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The Dawn of Hope: A Memoir of Ravensbrück
A holocaust survivor and tireless advocate for the world's poor shares her personal journey from the Ravensbru+a5ck concentration camp to the French Resistance and eventually, a life led improving the lives of the poorest of the poor. 35,000 first printing.
83 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 9, 2015
Geneviève de Gaulle Anthonioz, sobrinha do General De Gaulle, esteve detida no campo de concentração de Ravensbrück durante cerca de um ano por ser membro da Resistência Francesa.
Quando os aliados ganham terreno à Alemanha nazi e os bombardeamentos já são audíveis a partir de Ravensbrück, Geneviève começa a ser alimentada e a obter os cuidados médicos que até então lhe haviam sido negados. No seu impressionante relato, Geneviève não conjectura sobre os motivos que teriam motivado esta mudança de atitude por isso tive a curiosidade de investigar e, embora não exista muita informação disponível, algures li que Himmler, sabendo do parentesco de Geneviève com De Gaulle, se estaria a preparar para a utilizar como “moeda de troca”, o que não me causa grande espanto tendo em consideração o rumo que a guerra estava a tomar…
“A Travessia da Noite” é um breve relato contado na primeira pessoa do horror e da desumanidade de que foram vítimas um conjunto de mulheres às mãos dos algozes nazis entre 1944 e 1945 no campo de concentração de Ravensbrück. Mas também é um relato do Amor, da Solidariedade e da Perseverança de mulheres unidas por um destino comum num mundo onde a única certeza residia no reconfortante facto de que se tinham umas às outras.
Quando os aliados ganham terreno à Alemanha nazi e os bombardeamentos já são audíveis a partir de Ravensbrück, Geneviève começa a ser alimentada e a obter os cuidados médicos que até então lhe haviam sido negados. No seu impressionante relato, Geneviève não conjectura sobre os motivos que teriam motivado esta mudança de atitude por isso tive a curiosidade de investigar e, embora não exista muita informação disponível, algures li que Himmler, sabendo do parentesco de Geneviève com De Gaulle, se estaria a preparar para a utilizar como “moeda de troca”, o que não me causa grande espanto tendo em consideração o rumo que a guerra estava a tomar…
“A Travessia da Noite” é um breve relato contado na primeira pessoa do horror e da desumanidade de que foram vítimas um conjunto de mulheres às mãos dos algozes nazis entre 1944 e 1945 no campo de concentração de Ravensbrück. Mas também é um relato do Amor, da Solidariedade e da Perseverança de mulheres unidas por um destino comum num mundo onde a única certeza residia no reconfortante facto de que se tinham umas às outras.
January 6, 2019
Les quelques jours (semaines) passés en isolement à Ravensbrück. Atteinte de scorbut à un stade avancé, Geneviève de Gaulle n'a que peu de temps à vivre si ses conditions de vie ne s'améliorent pas rapidement. Et, pour une raison encore obscure, elle est mise à l'écart, au cachot. Sa première nuit se passe dans l'angoisse la plus folle et elle se résigne à mourir, fusillée, au petit matin. Mais on lui apporte à manger et, petit à petit, les jours s'écoulent, presque paisiblement pour elle alors qu'elle meurt d'inquiétude pour ses compagnes restées au baraquement.
Son témoignage sincère est capital car il rend compte d'une réalité sournoise de la vie dans les camps de concentration/d'extermination : les privilèges. Geneviève de Gaulle est la nièce de Charles de Gaulle, Paris a été libéré, même si la Guerre fait encore rage à l'Est de l'Europe, le Général est revenu en France et la débâcle allemande n'est plus loin.
Son témoignage sincère est capital car il rend compte d'une réalité sournoise de la vie dans les camps de concentration/d'extermination : les privilèges. Geneviève de Gaulle est la nièce de Charles de Gaulle, Paris a été libéré, même si la Guerre fait encore rage à l'Est de l'Europe, le Général est revenu en France et la débâcle allemande n'est plus loin.
March 14, 2021
Remarkable telling of terror, trauma and un-control. I don't know a word to describe the condition when an individual has little information about their circumstance or probable fate; has no means of correcting or interrupting the situation in which she finds herself.
In an environment based on deprivation of individuality, some of the prisoners in Ravensbruck find ways to adapt to their situations and even help each other. They identify each other by their badges, by their numbers, by the tasks they perform. Sometimes, in isolation, they find ways to mark celebrations (Christmas). Sometimes, they find opportunities to give each other small gifts, meaningless in a larger society, but a way to tell a fellow prisoner: I see YOU. I thank YOU. YOU are human.
This prisoner, deprived of human interaction, studies the cockroaches in her cell. They are differentiated to her; she names them, she trains them, she rewards them. Their presence, strangely, brings her comfort. It is a terrible thing when one of her jailors, in the act of removing her from her cell, deliberately steps on "Fritz" and leaves behind no more than a smear on her shoe. What a metaphor.
