An Amazing WW2 Survival Story (A Jewish Girl's Holocaust Book Surviving Memoir)

Received this book as an ARC for my honest review.
The book shows of the horrors that Krystyna went through during the time the Jews started to get executed and shunned. The book is sometimes hard to follow and repeats itself quite a bit. I did enjoy the pictures that were in it as you got to see the progression of Krystyna when she was little. She seemed to have been very spoiled even when all of the bad things were happening. When she would talk about them there really didn't feel to be any emotion behind the words. It was this happened and that was it. It was an ok read.

A sincere tale of a young Jewish girl during the holocaust.
The loss of her entire family, and the people that hurt, and helped.
A bit lost after so much of the latter part is about her education.Thank you.

Just purchased, haven't read it yet. Bought this for 2 reasons. It sounded interesting. Maybe, a day by day account of how people actually lived. That fascinates me. The other reason was "220 pages". Could someone who has read this please explain to me, how you fit a story like this, with this subject matter, and all that it promises, into 220 pages!? Most of the garbage out there (the store, B&N, Goodreads) is this length. And too long at that by 100 pages. Usually it means book one, in a 16 volume trilogy. Each priced at 1.99 and all ending in the middle of a thought, so you need to buy the next. Curse you C.D. After finishing I'll come back and edit my ranting.

Received this book, extremely disappointed to find a previous reader had scribbled notes ALL through out the book. The pages and cover were in fine shape, but the writing throughout the book is distracting! The book itself, poorly edited. Grammatical errors throughout. Good story, but not the best I've ever read.

Israeli author Krystyna Carmi was born in Obertyn, Poland where she attended a Ukrainian school until the war, when the town was under the management of the Ukrainian and German Nazis and Krystyna, as a 9 year old girl, was exiled with her family and all other Jews from Obertyn to the ghetto in Kolomyja where they endured psychological and physical suffering caused by hunger. She escaped from the ghetto with her parents. Her sisters were murdered and her parents executed. After the loss of her entire family she was adopted in 1944 by the family Gaczy skich. Since 1958 Krystyna lives in Israel. Her poems have been published in journals in Poland.

In this sensitive memoir Krystyna opens with a poem about memory – a fine introduction to a memoir:

Memory is a great treasure.
If it weren’t for the memory, life would be
easy and in vain. Years would fall apart
into minutes and man would live
a disillusioned life of a butterfly, not knowing
neither the truth nor the wisdom.
Oblivion is dreamt about by criminals
or mean-spirited people.

From this point on the book is rich is photographs of the author’s childhood and family and school – happy, celebratory times until the war. Then the reflections a war and punctuated by poems that show struggle for survival:

The Trailer

On the streets of the ghetto
The trailer is rolling
Dead people are there
Oh, their scary eyes!!

Tarpaulin too small
To cover their bodies
Parents with their children –
All generations.

Hanging like a liana
Heads, legs and arms
Girly plaits and hair
Sweeping ghetto streets
And their black eyes
Looking out of dead heads
Big and scary eyes –
Asking someone – why?
Horses pulling bodies

It’s their normal day

People lay like stones
Like a daily hay
The cart driver bends over
Carrying his “usual cargo”
His heart is like a rock
No feelings, like a stone

This “cargo”, it’s life!!
Cut in many pieces
Oh, those scary eyes!
Eyes, orbits and sockets –
On the streets of the ghetto
The trailer is rolling
Dead people are there
Oh, their scary eyes!!

There are many books written about the Holocaust but few have the inherent sense of tenderness that Krystyna Carmi’s has. Read, remember, and be changed. Grady Harp, June 18
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Reading Krystyna Carmi's Memoir was like sitting next to my Grandmother looking through the family album and listening to her tell stories of her childhood/ This is a picture of my father and Mother and me as a child. I was called Sonia in those days.

