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Project 613 #1.5
A Cat at Dachau
SS Private Max Schrader is a brutal Nazi guard at Dachau concentration camp. While he is ruthless towards the Jewish prisoners trapped behind the barbed wire, the Nazi soldier does have one soft spot: he loves animals, especially cats.
When Max finds an injured cat near the front gate of Dachau one day, he nurses the feline back to health. Max happily adopts the cat, named Faust, and comes to love his precious new pet. But it seems that Faust is searching for something: every day, the cat follows Max to Dachau and searches the concentration camp.
As Max attempts find what his pet his looking for, his worldview will be shattered…and his sins may cost him dearly.
A Cat at Dachau is a heart-wrenching short story by award-winning author Elyse Hoffman.
When Max finds an injured cat near the front gate of Dachau one day, he nurses the feline back to health. Max happily adopts the cat, named Faust, and comes to love his precious new pet. But it seems that Faust is searching for something: every day, the cat follows Max to Dachau and searches the concentration camp.
As Max attempts find what his pet his looking for, his worldview will be shattered…and his sins may cost him dearly.
A Cat at Dachau is a heart-wrenching short story by award-winning author Elyse Hoffman.
44 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 15, 2023
84 people are currently reading
249 people want to read
About the author
Elyse Hoffman
16 books384 followersElyse Hoffman is an award-winning author who strives to tell historical tales with new twists. Having studied WWII since the age of thirteen and with interests in fantasy and Jewish folklore, she loves to combine them in her writing. Elyse started writing novels at fourteen and finished her first historical fiction work at fifteen. She has published eight books: five in a series called The Barracks of the Holocaust, and three novels, including The Book of Uriel, Where David Threw Stones, and Fracture. In her spare time, she loves to read, work on pretty keyboards, and hang out with her co-authors - her Goldendoodle Ari and her ex-feral cat, Echo.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
May 5, 2023
Elyse Hoffman's short story is both powerful and heartbreaking. It's one I won't soon forget.
Thank you to my GR friend, Fran, for calling my attention to this unforgettable book.
Thank you to my GR friend, Fran, for calling my attention to this unforgettable book.
January 18, 2023
So compelling you simply must read on
"Sharing a smile with a Jew was a sin". This is a story about how the Nazi regime dehumanised people, both on the part of the concentration camp inmates and the guards. Jews were considered subhuman, but the guards? They were not allowed to think, not allowed to feel, not allowed to show individuality. What kind of (super)human quality is that?
SS Private Max Schrader stands out from his comrades and he is often berated by his Kommander. He has an unforgivable flaw, he loves animals, especially cats, which are generally thought to be animals with a… personality. This is a dangerous thing. Such an attitude could endanger everything that a hateful regime has been building for years.
The concentration camp compound is described with a chilling simplicity that shows how this horror was internalised by the camp staff and seen as normality, while the young boys who were assigned with the terrible task of supervising, disciplining, and eventually exterminating the prisoners even took pleasure in some aspects, such as the marches that rang out from the loudspeakers among the Fuhrer’s hate speeches.
Although the reader guesses early in the story who the cat is looking for in the camp grounds, the narrative is so compelling that you just have to keep reading. Absolutely masterful! It has been a long time since I was enthralled by a book, long or short. This story is a true work of art.
"Sharing a smile with a Jew was a sin". This is a story about how the Nazi regime dehumanised people, both on the part of the concentration camp inmates and the guards. Jews were considered subhuman, but the guards? They were not allowed to think, not allowed to feel, not allowed to show individuality. What kind of (super)human quality is that?
SS Private Max Schrader stands out from his comrades and he is often berated by his Kommander. He has an unforgivable flaw, he loves animals, especially cats, which are generally thought to be animals with a… personality. This is a dangerous thing. Such an attitude could endanger everything that a hateful regime has been building for years.
The concentration camp compound is described with a chilling simplicity that shows how this horror was internalised by the camp staff and seen as normality, while the young boys who were assigned with the terrible task of supervising, disciplining, and eventually exterminating the prisoners even took pleasure in some aspects, such as the marches that rang out from the loudspeakers among the Fuhrer’s hate speeches.
