The Strange Ways of Providence In My Life

by Krystyna Carmi, Katarzyna Stewart (Translator)

God looks after the orphans Happy childhood, horrors of war and miraculous rescue of the only child survivor from Obertyn.

Krystyna Carmi's childhood was full of happy moments in the family house. Her childhood was filled with friends, both Polish and Ukrainian girls, that played games with her. She attended a Ukrainian school, participated in school celebrations; she lived a normal, everyday life. In her memoire, published after many years of silence, Krystyna Carmi shows the history of her family and her life.

The book contains more than 100 pictures, taken by Krystyna’s father, a professional photographer, and sent it to their family in Israel before the war.

Krystyna was gifted with an amazing memory and as such was able to recall the atmosphere of those days, describing in details the appearance of a household; and if that wasn’t enough, Krystyna Carmi writes about something very rare, the smells she remembered from childhood. Walking with her on the streets of pre-war Obertyn, we get to know the Jews, the Ukrainians, and the Poles and the social and material conditions of their lives, as well as their names and surnames. Krystyna Carmi paints a psychological portrait of these people; she writes about how they dressed, what they ate, what their attitude towards others was, and above all, towards God. She writes about things seemingly trivial, however when looking back, they are incredibly significant.

But the happy childhood did not last long. The first days of war brought overall fear and panic, the entrance of Red Army soldiers to Obertyn, the arrest of Polish patriots, liquidation of Jewish shops, the gradual growth into a more difficult reality of occupation, the Hungarian army in Obertyn, Jews murdered by Ukrainians in the local towns, incredible photos of the members of the Jewish community, drowning in the Dniester by Ukrainians.

However, the worst was still ahead of the Jewish community in Obertyn and her family. First, the Germans, then the Kołomyja ghetto. She was with her parents as well as her maternal and paternal grandfathers. The life conditions in which Obertyn Jews had to live are described in the poem Molasa ”" Ghetto Sweets; she shows in a fictile, detailed way, psychophysical suffering caused by hunger.

People died in the ghetto because of hunger and physical exhaustion; their bodies were collected on a platform. These deaths do not escape the attention of a sensitive and suffering girl, who years later will write a poem with the title In Remembrance of Innocently Suffering People of Different Ages and Sexes from Kołomyja Ghetto; a picture of the platform will stay in her memory forever. "The open mouth and eyes of these human corpses have been hunting me all my life."

Then she returned from the ghetto with her parents, and escaped from Obertyn, following by her sisters’ death, which she described in a very suggestive way in her poems: Black Kamionka Forest. Part I Testimony and Black Kamionka Forest. Part II Curse). Her parents’ death, hiding, hunger, thirst, fear for life, then indifference as time goes by because life is hard. It would be easier to part with the world, but The Strange Ways of Providence in her Life has chosen for her to live, to be. This is how you could present in short, the content of Krystyna Carmi’s memoire.

The memoire are interspersed with the cover of Doctor Markus Willbach, a friend of the Sorger family to emphasize the authenticity of Krystyna Carmi’s (maiden name: Sorger) memories as the images, situations, and events witnessed by her as a little girl coincide with Doctor Willbach’s account, an a

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Holocaust, Biography, World War II, History, Historical

285 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2015

About the author

Krystyna was born in Obertyn, Poland. Her father was a photographer by profession. Initially, she attended a Ukrainian school in Obertyn. Further education was interrupted by the war, when the town was under the management of the Ukrainian and German Nazis and Krystyna, as a 9 year old girl, was exiled with her family and all other Jews from Obertyn to the ghetto in Kolomyja.

People die in the ghetto because of hunger and physical exhaustion; their bodies were collected on a platform. These deaths do not escape the attention of a sensitive and suffering girl

Then she escaped from the ghetto with her parents. Her sisters were murdered and her parents executed.
After the loss of her entire family she was adopted in 1944 by the family Gaczyński who took care of her further education. In March 1945, when the Ukrainian Bandera increased persecution of Poles, including Kolomyja, Gaczyński family agreed to return to their homes in Brzesko. Krystyna moved to Jordanow home for orphans, called "Our House", where she attended High School.

Since 1958 Krystyna lives in Israel. In 1997 she established a small library located in the Polish belonging to the Franciscan church, St. Peter monastery in Jaffa.

She has 2 children and 5 grandchildren.

Reviews

[Teresa “Teri” · Rating 5 out of 5]

*RANT, But NO Spoilers*

This Holocaust memoir felt so personal! It was as if Sonia was telling just me, what happened to her and her family. Sometimes it felt like she wrote to me personally and at other times, as though she were sitting with me trying to help me understand the nightmare; her nightmare!

Every time I read another Holocaust memoir or a nonfiction book on this subject, my second emotion, after the sadness and horror is anger.

Not just anger at the perpetrators and those who did not help fast enough (such as my own country!). But, anger at all of the absolute idiots who still deny that there was ever a Holocaust in the first place.

I’m not even talking about idiot leaders and dictators of some countries. I’m talking about individuals that I come across more often than not on social media and YouTube!

