Berniukas, nupiešęs Aušvicą: nepamirštama istorija apie viltį ir išlikimą

by Thomas Geve, Raimonda Mikašauskienė (Translator)

*Running Time => 9hrs. and 12mins.*

An inspiring true story of barbarity, hope, and survival: the Holocaust memoir of a teenage boy imprisoned in Birkenau, Auschwitz, Gross Rosen, and Buchenwald that illuminates the dark days of World War II.


©2021 Thomas Geve and Charlie Inglefield (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

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

304 pages, Paperback

First published July 27, 2021

Reviews

[Marilyn (not getting notifications)]

The Boy Who Drew Auschwitz by Thomas Geve was Thomas’s heart wrenching and emotional account of his time he spent in three different concentration camps during the Holocaust. Thomas was a young twelve year old boy when he was transported to the first of the three camps he would be in. One of the camps Thomas and his mother found themselves in was Auschwitz. He arrived with his mother but the two were immediately separated. He spent a total of twenty-two months of his young life in concentration camps. Thomas shared his own horrific story both in prose and in pictures. His original sketches and drawings had been lost. Upon liberation, Thomas recreated his drawings from memory. He sketched them first with pencil and then added color from the water color paints he was given by his American liberators. His paintings and sketches were displayed at Yad Vashem and remain there even today.

Many survivors of the Holocaust were hesitant to share their stories and deepest memories. For some it was just too painful to remember. Others felt guilty that they survived and millions did not. Thomas was determined to tell what he had seen, experienced and lived through. He had written two previous books before Charlie Inglefield helped Thomas retell his story in a more modern version. The Boy Who Drew Auschwitz was the combined result. The newer version retained all the facts but was updated in language. The Boy Who Drew Auschwitz was a unique account of the Holocaust because it was told from the perspective of an almost teenage boy. Thomas described his friends he made and lost, the meager food rations he was given, the places he lived and their conditions and the jobs he was assigned to at each camp. Thomas tried to find some good in those he came in contact with. The simple and kind remarks that came his way, often few and far between, helped give Thomas the will and desire to live and survive. To this day, Thomas speaks to audiences around the world about the Holocaust. He lives in Israel. Thomas lost his mother in the Holocaust but was reunited with his father who had managed to get to England before World War II began.

I listened to the audiobook of The Boy Who Drew Auschwitz by Thomas Geve and Charlie Inglefield. It was brilliantly narrated by Mark Meadows. He was really able to capture the emotions, sufferings, despair and hope in his reading of this book. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Harper Audio for allowing me to listen to this advanced copy through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. This book is set to be published 7/27/2021.

[Morgan]

A truly inspirational story of courage and determination to survive against all odds. Thomas entered Auschwitz concentration camp at 13-years old. He endured the horrors of three different camps during 1943-1945. He and his mother were transported together but separated as soon as they arrived at the camp, neither knowing if they would ever see each other again. His mother did not survive.

“A strong body, encouraged by a determined mind, could outlive torture. However, all one could count upon to ward off malaria, typhus and the gas chambers was Fate.” (Chapter 9)

The drawings are what sets this book apart.

[Nora|KnyguDama]

Nors apie Antrą pasaulinį karą ir Aušvicą parašyta galybė romanų, jie man jau kiek nusibodę. Akys ir rankos krypsta prie tikrų, autentiškų to meto istorijų ir išgyvenimų. Ši knyga yra viena tokių ir dar su unikaliu cinkeliu -autorius, koncentracijos stovykloje dar buvęs vaikas, piešė tai, ką matė.

Knyga gausiai iliustruota jo piešiniais, kurie atspindi tikrai ne džiaugsmą ir laimę. Piešiniuose pavaizduotos kalinių kančios, badas, nepriteklius, ligos ir pažeminimai. Taip sakant, kasdienybė.