Although the reader guesses early in the story who the cat is looking for in the camp grounds, the narrative is so compelling that you just have to keep reading. Absolutely masterful! It has been a long time since I was enthralled by a book, long or short. This story is a true work of art.
January 24, 2023
My heart. This story. Faust the cat and his owner Jakob and roommate Saul. Just read it. You’ll know what I mean. I wish the story went on for 300 pages.
January 2, 2026
The second day of 2026, I finally got myself back into reading is called “A Cat at Dachau” by Elyse Hoffman. I was drawn to this book's title. All of her books were highly entertaining, but this one has a unique subject and is a brief yet engaging read that made me sad because all of the pets are always treated like family. The way an SS treats animals with compassion while treating humans like animals is unbelievable to me. The story is about Max, a young SS guard, found a small cat at the gate of the concentration camp, takes him to the vet and adopts him. Faust, the cat, has unusual habits. He likes to eat croissants and is searching the camp for something. But what? Why does he keep calling out? What happened to the cat? How did the young SS did? or the Jewish person's ultimate fate? You can decide.
January 20, 2023
"The guards at Dachau Concentration Camp had been trained to regard prisoners as less than animals". Jews were "the greatest danger of them all in Max's mind [due to] the propaganda he consumed willingly at home and unwillingly when he listened to the loudspeakers during his work day...".
SS Private Max Schrader, 19 years old, had recently mourned the passing of Tiger, his beloved orange tabby, his best friend since childhood. When a tiny, badly injured orange tabby appeared at the gates of Dachau, "affection immediately swelled in the SS trooper's heart." Max spared no expense to nurse "Faust" back to health. Max was showing "German goodness toward an innocent animal."
The Kommandant bent the rules. "Faust" could stay and be a mouser. Max noticed that "Faust" had some quirky habits. He loved croissants, preferred to sleep in the bathroom sink and was an expert escape artist. Every day, he slipped through the Arbeit Macht Frei gate, loudly meowing, and sniffing the grounds. One day, during prisoner roll call, "Faust" cozied up to a prisoner. Was he a known human?
Max Schrader's upbringing had been about blindly following rules. Suddenly, he found that he could think for himself. By self-reflecting, he would question his belief system and his behavior.
"A Cat at Dachau" by Elyse Hoffman is a scant 40 pages, however, it's impact was powerful, heartfelt and brought tears to this reader's eyes.
SS Private Max Schrader, 19 years old, had recently mourned the passing of Tiger, his beloved orange tabby, his best friend since childhood. When a tiny, badly injured orange tabby appeared at the gates of Dachau, "affection immediately swelled in the SS trooper's heart." Max spared no expense to nurse "Faust" back to health. Max was showing "German goodness toward an innocent animal."
The Kommandant bent the rules. "Faust" could stay and be a mouser. Max noticed that "Faust" had some quirky habits. He loved croissants, preferred to sleep in the bathroom sink and was an expert escape artist. Every day, he slipped through the Arbeit Macht Frei gate, loudly meowing, and sniffing the grounds. One day, during prisoner roll call, "Faust" cozied up to a prisoner. Was he a known human?
Max Schrader's upbringing had been about blindly following rules. Suddenly, he found that he could think for himself. By self-reflecting, he would question his belief system and his behavior.
"A Cat at Dachau" by Elyse Hoffman is a scant 40 pages, however, it's impact was powerful, heartfelt and brought tears to this reader's eyes.
January 26, 2023
Wonderful great story. Shows that there was a ray of hope, humanity and a softness in a time of cruelty and murder. A complete disregard for life and a specific group of people.
A cat! A cat that found it's way into a camp of horrors, and reconnects with his owner's( did I say "owner")and a roommate that fed, loved and cared for him...this story could've been longer...but I did enjoy it just the same..--P/
A cat! A cat that found it's way into a camp of horrors, and reconnects with his owner's( did I say "owner")and a roommate that fed, loved and cared for him...this story could've been longer...but I did enjoy it just the same..--P/
January 30, 2023
Amazing short Story!
