Very interesting story, but I think the translation came off very dry and slow. It’s too bad because Selma’s story is fascinating. I learned a lot about how the resistance worked and what happened to the Jews in the Netherlands.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A great historical read. If you love WWII history you will love this book.

This book was heartbreakingly good. Selma's story of her life during World War II is tragic but so important to hear.

Courage! This book is about heart and courage. Selma is one of the amazing survivors who tell their story. For us to learn about what people can do to others, a family separated, and eventually a woman to hide her true self in order to survive and fight. Selma is one of the ones to make it out.
Thanks to Selma for telling her story! The greatest thanks we can give her is to never forget.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley. But I do also own a written copy.

Selma was only 17 when World War II began, living a good life in Amsterdam with her family. Being Jewish in the Netherlands was not an issue until the Nazis started issuing summons to work camps. Selma was separated from the rest of her family, but instead of giving up, she dyed her hair, took up with the resistance movement, and changed her name. Captured in 1944, Selma maintained her alter identity until after the war.

My Name Is Selma is the memoir of a woman, forced to live under extreme circumstances. Her strength and determination, despite difficult and dire situations, are admirable qualities. The book is well organized and shows the progression of Selma's mindset throughout the war. Many of the descriptions of events are matter-of-fact, though I can only surmise the actual emotions that the memories invoke. Readers who are interested in the memoirs of survivors of war will like My Name Is Selma.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's copy of My Name Is Selma: The Remarkable Memoir of a Jewish Resistance Fighter and Ravensbrück Survivor by NetGalley and the publisher, Scribner. The decision to review this book was entirely my own.

This was an incredibly inspiring book. I am embarrassed to admit that I’d never heard of Selma’s story, before this. I am very proud to now know of her story, though. Selma’s story of being a resistance fighter in WWII is one of suspense, fear, courage, and bravery. There is so much more to her story and she makes me so incredibly proud and honored to be Jewish. I am so thankful for people like her for fighting to keep Jewish people alive in history and future.

Thank you to netgalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest and fair review.

Like the title says, Selma’s story is truly remarkable. I do not take for granted that Holocaust survivors such as Selma have given us the privilege to hear and know their stories. I felt this was a more unique account of the Holocaust as Selma was a resistance fighter and survived the Holocaust by passing as non-Jewish. The book is a more straightforward telling of her experiences rather than an insightful memoir– but an equally valuable firsthand account nonetheless. At times it was difficult to keep track of who was who in the memoir due to Selma using so many names. But on the other hand, I also think it was important for her to honor those people by using their names. Thank you to netgalley and Scribner for the e-arc!

3.5/5
We hear all about non-Jews who were brave and opposed the Nazi regime by hiding Jews, but something I learned is that few Jewish resistance fighters were publicly known, because many changed their names to survive. My Name is Selma is the story of a Jewish woman who changed her identity, fought in the resistance, and was imprisoned at Ravensbruck, not because she was Jewish, but because she was a “political prisoner.”

For a lot of the book, it did feel like readers were held at arm’s length, but the writing style could also be due to the translation. However, I also don’t blame the author for not wanting to dwell in lengthy detail about what she endured at Ravensbruck; vulnerability can mean having to relive trauma, and I can respect her decision about not wanting to do that, if that is the case. In fact, Selma said that she hopes that the book helps preserves the people who died or suffered in the Holocaust, and her attitude after liberation wasn’t to focus on what happened, but what could be, to enjoy the future she had to its fullest.