Per 22 mėnesius kalint, rašytojas pabuvojo 3 koncentracijos stovyklose, patyrė visą spektrą siaubo ir vis tiek piešė. Mat piešiniai ir įliudijimas to, ką patyrė padėjo išlaikyti sveiką protą. Ir nors skamba įdomiai, kraupiai ir tikrai kitaip, knyga skaitėsi sausai. Toks faktų konstatavimas su nemažai atsikartojimų. Jokiu būdu nenuvertinu jo patirčių ir istorinio konteksto, tačiau kai tiek visko apie laikotarpį esi skaičiusi, sunku būti nustebintai. Buvo jautrių momentų, ypač pasakojimas apie mamą, tačiau susumavus, jaučiausi lyg akademinę literatūrą skaitydama.

[_och_man_]

Świadectwo o ogromnej wartości. Z wiadomych powodów zrezygnuję ze skali gwiazdkowej, niemniej zachęcam wszystkich, by spośród morza tytułów o tematyce obozowej wyłowili właśnie ten. Dla wszystkich "raczkujących" w tym trudnym wycinku historii będzie to - wydaje mi się - przystępny początek. Ci, mający już jakąś wiedzę (nawet na poziomie rozszerzonym, jak ma to miejsce w przypadku mojej osoby), również poczują się usatysfakcjonowani. Autor - uczestnik zagłady - zwraca uwagę na aspekty częstokroć omijane. Kolejny raz przeczytacie również o istotnej roli miski czy drewnianych chodaków, ale jest to nieodzowna część tamtejszych realiów.
Nie sposób poczytywać tego w kategoriach wady.
Całości dopełniają absolutnie wyjątkowe grafiki. Połączenie ich ze świadectwem słownym zdecydowanie robi wrażenie. Z pewnością potęguje je fakt, że z podobnym zabiegiem spotykam się po raz pierwszy.

[Elizabeth Christensen]

A heart wrenching account of Thomas Geves’ teenage years in Auschwitz and other neighboring barbarian concentration camps, during the Second World War. This book captures Thomas’ daily life and all the pain and suffering he endured, without ever feeling sorry for himself nor ever giving up. Thomas attention to detail, his drawings and his matter of fact way of telling the truth about the atrocities of concentration camps, has given me a far deeper understanding and empathy.

This is humanity at its worst and at its best. Friendship, bravery and a few simple acts of kindness can make the difference between life and death.

A must read for everyone. It is a part of history that should be told and never repeated.

[Milda Vaškevičienė]

Tikra jaunuolio išgyventa net trijose koncentracijos stovyklose istorija. Skaudi, sunki tema apie holokaustą, nekaltų žmonių kankinimus ir nenusipelnytas mirtis.
Visgi autorius buvo stiprus tuomet dar paauglys išgyvenęs atskirtį nuo tėčio ir mamos. Išvežtas ir tapęs jaunu kaliniu stengėsi išgyventi, nepasiduoti ir visiems papasakoti apie tai, kas vyko tuo metu, kai jam teko ne tik matyti, bet ir patirti baisius dalykus. Naciai belenkaip elgdavosi ne tik su silpnais, nepaklusniais žydais, bet čia buvo ir čigonų bei kitų tautybių žmonių. Visgi žydai buvo labiausiai engiami, jie kasdien turėjo sunkiai dirbti ir paklusti, jei norėjo išgyventi. Patiko knygoje patalpinti autoriaus piešiniai, kurie tikrai puikiai papildė pačią istoriją. Atrodo nėra kažkokio labai didelio meno, bet tiek daug detalių smulkiai pavaizduota. Ačiū autoriui už jo paliudytą istoriją, buvo įdomu sužinoti kaip jam sekėsi. Misija kalbėti apie tai, ką tais karo metais teko išgyventi tikrai pagirtina, nes reikia žinoti, suprasti, tai mūsų istorijos dalis.

[Shiloah]

I couldn’t put this book down. What a story! I have a deep interest in Holocaust stories, especially after living in Germany for 9 years, and growing up with stories like the Sound of Music and the book the Hiding Place. The tragic stories mixed with finding courage to go on against brutality and inhumane treatment still astounds me. When my dad took us to see one of the concentration camps, we also noticed the prevailing dark cloud that hung over the area day and night.

This book is about a young boy who spends several years in three different concentration camps. His tenacity shines through the whole experience. He had to grow up far too quickly and yet he kept his mind on the future.

I love that he became an architect after the war, building Jerusalem in a tangible way. He went to live in Jerusalem. I find it interesting that he felt more connected to his Jewish story and ancestors than ever after his experiences.

