Irmgard: The Girl from Dresden. A Memoir of Survival and Legacy

by Fiona Kelmann

334 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 16, 2026

Reviews

[Lisa Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir of Holocaust survivor Irmgard Hanner is brilliantly told by her custodian and author Fiona Kelmann. It not only tells Irma’s Holocaust story, but follows Kelmann’s experience of being Irma’s custodian of memory. We follow how Kelmann gained Irma’s trust, and the responsibility and challenges she faced by taking this responsibility on as well as the beautiful relationship they developed. Kelmann has not only managed to capture the voice of Irma in an authentic manner, but confirm the events of Irma’s Holocaust experience through rigorous research in multiple archives. I was captivated throughout the book and recommend Irmgard: The Girl From Dresden as a must read.

[Ruby Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolute must-read. I couldn’t put it down and I loved the way Irma’s story was told.

[Caren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished the book with even more respect for Irma, whom I am fortunate to have known from the Holocaust Museum volunteer program. Her story is brilliantly told in the two voices the author presented: Irma's and Fiona's. The author's affection and respect for Irma shone through as Irma's harrowing story of resilience was so personally shared with the reader.

[Bianca Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible read and showcases the power of memoir and story-telling

[Elli Hazan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly well written true story! Super engaged from the start, I couldn’t put it down. A must read!!

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written and deeply moving memoir of a Holocaust survivor from Dresden, Germany, told alongside the author’s own deeply personal relationship with her. Meticulously researched and written with great sensitivity, it is both compelling and illuminating, bringing the past vividly to life while reminding us why these stories remain so important today.