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The Mistress of Auschwitz #1
The Mistress of Auschwitz
Based on the harrowing life of Eleonore Hodys, The Mistress of Auschwitz follows the true story of a political prisoner detained in the notorious concentration camp. While experiencing all the horrors of the holocaust, Eleonore turns to friendship for survival. Through companionship with another female prisoner, Eleonore must decide if she has the courage to join the resistance movement which is planning the overthrow of their wicked oppressors. Matters are only complicated when Eleonore unwittingly attracts the attention of the Commandant and she is forced to decide between her own comfort or her principles.
415 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 27, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 252 reviews
December 15, 2021
One of the worst accounts of Auschwitz. Written based upon a true story and true accounts. Horrifying. To think if this happened to one person it happened to many more. May these souls all rest in peace. The Nazi’s burn in the depths of hell.
June 30, 2021
WOW. All I have to say!
Lost for words! Everybody needs to read this book. I can't wait to read #2 when it comes in . I couldn't put it down!!
Lost for words! Everybody needs to read this book. I can't wait to read #2 when it comes in . I couldn't put it down!!
September 29, 2020
The Mistress of Auschwitz is based on the life of Eleonore Hodys who was a political prisoner detained in the notorious concentration camp. Each time I read a story about the Holocause, I have difficulty fathoming the horrors and cruelty to which the prisoners were subjected. A lieutenant's obvious interest in her as well as that of the camp Commandant complicated matters and earned her the nickname. She did what was necessary to live and to protect her friend who was part of the resistance. It was not unusual for Eleonore to push her prison boundaries and "talk back" or question the guards which I thought was out of place until I remembered she was not Jewish and probably would have received some semblance of patience from the guards. She was also extremely beautiful. The book ended abruptly and now I need the second installment.
November 5, 2021
This book kept me hooked! I kept wanting to know what was going to happen to Eleonore. While this book does take place at the Auschwitz camp, it's important to note that this book primarily focuses on the life of one prisoner in particular and her experience was different than most others. While Terrance wrote a wonderful book on Eleonore Hodys, I did look into her life some and I think Terrance did a great job of capturing the events she encountered. While I was hopeful he was able to capture her whole story in one book, I'm excited to read the next to see how he continues telling her story.
When I first started reading The Mistress of Auschwitz, I didn't know what to expect aside from a historical fiction about the Auschwitz camp (a topic which I have not read books on prior). But as the story led on and Eleonore arrived at the camp and was experiencing treatment that seemed different than the others, that lead me to do my own investigation. Was Eleonore really treated different, why was that such, etc. As it is the case, she was because she was a political prisoner and had background in working in a drugstore and being an artisan. As you read on, the rest of the story lines up historically and I found this source which provided an interesting insight to Eleonore's story.
With the other characters, I found myself feeling empathy for Jung and Hedwig. Jung because to me it seemed that he was compromised on the inside of what he knew was right and what he wanted to do versus what he had to do because of his commands/place. I honestly had hoped that Now Hedwig is different because she seems to not know what is going on in the camp because the Commandant doesn't tell her to spare her and the children and she goes on about her life. It's only when she does find out what's happening that she won't stay around her husband.
I read a reviewer that was done by another reader, Sarah Pearce, and I liked what she wrote and I agree.
Thank you Terrance for giving Eleonore's story another chance to be told.
I received this book through Goodreads Giveaways.
When I first started reading The Mistress of Auschwitz, I didn't know what to expect aside from a historical fiction about the Auschwitz camp (a topic which I have not read books on prior). But as the story led on and Eleonore arrived at the camp and was experiencing treatment that seemed different than the others, that lead me to do my own investigation. Was Eleonore really treated different, why was that such, etc. As it is the case, she was because she was a political prisoner and had background in working in a drugstore and being an artisan. As you read on, the rest of the story lines up historically and I found this source which provided an interesting insight to Eleonore's story.
With the other characters, I found myself feeling empathy for Jung and Hedwig. Jung because to me it seemed that he was compromised on the inside of what he knew was right and what he wanted to do versus what he had to do because of his commands/place. I honestly had hoped that Now Hedwig is different because she seems to not know what is going on in the camp because the Commandant doesn't tell her to spare her and the children and she goes on about her life. It's only when she does find out what's happening that she won't stay around her husband.