The core of the book, instead, is relationships. Many points in the book emphasize how finding connections and support from others was critical to survival, or simply making things feel better. This is contrasted with the effects of betrayal, loss, and loneliness. When Selma lived in the Netherlands during the war and before being imprisoned, she spent a lot of time going home to home as it became more dangerous to harbor Jews and the war made food and money scarce. The last third, focusing on liberation, life after the war, and recovery is probably the most detailed and rich. Her experience re-integrating into society, coping with her parents’ and sister’s murders in camps, and leaving her life in the Netherlands for England was very moving.
~
Additionally, I learned some new information I didn’t know, even though I’ve read a fair amount of WWII books. Even though the resistance fighters were obviously on the side of good and helped protect many Jews, if they gave up information during torture, the Netherlands branded them as traitors alongside real, horrible war criminals after the war. While I also knew from other WWII/Holocaust books that people didn’t know much about the concentration/execution camps, I also learned even many Jews believed for a long time that the camps they were being sent to were simply labor camps. It wasn’t just the Allies that we’re unaware of the atrocities being committed, it was almost all of Europe being kept in the dark until liberation.
It’s not my favorite nonfiction/autobiography, but there are important messages and moving moments within its pages, so I can’t not recommend. Releases 05/11/2021 in the US (I believe it’s already been released in the U.K.?)

How to begin a review of the memoir of an absolutely incredible life of not just a Holocaust survivor, but a fighter? I'm exhausted.

This was an incredible read. Written when the author was 98 years old (remarkable all by itself), the book tells the harrowing tale of an extraordinary journey from a young Dutch daughter and student to a young woman on the run for her life, from an initially timid courier of life-saving documents to prisoner of the Nazi regime, and eventually survivor. Selma assumes many identities as she works her way through the labyrinth created for her by her small party of resistance fighters, and once caught, clings to the last one she'd adopted - and in so doing, hiding her Jewish identity and saving her own life. The mix of incredible luck and incredible wits under pressure allow us the opportunity to read, seventy years on, how tremendous people of every generation and every persuasion could reach within and draw on stores of courage and fortitude they would never have imagined they could harbor.

The author is far more modest in her telling than the actual story; once you've read the book, spend some time researching the name of Selma van de Perre. Incredible.

Four and a half stars.

Sincere thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a free digital ARC; this in no way influenced by review or rating of this book.

I’m addicted to stories like this. The author saw her family separated during WWII in the Netherlands. Some survived, others didn’t. She was forced to take on another Identity to survive. She also helped in the resistance and survived incarceration in Ravensbruck. I enjoyed reading about her tenacity, determination, and perseverance. These stories are so significant because ordinary people became extraordinary in a time Of extreme crisis.

I can't say this enough but true stories written by survivors of the Holocaust should be required reading. Her life is one of sorrow, tragedy, horror but she survived, she proves that there is hope and a light, even in the darkest days.

I feel this book is well written and engaging. It tells the story of Selma van de Perre and her experiences during the 2nd World War living in the Netherlands with her family. When they all end up in different directions, leaving Selma the last one, she has to figure out the best way to avoid being picked up by the Nazis. She changes her name and her look to seem non-Jewish, becoming Margareta van der Kuit, and blonde too.

If you are a reader of this type of book, as I am, you may want to check this one out. This book comes out May 11th. This is my second book about women resistance fighters in the last few months. They sure are some very brave ladies with some harrowing stories to tell. Advance electronic review copy was provided by NetGalley, author Selma van de Perre, and the publisher.

“We were ordinary people plunged into extraordinary circumstances.” - Selma in My Name is Selma.

A remarkable memoir of a Jewish woman, resistance fighter, and Ravensbruck survivor. I Am Selma follows Selma’s journey through WWII as she disguises her true identity and name to survive. The cruelty that she and millions of others had to endure during this time is unimaginable. Selma is truly brave for sharing her survival story so that no one can forget.

My book square is Selma’s Father’s black Waterman fountain pen ✒️ that she was able to hang on to for comfort and strength until the end of the war.

Amazing story. I am glad to see children of WW2 are Finally writing their stories. This book tells all about the author's time as a Dutch Jewish resistance fighter. So brave of her to do so, but so sad to read about all the family and friends she lost during the war. There really hasn't been too much said or written about Jewish resistance. It would be interesting if more survivors, or their families, would write their histories. Even a collection of short stories would be fascinating. I would be interested in other groups who fought back as well. They really need to get their stories out! They give us examples of strengths common, ordinary people forget we have! Strong story, should be read by all.