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The Swimmer of Auschwitz: The Incredible True Story of the Olympic Hero Who Swam For His Life
The extraordinary story of Olympian who was imprisoned in Auschwitz and survived to tell his story.
Alfred Nakache, a Jewish child from Constantine, never imagined that he would one day swim for France at the Olympic Games in Berlin in 1936, nor than he would achieve a world record, as he did in 1941. As a child he was petrified of the water and yet, somehow, through sheer willpower and determination, he rose to become one of the very best swimmers in the world. That was until 1943, when he was banned from the pool - and in the same year, deported and sent to Auschwitz.
Not knowing if he would ever see his wife and daughter again, Alfred battled on, through the humiliation and the pain, even defying the guards by swimming in the water reserves of Auschwitz. Somehow - miraculously - he survived, swimming every day until the end of his life.
The Swimmer of Auschwitz is the unique, true story of a forgotten hero, told with remarkable power and simplicity.
Alfred Nakache, a Jewish child from Constantine, never imagined that he would one day swim for France at the Olympic Games in Berlin in 1936, nor than he would achieve a world record, as he did in 1941. As a child he was petrified of the water and yet, somehow, through sheer willpower and determination, he rose to become one of the very best swimmers in the world. That was until 1943, when he was banned from the pool - and in the same year, deported and sent to Auschwitz.
Not knowing if he would ever see his wife and daughter again, Alfred battled on, through the humiliation and the pain, even defying the guards by swimming in the water reserves of Auschwitz. Somehow - miraculously - he survived, swimming every day until the end of his life.
The Swimmer of Auschwitz is the unique, true story of a forgotten hero, told with remarkable power and simplicity.
240 pages, Paperback
Published October 21, 2025
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397 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
August 4, 2025
This was a really interesting historical book focusing on the life and loss of one man. There are several people talked about through his journey. I really liked reading this perspective of historical events and learning what happened to all the people he was surrounded by. There is darkness in this book but also light and endurance.
August 17, 2025
3.5 stars.
As a young boy, Alfred Nakache, hated the water. Little does he know that one day he will be swimming for France and competing at the Olympics. But Alfred is a Jew, so by 1943 his life drastically changes. As the repression of all Jews intensifies across the country his status starts to diminish. Banned from participating in competitions, ridiculed for his Jewishness, once the poster boy, Alfred is now a source of contempt. And then in December 1943 the Gestapo come for him and his family. As Alfred is deported to Auschwitz he embarks on the toughest ordeal of his life.
This was such a fascinating and heartbreaking tale. I had never heard of Alfred Nakache before so was interested to learn of his swimming career and his rise to success in the early forties.
The story flips between two separate timelines; Alfred’s life growing up and his time in Auschwitz. And as the two come together there’s a chilling sense of finality because as a reader you know what lies ahead. It felt to me to be quite a factual read, a lot of the book builds up towards Alfred’s subsequent arrest, but the emotion was evident towards the end. It feels wrong to say I enjoyed that part the most but it was certainly the most compelling. Reading about the brutality and horrors of the concentration camps never gets any easier and made me once again despair at the atrocities men can carry (and still are carrying) out.
A hard hitting but important read.
As a young boy, Alfred Nakache, hated the water. Little does he know that one day he will be swimming for France and competing at the Olympics. But Alfred is a Jew, so by 1943 his life drastically changes. As the repression of all Jews intensifies across the country his status starts to diminish. Banned from participating in competitions, ridiculed for his Jewishness, once the poster boy, Alfred is now a source of contempt. And then in December 1943 the Gestapo come for him and his family. As Alfred is deported to Auschwitz he embarks on the toughest ordeal of his life.
This was such a fascinating and heartbreaking tale. I had never heard of Alfred Nakache before so was interested to learn of his swimming career and his rise to success in the early forties.
The story flips between two separate timelines; Alfred’s life growing up and his time in Auschwitz. And as the two come together there’s a chilling sense of finality because as a reader you know what lies ahead. It felt to me to be quite a factual read, a lot of the book builds up towards Alfred’s subsequent arrest, but the emotion was evident towards the end. It feels wrong to say I enjoyed that part the most but it was certainly the most compelling. Reading about the brutality and horrors of the concentration camps never gets any easier and made me once again despair at the atrocities men can carry (and still are carrying) out.
A hard hitting but important read.
January 10, 2026
A very emotionally heavy read. Heartwarming and heartbreaking.
August 27, 2025
Through reading historical fiction, I’ve discovered countless heroes who risked everything to do what’s right—even when it meant personal danger to themselves and their families. The Swimmer of Auschwitz by Renaud LeBlond immediately caught my attention as one of those stories.
The book centers on Alfred Nakache, a Jewish Olympic swimmer who survived Auschwitz and continued to swim throughout his life. Like many survivors, Nakache’s resilience, courage, and strength are truly astonishing.
It was fascinating—and heartbreaking—to see how Nakache went from being beloved and admired to despised almost overnight, simply because he was Jewish. His status as an Olympic athlete may have helped him endure some of the horrors of Auschwitz, but what stood out most was his generosity. He often sacrificed food, medicine, and other resources to help those in greater need.
While the story itself is powerful, I felt the book didn’t dive deeply enough into Nakache’s emotional experience. The writing came across as more matter of fact than immersive, and I struggled to connect with the emotional nuances of his journey. Additionally, the inclusion of many secondary characters made it difficult to follow who they were and how they fit into the narrative.
Overall, The Swimmer of Auschwitz is worth reading for the remarkable story it tells, but I found myself wishing for more insight into Nakache’s life and legacy.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
#TheSwimmerofAuschwitz, #RenaudLeBlond, #NetGalley
The book centers on Alfred Nakache, a Jewish Olympic swimmer who survived Auschwitz and continued to swim throughout his life. Like many survivors, Nakache’s resilience, courage, and strength are truly astonishing.
It was fascinating—and heartbreaking—to see how Nakache went from being beloved and admired to despised almost overnight, simply because he was Jewish. His status as an Olympic athlete may have helped him endure some of the horrors of Auschwitz, but what stood out most was his generosity. He often sacrificed food, medicine, and other resources to help those in greater need.