I read a reviewer that was done by another reader, Sarah Pearce, and I liked what she wrote and I agree.
Is her story any less compelling? It is not because we tend to only hear the truly horrific brutalities of the Holocaust and not the small, lesser known intrigues that surely went on. This is one of those "small" stories. And that is not meant in any way to diminish the tragedies within the story.Eleonore's story does touch on some of the terrible things that went on in Auschwitz, but it doesn't change that her experience was different than the others.
Thank you Terrance for giving Eleonore's story another chance to be told.
I received this book through Goodreads Giveaways.
January 10, 2023
WHEW! What a relief to finally finish this book! Although I did like certain aspects of it such as a look inside the camp brutalities as it is a piece of history I just didn't like the character Eleonore. The author made her out to seem extremely bipolar, selfish, vain and narcissistic. We get it. She's beautiful and petite and no one comes close to her physical attributes. *insert eyeroll* She gets sexually assaulted but yet becomes the best of friends with her attacker? Please. Then she tries to befriend another prisoner and they fight throughout the novel and then they care for each other like sisters? Geezus. Then the camp Commandant that she loathes and detests so much she befriends and is kind to him? *face palm* Then throughout the book she dares every guard and officer to kill her and then she's wishing not to die? Come on. When describing her father at first he's kind and gentle and then portrays him a villain? Really? Yeah. Ridiculous story whether based on real events. Not continuing this series. Please don't waste your time with it like I have.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2020
The author has taken a good story based on actual events and just slaughtered it. The way it was written was so condescending and language used that was off putting, it was almost as if he used a thesaurus to change words. The way the lead character was portrayed was terrible. I fought to get through it and then at the end of the last chapter "To be continued ". I'll do other research on Eleonore Hodys as I won't be reading his sequel.
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April 4, 2023Did not finish.
December 17, 2025
"There is no witness so dreadful, no accuser so terrible as the conscience that dwells in the heart of every man."
January 21, 2021
This is an interesting story even if it adds nothing to the Holocaust. Eleonore, as a character, leaves a great deal to be desired. I actually found myself sympathizing with Jung, the guard at Auschwitz. Eleonore is pretty unlikable so brace yourself for not really caring what happens to her. Is her story any less compelling? It is not because we tend to only hear the truly horrific brutalities of the Holocaust and not the small, lesser known intrigues that surely went on. This is one of those "small" stories. And that is not meant in any way to diminish the tragedies within the story.
Eleonore is a selfish, cold and bitter woman. She supports the Socialist party in Berlin at the beginning of the war and suffers the consequences of internment in Auschwitz. No family or friends, Eleonore learns the value of companionship in the barracks of the concentration camp. Wow...that's what it took for her to realize this! It also doesn't take long for this cold fish to attract the attentions of the male guards. The way the writer develops the character, it came as a surprise to me that she was physically attractive. Even with a shaved head. So she gets by with her looks and chutzpah apparently. And gets more favorable work assignments, etc. Lots of false hopes for her survival but survives she does. She gloms onto Ella, a real resistance fighter in the camp, and finds her new best friend. But this is Eleonore, remember...socially awkward. She blows the friendship with Ella but somehow retains the friendship of Jung, the guard. Long story short, Eleonore's story covers three books, this one being the first. This books leaves her in limbo but I doubt I'll read the remainder of the series. I honestly didn't care that much about her.
A word about the writing....please, Mr. Williamson...review your usage of the word "anyway". You use "anyways" instead of "anyway" which is annoying enough. But "anyways" is used way, way too much in your writing.
You'll find no fresh inspiration here. It's a gut wrenching part of history and do we need more information or vignettes from within the camps? Maybe not. But I never want it forgotten. So we'll get more mediocre books about the era.
Eleonore is a selfish, cold and bitter woman. She supports the Socialist party in Berlin at the beginning of the war and suffers the consequences of internment in Auschwitz. No family or friends, Eleonore learns the value of companionship in the barracks of the concentration camp. Wow...that's what it took for her to realize this! It also doesn't take long for this cold fish to attract the attentions of the male guards. The way the writer develops the character, it came as a surprise to me that she was physically attractive. Even with a shaved head. So she gets by with her looks and chutzpah apparently. And gets more favorable work assignments, etc. Lots of false hopes for her survival but survives she does. She gloms onto Ella, a real resistance fighter in the camp, and finds her new best friend. But this is Eleonore, remember...socially awkward. She blows the friendship with Ella but somehow retains the friendship of Jung, the guard. Long story short, Eleonore's story covers three books, this one being the first. This books leaves her in limbo but I doubt I'll read the remainder of the series. I honestly didn't care that much about her.
