'A Tailor in Auschwitz' is a poignant account of survival amidst the horrors of the Holocaust, focusing on the experiences of Ide Leib Kartuz. This deeply moving narrative sheds light on the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity, and is a compelling read.

It is not a secret, if you read my past reviews and see my shelf here, you will realize that historical fiction/non fiction from the Holocaust and WW2 are where my heart is at. Among those, any that have Auschwitz are a must read for me. For us to learn from the past is the hope.
As with all these books, I cannot fathom the strength of the Jews and others. Their stories deserve to never be forgotten.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

A Tailor in Auschwitz by David van Turnhout and Dirk Verhofstadt. Ide Leib Kartuz has lost his wife and kids and he’s staying alive working as a tailor in Auschwitz. This is a true story of the authors grandfather but also of the Holocaust as a whole which some books with family stories don’t. Obviously the authors granddad survived but like many he never said what had happened to him so it’s an interesting read finding out almost in real time with the author.

Though parts of this were fascinating it is too mired in intricate detail to flow well as a story of merit needing to be told. I teach History and have a passion for Holocaust education but couldn’t finish it

I like reading about people’s experiences in concentration camps in the hope that I will never experience one and if I ever have to, I will be able to survive with dignity that people like the subject of this book found in surviving the worst of humanity.

The human spirit really knows no bounds and the survivors of the holocaust and their families really are a example of this.

The book is really well written and the preface explaining the lack of prior knowledge the author and his new found family knew of his grandfather was heart wrenching and fascinating.

The details included from his research were at times confusing with all the details, but quickly wove together to make the story stronger

5 out of 5 stars

A heart-wrenching book that does what so many contemporary non-Jewish authors writing true holocaust stories fail to do: demonstrate the horrors of antisemitism. This book, however, shows what the reader needs to see, and that is the harsh depths of terror Jews experienced both during the Holocaust and pre-Holocaust eras.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for this digital copy, I truly appreciate it.

There have been several stories written in the last couple of years about Auschwitz, the people that were imprisoned there, and of course the Germans that caused so much pain and terror. This book is no different. The emotions you go through each time you read about the horrors of Auschwitz and the lives lost there, you feel heartbreak, anger and even hatred. It’s interesting the people the Nazi’s kept alive in the camp and their reasoning. This time it’s a tailor. The Nazi’s exterminated his wife and two children but kept Ide alive because of his skills as a tailor. The Nazi’s if anything were extremely concerned about appearances and used those captive to help them maintain those appearances.

I ran through so many emotions with this book. I believe you will too.

Thank you to #netgalley and #penandsword for allowing me to read the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed above are my own.

This book was about the harrowing journey Ide Kartuz experience during WW2. It was both powerful and horrible.

David van Turnhout never really knew his grandfather, Ide. His father really didn't want much to do with him. So when his mother remarried, she changed David's name from Kartuz. David didn't know his grandfather was a Holocaust survivor. With the help of his friend, Dirk Verhofstadt, the duo traced Ide's life.

Ide survived the Holocaust, but he lost his wife and 2 children in Auschwitz. The guards kept him alive because he was a tailor, they needed his skills.

Thanks to Net Galley for loaning me the ARC of this book; all opinions are my own.

This book is one of many I've read lately on WWII, concentration camps, and enslaved peoples, especially Jews. After the first few chapters, which seemed to be a bit scattered to me, the story settles in to tell of a Jewish man who indeed sews and alters clothing at Auschwitz, and his life both before and after the war. His story is told in bits and pieces by his grandson later on after the war, who knew nothing to begin with about this grandfather's family and life.

Since the POV skipped generations between the grandfather's time and his grandson's, it was a bit hard to follow at times, but improved as the book progressed.

A Tailor In Auschwitz by David van Turnhout and Dirk Verhofstadt (translated by Kristien De Wulf and Jane Camerea) is a powerful and horrifying account of the plight of the Jewish people during World War II.
The book came about after researching David van Turnhout’s paternal grandfather’s experiences during WWII. Whilst alive, his grandfather spoke very little about his war years.
As we hear the story of his grandfather, this microcosm is part of a much bigger story.
The authors have thoroughly researched the Holocaust and intersperse the author’s grandfather’s story with the wider picture.
It was a time of great evil and the book makes shocking reading but it must be read to keep alive the memory of the six million who perished and no longer have a voice.
I received a free copy via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.