For the gentle reader:
He is open and honest about his experiences without being graphic. However, he had to ward off multiple homosexual advances and avoid being sexually molested.

[cherish𝜗𝜚⋆]

this biography follows the story of a survivor of the holocaust- Thomas Geve, a thirteen year-old-boy when we was deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau, along with his mother. upon arrival, he was separated from his mother and left to fend for himself in the men’s camp of Auschwitz I. over the span of 22 months (1 year 10 months), Thomas bravely survived the cruel and inhumane world of three Nazi concentration and death camps. On april 11th 1945, he was liberated from Buchenwald. his last, and third, concentration camp. after his release, Thomas felt compelled to document it all. heads over 80 drawings, documenting day-to-day life inside the camps in simple ways, yes are so compelling and detailed. they reveal the experiences Thomas and his fellow inmates endured as well as highlighting acts of kindness, compassion and loyalty amongst them, where strangers become allies and helped each other to stay alive.

his story was so compelling and eye opening. i thought i knew everything about the holocaust until reading his story. his experiences. and every little thing that isn’t just easily found. it was heartbreaking, gut wrenching, but also happy and powerful.

there were so many things i was never aware of when trying to learn about the holocaust and the concentration and death camps. but i learnt so much from him, and i will be forever grateful. i’ll list them below:

𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙡 (𝙈𝙖𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙘𝙝𝙪𝙡𝙚):
𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘶𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘻 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘦, 𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘱. 𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭. 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘈𝘶𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘻 𝘐. 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘴’𝘴 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘺𝘴 𝘣𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 “𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭” 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘢𝘻𝘪’𝘴.

𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣:
𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘵. 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘸𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘱 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴. 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴: 300 𝘵𝘰 350 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘺. 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘳, 𝘪𝘵 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘤𝘶𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘵𝘰 50 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘴. 𝘍𝘐𝘍𝘛𝘠 𝘎𝘙𝘈𝘔𝘚. 20 𝘵𝘰 25 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘦. 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢 𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘺 𝘴𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘢𝘵. 25 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 “𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵” 𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴. 1 𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘦/𝘫𝘢𝘮 𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘦𝘴𝘦. 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 “𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵.” 0.5 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 “𝘤𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘦” 𝘰𝘳 “𝘵𝘦𝘢” 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘺. 1 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘱. 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘺.
𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳. 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘦. 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘦𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘶𝘱. 𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳?! 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 12-14 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺. 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦. 𝘥𝘢𝘺.

[Fernanda Fujiki]

Uma história tocante e real de sofrimentos contados do ponto de vista de uma ainda criança à epoca. Assemelha-se a outros relatos, porem cada um unico em sua mostrar a individualidade do sofrimento e do ser humano sempre. Difere-se pela representação gráfica, que nos faz pensar de forma mais real na crueldade vivida.
Livro maravilhoso, em especial àqueles que se interessam/condoem pelo terror do holocausto

[Hana Zupnik]

Verta dėmesio istorija.

[Gigi’s bibliophile]

Such a beautiful but sad story 😭 can’t believe what they went through!

[Angelique Simonsen]

Wow, what a memoir! The drawings are in their own way as poignant as the story told. To be in a concentration camp at Thomas's age and survive is a feat in itself but yet he comes through it to be a voice for those who didn't. This book really shows you the day to day life of the camp.

[Martin]

An incredibly intriguing and detailed book about Geve's experience, survival, and luck in three concentration camps. The drawings add a powerful extra layer to his story and make you get a better grasp of the horrors that he endured. This makes the book unique and a read that I will not forget.

[Michelle Leng]

I wasn’t deeply moved by this account of the holocaust event. I was moved, yes - but not deeply. Maybe I’m someone that requires more storytelling and this book was more descriptive then storytelling - in comparison to Tattooist and Librarian of Auschwitz. I know it’s not exactly a fair comparison and I know this book is of 99.99% of true accounts.

But the way it was portrayed makes me feel disengaged, there was a lack of flow in how the whole experience unfolded - it was more matter of fact - which nothing wrong. Just a matter of personal preference.

But the accounts of things that happened, it was all still harrowing and disturbing.