Sonia's (Krystyna) early childhood was happy with loving parents. Her father was a professional photographer and many of his pictures occur through out book.. Her best friends were Ukrainian and Polish although Sonia was a Jew, it made no difference. Her family celebrated Jewish
holidays but she also liked Christmas.
On the day Sonia heard an airplane low over the town, She feels that something different is happening. People were talking among themselves not to worry the children. .People were fleeing the town as the Russians and Nazis began invading their town. The Jews has to wear arm bands with red swatikas. Sonia'sfamily had to move out of their home temporarily.
The author is very descriptive and remembers everything she witnessed. Her detailed descriptions make the reader realize that what she has seen, dead people lying in the street with their eyes open, staring is real - the horrible reality of War, r.
tr is not until a little later in her Memoir, when she and her parents are trying to escape, her real story begins. Her mother has a broken leg and cannot walk fast. Also, her father has been shot and Sonia though only nine years old is trying to get tem to safety. They hear troops coming. Her father tells her to go alone and hide, which she reluctantly does, For the next three years she hides in the woods, taking dew from the bushes, eating edible plants,whatever it takes to survive on her journey. Later she emerges from the woods living in someone's attic where the daughter teaches Sonia how to pray, God is her only companion on many days and rescues her from certain death several times as journey continues ,
Sonia,s Memiors also contains several poems she has written about her family and events of the times,
Her story is powerful, real, sad at times, but necessary to remember. I believe Krystna had to share her Memoir at this time It is simply rendered, You will learn later in the book how she was renamed Krystna,

Wars disrupt lives and wars create memories which are best forgotten. This first-person account by author Krystyna Carmi is a reminder of the many atrocities committed in the name of power. Nothing is more beastly than being treated like a beast simply because you belong to another community or cast. These divisions created by human minds and actions are so well defined in this book. They are puzzling as well because no one gained anything by creating wars. The book is a reminder for all those who see the current state of affairs that wars are nothing but doom for humanity.
As the world gets smaller, thanks to the internet, the need for such books is more. People have started crossing boundaries and seeing other places. They are ready to mingle with other cultures and books like these remind us that some atrocities are best left behind. This real-life story of a young girl who is separated from her family, can't get a proper education, but refuses to lose her identity is a moving one.
The interesting bits are the poems and the photographs. All these show that hope springs eternal in the human breast. It also points out that wounds are best seen only as scars and the now and the creative are more important. Simply written from the heart and some tough experiences, the book will appeal to all those who believe in the power of peace and humanity. The author's life also found its way to the big screen as a movie. I would like to see that sometime.
I particularly liked the ending, which goes: "This fate has been prepared for me by God, but He placed along my life’s path some good people, who stayed “people” in such inhuman times. Let me finish with words from Psalm 86… I will praise you, with all my heart; Oh Lord, my God and forever I will glorify your name for Great has been your mercy Toward me." The book is a must read for all those who believe in the power of good people and good intentions.

I suspended my usual "professor" when reading this because it's not a 'story'. It's the real life of Krystyna Carmi. I wish I could have had an audio book because this reads like Krystyna is telling the tale to you; even to the point of saying something like "more about that later OR we'll get back to that later" . There are grammatical errors, but not so much as to diminish my appreciation of the content of this book. She speaks to her quiet, gentle childhood...sometimes marred by anti-semitic remarks but which her mother had the wisdom to be able to help her see them for what they are. And then she talks about her time of being placed in a ghetto, the death of family, pursued, hunted, persecuted. But she does not perseverate on the cruelties, the hatred. She shows us the kindnesses from the Polish people, the Catholics, her professors , "the Providence" in her life... the goodness of people that under threat of death to themselves helped a little girl. Hers is a wondrous story that must be told and remembered, that we too must stand up for what is right and just, not absorbed by hatred of others because of their religious beliefs, nor skin color, nor.... I received this book from Goodreads for an honest review.

How can I properly write a review on such a memoir? What weight can my opinion possibly hold in the light of truthful experience? What right do I have to rate an individual's tender and painful recollections of a childhood, prematurely robbed and steeped in tragedy? Oh, I put my hand over my mouth and ask only that my words might honor Krystyna.