While the story itself is powerful, I felt the book didn’t dive deeply enough into Nakache’s emotional experience. The writing came across as more matter of fact than immersive, and I struggled to connect with the emotional nuances of his journey. Additionally, the inclusion of many secondary characters made it difficult to follow who they were and how they fit into the narrative.
Overall, The Swimmer of Auschwitz is worth reading for the remarkable story it tells, but I found myself wishing for more insight into Nakache’s life and legacy.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
#TheSwimmerofAuschwitz, #RenaudLeBlond, #NetGalley
August 17, 2025
I will never tire of reading the stories of Auschwitz as they remind us time and time again of not only the cruelty and the brutality of the Nazi regime but also the goodness of ordinary people who risked their own lives to help make other peoples lives better. This is another one of those real life stories, this time of Alfred Nakache, an amazing French athlete who had everything taken away from him just because of his religion but who managed to survive and still love life. This book is not only a testament to the man himself but a reminder to us all to really appreciate what we have and not to let the mistakes of the past happen again.
July 27, 2025
I’m glad NetGalley got the issues with the file fixed because I was ready to just delete this and move on…very glad I managed to read it after all! An amazing true story of Alfred Nakache, Algerian swimming champion, who ended up being sent to Auschwitz and thankfully surviving. The story flips between his time in Auschwitz and the years leading up to it, showing his rise to fame and stardom in the pool before his sudden descent due to him being Jewish. That was astounding to read, how the media that had been lauding his success turned on him so swiftly!
Because it’s a true story but not an autobiography some parts felt a little thin, but I think I’d rather that than have it too fictionalised. I’m devastated we never found out what happened to Paule, his wife, either. So many people whose stories just disappeared without anyone knowing the ending.
It was also interesting to read of his life post-war; it felt like everyone just expected him to dive back into the pool and get back to normal.
Because it’s a true story but not an autobiography some parts felt a little thin, but I think I’d rather that than have it too fictionalised. I’m devastated we never found out what happened to Paule, his wife, either. So many people whose stories just disappeared without anyone knowing the ending.
It was also interesting to read of his life post-war; it felt like everyone just expected him to dive back into the pool and get back to normal.
September 23, 2025
Thank you for this e-arc! Overall a 3.5 star read id round up! I find it hard rating true stories because it feels wrong to rate a true recollection of events, so the 3.5 is merely just due to formatting issues when reading- I haven’t experienced this with other books on netgalley yet but it may be a common theme/normal for arcs but it did make my reading experience a little rougher to enjoy. This story was breathtaking and encouraging all in one. Definite recommend.
October 13, 2025
This is a fictional recounting of THE greatest Jewish swimmer of the 20th century. In Nirth America, most people would believe it was Mark Spitz. We know little of the best Jewish swimmer Alfred Nakache.
If you travel to Toulouse France, where he trained before (and until he was deported from France 🇫🇷) with the team Les Dauphins, you will find the pool dedicated to his memory.
I loved this little known story (in my neck of the woods). ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you travel to Toulouse France, where he trained before (and until he was deported from France 🇫🇷) with the team Les Dauphins, you will find the pool dedicated to his memory.
I loved this little known story (in my neck of the woods). ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 23, 2025
Inițial nu mi-a plăcut cum este scrisă cartea- limbajul, scenariile închipuite dintr-o carte istorică (de exemplu câtă emoție a fost pusă în intalnirea inițială dintre Alfred și Paule), separarea capitolelor asftel încât acestea să fie multe și scurte, din perioade diferite de timp... Însă până la sfârșit a devenit o carte apropiată de suflet. M-a ajutat mult să mă calmez când am avut eu nevoie, să realizez că nu îmi lipsesc multe lucruri. Mă bucur că am citit această carte și aș face-o din nou.
July 20, 2025
The Swimmer of Auschwitz left me deeply moved and shaken. This is a haunting, essential story that bears witness to both unimaginable human suffering and the relentless drive to survive.
Renaud Leblond tells Alfred Nakache’s story with careful precision, moving between two timelines, his rise as a celebrated swimmer in France and his imprisonment in Auschwitz. As the timelines gradually converge, the full weight of Nakache’s life becomes clear. He is a man trained to conquer water, now drowning in the horror of a world turned against him and his family.
There is something especially heartbreaking in how his talent in the pool, once a symbol of hope, triumph, and national pride, was twisted into something cruel. The same Nazis who sought to erase his humanity also forced him to demonstrate his strength, admiring it even as they used it against him. It’s a detail that sits heavily with me, one of many that will stay long after the final page.
The loss of his wife and daughter, the agony of that separation, and the unfathomable pain of knowing what had been taken from him, make this story one that does not allow you to look away. And it shouldn’t. We cannot forget what has happened. Stories like Nakache’s must be told, again and again, because they are not just history. They are warnings. They are truths. They are acts of resistance.
Renaud Leblond tells Alfred Nakache’s story with careful precision, moving between two timelines, his rise as a celebrated swimmer in France and his imprisonment in Auschwitz. As the timelines gradually converge, the full weight of Nakache’s life becomes clear. He is a man trained to conquer water, now drowning in the horror of a world turned against him and his family.
There is something especially heartbreaking in how his talent in the pool, once a symbol of hope, triumph, and national pride, was twisted into something cruel. The same Nazis who sought to erase his humanity also forced him to demonstrate his strength, admiring it even as they used it against him. It’s a detail that sits heavily with me, one of many that will stay long after the final page.
The loss of his wife and daughter, the agony of that separation, and the unfathomable pain of knowing what had been taken from him, make this story one that does not allow you to look away. And it shouldn’t. We cannot forget what has happened. Stories like Nakache’s must be told, again and again, because they are not just history. They are warnings. They are truths. They are acts of resistance.
January 15, 2026
The Swimmer Of Auschwitz by Renaud Leblond is a dual timeline story about the same person Alfred Nakache but each chapter of the book depicts his life as a little boy and the next chapter his story as an adult.
Alfred Nakache a Jewish boy, born 18th November 1915 in Constantine French Algeria where he also grew up. As a child he was petrified of the water and refused to go swimming with his family who every Saturday morning would pack a picnic lunch and go to Sidi Michal swimming pool at the bottom of The Rhumel river Gorge Constantine east Algeria. He was teased by his 13 year old cousin Gilbert calling Alfred a “scared whimp” for not getting into the water. This is how the story begins.