[Jenna]

A devastatingly beautiful read. Thomas Geve brings to life the abhorrent conditions he was forced to endure, like so many others. His story is testament to the horror of human depravity and such an important read for all.

[Manuela Rotasperti]

"𝑸𝒖𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒐 𝒏𝒐𝒏 𝒔𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒂𝒎𝒐 𝒏𝒖𝒍𝒍𝒂 𝒅𝒆𝒊 𝒏𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊 𝒇𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒓𝒊 𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒂𝒎𝒐 𝒊𝒍 𝒑𝒆𝒈𝒈𝒊𝒐 𝒐 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒎𝒐 𝒊𝒏 𝒖𝒏 𝒎𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒐. 𝑷𝒐𝒊, 𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒐 𝒅𝒂 𝒖𝒏𝒐 𝒅𝒆𝒊 𝒄𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒊 𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒂 𝒍𝒂 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒛𝒊𝒂 𝒄𝒉𝒆 𝒖𝒏 𝒏𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒊𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒐 è 𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒐, 𝒄𝒊 𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒎𝒐 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊. 𝑴𝒂 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒂 𝒍𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒛𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒊 𝒅𝒆𝒊 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒛𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊 𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒖𝒔𝒊 𝒍à 𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐 𝒑𝒆𝒈𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒐, 𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒊𝒂𝒎𝒐 𝒅𝒊 𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒐 𝒔𝒂𝒑𝒖𝒕𝒐, 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒉é 𝒄𝒊ò 𝒄𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒂 𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒎𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂 𝒖𝒏𝒂 𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒛𝒛𝒂."

Thomas Geve è lo pseudonimo con cui il protagonista racconta la sua prigionia quando, all'età di 13 anni, fu internato ad Auschwitz. In qualità di sopravvissuto avverte la necessità di raccontare la verità: lo deve a chi non ce l'ha fatta e può rivivere solo attraverso il ricordo. Oltre agli strumenti di morte, Thomas documenta un sistema di depravazioni e sadiche torture quotidiane: 𝑰 𝒏𝒂𝒛𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊 𝒏𝒐𝒏 𝒔𝒊 𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒐 𝒂 𝒖𝒄𝒄𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒍𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒆 𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆; 𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒐 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒐 𝒖𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒐 𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒂 𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒓𝒆. La novità sta nelle immagini che "danno un volto" agli orrori che traspaiono dai suoi scritti. I disegni originali, realizzati con rimasugli di carbone su brandelli di sacchi di cemento, andarono persi. Thomas li rifece una volta liberato, tanto fossero impressi in lui nei dettagli.

Il ragazzo che disegnò Auschwitz è un'accurata testimonianza delle atrocità commesse dai nazisti nei campidiconcentramento, oltre ad essere la biografia di uno dei pochi fortunati sopravvissuti all'olocausto. Il punto forte del libro sta sicuramente nei disegni che corredano le memorie del protagonista: disegni che , per quanto semplici, hanno un forte impatto visivo e non mancano di importanti particolari. Vi sono anche poche fotografie personali in bianco e nero, che contrastano con le immagini colorate di Thomas, ma che le investono di autenticità. Il protagonista ci conduce nella sua vita, partendo da un'infanzia felice, per poi passare agli episodi di persecuzione e segregazione da cui ebbe inizio il suo lungo incubo. Già da questi atti vergognosi, senza arrivare al più drastico internamento, ci si rende conto della crudeltà di cui è stata capace la natura umana: persone marchiate a cui viene "applicato" qualsiasi divieto e che vengono private di indumenti invernali, apparecchi radio, animali da compagnia; persone private delle proprie abitazioni e dei propri beni, che si ritrovano per strada, senza nemmeno la possibilità di essere ammesse nei rifugi antiaerei in caso di pericolo. Thomas passa poi al racconto della sua terribile esperienza nei campi di concentramento. Campi e non campo, perché ne conobbe ben 3: Auschwitz, Gross-Rosen e Buchenwald . Dalle sue parole emerge chiaramente come la civile correttezza, la cortesia e la solidarietà lascino il posto all'egoismo e alla lotta per la sopravvivenza. Thomas porta poi il lettore all'interno del campo, descrivendone accuratamente strutture, gerarchie, giornata-tipo, passatempi, punizioni, attività. L'imperativo assoluto è il lavoro: un lavoro duro, estenuante, incessante, che miete numerose vittime, già debilitate per il pochissimo cibo (un tozzo di pane ed 1l di brodaglia) e l'insufficiente riposo concesso. Agghiaccianti sono le condizioni degli internati, costretti a dividere il proprio giaciglio con altri 9 detenuti, obbligandoli a stare distesi come delle sardine in scatola, senza la possibilità di muoversi. Il giorno di riposo è fittizio: non può che essere impiegato per lavare l'unica lurida divisa bianca e blu data in dotazione; rammendare le proprie calze; fabbricare utili coltelli appiattendo chiodi; schiacciare pulci e pidocchi; "organizzare", ossia trovare delle strategie per recuperare o, meglio, rubare del cibo. Numerose sono le circostanze e le condizioni narrate che suscitano sgomento, dolore, incredulità, rabbia, tristezza... Ciò che mi ha colpito è la forza che alcune persone mettono nel mantenere viva la speranza ed il forte desiderio di rimanere in vita, al punto di spingerli perfino a cantare: ascoltare la propria voce è una prova della propria esistenza. Altro elemento cruciale, che scandisce la vita nel lager, è l'attesa: attesa del cibo, del proprio turno alla latrina, del riposo e della tanto agognata liberazione. Un libro che non può che lasciare il segno e che ha arricchito la mia conoscenza su questo terribile evento storico, con uno stile semplice e diretto. Condivido il pensiero dell'autore nel sentirsi investito di una missione di vitale importanza, quella della memoria: anche se è doloroso, anche se fa male, anche se fa piangere... Tutti abbiamo bisogno di non dimenticare!!!

