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Loading... Lily's Promise: Holding On to Hope Through Auschwitz and Beyond―A Story for All Generations (edition 2022)by Lily Ebert (Author), Dov Forman (Author)
Work InformationLily's Promise: Holding On to Hope Through Auschwitz and Beyond―A Story for All Generations by Lily Ebert
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. I think it goes without saying that every one of these stories, especially when they are written as first hand accounts, are always freshly heartbreaking. This one is written by 97 year old Lily Ebert, and her Great Grandson. Can I just say how incredible it is for Lily to not only to have survived the Nazi hell of Aushwitz, but also for her to have lived now to be almost 100 years old! Quite remarkable! This story is a little different in that maybe only about 40 percent of the book is written about that time in Aushwitz. A good chunk of this novel covers Lily’s life after leaving Aushwitz, and the life she began to build in the years following her release. In spite of her challenges, Lily goes on to define the resilience of the human spirit as she rebuilds her life again and again as she marries, changes countries, has children, and finally becomes a sort of megaphone for those that had experienced this awful tragedy. This is a novel not only of remembrance for those that didn’t make it, but also a story of hope for those that lived. As Lily proves that the Nazis never succeeded in their Final Solution. Thank you to Netgalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review. Born and raised in Hungary, during WWII Lily and her family are sent to Auschwitz. Her mother and two younger siblings are immediately sent to the gas showers and crematoria. Left with two of her sisters, Lily does everything that she can to make sure that they survive. At 98, Lily shares her story with her great grandchild, who begins posting her story in social media. Before long, Lily is a TikTok sensation. Lily is a strong, determined, and courageous woman. Her story is extremely admirable and heartwarming. I could have done without the modern day story with her great grandson. That could have been covered in an epilogue. I really wanted to focus on Lily, not the present. Despite this criticism, I highly recommend this book. historical-places-events, history, multicultural, jews, biography, memoir, memories, #NEVERFORGET, coping-mechanisms, mass-murder, social-media, PTSD***** It hurts to read parts of the book. Lily and her siblings live in a loving Kosher home in Hungary with little or no knowledge of the scourge of Europe. When the family is split up and taken away, Lily manages to keep two of her sisters with her and even adds a few other girls at times. Lily is magnificently resourceful under incredible conditions. Man's inhumanity to man is made very clear in the way that so much is done to dehumanize those in the camps. Remember, these are civilian noncombatants. Not POWs. Life goes on for some, she is moved first to Switzerland and then Israel, marries and has children. Life goes well for a time until her beloved husband has several heart attacks and they go to England (not speaking English) for other cardiac treatment which goes well for a number of years. At the time when she is in despair over his death, she begins a new phase in her life initiated by her great-grandson and begins her own healing process as well. NEVER FORGET. This is a very moving book that is needed now and in the future. I requested and received a free e-book copy from HarperOne via NetGalley. Thank you Harrowing and inspirational, "Lily's Promise" is the remarkable true story of Lily Ebert, a young Hungarian Jew who, along with her two younger sisters survived the depravities of Auschwitz after most of her family was sent to the gas chambers. This was an amazing story of survival and tenacity. I have nothing but admiration for Lily and her determination to tell her story. All through this memoir she displays wisdom, courage and strength. How she went back to Auschwitz after everything she witnessed and experienced, and started talking about her time in the camp was amazing. To hear her must have moved her listeners to tears. Dov, her great-grandson is also a remarkable young man and a credit to Lily. The bond they share is touching. Considering all that is happening in the world today, Lily's story is a vital one and her message is one everyone should heed to ensure that history is not forgotten. A truly remarkable read. no reviews | add a review
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HTML: Performed by Anna Cordell and Dov Forman featuring a foreword written and read by Charles HRH The Prince of Wales and dedication written and read by Lily Ebert. "Utterly compelling, heartbreaking, truthful and yet redemptive . . . a testimony of irrepressible spirit and an unforgettable family chronicle. I couldn't stop reading it."—Simon Sebag Montefiore In this life-affirming intergenerational memoir, Lily Ebert, a Holocaust survivor, and her great-grandson, Dov Forman, come together to share her story—an unforgettable tale of resilience and resistance. On Yom Kippur, 1944, fighting to stay alive as a prisoner in Auschwitz, Lily Ebert made a promise to herself. She would survive the hell she was in and tell the world her story, for everyone who couldn't. Now, at ninety-eight, this remarkable woman—and TikTok sensation, thanks to the help of her eighteen-year-old great-grandson—fulfills that vow, relaying the details of her harrowing experiences with candor, charm, and an overflowing heart. In these pages, she writes movingly about her happy childhood in Hungary, the death of her mother and two youngest siblings on their arrival at Auschwitz, and her determination to keep her two other sisters safe. She describes the inhumanity of the camp and the small acts of defiance that gave her strength. Lily lost so much, but she built a new life for herself and her family, first in Israel and then in London. Dov knows that it is up to younger people like him to keep Lily's promise. He and Lily bridge the generation gap to share her experience, reminding us of the joy that accompanies the solemn responsibility of keeping the past—and our stories—alive. .No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)940.5318092History and Geography Europe Europe 1918- World War II Social, political, economic history; Holocaust Holocaust History, geographic treatment, biography Holocaust victims biographies and autobiographiesLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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Eventually, Lily and her two younger sisters Peri and Rene)were separated from their mother and sent on a crowded train to one concentration camp and then to Auschwitz. The first part of the book tells of their experiences there and their ability to stay together with Lily always the protector. The situation was horrible - poor food, cold, work, lice, sickness.
The second part of the book tells after the liberation. The girls were first sent to Switzerland where they were housed with a wealthy family. They regained their strength and their beautiful hair returned. They have no future, no parents, no connections, and no idea what has happened to the rest of their family.
Eventually, they are taken to Palestine which does turn into the state of Israel not long after they were there. Lily writes about how difficult it is for any of the survivors to speak of their past even though Lily made a promise to herself to tell the story to the world so that it would never happen again.
Lily not only survives, she marries and has three children. Her sisters also marry and have children and the family remains very close as their faith sustains them and traditions return.
The final part is Lily's life in London, the death of her beloved husband, and her relationship with the children and grandchildren. Dov, a grandson, who is a social media creator, helps her tell her story. She has become a noted speaker to others about the Holocaust.
The most interesting parts of the book tell of how survivors each take a different view of what has happened, the discord often between them, and the desire, at first, to keep all this away from her family - to protect them.
It is probably the straight forward narrative that, after reading much fiction with beautifully turned phrases etc. that makes the book, certainly not less important, but less engrossing to read. However, truly an inspiring story and one that should be read. ( )