original authoring or the translation, we end up with quite a confusing mix of points-of-view (we, they, I). I appreciated the notes at the end which tell of the work that the sisters now do in terms of educating school groups and other visitors about the Holocaust. It was touching when they noted that German children often struggle to look them in the eye.
I listened to the audiobook, and unfortunately the very “home counties” accent of the narrator didn’t work for me, I would have preferred a narrator with just a bit more “grit” rather than “polish” to their voice.
The poor writing, scant detail & choice of narrator mean I only give this 2*, but I still feel it is important that the stories are heard.
jord_reads_books's review
5.0
A powerful memoir about not only two sisters survival of Auschwitz, but their journey after liberation and the long reaching effects of the Holocaust on their lives. Very much enjoyed the “we” narration—never read anything like that before!
katwarrrd's review
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Gives first hand account of one of the darkest times in world history without being too dark and hopeless. The authors provide the rare perspective of child Holocaust survivors. Overall, the book provides a hopeful tone, especially as the majority of it is focused on the author’s experiences after liberation.
shumska's review against another edition
3.0
s obzirom da su bile stvarno male djevojčice kad su bile odvedene u auschwitz (5 i 7 godina), njihova ispovijest je narušena što zubom vremena, a što selektivnim pamćenjem/zaboravom. nadala sam se detaljnijem uvidu u taj sramotni dio povijesti, ali to je izostalo... jedva da je iznesena neka nova informacija. vrijednost ove knjige jest kao osobno svjedočanstvo dviju sada odraslih žena/baka koje su, čudom, preživjele logor, više nego kao izvor informacija.
chambecc's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
An absolutely remarkable book about two sisters, Andra and Tatiana Bucci, and their survival as very young girls in Auschwitz-Birkenau. Only a small number of children survived the horrors of Auschwitz-Birkenau of the 230,000 children deported there by the Nazis and their collaborators, and Andra and Tatiana were two of them. Their mother, Mira, was also deported with them and other family members to Auschwitz-Birkenau - and is a particularly striking figure within the pages of the book, as both sisters consider her to have played a pivotal role in their survival.
Suffused with touching anecdotes and grounded in broad historical perspective, this is book is an incredible resource for people of all ages seeking to bear witness to the Holocaust. Here you will find a story of persecution, human ugliness, and vast loss - but also one of endurance, hope, and love.
Suffused with touching anecdotes and grounded in broad historical perspective, this is book is an incredible resource for people of all ages seeking to bear witness to the Holocaust. Here you will find a story of persecution, human ugliness, and vast loss - but also one of endurance, hope, and love.
jodem84's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
samjaymc's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.0
charisegrace's review against another edition
5.0
I learnt so much. I am very grateful this story has been translated and I had the opportunity to read it!
uberbutter's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.5
230,000 children would go through the gates of Auschwitz. About 50 would survive the ordeal. This book is written by two sisters who were sent to Auschwitz when they were 4 and 6, lived in the Kinderblock and survived. Miraculously, so did their mom (who was at a time and Auschwitz and later transfered) and dad (imprisoned in South Africa). They would all eventually reunite.
The story is sparse and to the point. The sisters tell their story as a combined "we" in most cases and in the 3rd person when needed (aka "Tati remembers this different than Andra does...") They are still alive (in their 80s) and making sure their story is told. Survivors of the Holocaust become less and less as the years pass and it is crucial that their stories be passed on and never forgotten.
The story is sparse and to the point. The sisters tell their story as a combined "we" in most cases and in the 3rd person when needed (aka "Tati remembers this different than Andra does...") They are still alive (in their 80s) and making sure their story is told. Survivors of the Holocaust become less and less as the years pass and it is crucial that their stories be passed on and never forgotten.