A word about the writing....please, Mr. Williamson...review your usage of the word "anyway". You use "anyways" instead of "anyway" which is annoying enough. But "anyways" is used way, way too much in your writing.
You'll find no fresh inspiration here. It's a gut wrenching part of history and do we need more information or vignettes from within the camps? Maybe not. But I never want it forgotten. So we'll get more mediocre books about the era.
February 18, 2020
Not great
I have to say that I have read many books on the war and camps, most description are heartbreaking and a lesson to humanity on how not to repeat the lessons that were hopefully learn.
So this book, I read it right through and I’m sorry I found it insulting to the Jewish survivors of Nazi concentration camps, Eleanore being a single white non Jew is sent to a camp where she skips the selections, has two Nazis fall in love with her, then gets pregnant by Hoess the commandant of the camp, she then gets sent to Dachau is given an abortion and then the Americans liberate her, I’m not of course saying this story is made up, what I am saying is the Author of this book at times make the most dreaded camp in the Nazi regime, seem less barbaric than it was, I did not like this book at all,
I have to say that I have read many books on the war and camps, most description are heartbreaking and a lesson to humanity on how not to repeat the lessons that were hopefully learn.
So this book, I read it right through and I’m sorry I found it insulting to the Jewish survivors of Nazi concentration camps, Eleanore being a single white non Jew is sent to a camp where she skips the selections, has two Nazis fall in love with her, then gets pregnant by Hoess the commandant of the camp, she then gets sent to Dachau is given an abortion and then the Americans liberate her, I’m not of course saying this story is made up, what I am saying is the Author of this book at times make the most dreaded camp in the Nazi regime, seem less barbaric than it was, I did not like this book at all,
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2020
Terrible. No, not the book. The book was excellent. What went on in the Nazi death camps was terrible. This story is based on actual events. It's hard to fathom what went on and what these people were subjected to, solely for their religious beliefs. Eleonore Hodys was a real person as were the other characters in the story. She did what she did in order to survive even though she was ostracized and ridiculed.
Every chapter began with a quote from some well known figure in history. One that stood out was from Voltaire.
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."
Every chapter began with a quote from some well known figure in history. One that stood out was from Voltaire.
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."
June 22, 2021
This plot line is outrageous and ridiculous. This prisoner, not a Jew, was somehow housed with Jews? Nope. Then, after being in Auschwitz for months, after her hair is shaved off and after she hasn’t cleaned herself, two Nazi officers found her so DESIRABLE that they wanted to rape her and/or have an affair with her? There are so many unbelievable scenarios that I don’t have time to list them. Save your money and time and learn the TRUTHS about life in Auschwitz.
February 17, 2021
The grammatical mistakes and the american vocabulary were distractions from what could have been a harrowing story. It might have been based on fact but the way it was written was laughably unbelievable; reminded me more of a"Tilly Trotter's Anguish at Auschwitz" type saga. A disappointment.
July 12, 2023
Writing was ok. Felt like it dragged in many places. Storyline was sad but seemed true to the period
January 2, 2021
Nespēju izskaidrot, kas tieši mani tik ļoti saista grāmatās par II pasaules karu, bet es nebeidzu vien tādas lasīt. Par Aušvicu esmu izlasījusi jau virkni grāmatu un šī ir balstīta uz politiskās ieslodzītās Eleonoras Hodīsas (Eleonore Hodys), kurai izdevās izdzīvot koncentrācijas nometnes šausmas, stāstu. Kā reizēm man mēdz gadīties, izlasot šo grāmatu, kuras pēdējā replika ir jautājums Eleonorai, atklājas, ka šī ir pirmā grāmata triloģijā. Nopūšos 31.decembra pievakarē un nolemju atrast otro grāmatu, lai saprastu vai ir vērts turpināt lasīt, jo pirmās grāmatas beigās Eleonora piedzīvo Dahavas (Dachau) koncentrācijas nometnes atbrīvošanu un sastopas ar amerikāņu un britu karavīriem. Dahavas koncentrācijas nometnē viņa nokļuva vien dienu pirms atbrīvošanas un arī tikai brīnumainu apstākļu sakritības dēļ. Protams, ka stāsts nav nekāds plezīra gājiens saulrietā gar jūras malu. Pāris gadus atpakaļ Polijas brīvdienu ietvaros, nolēmām piestāt arī Aušvicā, tādēļ, lasot grāmatas par šo koncentrācijas nometni, vizuāli redzu gan stāvkarcerus (nezinu kā labāk viņus nosaukt), gan barakas, gan gāzes kameras utt.