To say that this was a “conspiracy theory made up by wealthy Jews who run the world” is so insane and backwards, I’m sure they believe the earth is flat, as well!

I realize the world is still full of anti-Semitic, bigoted people. But, to deny the deaths of 6 million Jews in a genocide is purely ignorant.

Of course, I loved this book, but abhor the perpetrators that caused it to be written.

[R J Royer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saddest History

This amazing book is not Anne Frank in any way and yet it is one of the hardest and bravest tales I think that I may ever read.

Starting from a young girl's happy childhood memories of family before the second World War and moving on to what happens to them during the occupancy of their hometown, we are given insights and inspiration on life.

By the end of the book we have heard how her sisters and parents where killed, as well as several of her protectors. We also find out what happens after end of the war and how you try to start rebuilding a life after those horrors.

Sometimes the book wanders like memories do but I was thankful for those moments mostly. I needed the time to deal with what I was thinking as I was reading.

I think everyone should read this book.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author really details her childhood. This was nice. There is nothing worse about reading a memoir then to get the feeling that the author has only given the readers the bare bones of their story. Not that every, little detail needs to be provided. Yet, when I am reading a memoir I am wanting to feel like I got to know the author or the subject matter that the memoir is written on.

In this book, I really did feel like I got an clear image of what life was like for Krystyna growing up. When she talked about her family, I felt like I wanted to be a part of her family. The pictures that are featured in this book are great. I like how the author placed them throughout the book; instead of all in the center of the book or at the end. Not that I really needed the images to tell the story as I got an instant image in my head reading the book. However, the images helped with the story. Due to the placement of them, they enhanced the story more.

Not all great memories but you can't expect that when people are dying in the ghetto. You really appreciate life more when you read stories like Krystyna's. This book is easy reading. If you enjoy reading memoirs than you have to check this book out.

[Jaideep Khanduja · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://pebbleinthestillwaters.com/the...

An Emotional Journey

The Strange Ways Of Providence In My Life by Krystyna Carmi is an emotional memoir. You will find a score of photographs in the book. These photographs are by author’s father who was a professional photographer. He sent these photographs to his family before the war. The family was living in Israel at that time. The book starts with Krystyna’s childhood. Her childhood that was spent in the family house was full of happiness. Her fun-filled friends included Polish and Ukrainian girls. They all used to play a lot of games. Her schooling in Ukraine was probably the best part of her life.

I liked the touchy way of recollecting childhood memories so amazingly. It is, in fact, one of the best compilations of the smiles and reasons behind those smiles in a very heart-warming style. From happy moments of life to the tragic part, all the components have been handled quite well. There are moments when the young girl loses her family. Then there is a long sequence of struggles that that author had to pass through. The Strange Ways Of Providence In My Life by Krystyna Carmi is a fabulous story throughout. It is like traveling through the flashback of Krystyna’s life through her eyes.

There is nothing to dislike in this book. You will love the collection of pictures in the book and their relevance to the story. All this creates a big connect for readers with the story and author. In fact, you become a part of the story. There is a whole journey of happy childhood, the phase of the war, losing everything, struggling without family, and the rescue. As a matter of fact, each moment brings in a lot of emotions.

I would rate it as 5 on a scale of 5. In fact, I would recommend The Strange Ways Of Providence In My Life by Krystyna Carmi to all who like to read emotional stuff, memoir, autobiography, nonfiction and about women.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so moved and drawn in by this story I read it in one sitting. It was written with such detail I felt connected to her, her family and the people she knew from over 70 years ago. All this feeling even though my parents weren't born yet let alone me. It was so poignant. What an amazing woman to be able to share her horrific memories of that time with the world. I can only imagine the strength it took to put this story to paper.

I appreciated the way Krystyna Carmi told her story. It was a bit like having a conversation with her as she remembered it all and I didn't want any interruptions as I turned the pages. I'm glad the editing process kept this 'feel' about the book. At times she repeats herself but it was such an emotional telling I think I listened and heard her all the more. This memoir brings the faces and lives of people lost in full clarity and demands her story as well as theirs be remembered. All from the eyes of a child that should never have such memories. The pictures she includes are a beautiful addition to the book. Seeing her family when they were happy before the Holocaust was heart-wrenching yet touching at the same time.

My only wish would have been to hear more about Krystyna Carmi's life after she finished school and more about the Gawlinski or Stangret families (if anything is actually known). I feel guilty for wanting to know even more about them but I can't help it. She triumphed over such atrocities and kept such a beautiful faith in life, I'm in awe of her.

[Elaine Stock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I had won the ebook in a Goodreads Giveaway, I'd purchased the printed copy prior and I'm glad I did.

This is a great insider's view of one of the most, if not the worst, horrific time of the world's history. As told through a young girl's viewpoint (many years later written when the author is an adult), this memoir is informative, touching, tragic, heartbreaking, and hopeful. At times, I had to set it aside (and I've read many, many WW II based accounts and novels) but what I admire the most is the author's Epilogue:

This fate has been prepared for me by God, but He placed along my life's path some good people, who stayed "people" in such inhuman times.

