My Name Is Selma

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.

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’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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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