Alfred’s father David was a proud Jewish man, he had two loves in his life his family and religion. Many Jewish celebrations were had like Saturday (Sabbath) where treats like meat pies, aubergine caviar, dried salted tomatoes, orange salad, date filled makroud biscuits and rose water pastries were on the menu. While David with dedication would discuss the sacred texts of Talmud The Torah to his family.
As time passes Alfred overcame his fears began swimming to compete and become a French swimming 1936 Summer Olympic champion.
A few years later Alfred one Saturday whilst swimming he met a girl named Paule Zaouri, they fell in love and later became his wife. Together they lived in Toulouse with their daughter Annie who also was born in Constantine, Algeria on 12 August 1941. Life continued to go by smoothly and with many happy memories shared with Alfred and his family. No one would have thought that things were about to change for the three of them.
In December 1943, Alfred, Paule and Annie were arrested and soon deported to Auschwitz. Life in Auschwitz for Alfred, his wife and daughter began with being tattooed with their particular prisoner number. Alfred was numbered 172763. Living conditions were horrific, survival was unimaginable. Hunger, starvation, disease, torture and death were inevitable for many who lived in this camp. Alfred and his family had endured these conditions.
Then, in February 1944, whilst under the rule of Commandant Obersturm Fuherer Schwartz, Alfred was forced to swim in murky dirty water used for fires and infected with algae after the Commandant threw a knife into the water and ordered Alfred to go retrieve the knife like a dog using only his mouth to get the knife. Miraculously, Alfred was the only one to survive. Both his wife and daughter perished before they could be freed from the atrocities of war.
After the war ended, Alfred continued his swimming career. He also later competed in Swimming in the first Post war 1948 Olympic Games in London. He and a fellow Olympian Ben Helfgott were the only known Jewish athletes to have competed in the Olympics after surviving the Holocaust. Alfred also loved to play waterpolo.
After ending his career in Reunion Island, Alfred died in Cerbère, France on 4 August 1983, after becoming ill while swimming in the port. He was buried in the Le Py cemetery in Sète. In honour of Alfreds dedication to swimming he was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and the International Swimming Hall of Fame. There has also been many documentaries about his extraordinary life.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Monoray for the opportunity and honour of receiving an advanced copy of this book. I personally have read many books and novels about this period of time in history and have never known about the incredible true story of the life of an extraordinary man in the history of swimming and Auschwitz.
Definitely worth reading if you love true stories or that of swimming. I have learned a lot about Alfred that I was not aware of before. I highly recommend this book and I rate it with 4 stars.
Alfred Nakache a Jewish boy, born 18th November 1915 in Constantine French Algeria where he also grew up. As a child he was petrified of the water and refused to go swimming with his family who every Saturday morning would pack a picnic lunch and go to Sidi Michal swimming pool at the bottom of The Rhumel river Gorge Constantine east Algeria. He was teased by his 13 year old cousin Gilbert calling Alfred a “scared whimp” for not getting into the water. This is how the story begins.
Alfred’s father David was a proud Jewish man, he had two loves in his life his family and religion. Many Jewish celebrations were had like Saturday (Sabbath) where treats like meat pies, aubergine caviar, dried salted tomatoes, orange salad, date filled makroud biscuits and rose water pastries were on the menu. While David with dedication would discuss the sacred texts of Talmud The Torah to his family.
As time passes Alfred overcame his fears began swimming to compete and become a French swimming 1936 Summer Olympic champion.
A few years later Alfred one Saturday whilst swimming he met a girl named Paule Zaouri, they fell in love and later became his wife. Together they lived in Toulouse with their daughter Annie who also was born in Constantine, Algeria on 12 August 1941. Life continued to go by smoothly and with many happy memories shared with Alfred and his family. No one would have thought that things were about to change for the three of them.
In December 1943, Alfred, Paule and Annie were arrested and soon deported to Auschwitz. Life in Auschwitz for Alfred, his wife and daughter began with being tattooed with their particular prisoner number. Alfred was numbered 172763. Living conditions were horrific, survival was unimaginable. Hunger, starvation, disease, torture and death were inevitable for many who lived in this camp. Alfred and his family had endured these conditions.
Then, in February 1944, whilst under the rule of Commandant Obersturm Fuherer Schwartz, Alfred was forced to swim in murky dirty water used for fires and infected with algae after the Commandant threw a knife into the water and ordered Alfred to go retrieve the knife like a dog using only his mouth to get the knife. Miraculously, Alfred was the only one to survive. Both his wife and daughter perished before they could be freed from the atrocities of war.
After the war ended, Alfred continued his swimming career. He also later competed in Swimming in the first Post war 1948 Olympic Games in London. He and a fellow Olympian Ben Helfgott were the only known Jewish athletes to have competed in the Olympics after surviving the Holocaust. Alfred also loved to play waterpolo.
After ending his career in Reunion Island, Alfred died in Cerbère, France on 4 August 1983, after becoming ill while swimming in the port. He was buried in the Le Py cemetery in Sète. In honour of Alfreds dedication to swimming he was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and the International Swimming Hall of Fame. There has also been many documentaries about his extraordinary life.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Monoray for the opportunity and honour of receiving an advanced copy of this book. I personally have read many books and novels about this period of time in history and have never known about the incredible true story of the life of an extraordinary man in the history of swimming and Auschwitz.
Definitely worth reading if you love true stories or that of swimming. I have learned a lot about Alfred that I was not aware of before. I highly recommend this book and I rate it with 4 stars.
August 13, 2025
The Swimmer of Auschwitz tells the true story of Alfred, a Jewish Olympic swimmer who spent time in Auschwitz and survived.
I personally have never heard of Alfred and his story and I found it to be both unique and heart breaking.
Not only do we experience Alfred’s time in capture, not knowing if he will live to see his wife and child again, we see him in his youth and rise to fame.
I was touched by Alfred’s friends - most of which were a part of his swimming team and his fans response to his deportation and eventual capture. So many people risked arrest and their lives to have him released. While the attempts were vain it was heartening to read.