She concludes with Psalm 86, praising God with all her heart... after such loss and hurt, no bitterness. A lesson for all of us.

Thank you, Krystyna Carmi, for this outstanding look into a time that should have never happened.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read many biographies and autobiographies of Jewish survivors of the Holocaust. Most of the books I have read, though, tell the story of individuals who survived concentration camps and the horrors there. I was very interested to read The Strange Ways of Providence in My Life by Krystyna Carmi, because even though she was not taken to a concentration camp, the horrors that she and her family endured speak both to the bravery and resiliency of the human soul in the face of terror and injustice.

The Strange Ways of Providence in My Life is beautifully and honestly written. The author shares her memories with the reader without stinginess. That these memories are a combination of idyllic childhood and shocking tragedy makes the story even more poignant. There is so much in this story to love; Krystyna’s spirit shines through on every page, even when she is terrified and despondent, she keeps on surviving. Her unwavering faith in God is inspiring – at her darkest hours, she reaches out to Him with faith, knowing that he will continue to provide for her and keep her safe. Her faith is rewarded; through terrifying close calls she is able to escape, usually through the assistance of kind and caring adults. Not only is the reader rewarded with a fascinating story, but I found that my faith in humanity was restored at several times throughout her story. Even in the face of unspeakable human evil, human kindness won out.

The aspect of the book that I enjoyed most was Krystyna’s ability, even as a grown adult, to remember the wonder, awe, and terror of her childhood in Obertyn (Ukraine). Her memories of her blessed childhood with her parents and sisters are presented as vignettes, just as a child would tell her story at the time that it happened. I appreciate the fact that as an adult, Krystyna did not try to imprint her adult understanding on the story. Instead she shared stories and facts as she remembered them, and as she understood them at the time that they happened. It is impossible not to be enchanted by Krystyna’s loving family and her loving upbringing. I also welcome the transparency with which Krystyna shares her story: she admits that it took her fifty years, after writing of her childhood, to be able to finish her story and write of the Holocaust and its aftermath. Her bravery did not end with the war. In fact it has carried her through to today.

Krystyna’s story is able to remain a pure sharing of her memories throughout thanks to the addition of text by Dr. Willbach. Dr. Willbach was a doctor in Obertyn and was a family friend as well. He kept copious diaries throughout the time of the occupation and subsequent exile and extermination of the Jews of Obertyn. Krystyna skillfully weaves excerpts from Dr. Willbach’s diary into her own story, providing an adult perspective that informs Krystyna’s youthful observations. The combination of the two narrators provides a rich account of the time. Krystyna also enhances the story in ways that simple prose would not allow by providing moving poetry that she had previously written about the different events that were described. Her emotions about her family members, friends and experiences are brought to life in her poetry.

As if the story were not enough to recommend The Strange Ways of Providence in My Life, the book is chock full of photos – over 100 – that were taken by Krystyna’s father (a professional photographer) before the war. Fortunately these treasures were saved by being sent to family in Israel before the war. I really enjoyed how the photos were interspersed throughout the book, accompanying the descriptions of the events and people in the pictures. Rather than having to flip to the middle of the book (which frankly, I find annoying), the pictures you wanted to see were right there.

The story of The Strange Ways of Providence in My Life gave me a new perspective on World War II and the grievous injustices suffered by the Jews – my previous reading had been able ghettos and concentration camps in other parts of Europe. Learning about the tragedies in the Ukraine has given me an even greater appreciation of what was suffered beyond the “common knowledge” that I now realize I had about the events. I recommend The Strange Ways of Providence in My Life as a portrait of bravery, kindness, and remembrance.

[Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review can also be found in Chill and read

God looks after the orphans.

Krystyna Carmi was born in Obertyn, Ukraine as Sonia. In the time of Sonia’s childhood the territory would host Ukrainians and Poles, Jews and Christians, both Catholic and Orthodox believers. They would live along a quiet life, having their jobs, their daily tasks, their friends and families. Just like any other place in the world those days.

Her memoir starts with her early childhood before the war. She was gifted with an amazing memory and is in place to tell the story of her family and hers, transferring the atmosphere, smells and feelings through the pages of this book. Even as a little girl Sonia describes how her family lived along with their neighbors, have them be Ukrainians, Poles or Jews. Her father was a professional photographer and sonia was able to save many of his photos that have now become part of her memoir. We can see the beautiful family with the three daughters of which only the little one miraculously survived.

This is a survivor’s memoir, yet there is nothing about concentration camps, only about the Kolomyya ghetto, where Sonia’s family was transferred when Jews were ordered to evacuate Obertyn. Even though she was not transferred to a concentration camp she has gone through many horrors as a child and that is a traumatic experience for a little girl like Sonia was.

Some may be minded by the way the story is described. However it is more authentic as it took a lot of time for the author to allow herself to remember and speak of those days, so some memories may have faded along the way. Others may have been pushed deep down in her conscious mind that she is not able to remember anything more than a blank between memories. It is a protection mechanism of the brain to repel traumatic memories into unconscious.

