Book Review: The Sisters of Auschwitz by Roxane van Iperen

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The Sisters of Auschwitz: The True Story of Two Jewish Sisters’ Resistance in the Heart of Nazi Territory (‘t Hooge Nest) by Roxane van Iperen tells of Janny and Lien Brilleslijper, two sisters in the Dutch Resistance during World War II, who were captured. Ms. Van Iperen is a lawyer and publicist.

• 320 pages
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper Paperbacks
  
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0063097621

My rating for The Sisters of Auschwitz– 5
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Thoughts:

This book is certainly not your run of the mill World War II / Holocaust book. Most of the book takes place in Nazi occupied Holland, however the last quarter takes place in Auschwitz.

The Sisters of Auschwitz: The True Story of Two Jewish Sisters’ Resistance in the Heart of Nazi Territory  by Roxane van Iperen is a historical biography. I couldn’t decide if this book should be considered specifically a history book, or historical fiction. However, it is much more of a history book than anything else.

Much of the book takes place in a house called The High Nest (indeed, the original Dutch title). If I understood correctly, this is where the author lives now and discovered the story. The house certainly plays a big part in the sisters’ history.

The Brilleslijper sisters certainly show a lot of courage and gumption; chutzpah if you will. Not only are they in hiding, and wanted they joined the resistance movement against a foreign occupier.

The book is meticulous about the sisters’ history, and the people around them. I was surprised the learn that they met, and took care, of two other Dutch sisters – Margo and Anne Frank until their deaths. The sisters were surely some of the last people to see the Franks alive, and thanks to them Mr. Frank has found out what happened to his daughters.

This is certainly a compelling and informative read. A story of courage overcoming overwhelming adversity against significant odds.

I, for one, am glad that stories, espeically of women’s contributions to the war effort and in resistance movements are being told.

Buy The Sisters of Auschwitz from Amazon.com*
More books by Roxane van Iperen*

Zohar — Man of la Book
Dis­claimer: I got this book for free.
*Ama­zon links point to an affil­i­ate account