This work is short. In 78 pages the author has captured what I imagine is the essence of prisoner-hood. I am so glad that others persuaded de Gaulle-Anthonioz to distill her story so purely.
In an environment based on deprivation of individuality, some of the prisoners in Ravensbruck find ways to adapt to their situations and even help each other. They identify each other by their badges, by their numbers, by the tasks they perform. Sometimes, in isolation, they find ways to mark celebrations (Christmas). Sometimes, they find opportunities to give each other small gifts, meaningless in a larger society, but a way to tell a fellow prisoner: I see YOU. I thank YOU. YOU are human.
This prisoner, deprived of human interaction, studies the cockroaches in her cell. They are differentiated to her; she names them, she trains them, she rewards them. Their presence, strangely, brings her comfort. It is a terrible thing when one of her jailors, in the act of removing her from her cell, deliberately steps on "Fritz" and leaves behind no more than a smear on her shoe. What a metaphor.
This work is short. In 78 pages the author has captured what I imagine is the essence of prisoner-hood. I am so glad that others persuaded de Gaulle-Anthonioz to distill her story so purely.
Read
September 22, 2010another book I can't possibly rate. It's a brief account, from the heart, by Charles de Gaulle's niece, of the six months or so she spent in Ravensbruck concentration camp. There is a certain dreamlike quality to the telling--apparently over 50 years passed before she could bring herself to write about it, and then it all came out in a rush.
What's hard to remember, in the reading (which is gripping and heartbreaking, and occasionally quite uplifting), is that this resistance fighter is only 21 when she is first imprisoned; 22 when she arrives at Ravensbruck; and 23 when she leaves. It is so hard to bear in mind how young she is, and how terribly those years of youth are spent.
I think I might have to try this one in French!
What's hard to remember, in the reading (which is gripping and heartbreaking, and occasionally quite uplifting), is that this resistance fighter is only 21 when she is first imprisoned; 22 when she arrives at Ravensbruck; and 23 when she leaves. It is so hard to bear in mind how young she is, and how terribly those years of youth are spent.
I think I might have to try this one in French!
January 31, 2014
This was very well written, but I would've liked to hear a little more about her thoughts and how she cope with solitary confinement. In many ways, her experience in the camps was better than most, because she was allowed more dignity – what she went through was horrible but a lot better than what other people went through. She basically was in solitary confinement, and didn't have to deal with the beatings and the hard work of the people in the regular camp. Still, wondering what was happening to her friends on the outside and never knowing if each day would be her last must of taken in a Norman's emotional toll, and it's not surprising that the author waited 50 years to tell her story. Sundays are so traumatic that you can't talk about them right away.
October 3, 2019
What was a quest to answer a patron's question ended up with me reading the entire book. I was looking for a passage that referred to a yellow dress. There were plenty of dresses in the book including striped blue and white dresses or plain striped dresses but nothing that referred to the kutonet. This is the story of Genevieve de Gaulle-Anthonioz (related to Charles de Gaulle) who was arrested for being part of the French resistance and interned at Ravensbruck, an all woman's camp. She kept her secret for 50 years, understandably, not wanting to relive the nightmare she endured. The book was surprisingly short and I believe she kept more to herself or maybe after 50 years, she simply forgot some of it. You got the feeling the story was unfinished.
April 11, 2016
Reading this in French but I'll review in English.
An extraordinary woman. She was only 20 years old when she began work with the Resistance. She cared about others, even as she was suffering in Ravensbrück, and treasured her friends there, including the cockroaches in her cell (she named the largest ones Victor and Felix and saved them her crumbs of bread - prizes for whichever raced fastest to claim them!).
She was Charles de Gaulle's niece but never took advantage of this. Nice that she's in the Pantheon now, even though she wouldn't have sought this honor.
4 stars, mostly because it is a short book and it would have been nice to know more.
An extraordinary woman. She was only 20 years old when she began work with the Resistance. She cared about others, even as she was suffering in Ravensbrück, and treasured her friends there, including the cockroaches in her cell (she named the largest ones Victor and Felix and saved them her crumbs of bread - prizes for whichever raced fastest to claim them!).
She was Charles de Gaulle's niece but never took advantage of this. Nice that she's in the Pantheon now, even though she wouldn't have sought this honor.
4 stars, mostly because it is a short book and it would have been nice to know more.
June 17, 2015
Un court récit incroyablement fort et triste. On plonge littéralement dans l'angoisse de l'auteure et on aimera être à ses côtés, lui montrer qu'elle n'est pas seule. C'est toujours impressionant de lire ce genre de mémoires qui recellent de courage dans notre époque actuelle qui n'a connue la guerre qu'à travers les cours d'histoires et les reportages. Son attitude force l'admiration, n'oublions pas son pendant Germaine Tillion qu'elle a rencontré dans ce funeste camp de Ravensbrück. Quelles grandes Dames nous avons maintenant au Panthéon.