[Melissa Kersey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book completely blew me away. Krystyna Carmi has an incredible memory. She transports the reader through time and place to where her life started. The photos throughout the book are mesmerizing. They bring a humanity to the story, because this is not just a story, this is Krystyna's life.
Krystyna grew up in a Jewish community in Obertyn with her family. People died in the ghetto because of hunger and physical exhaustion; their bodies were collected on a platform. Krystyna remembers it all and transports the reader there. People dying of hunger was part of her life. In this world of overindulgence, this can seem unfathomable.
To be the only survivor in her family, the only child survivor in her town, must have been beyond difficult. This is a woman of strength who was very much protected by God through all the horrors she endured.
This book is appropriately titled. My heart broke several times reading this book but not in a dark way. In the end this is not a story of loss but a powerful example of survival.
Krystyna Carmi brings a human side to the events of the Holocaust.
What a powerful memoir!
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Benny Carmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Amazing book!

[gypsydreams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was beautiful poignant and often extremely sad.I adored the look into their world as children and was blown away by the pain that danced through this story.So relatable and so eloquently voiced I felt what the author felt and cried with her .Her loss was grievous and yet she carried on and used the memories of the good times to bolster herself as she started a whole new life from the ashes of the past.True glory of a phoenix rising.So courageous genuine and heartfelt.Her strength is a reminder to all of us .I was given a copy of this book for an honest review namaste

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Strange Ways of Providence in My Life: A Holocaust Survivor Story is by Krystyna Carmi. It begins with the memories of a child prior to World War II, expands into her life during the war; and finally into what happened to her after the war.
Part I is told from her point of view as a child from 5-7. She can’t remember a lot from that time; but does her best to introduce us to her family (Sorger’s) and her playmates. She had two older sisters (maybe 7-8 years older) Donia and Ezia. One playmate, Cesia Gawlinski and her family were to play a great role in Krystyna’s life. They were so close that Krystyna (Sonia) called Cesia’s parents “Mum and Dad” and Cesia did the same with Sonia’s family. The Gawlinski family also introduced her to the Catholic religion.
Part II covers the Holocaust and World War II from her point of view and that of Doctor Willbach and Hudent who was from Obertyn. His journal has survived and is probably at Lohome HaGeta’od at the Ghetto Fighter’s Museum in Israel where he lived. His book is The History of Obertyn Jews 1918-1942. It takes her family to the Kolomyja Ghetto and into hiding. Her sisters were killed after being disclosed along with their uncle. Ironically, the girls who dressed like twins and were photographed several times with their arms around each other were to die together in a grave dug by their uncle with their arms around each other. Sonia and her parents were eventually caught but thanks to the policeman who picked them up, Sonia was released and told to live. She was only about 11. Thanks to the Gawlinski family and others, she was to survive.
Part III covers her life after the war. She managed to get her schooling done despite having missed three years between the reception class and first grade. She gives thanks to the sisters of the “Other House” who gave her a home and guidance. She was baptized in the Catholic Church (of her own accord) and christened Marie Krystyna Zofie (the last to remind her of her name Sonia).
It is quite an interesting book in that it leaves a lot of information out. The author only tells you what she knew at that time. Other than listing her children and grandchildren, she does not tell about her life with her husband. It deals with a child who knew little about her own religion but who was fascinated with Christianity and was ultimately to choose the Catholic Church. It must be read by Holocaust educators.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, I never start a review this way, but THIS BOOK is one of the most amazing things I have ever read and it's all true. It will break your heart, provide true inspiration and leave you in awe of the power of hope, belief in God and the strength of the human spirit. I proves that good will ultimately beat evil if you have enough faith.

Krystyna Carmi is a force to be reckoned with and her book The Strange Way of Providence in My Life is a story so unbelievable it has to be true. I have been so moved by this story because it proves miracles happen.

Born in Obertyn as Sonia Sorgor to a happy, financially secure Jewish family Krystyna had the perfect childhood for seven years. She had a loving mother and father and two older sisters who cared for her. Her friends were Polish and Ukrainian, Jewish and Christian. Then WWII started and everything she knew was ripped away from her.

Obertyn is not a place I had ever heard of before reading this book. Everyone is aware of Auschwitz, Burkenwald and Bergen-Belsen. We know the horrors of those places. Obertyn and the Kołomyja ghetto need to be remembered with them.

Krystyna tells the story of her life before, during and after WWII in this extraordinary book. She is the only child survivor of Obertyn. Somehow this amazing spirit managed to survive the Kołomyja ghetto, the murder of her entire family in the holocaust and years of hiding alone as a child while the entire Jewish population of Obertyn and surrounding cities were rounded up and killed.

I normally find it easy to write a review of a book. In this case I am at a loss. Nothing I write can do justice to this memoir/autobiography. It's an incredible story told in this only survivors words and in photos, most taken by her father. These are the faces of the holocaust.

I more than recommend this book. I think everyone should have to read it and commit this story to memory. You should tell this story to anyone who will listen. This goes beyond any other book I've read about the holocaust. It puts the reader right there next to young Krystyna as she fights to survive hell on earth and while doing it honor the family torn away from her forever.