The only reason I did not mark this book as 5 stars was because of the format. I personally read the book on my phone and found the copyright label very distracting. I would have to zoom in to read around the label, often time causing the screen to flip to the next page.
I would have finished the book faster but I kept having to go back after loosing my page.
There are also a lot of time jumps in the story. Ranging from when Alfred was child learning to swim all the way up until his death. You really have to pay attention to the dates and the who the narrator is. While most times it was set from Alfred’s perspective there were times it would be from his wife Paule’s or one of Alfred’s close friends.
It was truly amazing that Alfred was able to go back to swimming/competing after experiencing the horrors of Auschwitz.
While this story left me with a heavy heart, I am touched to know Alfred’s tale.
This book is being published October 12th ! Pre order now for a chance to experience this extraordinary story !
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I personally have never heard of Alfred and his story and I found it to be both unique and heart breaking.
Not only do we experience Alfred’s time in capture, not knowing if he will live to see his wife and child again, we see him in his youth and rise to fame.
I was touched by Alfred’s friends - most of which were a part of his swimming team and his fans response to his deportation and eventual capture. So many people risked arrest and their lives to have him released. While the attempts were vain it was heartening to read.
The only reason I did not mark this book as 5 stars was because of the format. I personally read the book on my phone and found the copyright label very distracting. I would have to zoom in to read around the label, often time causing the screen to flip to the next page.
I would have finished the book faster but I kept having to go back after loosing my page.
There are also a lot of time jumps in the story. Ranging from when Alfred was child learning to swim all the way up until his death. You really have to pay attention to the dates and the who the narrator is. While most times it was set from Alfred’s perspective there were times it would be from his wife Paule’s or one of Alfred’s close friends.
It was truly amazing that Alfred was able to go back to swimming/competing after experiencing the horrors of Auschwitz.
While this story left me with a heavy heart, I am touched to know Alfred’s tale.
This book is being published October 12th ! Pre order now for a chance to experience this extraordinary story !
#
August 18, 2025
“The Swimmer of Auschwitz” tells the extraordinary story of Alfred Nakache, an Algerian-born swimmer who rose to prominence competing for France, only to be swept into the darkest chapters of the twentieth century. Leblond traces Alfred’s journey from his rise in the sporting world to his imprisonment in a concentration camp, and finally to his return to life after liberation. It is a story that both devastates and inspires, a testament to a man who refused to let cruelty extinguish his humanity.
The most compelling strength of the book lies in Alfred himself—his resilience, his refusal to surrender to despair, and his ability to preserve a sense of self even amid unimaginable suffering. His life reminds us that survival is not only physical but also deeply spiritual, sustained by dignity and determination.
Yet, while Alfred’s story is inherently gripping, the writing does not always serve it as powerfully as it might. The prose can feel terse and somewhat detached, muting the emotional resonance of events that cry out for greater depth. What begins as an engaging, novelistic account gradually shifts into the tone of a history textbook, losing some of its immediacy and intimacy. A more consistent narrative structure could have amplified the emotional impact and drawn readers even more deeply into Alfred’s lived experience.
Still, despite its stylistic shortcomings, “The Swimmer of Auschwitz” is a book worth reading. Leblond preserves the memory of a remarkable man whose story deserves recognition. Alfred Nakache’s legacy—as both an athlete and a survivor—reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of honoring lives that history might otherwise overlook.
The most compelling strength of the book lies in Alfred himself—his resilience, his refusal to surrender to despair, and his ability to preserve a sense of self even amid unimaginable suffering. His life reminds us that survival is not only physical but also deeply spiritual, sustained by dignity and determination.
Yet, while Alfred’s story is inherently gripping, the writing does not always serve it as powerfully as it might. The prose can feel terse and somewhat detached, muting the emotional resonance of events that cry out for greater depth. What begins as an engaging, novelistic account gradually shifts into the tone of a history textbook, losing some of its immediacy and intimacy. A more consistent narrative structure could have amplified the emotional impact and drawn readers even more deeply into Alfred’s lived experience.
Still, despite its stylistic shortcomings, “The Swimmer of Auschwitz” is a book worth reading. Leblond preserves the memory of a remarkable man whose story deserves recognition. Alfred Nakache’s legacy—as both an athlete and a survivor—reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of honoring lives that history might otherwise overlook.
November 12, 2025
The Swimmer of Auschwitz by Renauld Leblond details a unique perspective of a world class, record breaking Olympic swimmer who was a French Jew from Algeria. As a child, Alfred Nakache was terrified of the water. But his powerful muscular build, determination and perseverance changed his life. He set a world record in the 200 m breaststroke but was banned when Jews were persecuted...and worse. Shortly after marrying and having a daughter, his young family was deported to Auschwitz on cattle cars. Alfred went from a world athlete to just a number who did all he could to barely survive starvation, torture, and humiliation. He used his job in the dispensary to help hide prisoners in "the attics" and provide the best care he could.
Officer Müller was a cruel Nazi who gleaned great enjoyment from prisoners' punishments and sport, forcing them to perform under extreme duress. Alfred was no exception and his prowess saved his life more than once. In fact, he survived several camps. But millions of others didn't.
I have read many, many Holocaust books and seek those with an original point of view to learn about. I hadn't heard of this gentleman or particular Auschwitz punishment before. I am always stunned at people's courage and enterprise in the worst conditions imaginable. The author also includes some of what happened after liberation to those in the story.
There is no self pity for Alfred here but rather a raw and matter-of-fact tone. To me Alfred was a hero. He was many things; an accomplished athlete, adoring husband and father, concentration camp survivor and rescuer. He suffered greatly during World War II and was presumably never the same again.
Officer Müller was a cruel Nazi who gleaned great enjoyment from prisoners' punishments and sport, forcing them to perform under extreme duress. Alfred was no exception and his prowess saved his life more than once. In fact, he survived several camps. But millions of others didn't.
I have read many, many Holocaust books and seek those with an original point of view to learn about. I hadn't heard of this gentleman or particular Auschwitz punishment before. I am always stunned at people's courage and enterprise in the worst conditions imaginable. The author also includes some of what happened after liberation to those in the story.
There is no self pity for Alfred here but rather a raw and matter-of-fact tone. To me Alfred was a hero. He was many things; an accomplished athlete, adoring husband and father, concentration camp survivor and rescuer. He suffered greatly during World War II and was presumably never the same again.
January 27, 2026
I knew pretty quickly that The Swimmer of Auschwitz was going to wreck me in the quiet kind of way. Not the dramatic, overwrought way. The slow, heavy, sit-with-you kind. This is the kind of historical fiction I fall in love with every single time, the kind that doesn’t feel like a “story” so much as a person letting you walk beside them through something unimaginable.
What got me wasn’t just the events. It was the way I connected to the person living them. I didn’t feel like I was reading about history. I felt like I was reading about someone’s life, someone’s fear, someone’s stubborn will to survive when everything around them says they shouldn’t. I kept catching myself thinking less about the setting and more about the choices, the thoughts, the tiny human moments that still exist even in a place built on cruelty.
This book made me slow down. I wasn’t flying through it. I was stopping, rereading lines, putting it down for a minute, picking it back up. That’s how I know a book is doing something to me. It wasn’t trying to shock me. It wasn’t trying to be dramatic. It was just honest, steady, and deeply human.
And that’s what made it hit so hard. Not the scale of the tragedy, but the closeness of it. The way you’re pulled into one life instead of a whole history lesson. You don’t feel like a reader. You feel like a witness.
Five stars, no hesitation. This is the kind of book that reminds me exactly why I’m obsessed with historical fiction, especially stories rooted in real suffering and real resilience. Not because they’re heavy, but because they’re human. And this one absolutely stayed with me after the last page.
What got me wasn’t just the events. It was the way I connected to the person living them. I didn’t feel like I was reading about history. I felt like I was reading about someone’s life, someone’s fear, someone’s stubborn will to survive when everything around them says they shouldn’t. I kept catching myself thinking less about the setting and more about the choices, the thoughts, the tiny human moments that still exist even in a place built on cruelty.
This book made me slow down. I wasn’t flying through it. I was stopping, rereading lines, putting it down for a minute, picking it back up. That’s how I know a book is doing something to me. It wasn’t trying to shock me. It wasn’t trying to be dramatic. It was just honest, steady, and deeply human.
And that’s what made it hit so hard. Not the scale of the tragedy, but the closeness of it. The way you’re pulled into one life instead of a whole history lesson. You don’t feel like a reader. You feel like a witness.
Five stars, no hesitation. This is the kind of book that reminds me exactly why I’m obsessed with historical fiction, especially stories rooted in real suffering and real resilience. Not because they’re heavy, but because they’re human. And this one absolutely stayed with me after the last page.
August 9, 2025
Read through NetGalley.
Overall, I enjoyed this book because of the way the story was told and how the ending and “where are they now” left you with answers on what happened to some of the people after Alfred no longer ran into them.
The flip flop of time (the years) between the chapters was slightly confusing at the beginning of the book. It would be talking about Alfred’s life growing up then a small mini chapter bringing up back to current WWII and Alfred’s life in the camp then back to Alfred’s life growing up. It got better and was easier to keep track once the year differences shrunk between younger Alfreds and WWII Alfred’s life. Some of the chapters did leave me speechless, speechless in a way I can’t believe this happened in our world and some people chose to not acknowledge the camps as real: I had to quite reading for the night after the Christmas Eve baby chapter. I was mouth gaped when reading it.
I did notice some spelling that was different for me but I still knew what was being said:
Mould = mold, storey = story, Swum = swam , Interchanging of Toulouse Dolphins club with “Dauphins club.”
I did find one grammar mistake on page 144, “ The sound of boots a few metres away makes then jump.…” I believe then should be them.
This took me a lot longer to read than I anticipated because I read the book on my phone and I’m not the biggest fan of online reading, but I enjoyed the book. I like different aspects of WWII that enlightens/shows the reader there was more going on than the same lot of information we learned about in school/other WWII books.
Overall, I enjoyed this book because of the way the story was told and how the ending and “where are they now” left you with answers on what happened to some of the people after Alfred no longer ran into them.
The flip flop of time (the years) between the chapters was slightly confusing at the beginning of the book. It would be talking about Alfred’s life growing up then a small mini chapter bringing up back to current WWII and Alfred’s life in the camp then back to Alfred’s life growing up. It got better and was easier to keep track once the year differences shrunk between younger Alfreds and WWII Alfred’s life. Some of the chapters did leave me speechless, speechless in a way I can’t believe this happened in our world and some people chose to not acknowledge the camps as real: I had to quite reading for the night after the Christmas Eve baby chapter. I was mouth gaped when reading it.
I did notice some spelling that was different for me but I still knew what was being said:
Mould = mold, storey = story, Swum = swam , Interchanging of Toulouse Dolphins club with “Dauphins club.”
I did find one grammar mistake on page 144, “ The sound of boots a few metres away makes then jump.…” I believe then should be them.
This took me a lot longer to read than I anticipated because I read the book on my phone and I’m not the biggest fan of online reading, but I enjoyed the book. I like different aspects of WWII that enlightens/shows the reader there was more going on than the same lot of information we learned about in school/other WWII books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2025
This is the true life story of Alfred Nakache who was born in Algeria in 1915 and grew up in the city of Constantine. The author did not meet Alfred Nakache but wrote the book based on interviews with those who knew him and research. At the age of 15 Alfred was terrified of swimming but a freakish incident saw him take the sport up. Told from various POVs and in two timelines this is truly an emotional and heartbreaking read.
Briefly, by the mid 1930’s he was swimming for France, breaking records and was selected to take part in the Berlin Olympics in 1938 but failed to win a medal. He had met and married Paule and life couldn’t be better particularly when they had a daughter Annie. However, war clouds were looming and when France was invaded they moved from Paris to Toulouse. This didn’t allow them to escape. They were Jews and as such the three were rounded up and via Drancy (near Paris) they were sent eastwards. Once there Alfred was separated from Paule and Annie, not knowing if he would ever see them again.
The barbarity of Auschwitz is detailed in all its depravity. Knowing who he was the Nazi’s made Alfred swim in ice-cold water tanks for their entertainment. It is a powerful story comparing the beauty of swimming against the sheer cruelty of life in the camp. How he survived it whilst others didn’t is so remarkable, as was his love of swimming until he died. A story of survival against all the odds, we must never forget!
Briefly, by the mid 1930’s he was swimming for France, breaking records and was selected to take part in the Berlin Olympics in 1938 but failed to win a medal. He had met and married Paule and life couldn’t be better particularly when they had a daughter Annie. However, war clouds were looming and when France was invaded they moved from Paris to Toulouse. This didn’t allow them to escape. They were Jews and as such the three were rounded up and via Drancy (near Paris) they were sent eastwards. Once there Alfred was separated from Paule and Annie, not knowing if he would ever see them again.
The barbarity of Auschwitz is detailed in all its depravity. Knowing who he was the Nazi’s made Alfred swim in ice-cold water tanks for their entertainment. It is a powerful story comparing the beauty of swimming against the sheer cruelty of life in the camp. How he survived it whilst others didn’t is so remarkable, as was his love of swimming until he died. A story of survival against all the odds, we must never forget!
August 28, 2025
For my full sensory review please check out my blog. I have read many accounts and studied Auschwitz for 25 years, and The Swimmer of Auschwitz is another extraordinary story of love, sacrifice, survival and ultimately tragedy. Nothing surprises me especially when it comes to what humans are capable of doing to others. I’ll admit that page is 223 and 224 did have me in tears.
The Swimmer of Auschwitz was a very heart-thumping read, the chapter super short and snappy. You won’t want to put the book down, definitely a read to the end, up all night or clear a morning or afternoon for this one. My heart was racing the entire way through.
I found a wonderful and very thoughtful and respectful touch with the pages at the back of what happened to the characters. I found this fascinating and also very sad.
This is a five star from me and I enjoyed learning Alfred and his family and his journey is an Olympic swimmer. We must never forget the people who lived through this harrowing time, there are so many non-famous victims who probably won’t have a book written about and I wish there was. I wish there could be a book written of every single person. We must never forget what they endured and suffered.
If you like books based on true accounts and Auschwitz is an area you are interested in this is definitely one for your reading list. You are in for an unforgettable ride.
The Swimmer of Auschwitz was a very heart-thumping read, the chapter super short and snappy. You won’t want to put the book down, definitely a read to the end, up all night or clear a morning or afternoon for this one. My heart was racing the entire way through.
I found a wonderful and very thoughtful and respectful touch with the pages at the back of what happened to the characters. I found this fascinating and also very sad.
This is a five star from me and I enjoyed learning Alfred and his family and his journey is an Olympic swimmer. We must never forget the people who lived through this harrowing time, there are so many non-famous victims who probably won’t have a book written about and I wish there was. I wish there could be a book written of every single person. We must never forget what they endured and suffered.
If you like books based on true accounts and Auschwitz is an area you are interested in this is definitely one for your reading list. You are in for an unforgettable ride.
December 16, 2025
This book was extraordinary.
A small, intimate story about a Holocaust survivor, told with restraint and emotional clarity. It’s the kind of book that doesn’t need grand gestures to make its point, it quietly reminds us of the importance of empathy, memory, and loving one another as we are.
It was a genuine pleasure to receive this book as a gift from the publisher, and for the story itself, I am deeply grateful. Unfortunately, the Romanian translation was a major disappointment and significantly affected my reading experience.
The text contains numerous grammatical errors, poorly adapted expressions, and phrases translated literally without regard for Romanian linguistic flow. Reading a text like this makes you wonder how readers are supposed to preserve a sense of language and nuance when the translation itself feels careless.
Additionally, the footnotes were confusing and unhelpful, many of them appear only in French, functioning more as source citations than explanations. Footnotes should clarify and support the reader, not interrupt the narrative or push essential context to another language. Such references would have been more appropriate at the end of the book.
Despite these issues, the story itself remains powerful and meaningful. It deserves a translation that honors its sensitivity, historical weight, and emotional depth.
A small, intimate story about a Holocaust survivor, told with restraint and emotional clarity. It’s the kind of book that doesn’t need grand gestures to make its point, it quietly reminds us of the importance of empathy, memory, and loving one another as we are.
It was a genuine pleasure to receive this book as a gift from the publisher, and for the story itself, I am deeply grateful. Unfortunately, the Romanian translation was a major disappointment and significantly affected my reading experience.
The text contains numerous grammatical errors, poorly adapted expressions, and phrases translated literally without regard for Romanian linguistic flow. Reading a text like this makes you wonder how readers are supposed to preserve a sense of language and nuance when the translation itself feels careless.
Additionally, the footnotes were confusing and unhelpful, many of them appear only in French, functioning more as source citations than explanations. Footnotes should clarify and support the reader, not interrupt the narrative or push essential context to another language. Such references would have been more appropriate at the end of the book.
Despite these issues, the story itself remains powerful and meaningful. It deserves a translation that honors its sensitivity, historical weight, and emotional depth.
January 13, 2026
Nu mai citisem de mult o carte de ficțiune istorică, în special una legată de Auschwitz, așa că Înotătorul de la Auschwitz a ajuns pe lista mea.
Alfred Nakache, campion mondial și olimpic la înot, trăiește una dintre cele mai cutremurătoare povești ale secolului XX. Deportat la Auschwitz în 1943, în plin regim de teroare nazist, el luptă să supraviețuiască, animat de o voință de neclintit: să înoate împotriva ororii și să-și regăsească familia.
Ca multe cărți inspirate din această perioadă, și aceasta se bazează pe fapte reale, lucru care, pentru mine, îi oferă automat mai multă profunzime și mă ajută să mă conectez mai ușor la trăirile și emoțiile personajelor.
Mi s-a părut foarte interesant să urmăresc perspectiva unui om iubit, lăudat și apreciat, o adevărată emblemă a sportului, prăbușit din acest statut doar pentru simplul fapt că era evreu. Îți arată cât de necruțătoare a fost această perioadă, indiferent de cine erai sau ce realizări aveai.
Cu toate acestea, nu am simțit că povestea m-a atins cu adevărat. Nu mi s-a părut scrisă într-un mod care să mă emoționeze, cu excepția unei singure scene care, din punctul meu de vedere, nu s-a potrivit cu stilul de până atunci și cu tonul pe care autorul îl construise.