[Tamsynsbookreviews]

Author: Thomas Geve
Page Count: 318
Published Date: 21st January 2021
Genre: Biography, Autobiography
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Synopsis:
In June 1943, after long years of hardship and persecution, thirteen-year-old Thomas Geve and his mother were deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Separated upon arrival, he was left to fend for himself in the men’s camp of Auschwitz I. During 22 harsh months in three camps, Thomas experienced and witnessed the cruel and inhumane world of Nazi concentration and death camps. Nonetheless, he never gave up the will to live. Miraculously, he survived and was liberated from Buchenwald at the age of fifteen. While still in the camp and too weak to leave, Thomas felt a compelling need to document it all, and drew over eighty drawings, all portrayed in simple yet poignant detail with extraordinary accuracy. He not only shared the infamous scenes, but also the day-to-day events of life in the camps, alongside inmates' manifestations of humanity, support and friendship. To honor his lost friends and the millions of silenced victims of the Holocaust, in the years following the war, Thomas put his story into words. Despite the evil of the camps, his account provides a striking affirmation of life.
My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book this probably doesn't sound right but I enjoy reading about Auschwitz and learning about it. As I've said before I've learnt more from the books than what I did in school. I also thought that all the books I've read will have the same things in but they all have their own different stories which helps me learn more when I read them. I enjoyed this one about a little boy who went in and drew Auschwitz unfortunately lost his mum in there but he survived and found his father when he got out, I also liked that in this book it showed pictures he drew also pictures of him and things in Auschwitz. I have rated this book 4 out of 5 stars.

[Simona]

Holokaustas yra tema, kurią karts nuo karto aš privalau sau priminti. Karts nuo karto imu skaityti lagerius išgyvenusių žmonių atsiminimus tam, kad neatbukčiau. Ir imdama žinau, kad man nebus gera skaityt, ką jose rašo.

Šių dienų fone, sakysit, gal per daug siaubo, šalia savęs turim panašaus holokausto kraujuojantį ir gyvą pavyzdį. Aš sutinku, kad malonu toli gražu nėra. Bet man svarbu, kad išties niekad nepamirščiau. Nei to, kas vyko, nei to, kas vyksta. Skaitydama susikoncentruoju ir jaučiuosi arčiau.

O ši knyga nustebino autoriaus, išgyvenusio tris koncentracijos stovyklas, šviesumu ir viltimi. Tikėjimas ateitimi, optimizmas, pastovi paieška šviesos ir žmogiškos bendrystės! Stebėjaus ir stebėjaus, kiek gėrio savy jis sukaupęs! 💛 Tokiomis gyvenimo sąlygomis nenužmogėti yra kone neįmanoma ir jam tai pavyko.