The book starts in a unique way-- with pictures! Immeditely I connected with the author as I perused photographs of her as a young child. I continued to read with an image of a beautiful little girl in my mind, yet recognizing that the ravages of war will soon overtake her and ruin her precious innocence forever.

The first part of the book can get a little overwhelming. There are many memories coming to the surface that involve numerous individuals. One memory rolls into the next (as memories often do) and at times the reader gets engulfed in facts and names and places.

Tears filled my eyes as I read the treasury of memories she has of her mother. Krystyna bestows an immense amount of honor when speaking of her. 30 years after witnessing her parents being hauled away to their death she wrote a poem entitled, "Sunflowers" and the subscript reads, "For my Mummy." There is no salve to apply here. Time cannot heal this wound. Prematurely and cruelly robbed of a mother, the child's heart is crippled forever. Mummy. My heart was crushed reading this.

Laced between Krystyna's own recollections of the war, you will find the written perspective of the town doctor who faced these same events. First of all, this brings great credibility to the authenticity of the memoir. Secondly, it gives an accurate glance at a child's perceptions in lieu of historical fact.

I encourage you to read of those first days when the Russians marched into town. Read of the family's trek to the Kolyjma ghetto, the life lived within it, and the indelible scars left as a result. Read of the constant fleeing and the seeking of safety--encountering both traitorous intent and blessed respite. Read with great sorrow of the loss of her extended family, and then both her sisters and finally her beloved parents. How does an 11 year old cope with such devastating loss? Who does an 11 year old turn to in such a hostile environment that seeks her own demise? Where does she hide? Where is the proof that the Christian God cares for the orphans?

There were times while reading this memoir when I had to put the book away. The horror and pain were simply too much for me to bear. But while I was able to walk away from the intensity, I was very much aware that for the Obertyn Jews, there was no such option. The proverbial noose only continued to tighten until that awful day when Obertyn was declared Juden vrij.

Krystyna is alive today. Countless times her life has been spared. But how does life carry on after liberation? Can a soul of bondage truly fly again? I really appreciated the final portion of the book as Krystyna speaks of her life beyond the war years. She has been a wonderful person to get to know through these pages, and I thank her for her willingness to share her story. We must never forget.

I received this book free from Book Hub in exchange for an honest review. It is the memoirs of a child who survived the Holocaust and lost her parents and siblings. It starts out explaining what a happy family they were and continues with Nazi occupation of Poland. It is amazing that she was able to survive being only 10 years old when she was suddenly all alone. God was truly protecting her. The pictures included added faces to the family. The editing of the book was not very good. Some sentences did not flow properly and I had to reread to understand what was being conveyed. Some things get repeated but I understand this could be for emphasis. I had to keep reading to see how she survived the extreme odds. Very moving. Nice to see pictures at the end of her, her husband, children & grandchildren.

A most unusual memoir of the holocaust. Most of the stories we read usually have a family involved that direct the children to relatives or friends to avoid the clutches of the Gestapo. The first half of the story deals with this but then, Krystyna find herself all alone. Her parents are imprisoned and shot. Her sisters are rounded up, stripped naked and shot. She has no one to turn to and spends the next two years on her own.

What I liked the most was the pictures she was able to save and add to the story. Instead of seeing photos with school children and group photos, the ones introduced make it a very personal story.

Imagine being a ten-year old with no one to turn to. She lived by herself, foraged on what the earth would yield and live in constant fear and loneliness. Unlike other stories, she could take it no more and turned herself in. That’s right. She walked into the police station at Obertyn, knowing what fate awaited her. She didn’t care. She had lost all hope. If it weren’t for the area being declared Judenfrei, her fate was sealed. But fortune smiled on her and she lived to tell the story.

While the story is gripping, I came across a host of grammatical errors that need to be addressed
Page 22, had also a brother-also had a brother
shouted,,but-del the second comma
Page 23 “Chrest”-Christ
Page 56 for it in big cupboard-in a or the big cupboard
Page 78 in the town nd all.. in the town and all of
Page 109 I a big empty hole saw.-I saw a big empty hole

There are others.