I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it.

[Anne Yedlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the beginning of this book you get a detailed story of Krystyna's childhood. The love that her mother and father shared with her and her sisters is priceless. I love how there are pictures all throughout the book. One gets a full glimpse of who the family members are, what they looked like and the love that they shared together.

You get to know the family and the horrible things the had to endure during the rule of Hitler. Being forced out of their home and sent to the Ghetto to starve. This is all being told through a child's eye. Watching horrific assaults to friends and family, people being shot or mutilated by the German soldiers.

Krystyna speaks of horrible things she had to witness, narrow escapes from death and the fear she had to face during her childhood. Things I would never want even my worst enemy to face. She lost her parents at 11 and she learned that her sisters were killed when she was 12. What a horrible thing for someone to have to go through. Losing family members in such a hateful way is more than anyone should have to bare. Left to survive on her own.

This book, towards the end, made me truly break out in uncontrollable tears. Having gone through so much this child got to the point where she just wanted to give up and die. begging for someone to take her to the police so that she can find her fate.

I must stop here or will be telling you the end of the book. But WOW what a heart wrenching story. Seen through the eyes of a child. This book will give you joy of how a family loved each other so much, yet tare your heart out for what they had to go through.

This book is a must read for anyone who is interested in accurate history of the events during the rule of Hitler. Told by the people who were right there in the middle of it fighting for their lives.

* I received this product in exchange for my unbiased review. I was not compensated for my review and all my opinions are my own. One may or may not have the same results as myself when using this product. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. *

[Jaideep Khanduja · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://pebbleinthestillwaters.com/the...

An Emotional Journey

The Strange Ways Of Providence In My Life by Krystyna Carmi is an emotional memoir. You will find a score of photographs in the book. These photographs are by author’s father who was a professional photographer. He sent these photographs to his family before the war. The family was living in Israel at that time. The book starts with Krystyna’s childhood. Her childhood that was spent in the family house was full of happiness. Her fun-filled friends included Polish and Ukrainian girls. They all used to play a lot of games. Her schooling in Ukraine was probably the best part of her life.

I liked the touchy way of recollecting childhood memories so amazingly. It is, in fact, one of the best compilations of the smiles and reasons behind those smiles in a very heart-warming style. From happy moments of life to the tragic part, all the components have been handled quite well. There are moments when the young girl loses her family. Then there is a long sequence of struggles that that author had to pass through. The Strange Ways Of Providence In My Life by Krystyna Carmi is a fabulous story throughout. It is like traveling through the flashback of Krystyna’s life through her eyes.

There is nothing to dislike in this book. You will love the collection of pictures in the book and their relevance to the story. All this creates a big connect for readers with the story and author. In fact, you become a part of the story. There is a whole journey of happy childhood, the phase of the war, losing everything, struggling without family, and the rescue. As a matter of fact, each moment brings in a lot of emotions.

I would rate it as 5 on a scale of 5. In fact, I would recommend The Strange Ways Of Providence In My Life by Krystyna Carmi to all who like to read emotional stuff, memoir, autobiography, nonfiction and about women.

[Jill H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a powerful story about Krystyna Carmi's life before, during, and after the Holocaust. It gives an inside view of her life and the Jewish community they were a part of in Obertyn. This memoir is broken up into three sections: 1) Her happy childhood, 2) the times of horror and destruction during the Holocaust that were held in memory, and 3) rescue and care afterwards. Each place that the Holocaust happened carries with it stories of terror, survival, and rescue it seems; Krystyna does a great job of showing this through her life in the community of Obertyn. Photos are shared of her and her family throughout the pages.

I am glad Krystyna shared her story about the Holocaust. Even though there is sadness in the pages of her losing loved ones in the Holocaust, she was able to explain that there was hope for some people who survived also, and like her were able to move forward with their lives. Seeing what her life was like before the Holocaust gave me a glimpse into seeing how terrifying it must have been to have a secure life taken away so quickly. Seeing what her life was like after the Holocaust showed me that she found some healing afterwards even though she and others that survived probably carried scars for the rest of their lives.

There is very brief language in the book that might be offensive to others. I think maybe it was there for explanation purposes though and isn't meant to offend.

I liked the there were photos in this book, they helped me to visualize some of the explanations about Krystyna and her family. I hope this story of one young girl's survival through the Holocaust will touch many lives, and I'm glad it touched mine!

My review = 4.5 out of 5 stars

I received this eBook free in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

[Carmen Redding · Rating 4 out of 5]

God cares for orphans

Sonia Sorger was born into a happy home. Her memoir is about how the war robbed Sonia of her happy beginnings and the family that loved and nurtured her.

It is also about how surviving the war transformed Sonia. Her mother told her she must live, the night both parents were taken away. Previously she had also told her daughter that God takes care of orphans.

In spite of all the injustices, losses and evil the war wrought, Sonia held on to her faith. She learned to depend on the kindness of strangers, who risked their lives to help and hide a homeless child. Time and again, she was helped, but time and again she had to run away, trying to stay safe and not endanger the families that hid her.