At first when I started reading this book I hit a sentence that made it difficult to continue but I am glad I did. This is a humane story told from the point of an SS guard. I did something which I rarely do when reading, I cried and cried, I recommend reading this very brief book.
At first when I started reading this book I hit a sentence that made it difficult to continue but I am glad I did. This is a humane story told from the point of an SS guard. I did something which I rarely do when reading, I cried and cried, I recommend reading this very brief book.
January 28, 2023
Touching short story about humanity
March 8, 2023
Short, simple but so very powerful
In just 52 pages, Elyse invokes such powerful empathy, horror and understanding it's almost too incredible to believe. Shared from the point of view of a young SS soldier, this book is a quick read but leaves a lasting impression for sure.
In just 52 pages, Elyse invokes such powerful empathy, horror and understanding it's almost too incredible to believe. Shared from the point of view of a young SS soldier, this book is a quick read but leaves a lasting impression for sure.
April 1, 2023
This simple story hit me in the gut
The analogy of the SS man’s love for his cat making him aware of the humanity of the Jews was a perfect way to teach teens about the horrors of the Holocaust. It was a painful story to read, but it really affected me in a gut wrenching way unlike any others. I encourage young people AND older people to read it.
The analogy of the SS man’s love for his cat making him aware of the humanity of the Jews was a perfect way to teach teens about the horrors of the Holocaust. It was a painful story to read, but it really affected me in a gut wrenching way unlike any others. I encourage young people AND older people to read it.
January 11, 2024
Not your typical story
I really enjoyed the ease in reading this book. Interesting side of happenings in a concentration camp, with lots of emotion and not knowing what is coming next. Short story
I really enjoyed the ease in reading this book. Interesting side of happenings in a concentration camp, with lots of emotion and not knowing what is coming next. Short story
March 18, 2023
This was both a chilling and heart-warming read. I would have liked it to have been a bit longer so we got to find out what happened to some of the characters - but its brevity may also be its strength.
February 2, 2023
Excellent read
Some things you know about history, and have ideas about the horrors that went on during WW2, especially to the Jews who were being held as prisoners. But this short read is an entirely different take on an incident that could have taken place, may have elicited the effects that followed, and were all started through the love of a tabby cat, found outside a Jewish POW camp.
I found it heartwarming, although saddened by the historical aspect, it gave me much to think about. And I have often thought about those Germans who were forced to serve in a war that made no real sense to them.
Some things you know about history, and have ideas about the horrors that went on during WW2, especially to the Jews who were being held as prisoners. But this short read is an entirely different take on an incident that could have taken place, may have elicited the effects that followed, and were all started through the love of a tabby cat, found outside a Jewish POW camp.
I found it heartwarming, although saddened by the historical aspect, it gave me much to think about. And I have often thought about those Germans who were forced to serve in a war that made no real sense to them.
March 3, 2023
I enjoyed it!
This was a cute short story. I like books about WW2 and this one had an unusual ending and topic.
This was a cute short story. I like books about WW2 and this one had an unusual ending and topic.
June 24, 2023
A cat is a loyal friend
Max finds a little cat at the gates of Dachau and takes it to the vet. Fast has unusual habits. He likes to eat croissants and is searching the camp for something. But what? Why does he keep calling out?
When Max finds out the truth it alters the way he looks at the things around him.
Max finds a little cat at the gates of Dachau and takes it to the vet. Fast has unusual habits. He likes to eat croissants and is searching the camp for something. But what? Why does he keep calling out?
When Max finds out the truth it alters the way he looks at the things around him.
February 11, 2023
Faust
I loved the short story and I usually don't read them. I am a WW II buff so I read the short story and was quite surprised . It definitely kept my interest. I will look for more stories! like this. I will be on the lookout for more stories from Else Hoffman.
I loved the short story and I usually don't read them. I am a WW II buff so I read the short story and was quite surprised . It definitely kept my interest. I will look for more stories! like this. I will be on the lookout for more stories from Else Hoffman.
January 29, 2023
Very sad and touching short story
March 4, 2023
This book gives a completely different point of view than normally found in this genre.