Overall, this is an excellent addition to the Holocaust.

Four stars

A long time coming to fruition from author Krystina Carmi.
Unlike other Holocaust survival novels which mainly deal with the adult aspects of their horrific lives this one is written from the perspective of a small child who survived the horrors of life for Jews in the Ukraine during WWII.
While reading the child's memories is sometimes difficult to understand, as they are written as a child would write them, the book is nonetheless at times very moving, incredibly sad, and yet elevated by the child's perspective of her survival, abetted by the help of strangers and some known people from her past family life.
Losing her parents and two siblings to 'murder' the child's memories of day to day life, her loving family, and the evil that took them from her, resonate and carry her through to adulthood.
A sometimes difficult read but well worth it.
"God gave us memories that we might have roses in December." - James M. Barrie
Just as her father had a photographer's eye, some of whose photos made their way to Israel, so does the child have a photographic memory of people, good and bad, events, both warm and evil.

Just when I feel overwhelmed by the multitude of issues in life from physical pain, to finances, a book will land square in my sights that is so completely consuming, that my little life issues become nothing in comparison! This book is the story of one Jewish girl and her family desperately trying to survive during WWI amidst starvation, disease, and horrors that no human should ever have to live through. I couldn't put it down and when I finished at 3:00 am, I laid there, just breathing while thinking about what I just read. It touched my heart, broke my heart and then slowly it was also very healing! Wonderful book, very sad in parts but truly shows how the determination of the human spirit when faced with incredible odds, finds that pinhole of light that offers hope!

I was given an advanced reader copy which i voluntarly read. This book is amazingly heart breaking to loose your entire family to hatred. This book is why we must never ever forget. The only thing it takes is for good people to do nothing and all these people will be forgotten as if it never happened. This is a book of strength,love pride and survival. I imagine this was difficult to write as it is difficult to read. The way it is written is amazing before,during and after the war. I love how it is coroberated by an adult account yet is also an account of a child who survived hell. This is an amazing book a first hand account of the Holocaust. This is even better than an frank diary as the writer lived and thrived such a strong woman.god bless you.i am amazed that your faith has brought you so far you are living PR off of the faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains.

This is a story of a beautiful little girl who tragically lost her family in the holocaust. Krystyna is the sole child survivor from all the Jewish children of Obertyn. Every page in this book takes you on her journey as she shared her incredible tale of survival. The author literally takes you back in time to see things the way she saw them and smell the things that she smelled. You will also feel all the pain and heartache that follows during that time. Although her journey was not an easy one, she bares to your the struggles she endured to get where she is in life.

The pictures that are included in the book are truly remarkable. With each photo that you gaze upon, you can't help but look at them and imagine yourself there as well. They allow you to connect with the author and others in the book in a personal and intimate way. I believe it's hard to grasp the significance photos have on future generations until you are that future generation looking back on years and times you weren't there to experience. These photos allowed me to truly experience those moments with the author even though it's from a time beyond my comprehension.

I must warn you that you're going to need extra tissues to get through to the end of this book, yet the experience and first hand history that you take away from the pages will have you wanting to ready the story over and over again. You will want to share it with others. A must read no matter your heritage as we all have relatives who lived through WWII. My family never suffered at the hands of Nazi Germany, but God bless those who did.

**I received this book at no charge**

There are two ways of reading this novel. One, you can sit and criticize the writer for moving from the ground realities and glorifying herself by end of it. Secondly, empty your mind of all the Holocaust stories you have ever read, misery, pain and horrific events that followed and let this soak in.

Krystyna Carmi's writing might not be one from a professional but the warmth of the story, events will keep you inclined to know what next? The graphical representation in form of pictures gives your imagination and you are one step closer knowing what Carmi's loved one's lookd like. The happy memoirs will remain intact in a readers mind for a long long time.

This book is for everyone who have found the Holocaust stories and reading about them a daunting task. While not everyone is eager on learning all about historical facts and findings this book is a light read to such readers. 