At times, she had shelter and food and at other times she was forced to hide in the fields regardless of the weather. Sometimes she was full of hope, only to see her hope turned into hopelessness and despair. But she always remembered her mother's words: "God takes care of orphans." Believing this, helped her to go on.

Sonia was Jewish, but even before the war, she had Christian friends whose religious fervor she admired. At one point during her time in hiding, Sonia has her hope restored after she prays. It is then that she decides to become a Christian. When she was finally baptized after the war, she changed her name from Sonia to Khristyna Sorger.

This memoir is not technically and grammatically perfect, but it is full of the author's heart. Her voice comes through loud and clear, and her experiences help us understand in some small way what it must have been like to live in those frightening times.

I was both moved and enlightened by this book. I highly recommend it.

[Shandi Dews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books of this nature, are one of my favorite...true life accounts of the past. We only learn so much about things like the Holocaust, and the war, during history class, but there is so much more to be heard. The true lessons, the true adventures (if thats what you want to call them), come from the memories of those that experienced it first hand. Krystyna Carmi, shares her experiences; her memories, in this book.

In my opinion, this book if written in a way that makes it seem as if, as the memories came to her, they were written down. There are times when you will jump from one memory to the next, and times when you feel as if something might have been left out. However, you get a deep, intimate look at this girls life during one of the most horrific times in our Worlds history.

To grow up, and still have the memory of corpses burned into your memory...those that died from starvation, mouths agape. Memories of soldiers doing horrific things to friends and family. Memories of having your parents die at age 11, and a sister at age 12...these are all things that she experienced, and almost broke her.

Imagine having gone through so much at such a young age, that you have all but given up, and are wishing for death. I can not thank Krystyna Carmi enough, for being brave enough to open her memories to the rest of the world. I know that the writing n this book is raw in format, but I find that to be equally as important to the overall flow of this book. This woman is speaking from her heart, and reliving things that none of us could ever imagine.

*I received this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion*

[P.L. Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book and to leave a good review, especially after reading some of the other reviews. But I am sad to say I couldn't.

I DO think the story is good. It has a lot of merit and there is a wonderful message behind it. I love reading stories of survival, memoirs from the Holocast and the amazing lives the people who lived through it experienced despite all of the horror and unfathomable atrocities, so hoped this story would offer me another glimpse of an experience that helped me better understand the times and remember their sacrifices. I think this has a lot of that. But it was missing a lot, too.

The writing is definitely a memoir, an autobiography. I am not sure if the author wrote it herself or dictated it to someone, but it reminds me more of the ramblings of someone remembering a far off past that has become cloudy and unclear. It was often the same things again and again, repetitive. And it jumped around instead of flowing chronologically. A good editor or copywriter could have taken the basics of this and reorganized it to make more sense and help identify where things were left out to help fill in the blanks and answer questions the reader has. Plus, it would have made it easier to read if it had been edited a bit more. I highly recommend a fresh release of this autobiography after some time has been spent editing and reorganizing.

It is not entirely bad, though. It does have some good parts and a good message. But it is hard to pull it out and understand it when you have to wade through the confusing grammatical structure. If you have the time and patience to piece it together, you will find nuggets and treasures to chew on.

[Fee (Ebook Addicts) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am going to be honest and say that I dont' normally read non fiction, memoir type books - they are just not really my thing. However, this is one of those book that piqued my curiosity as it deals with something that happened that I can not begin to fathom what it would have been like to be around at that time.

Krystyna's account is vivid for all it happened so long ago, but every minute detail has been permanently implanted in her brain. We start off the book with lots of pictures of her and her family and then she starts her story. She takes you on a vivid journey through her life growing up in the Jewish community in Obertyn with her family, to her harrowing escape from the Nazi regime.

I loved how she brings her story to live so vividly and the pictures at the start of the book were fantastic to have survived so long and it gave you more of an insight to her family and life back then.

If you love biographies then is definitely one that I would recommend you read.

[Vicki Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing memoir, Krystyna Carmi writes about something very rare, the smells she remembered from childhood. Walking with her on the streets of pre-war Obertyn, we get to know the Jews, the Ukrainians, and the Poles and the social and material conditions of their lives. I am so glad I had an opportunity to read this book. I, myself could not fathom what this woman went through, the happy childhood did not last long. The first days of war brought overall fear and panic, Red Army soldiers to Obertyn, the arrest of Polish patriots, liquidation of Jewish shops, the gradual and more difficult reality of occupation, the Hungarian army in Obertyn, Jews murdered by Ukrainians in the local towns. And the incredible photos of the members of the Jewish community. What may seem trivial to some, looking back, they are incredibly significant to anyone who lived during World War II.