Cartea oferă o perspectivă interesantă asupra traumelor acestei perioade, dar nu mi-a oferit emoțiile pe care le aștept, de obicei, de la acest tip de lectură.
Alfred Nakache, campion mondial și olimpic la înot, trăiește una dintre cele mai cutremurătoare povești ale secolului XX. Deportat la Auschwitz în 1943, în plin regim de teroare nazist, el luptă să supraviețuiască, animat de o voință de neclintit: să înoate împotriva ororii și să-și regăsească familia.
Ca multe cărți inspirate din această perioadă, și aceasta se bazează pe fapte reale, lucru care, pentru mine, îi oferă automat mai multă profunzime și mă ajută să mă conectez mai ușor la trăirile și emoțiile personajelor.
Mi s-a părut foarte interesant să urmăresc perspectiva unui om iubit, lăudat și apreciat, o adevărată emblemă a sportului, prăbușit din acest statut doar pentru simplul fapt că era evreu. Îți arată cât de necruțătoare a fost această perioadă, indiferent de cine erai sau ce realizări aveai.
Cu toate acestea, nu am simțit că povestea m-a atins cu adevărat. Nu mi s-a părut scrisă într-un mod care să mă emoționeze, cu excepția unei singure scene care, din punctul meu de vedere, nu s-a potrivit cu stilul de până atunci și cu tonul pe care autorul îl construise.
Cartea oferă o perspectivă interesantă asupra traumelor acestei perioade, dar nu mi-a oferit emoțiile pe care le aștept, de obicei, de la acest tip de lectură.
December 13, 2025
Recomand „Înotătorul de la Auschwitz” tuturor cititorilor pasionați de lecturi documentate, dar mai ales celor interesați de istoria celui de-Al Doilea Război Mondial și de cărțile care păstrează vie memoria acestei perioade tragice. Nu este o lectură ușoară, dar este una necesară, care te obligă să reflectezi asupra fragilității vieții și asupra forței spiritului uman. Renaud Leblond reușește să transforme o biografie într-o experiență profund emoționantă, fără exagerări, dar cu multă sinceritate. Prin destinul lui Alfred Nakache, eu am înțeles tranșant ce a însemnat dezumanizarea, dar și cât de important este să nu uităm. Și pot spune cu durere în glas că aceasta este o carte care se citește cu răbdare și respect, care te marchează și rămâne cu tine mult timp după ce ai închis-o. Dacă iubiți literatura care vorbește despre memorie, curaj, solidaritate și despre puterea de a merge mai departe chiar și atunci când totul pare pierdut, atunci „Înotătorul de la Auschwitz” merită cu siguranță să fie citită. Este o lectură care nu doar emoționează, ci și educă, oferind o lecție importantă despre umanitate și despre nevoia de a nu uita!
Link blog:
https://vorbepentrusufletblog.wordpre...
Link blog:
https://vorbepentrusufletblog.wordpre...
August 19, 2025
The Swimmer of Auschwitz is a true story about the Olympic swimmer Alfred Nakache, who was sent to Auschwitz — and thankfully survived. The narrative moves between his time in the concentration camp and the years leading up to it, focusing more on his rise to fame than on his time in the camp itself. It was astounding to read how the media that once celebrated his success turned against him so quickly, simply because he was Jewish.
The same Nazis who wanted to erase his achievements used his physical strength for their own amusement. And as you read, you learn that Nakache wasn't the only athlete in Auschwitz — others were also exploited in similar ways.
Nakache was fortunate to have a few people who supported him and even risked arrest to help him. That reminded me that, even during one of the darkest periods in history, some people still chose to do good.
One of the saddest parts for me was never finding out what happened to his wife, Paula. It’s heartbreaking to think about how many people simply vanished, with no closure for their loved ones.
The only reason I wouldn’t give this book top marks is because of the frequent time jumps. If you miss one, it’s easy to feel a little lost while reading. But overall, it’s a powerful and moving story that sheds light on both incredible resilience and unimaginable cruelty.
The same Nazis who wanted to erase his achievements used his physical strength for their own amusement. And as you read, you learn that Nakache wasn't the only athlete in Auschwitz — others were also exploited in similar ways.
Nakache was fortunate to have a few people who supported him and even risked arrest to help him. That reminded me that, even during one of the darkest periods in history, some people still chose to do good.
One of the saddest parts for me was never finding out what happened to his wife, Paula. It’s heartbreaking to think about how many people simply vanished, with no closure for their loved ones.
The only reason I wouldn’t give this book top marks is because of the frequent time jumps. If you miss one, it’s easy to feel a little lost while reading. But overall, it’s a powerful and moving story that sheds light on both incredible resilience and unimaginable cruelty.
August 24, 2025
A moving and beautiful story about somebody who, through his talent was able to deal with something that is quite a horrific stain on humanity. As a History teacher I have read several accounts on the holocaust,but each story is individual and moving. Particularly because sometimes when we look at the event itself, we forget that's six million accounts for 6 million stories. Each individual had a life, had a family, had a career, had a story to tell. So when these books are written, I find it is so important that we take time to reach read each one and consider the loss that the world felt at their freedom being taken away.
I have said this before, but I'm taking it as an opportunity to say again.It horrifies me that we could read something so sad.But then in reality, we are seeing history repeat itself. People who read books, we are educated. So we can see how much suffering is happening right now in Gaza. I pray for peace and I pray that people read these books to reconnect with the evil's that the world has been through, and it scares me to think that 20 years from now we will be reading accounts from 2025 and think I wish this hadn't happened.
I have said this before, but I'm taking it as an opportunity to say again.It horrifies me that we could read something so sad.But then in reality, we are seeing history repeat itself. People who read books, we are educated. So we can see how much suffering is happening right now in Gaza. I pray for peace and I pray that people read these books to reconnect with the evil's that the world has been through, and it scares me to think that 20 years from now we will be reading accounts from 2025 and think I wish this hadn't happened.
August 21, 2025
I find it hard to resist a WW2 biography so when I heard about The Swimmer of Auschwitz, I had to read it.