This is a collection of stories about the authors life growing up in Poland as a Jew before, during, and after WWII - though the author converted to Christianity near the end of the war. I thought it provided a very interesting perspective on what was happening in that country and provided insight on how Jews and those who helped them were treated by different parties. It was sometimes hard to follow along with what was happening though, and the author would sometimes repeat stories (for emphasis, she said). No matter what, though, it is important to remember this part of our shared world history, whether it came from the camps or outside. I appreciated seeing the photos and learning about Sonia's family life before the war.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is not the most polished of books, the English is a little confused at times, and the chronology wanders, but what it is is honest, raw, quite heart-wrenching and impactful. How an individual, much less a young child, a young girl comes through after both witnessing and experiencing such atrocities with their spirit still intact is hard to fathom.

The photos of the author's two sisters who did not survive WWII are especially haunting, and will stay with me.

It is a book like this, or The Diary of Anne Frank that should be mandatory reading for our over-indulged teens of today.

I received this as an ARC and definitely chose to post a review. A haunting, depressing and uplifting story that deserves a wider readership.

This is an incredible story with a lot of lessons for all of us, and it is amazing that the author managed to survive the various trials and tribulations that she suffered.
However for me there are failings, firstly the photographs don't really work very well on a Kindle, secondly I found the numerous repetitions to be frustrating and the lack of continuity makes it really difficult to read this book. I appreciate that this is a transcript of a person's recollections, but I believe that it would have been far easier to read if it had been edited into chronological order (perhaps with the original text as well for those who would rather read in that format) It is a shame that this story has been rendered rather inaccessible in this way, and I do wonder how many people will simply give up on reading it, I found it quite difficult myself.
I received a complimentary copy of this book.

This memoir begins in the late 1930’s and follows the memories of a young Jewish girl from her early days in Poland through 1950. It is not a subject one should race through. Parts are not easy to read. While this is not my first survivor memoir, it is unique among the others, to say why would be a spoiler. The epilogue ties it all together nicely. The only reason this is getting a 4-Star is the formatting; the captions to the photos are not on the same page as the photo. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to share my honest review.

A feisty Jewish child outlasts the horrors of World War II, surviving on the run, hiding in farmers’ fields, barns and lofts. Scrounging food wherever she could find it, avoiding people who, through fear of repercussions, were likely to turn her over to the Germans. Even when she gives up hope, she somehow finds sympathetic people, even policemen, who help her. It is a rewarding read, even though at points, suffers from translations from the original Polish. It is rich with pictures and family anecdotes and unlike Anne Frank’s diary, has happy moments and salvation. Knowing this does not detract from the ending and any reader should find the time spent reading this well worth the time and effort.

First, you must know that this book doesn't follow the traditional format. And that is ok because it comes from the survivor's mind. When reading you really feel like you are talking to her. People repeat themselves, jump around and that is part of the experience.
Carmi blends memories, pictures, poems and other sources to give an overall view of the world in Obertyn during World War II. As a child, Carmi lived through things that would have made a weaker person surrender. Carmi lived in a ghetto, ran away and hid in homes, had her parents taken from her, lived on the road eating from fields she hid in. She in facts, says she did try to give up but God always put something before her that made her go on.
My own faith was rattled by hers. To go through so much and to still believe in God and see that he interacted in her life even when she was at her lowest, brings tears to my eyes. It encourages me to strengthen my own faith.
This was the first time I have been privy to what Ukraine was like during World War II. Most of the information provided to me came after as they struggled for independence and to become sovereign. Like those around them, they had the same dark spots in their history that can not be undone.
I loved reading this book; I loved being able to see through the author's eyes; I loved the fact that I was not apathetic to her plight that many in this world.
This book is a piece of history and something everyone should read.

I received an ARC from teh publisher but all opinions are absolutely my own.