[Jeri]

This book is atypical in that it gives an account of a child's fight for life outside of the concentration camps during WW2. The writing is supplemented from a journal kept by a local physician, describing the situation in the region. The viewpoint is unique, as the child survives for years on her own and with the help of kind people. I attempt to read one such book a year, even though it is difficult. I reason that it is my way to show honor to the innocent, who suffered atrocities beyond imagining at the hands of other humans. Also, as a reminder of what can happen again if we do not guard our hearts from hate, envy, complacency and lust for power. I've decided to no longer rate these types of books. Each stands on their own merits.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to read this book and I am so thrilled that I did. I usually don't get or read books like this but I read the excerpt and sounded really interesting. It ended up being very interesting, heart-felt, touching and so much more.
This book starts off with Krystyna Carmi’s childhood and how happy and good her life was. Then as she grew up things were changing and then the war came.
This is a real page turner. I know for me it was because I needed to know how things were going in her life. There are some parts that really tear up your eyes. It is very sad and you will be surprised on how she deals with it all. It is a amazing story and a must to read.

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The open mouth and eyes of these human corpses have been hunting me all my life..."

Israeli author Krystyna Carmi was born in Obertyn, Poland where she attended a Ukrainian school until the war, when the town was under the management of the Ukrainian and German Nazis and Krystyna, as a 9 year old girl, was exiled with her family and all other Jews from Obertyn to the ghetto in Kolomyja where they endured psychological and physical suffering caused by hunger. She escaped from the ghetto with her parents. Her sisters were murdered and her parents executed. After the loss of her entire family she was adopted in 1944 by the family Gaczy skich. Since 1958 Krystyna lives in Israel. Her poems have been published in journals in Poland.

In this sensitive memoir Krystyna opens with a poem about memory – a fine introduction to a memoir:

Memory is a great treasure.
If it weren’t for the memory, life would be
easy and in vain. Years would fall apart
into minutes and man would live
a disillusioned life of a butterfly, not knowing
neither the truth nor the wisdom.
Oblivion is dreamt about by criminals
or mean-spirited people.


From this point on the book is rich is photographs of the author’s childhood and family and school – happy, celebratory times until the war. Then the reflections a war and punctuated by poems that show struggle for survival:

The Trailer

On the streets of the ghetto
The trailer is rolling
Dead people are there
Oh, their scary eyes!!

Tarpaulin too small
To cover their bodies
Parents with their children –
All generations.

Hanging like a liana
Heads, legs and arms
Girly plaits and hair
Sweeping ghetto streets
And their black eyes
Looking out of dead heads
Big and scary eyes –
Asking someone – why?
Horses pulling bodies

It’s their normal day

People lay like stones
Like a daily hay
The cart driver bends over
Carrying his “usual cargo”
His heart is like a rock
No feelings, like a stone

This “cargo”, it’s life!!
Cut in many pieces
Oh, those scary eyes!
Eyes, orbits and sockets –
On the streets of the ghetto
The trailer is rolling
Dead people are there
Oh, their scary eyes!!

There are many books written about the Holocaust but few have the inherent sense of tenderness that Krystyna Carmi’s has. Read, remember, and be changed.

[Píaras Cíonnaoíth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart wrenching story of survival and gratitude...

I have read many books about this horrific time in history and my heart breaks every time I read someone else’s experiences. The author writes in a way that makes you feel that you are right there with her and feeling every emotion that she is feeling. How she was able to go through all that he did, and still has a strong will to make the best of life just astonishes me.

She is definitely an inspiration to me and I thank her for writing this book so that the horrors of the holocaust will never be forgotten. What makes this story so powerful is that it is written from a child’s perspective during the Second World War. We usually think of only adults when it comes to history’s atrocities, overlooking those who suffer and are damaged the most...children.

Each Holocaust survivor has a unique and individual story. However, these survivors’ stories didn’t end in 1945. They continue through to the present day. Their testimonies provide us with an understanding of how the events of the Holocaust have shaped their lives and are an ongoing testimony to the strength of the human spirit.

Poet and author Krystyna Carmi’s actual story of survival offers a fascinating and all encompassing human dramatization that stretches out from the dim days of the Second World War to the autonomous State of Israel.

The author paints her life story in a very vivid and moving way. It’s a holding and inspiringly idealistic account based on personal experiences. You’ll appreciate each page of this captivating journey of hope and inspiration. This really is a remarkable and significant story that brings the experience of a young Jewish girl alive during the time of the holocaust.

While this memoir is not technically and grammatically great, it is however, filled with the author's heart, mind and spirit. They say a picture paints a thousand words, and you’ll see as you read through this work, that it more than compensates for this.

[Jeff Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A most unusual memoir of the holocaust. Most of the stories we read usually have a family involved that direct the children to relatives or friends to avoid the clutches of the Gestapo. The first half of the story deals with this but then, Krystyna find herself all alone. Her parents are imprisoned and shot. Her sisters are rounded up, stripped naked and shot. She has no one to turn to and spends the next two years on her own.

What I liked the most was the pictures she was able to save and add to the story. Instead of seeing photos with school children and group photos, the ones introduced make it a very personal story.

Imagine being a ten-year old with no one to turn to. She lived by herself, foraged on what the earth would yield and live in constant fear and loneliness. Unlike other stories, she could take it no more and turned herself in. That’s right. She walked into the police station at Obertyn, knowing what fate awaited her. She didn’t care. She had lost all hope. If it weren’t for the area being declared Judenfrei, her fate was sealed. But fortune smiled on her and she lived to tell the story.