It follows the life of world record holding Olympian Alfred Nakache, a Jewish swimmer from Constantine. From his childhood when he was scared of water, through to his achievements as an adult, and then his life imprisoned in Auschwitz, we share in Alfred's celebrations, humiliations, and despair.
I found this to be an interesting read, but it did also get a little confusing at times. The flipping between timelines often threw me off, and there were so many secondary characters it just became a bit much remembering who was who!
The overall message hits hard though, how someone so celebrated was so quickly demonised just because of his beliefs. It is a stark reminder of the parts of history that should never be repeated, and of the millions of people who just disappeared without a trace, like Alfred's cherished wife.
It follows the life of world record holding Olympian Alfred Nakache, a Jewish swimmer from Constantine. From his childhood when he was scared of water, through to his achievements as an adult, and then his life imprisoned in Auschwitz, we share in Alfred's celebrations, humiliations, and despair.
I found this to be an interesting read, but it did also get a little confusing at times. The flipping between timelines often threw me off, and there were so many secondary characters it just became a bit much remembering who was who!
The overall message hits hard though, how someone so celebrated was so quickly demonised just because of his beliefs. It is a stark reminder of the parts of history that should never be repeated, and of the millions of people who just disappeared without a trace, like Alfred's cherished wife.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2025
I really like reading books from this time period, as although the details are harrowing, I admire the strength and determination that people showed. Alfred was no exception, as this was a story portraying him swimming to survive.
I really liked how the story was told in two time frames, from Alfred growing up, to the present day in Auschwitz. This gave better insight into his circumstances, of how he became a swimmer and the reality of growing up as a young Jewish boy.
The writing style of the book was good, as you can sense the emotions being portrayed and the details were heartbreaking.
I really liked how despite everything he had been through, Alfred still carried on with his swimming and made a success of this. It was so touching the dedications he made, although I was upset he never knew what happened to Paule. I also liked how we got to find out what happened to others along the way.
Alfred's story is one that shouldn't be forgotten or repeated.
I really liked how the story was told in two time frames, from Alfred growing up, to the present day in Auschwitz. This gave better insight into his circumstances, of how he became a swimmer and the reality of growing up as a young Jewish boy.
The writing style of the book was good, as you can sense the emotions being portrayed and the details were heartbreaking.
I really liked how despite everything he had been through, Alfred still carried on with his swimming and made a success of this. It was so touching the dedications he made, although I was upset he never knew what happened to Paule. I also liked how we got to find out what happened to others along the way.
Alfred's story is one that shouldn't be forgotten or repeated.
August 21, 2025
I have read many books, fictionalised and non fiction about various aspects of Auschwitz. This book by Renaud Leblond was a new perspective and I found it fascinating and compelling. Detailing the story of Alfred Nakache, born in Algeria to Jewish parents, fearful of water as a child, he went on to achieve the highest acclaim in the world of swimming in the 1930’s representing France. In times of European unrest in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s Alfred was prevented from competing and was deported and sent to Auschwitz III. Humiliation, emaciation and punishment followed, branded and at the whim of the torturers, Alfred remained determined and physically fit from his swimming training. This is a remarkable story about a remarkable man, a forgotten French champion finally acknowledged in this wonderful book.
September 3, 2025
A very cathartic and poignant read. The chills I had whilst reading this is unreal. Given this is a true story, I can’t rate it but it touched me and was a very haunting yet inspirational read.
It’s crazy to read that Alfred Nakache used to hate the water. Little did he know, when he was older he’d be swimming and competing in the Olympics.
Alfred is a Jew, so you can imagine the upbringing he had and what he’s seen and gone through. We had two timelines which gave the reader a deeper insight into his life and what he was going through.
This was a book I won’t forget. As someone who reads a lot about Auschwitz I found it very interesting and heartbreaking.
Thank you to @randomthingstours for having me. To @leblond.renaud you are inspirational and thank you for allowing me a copy of your book.
It’s crazy to read that Alfred Nakache used to hate the water. Little did he know, when he was older he’d be swimming and competing in the Olympics.
Alfred is a Jew, so you can imagine the upbringing he had and what he’s seen and gone through. We had two timelines which gave the reader a deeper insight into his life and what he was going through.
This was a book I won’t forget. As someone who reads a lot about Auschwitz I found it very interesting and heartbreaking.
Thank you to @randomthingstours for having me. To @leblond.renaud you are inspirational and thank you for allowing me a copy of your book.
September 3, 2025
This is a very powerful story based on how one man who literally swam for his life.
The story is split across two timelines which swaps and changes to offer the reader and all round perspective of Alfred Nakache's introduction to swimming and training etc, then later what happens when he arrives at Auschwitz.
I always enjoy reading historical fiction from World War 2 but this has a very different feel to it.
Told from a 3rd person perspective, this story feels to the point and almost detached and clinical. This is in no way a negative critique of the book as for me, it absolutely hits home and adds impact to the book.
It is rather harrowing and once again, the atrocities of the N@zi's still sicken me, even now after reading many of this genre .
This is a thought-provoking and harrowing book and really hammers home again, the horrors of that period in history.
The story is split across two timelines which swaps and changes to offer the reader and all round perspective of Alfred Nakache's introduction to swimming and training etc, then later what happens when he arrives at Auschwitz.
I always enjoy reading historical fiction from World War 2 but this has a very different feel to it.
Told from a 3rd person perspective, this story feels to the point and almost detached and clinical. This is in no way a negative critique of the book as for me, it absolutely hits home and adds impact to the book.
It is rather harrowing and once again, the atrocities of the N@zi's still sicken me, even now after reading many of this genre .
This is a thought-provoking and harrowing book and really hammers home again, the horrors of that period in history.
November 30, 2025
The pacing of the story took me a little bit to get used to with the back and forth, but once I got into it, I had to know more about his life. I had never really followed Alfred Nakache's career, but I think his story is so important. What I took away from the book (in addition to learning more about the Holocaust), was to not let fear define you and hold you back. Here was a swimmer who was once afraid of water. It sounds like a paradox, but he is an example of the power that can come from facing fear. I appreciate the stories of Holocaust survivors because I get to hear their stories and make sure they are not forgotten. I also had never read one about a "celebrity" who was imprisoned. It was interesting to hear how his treatment was different in some regards because of his prized status. I would recommend this book.
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