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The Strange Ways of Providence In My Life by Krystyna Carmi - An Emotional Journey

The Strange Ways of Providence In My Life by Krystyna Carmi – Book Review

The Strange Ways Of Providence In My Life by Krystyna Carmi is an emotional memoir. You will find a score of photographs in the book. These photographs have been taken by author’s father who was a professional photographer. He sent these photographs to his family before the war. The family was living in Israel at that time. The book starts with Krystyna’s childhood. Her childhood that was spent in the family house was full of happiness. Her fun-filled friends included Polish and Ukrainian girls. They all used to play a lot of games. Her schooling in Ukraine was probably the best part of her life.

I liked the touchy way of recollecting childhood memories so amazingly. The smiles and reasons behind those smiles have been compiled in a very heart-warming style. From happy moments of life to the tragic part, all the components have been handled quite well. There are moments when the young girl loses her family. Then there is a long sequence of struggles that that author had to pass through. The Strange Ways Of Providence In My Life by Krystyna Carmi is a fabulous story throughout. It is like traveling through the flashback of Krystyna’s life through her eyes.

There is nothing to dislike in this book. You will love the collection of pictures in the book and their relevance with the story. All this creates a big connect for readers with the story and author. In fact, you become a part of the story. There is a whole journey of happy childhood, the phase of the war, getting lost, struggling without family, and the rescue. Each moment brings in a lot of emotions.

I would rate it as 5 on a scale of 5. I would recommend The Strange Ways Of Providence In My Life by Krystyna Carmi to all who like to read emotional stuff, memoir, autobiography, non-fiction and about women.

"Seven potatoes" could be a more enticing title to this thought-provoking memoir. Lest we NEVER forget how Jews suffered in Holocaust wartime!!! Our faith and revival displays our lucrative payback.
If judging the author's life historical memory of memoirs, equals 100 perfect percent. Albeit, the novella itself needs immense readaptation to allow it to flow. Events are inchronological preventing what constitutes a good read causing it to be disjointed and indecisive reading. Pity so, as this story need be properly linguistically re-written and read out loud for the world to hear the truth . Superb accolade to this author's historical work.

I found this to be a very good translation into English. This is a well written book that I found interesting and read in one sitting. I've read many books about WWII, the Holocaust and Israel, and the cultures and histories of many countries over the decades. This book brought back many of the memories from both the history and my family's survival from that period and afterwards. This is an interesting autobiography, which I recommend as worth reading.

This book completely blew me away. Krystyna Carmi has an incredible memory. She transports the reader through time and place to where her life started. The photos throughout the book are mesmerizing. They bring a humanity to the story, because this is not just a story, this is Krystyna's life.
Krystyna grew up in a Jewish community in Obertyn with her family. People died in the ghetto because of hunger and physical exhaustion; their bodies were collected on a platform. Krystyna remembers it all and transports the reader there. People dying of hunger was part of her life. In this world of overindulgence, this can seem unfathomable.
To be the only survivor in her family, the only child survivor in her town, must have been beyond difficult. This is a woman of strength who was very much protected by God through all the horrors she endured.
This book is appropriately titled. My heart broke several times reading this book but not in a dark way. In the end this is not a story of loss but a powerful example of survival.
Krystyna Carmi brings a human side to the events of the Holocaust.
What a powerful memoir!
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I have read dozens of books about WWII and the Holocaust. This one touched me deeply. I'm not sure what was different about this one. Maybe it was all the pictures of the beautiful happy family that was destroyed in such an awful way. Or maybe because it was through the eyes of a child. It is truly unbelievable. Not a book for the faint of heart and I don't recommend reading some parts right before bed. I lay awake at night with the horror swirling around in my mind. If you are interested in a book that brings that time in history alive in horrifying detail, this is the book to read.

This book is not written so much with precise and formal English grammar as much as with intense feeling. The things she lived through and truths she learned can offer hope and vibrant encouragement to those who would be willing to learn and hopefully apply to their own lives. By learning perhaps we can prevent the evil from repeating itself and be able to encourage the good.

The author recalls her past life in WWII Poland. She writes about her memories of a happy childhood with loving parents and sisters. Then Jews became non-humans according to the Nazis. Sonia and her family were forced to live in the ghetto, but they escaped to hide in the countryside until her parents and sisters were killed by the Germans. Now an orphan, Sonia survives with the care of various people who hide her. Sonia recounts her good fortune when she goes to live in an orphanage under the guidance of nuns. I recommend the book for any reader interested in memoirs and history.