April 13, 2023
very thought provoking!
This was a very thought provoking story where a desensitized young man finds his soul. A quick, but powerful read.
This was a very thought provoking story where a desensitized young man finds his soul. A quick, but powerful read.
April 14, 2023
Wish this had been a full-length novel. Very good.
April 6, 2025
Very different from any other holocaust book I’ve read it’s interesting
February 18, 2024
A Cat at Dachau by Elyse Hoffman is a poignant take on a cat, a SS guard and a Jew. Max has been trained to regard Jews as subhuman, vile creatures incapable of love that destroys everything they touch. Max never wavers from this belief, punishing and sending Jews to their death, until a small cat appears by the gates of Dachau. with the appearance of Faust the cat, Max will undergo a transformation that will make him question everything that has been a core value of his life.
the love of a pet can transcend many barriers, even the ones we put up ourselves.
A Cat at Dachau is a beautiful, tragic short story that is not to be missed.
highly recommended.
5 stars out of 5.
the love of a pet can transcend many barriers, even the ones we put up ourselves.
A Cat at Dachau is a beautiful, tragic short story that is not to be missed.
highly recommended.
5 stars out of 5.
May 21, 2023
“Sharing a smile with a Jew was a sin.”
SS Private Max Schrader is a guard at the Dachau concentration camp.
One freezing morning in December, a tiny and rough-looking orange tabby cat is found by the front gates.
Max is 19. He desperately misses own cat, Tiger, who just passed away two weeks ago. The guys have no clue who the cat belongs to. The only clue is a tag with the inscription of “Faust.”
Though the kitty is disheveled, Max is determined to keep him.
Faust has a big, unique personality—love of croissants, sleeping in the sink—and he wanders everywhere.
One of the prisoners, Saul Waldorf, explains the whole story to Max.
Sad, haunting, introspective, thought-provoking. A bit more clarity at the conclusion would be helpful.
SS Private Max Schrader is a guard at the Dachau concentration camp.
One freezing morning in December, a tiny and rough-looking orange tabby cat is found by the front gates.
Max is 19. He desperately misses own cat, Tiger, who just passed away two weeks ago. The guys have no clue who the cat belongs to. The only clue is a tag with the inscription of “Faust.”
Though the kitty is disheveled, Max is determined to keep him.
Faust has a big, unique personality—love of croissants, sleeping in the sink—and he wanders everywhere.
One of the prisoners, Saul Waldorf, explains the whole story to Max.
Sad, haunting, introspective, thought-provoking. A bit more clarity at the conclusion would be helpful.
January 31, 2023
I was excited when I read the premise of this story. However, I found the writing to be similar to that of a high schooler. It did not seem like a lot of thought was taken into the plot, as it was incredibly predictable. The writing itself was severely lacking. I truly hate giving bad reviews, however this was an unpleasant read.
May 9, 2025
A short story rather than a full-length novel. Nazi SS guards at Auschwitz show more concern over a cat than over the inmates they are tormenting, who they think are subhuman. They show themselves to be inhuman. Because of the cat, one such guard, who is a cat lover, begins to question his obedience to a regime which advocates this type of thinking.
November 19, 2024
I thought this was a lovely story. I was afraid to read it at first because I thought the cat would be abused, as were the prisoners. However the love for animals from the prisoners & the cat’s love for the prisoners showed the guard how human they really were.
January 29, 2023
Touching and interesting twist.
May 13, 2023
Una historia breve fácil de leer, pero bastante triste. 😔 Que nos enseña que los gatos son mascotas increíbles.
August 26, 2023
Short and unusual
This reiew might be longer than the story. Somewhat sweet story about an abandoned cat. Just reinforces the loyalty of pets.
This reiew might be longer than the story. Somewhat sweet story about an abandoned cat. Just reinforces the loyalty of pets.
February 19, 2024
A good story
Pets love uncondionally and this cat wanted his Jewish master back. He could smell his owner he just couldn't find him. So the cat gave up too.
Pets love uncondionally and this cat wanted his Jewish master back. He could smell his owner he just couldn't find him. So the cat gave up too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews