Heartbreaking & Harrowing
Auschwitz: A Mother’s Story by Rosa de Winter-Levy is a powerful and heartbreaking account of a mother’s time in Auschwitz, and how she held on to the hope of being re-united with her daughter.
Rosa de Winter-Levy, her husband and daughter (born 1928) were not devout Jews but still had to go into hiding in April 1943 in Gelderland (Holland) where they lived. For 464 days they remained hidden until the 17th August 1944. They were transported, along with Anne Frank’s family to Westerbork, before being transported to Auschwitz.
Rosa de Winter-Levy wrote her account shortly after liberation and also in 1946, meaning that the details were still fresh in her mind.
Auschwitz: A Mother’s Story has harrowing details as the author recalls daily life in Auschwitz. Despite illness and mistreatment Rosa de Winter-Levy is extremely brave. She has the hope of being re-united with her daughter, and that keeps her going.
At the end of the book is an interview with the author’s two grandchildren.
Though Rosa de Winter-Levy left Auschwitz, Auschwitz never left her. It haunted her for the rest of her days.
This is a heartbreaking and harrowing account that needs to be read in memory of the six million innocents who perished and of those who survived.
JULIA WILSON