Hearing any story of Holocaust survivors is something that always interests me. While this story tugs at heart strings its a bit hard to follow as it feels more as though someone is just talking and randomly remembering things versus having a very well though out novel. At some points its a bit difficult to follow because some things are repeated, there are areas where names have been forgotten and its pointed out the name is not remembered. I appreciate that there are pictures included to have true faces to her story and its incredible how many memories she has from such a young age. I received a free copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

I have studied and read many books on WWII. This book I will now count as one of the best books to show you how hard life was for a child of war. It made me cry a few times(I am not one who cries easily). The story of Kristina and her struggles should remind us all how racism and hatred can easily run rampant if good people do not stop it. I was moved by those that helped her, especially after the war. She could have become a bitter and cruel woman and her with the compassion and Assistance of others she grew up to become a woman of compassion and poise. I only wish we learned more about her later life and how she wound up in Israel. The photographs are remarkable and her father was obviously a talented man. Mrs. Carmi, please write a sequel and I loved your poetry! I wish you and your family all the happiness in the world.

It took a bit of getting used to the style of writing. Sometimes after looking at a set of family pictures and having read the descriptions I went back and reread some of the stories. The realization then really hits home that these are real people that went through those horrible times. I have read various books dealing with WWII and holocaust survivors and it always amazes me that they found the strength to continue with their lives after the war. If you want an realistic view of things that happend at that time I can highly recommend this book. If you looking for an easy read or embellished story I suggest you pass on this one.

Krystyna Carmi tells an agonizing tale of her early life before, during, and after World War II. She certainly brings the Shoah to life, although some editing would be helpful. The book reads more like a series of reminiscences told over a period of time than a coherent whole. And how did she manage to save so many of the family pictures? All in all, though, well worth reading. I received a complimentary copy to review.

The Strange Ways of Providence is the amazing life story and memoir of a Holocaust survivor. It is a beautiful and heartbreaking book that contains lots of photos (and the file size is huge).

I received a free copy of this book. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Certainly one that will stick with me, a resilient child of war. Beautiful and sorrowful, the ways this child had to survive something well beyond comprehension of her age she did so with grace and hope even when there was so little. Would highly recommend, if like me you enjoy the stories of triumph from this era in history. Less we forget.

The Strange Ways of Providence In My Life: An Amazing Holocaust Survivor Rescue Story (World War 2 Memoirs)
by Krystyna Carmi
I love this book. Krystyna's telling of her story was very emotional for me. She did look like Shirley Temple. I loved she had pictures to keep forever more.
I cried. Such cruel hateful things and so heartbreaking.
She made it through faith.
She came from a beautiful family and has a beautiful family today. Bless you, Krystyna!

This book was heart wrenching from beginning to end. Her life is so vast and there are so many times throughout that she could have fallen apart. But she’s still here. Strong as ever. Doing the best she can to survive in a harsh world. I won this book in a giveaway here on goodreads and I am so glad that I did! It was such a meaningful memoir. There are pints throughout that can be hard to understand but it’s a translated memoir. It’s to be expected and it really didn’t detract from the overall story.

What a great piece of literature. I’m so glad to have had the chance to read it.

Each story of the Holocaust is at the same time similar yet individual. I am always amazed at the human will to live. The atrocities suffered by these individuals and their resilience to overcome them and become amazing people is truly astounding! Wonderful, heart wrenching and emotionally draining! Wouldn't have missed it for the world!

I've read other books about the holocaust before but not from this perspective. It was dramatic but only because it was written in a factual narrative style. The author wasn't trying to make you feel sorry for her. She only wrote it as it truly happened. She wrote how God helped her through the hardest of times. It's an amazing story.