Lai vai kā, šis ir vēl viens stāsts par neērtiem lēmumiem, kas jāpieņem; par iešanu pret saviem principiem; par cilvēku dabu tās zemākajā punktā, kā arī par neticamu izglābšanos, kad iekšēji esi zaudējis it visu...
Lai vai kā, šis ir vēl viens stāsts par neērtiem lēmumiem, kas jāpieņem; par iešanu pret saviem principiem; par cilvēku dabu tās zemākajā punktā, kā arī par neticamu izglābšanos, kad iekšēji esi zaudējis it visu...
April 4, 2022
I waited to review this one and finished the second book of the series this morning. I found the writing style rather cumbersome and artificial, and that carried through to book 2 as well. Thought perhaps the author was a non-English speaker but he's from Canada so not sure if that is the issue or not, but I felt a lot of the conversations were very artificial/affected, possibly a reflection of the time period and location in Germany, as well. Still, I appreciated the story told, the horrors of Auschwitz, the starvation and deprivation of all the prisoners. I felt the pain and agony of Eleonore and her fellow prisoners, the anguish of having to do things against her will for survival, and the horrible losses. Having read quite a few books recently on WWI and WWII and the Holocaust, I am glad to have found this series and am just starting book 3 today. Well worth reading even with the writing style. There were parts that I hoped were more fiction than truth because of the horrors told ... but knowing it was a history that MUST be told in hopes of avoiding these mistakes in the future...
May 19, 2023
This book is the first in a trilogy based on the life of Eleonore Hodys, who was arrested and sent to Auschwitz as a political prisoner. She was not Jewish but supported the Democratic Socialist party. I believe this set of books was self-published but it was a good read despite the subject matter. It was not an in depth study of all the atrocities of the time, though.
March 4, 2025
Audiobook. Based on the life of a Jewish woman who was taken to Auschwitz- her horrendous experiences there were difficult to listen to and more descriptive than so many of the books I have read in this genre. Two more books follow the rest of her life following her rescue from Dachau by American troops.
September 5, 2023
excellent read
Very emotional and gripping story, finished it in 2 days. Well written and interesting. Can’t wait to read part 2!
Very emotional and gripping story, finished it in 2 days. Well written and interesting. Can’t wait to read part 2!
November 18, 2023
The ending leaves me excited to start the next book!!
April 23, 2024
An engrossing read but disturbing too. First of a trilogy: I will definitely read the others.
April 30, 2025
Heartbreaking read and well written
May 26, 2025
What an amazing book and enough detail to keep you turning the pages and wanting more! This book does end on a cliffhanger, but I would reread it again with all the accuracy that the author put into it. There are some very hard parts to read but this is history and it's not always pretty.
July 28, 2025
Slow start but stick with it, what a powerful story.
February 2, 2023
I hated Eleonore Hodys, the main character. She was too dumb and naive. The nazis would never have tolerated her constant talking, confrontation, or questions. She completely ruined the whole book.
August 27, 2024
While this is a fictionalized account of the real life Eleonore Hodys, there were too many instances of hard-to-believe fiction for me to rate this more highly. There are two sequels to this novel--I will not be pursuing them.
December 18, 2020
At first I thought "Yeah, not going to care much for this one." but was I every pleasantly surprised! Not only did I really like it I found it hard to put down!!
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April 4, 2025Um, what the fuck?
August 23, 2023
Really unsatisfying ending
August 24, 2023
Very good book.....very good. Even before the very end I went and looked for the second book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 252 reviews