Irena’s Vow

by Dan Gordon

During the Holocaust, a twenty-one-year-old, blonde-haired, blue-eyed, Polish, Catholic woman rescued twelve Jews by hiding them in the basement of the highest-ranking German officer in town, without his knowledge, and saved them all.

When Irena Gut witnessed a Nazi officer murder a baby and its mother in front of her eyes, she could do nothing. Then and there, she made a vow to God that if she ever had the opportunity to save a life, she would do it. But she did much more than that. When she was appointed the housekeeper for a German major, the highest-ranking German officer in Tarnopol, Poland, Irena saved thirteen lives by hiding twelve Jews in her employer’s basement, without his knowledge, for eight months. The thirteenth life she saved was a baby who was conceived in hiding. Now a major motion picture starring Sophie Nélisse, Irena’s Vow is one of the most remarkable, true stories of courage to come out of the Holocaust.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, World War II, Poland

256 pages, Paperback

Published March 25, 2024

Reviews

[shelley goodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as it told the story of a barave young Polish woman who knew she had to do the right thing. She was willing to put her own life at risk to save others from the wrath of the Nazis. He cleverness and courage was amazing. The movie is also very well done.

[Terry Buford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written historical fiction about a Polish woman who managed to hide Jewish people in the basement of the German Major’s villa where she was the housekeeper. He knew Irene and also references biographies about her.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing true story of Jewish survival during the war and the selfless help of a young Polish girl.

[linda brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courageous read

Truly humbled by irenas courage and bravery. Excellent historical read and the fact that it actually happened makes it magnificent.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are so many stories from WWII about ordinary people who risked their lives to hide and help Jewish people, and Irena’s Vow tells the incredible story of one such person.
What struck me most was thinking about the choices people were forced to make during that time. Irena put herself in unbelievable danger to save others, knowing what could happen to her if she was caught. It makes you wonder: if I were put in that same position, would I have the courage to help someone else, or would I choose to protect myself?
A powerful story about courage, sacrifice, and the choices people make when doing the right thing could cost them everything.

[Pam Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up to a 5. I watched the movie before reading the book, and the book didn't give the reader any more details than the movie. This is an excellent story that I would recommend either watching the movie or reading the book. Warning- There are a couple of scenes that are very difficult to watch/read. Luckily, I looked away when I was watching the movie and skimmed over those pages when reading the book.

[Penny J Vidler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish everyone would read irena's Vow , this is one of the best books and stories I have read , you go through all emotions, happy, sad, scared , angry and just amazed at this courageous young woman's life and her sacrifices. When you think about it she was just a child herself when her life changed forever.
Thank you for sharing this story , wonderful job.

PJV

[Wendy Yellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I also recommend the movie. While written as a novel, the essence is true and an astonishing display of what it means to be human in an insane world. If you don't know this story, then please read it. Refreshing look into what life looks like in the Holocaust when you have courage and heart (and aren't even Jewish).

[Lissyrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I watched the movie, then found the book, which I finished in one sitting. As always, so much more detail in the book. Only thing missing was pictures of the real people, it would have added so much.
I cried, so hard when I finished. So much cruelty, senseless, needless, utterly depraved cruelty. One person made the difference to so many.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 to 4*

[Wanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biography in story form of Irena Gut, a Righteous Gentile who saved 12 Jews in Poland by hiding them in the German Major's home, of which she was the housekeeper.

[Jann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good and poignant story of a brave young Polish woman during WWII who managed to hide 11 Jewish people right under the nose of the German Major, in his house. The book was told as her recounting of the incredible events to high school students in the US many years later. It was also made into a movie, which followed the book very closely.

[Rebecca Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, sad story.

[Jessica]

Very good book.