A traumatic but strangely hopeful story.It's a wonder that the human spirit can survive so much and live to tell the tale.The personal photos make this even more real.The Holocaust was grim, so this is meant to be a sad story.But the author's courage shines through

As a child so loved, as was obvious by the photos, she survives when she shouldn't have. Miracle after miracle to bring her through. It was so sad that her parents died, but they live on in their daughter. They would be so proud.....

Sad, tragic, uplifting. The circumstances surrounding her life were breathtakingly sharp in every way. Love of mother, father siblings. Mean surroundings as she experienced war, and all the ugliness of the war. Betrayal. Acts of kindness. Supreme courage. Gentleness of the nuns. Her intelligence shines through. I am impressed!

A bit rambling at times, this memoir is divided into three parts – her family life, the horrors of ghetto life during the war, and her rescue. It is an emotional compilation of memories of remembered events. The book does not flow very well and can benefit from a good editing.
I was given this book as an ARC for an honest review.

I'm definitely not history buff. History was actually my least favorite subjects in school. I just wanted to put that out there before saying that I really enjoyed this book because I found it absolutely engrossing. Krystyna has a way of pulling you into the world that was World War II Ukraine that is both heart wrenching and really enlightening (especially if you've never really been into reading up on your history). To know that this entire story is based on the memories of a girl that was only 9 years old at the time of these atrocities will absolutely break your heart.

I feel like this is a must read, especially for current high school students. This book really drives that point home that if we do not learn from history it is doomed to repeat itself.

**I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate a review. My opinions are entirely my own.

This true story gives fascinating as well as horrifying insight into the cruelties of war. How so young a child could survive starvation, the loss of all she held dear with a viable faith and a willingness to continue to believe in love and kindness is miraculous and deeply inspiring.

A fascinating and familiar tale that rings true to the experiences of child survivors. Beautifully written and heart-wrenchingly tragic, and an important addition to Holocaust literature. I received a free copy and am voluntarily reviewing.

I love to read historical accounts of real people lives. I appreciate this account because it is so important that the Holocaust will not be forgotten. We don't want history to repeat itself because of the story not being shared. When I think that there are places in our world where people were murdered and it left such a void. - Krystyna shared things I never considered

I've read a lot of Holocaust memoirs and was a tad disappointed in this one for some reason. Maybe because of the fact that it is written through the eyes of a youngster and therefore didn't seem to grab me in its message. First of all, the pictures on a Kindle are usually worthless as I can't make them out. At times, it felt disjointed and was repetitive a few times. You will also find some poetry that was written by the author. What the author went through was horrific for any child to go through yet she managed to live through it and tell others.

What a miracle it was that Sonia lived. The tragedy was her wonderful family did not survive. Her parents gave her the confidence and love to carry on without them. I wish there was more in this book about Sonia's life after. As, Sonia became Christian and now she is Jewish again. How did this happen?

Thank you for sharing this story of your life. I could not out your book down until i knew what happened to you. I was moved to tears of anger and then joy. Such a tragic life for you. I will forever remember your story.

I don't have enough, or the correct words, to express how this book profoundly touched me. Written from the heart, loaded with photographs. If you're a student of the holocaust experience, I recommend this book.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in hearing firsthand experiences of the holocaust or who enjoys tales of the resiliency of the human spirit. Interesting easy read finished in one day!

The reason for my review is, while a lot of interesting history, the editing in this book was so bad, I thought about returning it. It makes me wonder who edited this book? With the depth of information in this book, this could have been a great book if it was properly edited.

A heartbreaking account of a very young Jewish girl left to sustain her own life without parental help or guidance. At the age of 8, she experienced more than any child should - but survived. Sometimes unwillingly!!

Well written. Lots of pictures. Tells about her education being behind and then her catching up. Has good detail about her struggles and survival during harrowing times. Girl is Jewish and becomes a Christian.

I haven't finished this book and I'm not sure that I will. The almost "stream of consciousness" format so far has left me so confused that I am not enjoying reading the book. I may try to finish it to see if it gets better, but then again there are lots of books out there that I don't have to struggle to understand. Perhaps a character identification page would help, or a better way to tell us exactly what time frame we are in at any given point in the book?