Žinoma, jo piešiniai, ne meno šedevrai. Bet jie labai svarbūs istoriniai dokumentai apie holokausto kasdienybę. Piešinius išnagrinėjau susidomėjus ir net būčiau tikėjusis jų dar daugiau. 🤷‍♀️ Iš tiesų tai tekstas ir Thomo nepalenkiamas atvirumas pasauliui man buvo knygos variklis. 💛

"Kaskart, kai niūniuodavau šią melodiją užplūsdavo suvokimas, kad nepaisant visko tebesu gyvas. Praleidęs metus koncentracijos stovykloje, išlikau savimi. Net ir negalėdamas matyti savo veido (veidrodžiai buvo uždrausti), vis dar galėjau girdėti svo niūniuojamą melodiją. Ji man patvirtindavo, kad tebesu gyvas."

"Klausantis jų nubusdavo ilgesys ir nostalgija. Įsivaizdavom, kad kažkur partizanų užimtuose Europos miškuose šis melodijas niūniavo ir kiti jaunuoliai. Jų kova buvo mūsų kova ir atvirkščiai. Viskas, ką galėjome daryti visų labui, - tai dainuoti."

[Rachelle Faught]

“We did not want to forget. On the contrary, we felt an urge to document what we had witnessed, set it down on paper and to tell people about it. If we who had experienced it, I reasoned, did not reveal the bitter truth, people simply would not believe the extent of the Nazis’ evil. I wanted to share, not just the horrors but our lives, the day-to-day events and our struggle to survive.”

This incredible biography by Thomas Geve is an eye opening story to life inside 3 consecration camps, including Auschwitz-Birkenau. Beyond the horrors of the concentration camp is also the kindness of the various people Thomas encountered.
I love what he said after he and an encounter with a woman post liberation: “…it came to me that after all these years of hatred and oppression it was for me to decide what kind of man I would grow to be. Not a gentleman that day made me feel strong and proud…”

[Becky Crossley]

Excellent read. Really honest recap and testimony of the holocaust, not veiled by a love story or anything just a young boy and what he went through, not over emotional nor lacking in storyline just very frank, super interesting and a great story of hope and perseverance. I’ve read a lot of holocaust books but I’m still learning new things so it’s 100% worth the read. His pictures are historically extremely relevant too!

[Dave Wright]

It is a powerful true story.

[Sam]

Great book! I 'enjoy' reading Holocaust memoirs, and this one was a different perspective and gave new information to what I've read before. A wonderful, informative account that honours those who didn't survive these atrocities.

[Jocelyn Lewis]

Such a moving, gripping and enlightening story of a true survivor and of hope, faith, and endurance.

[Lisa Willis]

A powerful and moving memoir from Thomas of his time in Auschwitz. He and his Mother were deported together, but then separated when they arrived there. Unfortunately, his Mother didn't survive.

[Agnė]

su kažkokiu sunkumu ant širdies..

[Alexis Trendle]

You can’t give a book written by a holocaust survivor who tells the horrific story of his teenage life spent in 3 concentration camps anything other than 5 starts.

[Rebecca]

Wow this book was so heartbreaking and eye opening. Can’t believe what this boy went through and how he was able to not only survive but also document what happened to him and others

[Lie]

Ongeloof....we kunnen het ons niet voorstellen...

[Rachel Nisbet]

A book for anyone who is interested in reading about the holocaust and discovering what it was really like for the young children and innocents caught up in it.
To say I enjoyed this book seems wholly wrong, but I did. I learnt new details and gained a deeper understanding of what was experienced on a daily basis. I recommend this book.

[Sabrina]

An incredible memoir providing an insight of daily life in not one but three concentration camps. We read about how the adults suffered under the Nazi regime but for this child to have survived all of this and have the determination to build a better future?

This story is beyond inspiring but also disheartening when children are still suffering due to current events. We shouldn’t have to read survivor accounts from children but I am in awe of the ones who fulfil their life’s potential after such traumatic events. Thomas Geve has left an incredible legacy.