While the story is gripping, I came across a host of grammatical errors that need to be addressed
Page 22, had also a brother-also had a brother
shouted,,but-del the second comma
Page 23 “Chrest”-Christ
Page 56 for it in big cupboard-in a or the big cupboard
Page 78 in the town nd all.. in the town and all of
Page 109 I a big empty hole saw.-I saw a big empty hole

There are others.

Overall, this is an excellent addition to the Holocaust.


Four stars

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I started this book I couldn’t stop reading it. At times it was difficult to read. The fact that someone as young as Krystyna was when she went through all of these terrible events survived is a testament to her faith. Raised a Jew she was interested in her Catholic friends religion. She kept her knowledge secret. This and her mom’s statement that “God protects orphans”, helped carry her through this hardship. For those who want to read a clean cut memoir that takes them from point A to point B smoothly, you need to know that this doesn’t happen in this book. I believe that is why I enjoyed it. It reads like someone who is telling a story and remembers it in bits a pieces. The author has done an excellent job of putting things in chronological order. However, It is obvious that there are gaps in her memory. This makes it seem even more authentic. We remember things and then what we remember triggers another memory. However, we don’t want to interrupt our story so we throw that thought in and tell our audience we will discuss it in more detail later. So many people who have survived the Holocaust came out bitter. No life was not easy and was not fair to the author. However, she took the lessons learned and used them in a positive way to shape her life.

We teach about the Holocaust in our eighth and ninth grade English Language Arts Classes. This is definitely a book I will put on my shelves at school. It is another voice added to so many. Yet this is told in a manner my students will definitely be able to understand. I highly recommend this book.

[Audrey Stars in Her Eye · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, you must know that this book doesn't follow the traditional format. And that is ok because it comes from the survivor's mind. When reading you really feel like you are talking to her. People repeat themselves, jump around and that is part of the experience.
Carmi blends memories, pictures, poems and other sources to give an overall view of the world in Obertyn during World War II. As a child, Carmi lived through things that would have made a weaker person surrender. Carmi lived in a ghetto, ran away and hid in homes, had her parents taken from her, lived on the road eating from fields she hid in. She in facts, says she did try to give up but God always put something before her that made her go on.
My own faith was rattled by hers. To go through so much and to still believe in God and see that he interacted in her life even when she was at her lowest, brings tears to my eyes. It encourages me to strengthen my own faith.
This was the first time I have been privy to what Ukraine was like during World War II. Most of the information provided to me came after as they struggled for independence and to become sovereign. Like those around them, they had the same dark spots in their history that can not be undone.
I loved reading this book; I loved being able to see through the author's eyes; I loved the fact that I was not apathetic to her plight that many in this world.
This book is a piece of history and something everyone should read.

I received an ARC from teh publisher but all opinions are absolutely my own.

[Patricia Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I suspended my usual "professor" when reading this because it's not a 'story'. It's the real life of Krystyna Carmi. I wish I could have had an audio book because this reads like Krystyna is telling the tale to you; even to the point of saying something like "more about that later OR we'll get back to that later" . There are grammatical errors, but not so much as to diminish my appreciation of the content of this book. She speaks to her quiet, gentle childhood which was sometimes marred by anti-semitic remarks but which her mother wisely helped her see them for what they are. And then she talks about her time of being placed in a ghetto, the death of family, pursued, hunted, persecuted. But she does not perseverate on the cruelties, the hatred. Remarkably, she shows us the kindnesses from the Polish people, the Catholics, her professors , "the Providence" in her life... the goodness of people that under threat of DEATH to THEMSELVES helped a little girl. Hers is a wondrous story that must be told and remembered, that we too must stand up for what is right and just, not absorbed by hatred of others because of their religious beliefs, nor skin color, nor.... I received this book from Goodreads for an honest review. p.s. she write beautiful poetry, some of which is in the book. The photographs are remarkable and add 'life' to this book.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big thanks to Goodreads for me winning this book. What a story! And it was such unique way of telling it. Another reviewer noted that some basic editing could have organized the events chronologically and and cut out the story repetitions. To be sure this could have streamlined and made it like most other memoirs.

I, for one, appreciated the change. The repetitions, the half-remembered stories coming back to her somewhat haphazardly... These things gave the books more of a real feel. Memories just aren't as clean and clear cut as most memoirs try to make you believe. I felt like I got more of an understanding for the author and her feelings. That's not to say I wouldn't have liked more details occasionally, but sometimes they just aren't available.

Many of the problems I had, I chalk up to it being a Kindle edition. I fully admit to being biased as pro-paper. However, there were a few times I needed the translations, thinking they'd been left out, only to come across them later, which I think I would have seen them sooner in print. The pictures, as well, I think would have come across better in print, but maybe I'll try accessing the book from my tablet or computer and see if things look any better. Oh, well, small beans in the great scheme of things. Go read the book!