May 6, 2020
A brief but powerful account of the injustice of imprisonment under the Nazi regime from a young French resistance member, who also happens to be Charles de Gaulle's niece.
Because of this book, when I think of Ravenbruck I will forever think of "Little white rabbits" which Genevieve describes as young girls that have been put through experiments and have as a result had ligaments, tendons and bones removed. As confronting as accounts like this might be, they are necessarily to keep alive through generations so that the dead have a voice and so the pasts mistakes are not repeated.
Because of this book, when I think of Ravenbruck I will forever think of "Little white rabbits" which Genevieve describes as young girls that have been put through experiments and have as a result had ligaments, tendons and bones removed. As confronting as accounts like this might be, they are necessarily to keep alive through generations so that the dead have a voice and so the pasts mistakes are not repeated.
February 1, 2013
This work is interesting in its genre as it captures not only a women's voice but also a Ravensbruck voice . . . neither the dominant perspectives in Holocaust literature. Ms. De Gaulle Anthonioz also has an interesting family background which is played down in the text, but has great significance in its full understanding.
April 28, 2016
It wasn't as insightful as I had thought t would be. It feels like she woke up one day and started writing whatever came to mind. Her memories were not as fresh as they would have been if she had written this after liberation. Overall, it was interesting to see how Charles de Gaulle's niece was treated.
January 3, 2011
Incredibly moving memoir of an horrific time and place.
April 27, 2014
A short but intense book, which summarises the last year of Geneviève de Gaulle (general de Gaulle's niece) in the camp of Ravensbrück.
An essential read.
An essential read.
June 18, 2023
"Sólo quiero declarar lo que he presencié y es atroz. Mi memoria me devuelve poco a poco lo que trataba de olvidar para poder sobrevivir"
Un libro corto pero desgarrador. Te narra como la protagonista de forma autobiográfica vivió en un campo de concentración en la segunda guerra mundial. Te narra la historia de una superviviente. No se anda con delicadeza sino que te lo cuenta sin miedo y de manera cruda.
Es sorprendente hasta donde llego el ser humano. En ese lugar no hay tiempo, ni hay frontera entre el sueño y la pesadilla.
Como personas manejaban tu existencia solo por tu religión es trágico. En cada libro que leo sobre el tema veo que lo trataban peor que un animal. Los humillaban y lo degradaban solo por pensar algo distinto. Ese momento histórico es un punto muy bajo en la humanidad. Solo pensar que en algunos lugares se vive lo mismo me da escalofríos 😟.
Me gusta leer de vez en cuando esta temática, ¿me recomiendan algún libro?
Un libro corto pero desgarrador. Te narra como la protagonista de forma autobiográfica vivió en un campo de concentración en la segunda guerra mundial. Te narra la historia de una superviviente. No se anda con delicadeza sino que te lo cuenta sin miedo y de manera cruda.
Es sorprendente hasta donde llego el ser humano. En ese lugar no hay tiempo, ni hay frontera entre el sueño y la pesadilla.
Como personas manejaban tu existencia solo por tu religión es trágico. En cada libro que leo sobre el tema veo que lo trataban peor que un animal. Los humillaban y lo degradaban solo por pensar algo distinto. Ese momento histórico es un punto muy bajo en la humanidad. Solo pensar que en algunos lugares se vive lo mismo me da escalofríos 😟.
Me gusta leer de vez en cuando esta temática, ¿me recomiendan algún libro?
August 29, 2023
Genevieve de Gaulle (niece of Charles de Gaulle) relates the horrors of Ravensbrück in this heart wrenching memoir. This memoir is unique because it is told from the perspective of a young woman in her 20's - a young woman who has to learn to find meaning in the ever increasing brutality that awaits her everyday. The conditions the women in this camp had to endure is truly beyond belief; it defies any rational understanding of human behavior.
October 22, 2023
Este breve y personal testimonio de Genevieve de Gaulle es muy impactante, a pesar de sus escasas 50 páginas, pero la edición, que no lleva ningún contexto, ni notas sobre ella, su biografía o el campo, se me queda muy incompleta para lo que podría ser.
March 12, 2023
poignant
January 18, 2025
‘’Bien pire que la mort, c’était la destruction de notre âmé’
February 11, 2025
Un bouleversant témoignage de la nièce du général de Gaulle.
Elle parle du traitement des résistantes et de son cas personnel, hors des normes.
À lire et faire lire.
Elle parle du traitement des résistantes et de son cas personnel, hors des normes.
À lire et faire lire.
December 12, 2021
Un bref récit profond, saisissant et triste.
Quel magnifique témoignage.
Livre étudié en parallèle avec « Si c’est un homme » de Primo Lévi.
Quel magnifique témoignage.
Livre étudié en parallèle avec « Si c’est un homme » de Primo Lévi.
August 24, 2021
Très beau témoignage de l'autrice, bien qu'un peu court
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews