This is definitely one of the most heart wrenching books that I’ve read this year. Edith Eger, a name I won’t forget, what an incredible woman! It was a privilege to read about her experiences before, during and after WW2, and about her journey to healing after her experiences of The Holocaust. I wasn’t expecting to also learn how she was able to help counsel others through traumas not all related to war, that was a bonus, and a part of her book that I’m sure many would draw strength and enlightenment from, myself included. Thoroughly recommend a read. My thanks to NetGalley for making possible the opportunity to read this in exchange for my review.

While I read and loved it, I never reviewed it. So, I am rectifying that omission. This book was written by someone who lived through the German concentration camps. It explores her experiences of the camps. She tells the reader of her struggles; to come to terms with the horrors that she experienced in the camps, to forgive her abusers, and learn that she would only find true freedom in forgiving those who hurt her. She argues that, while we continue to hate those who have hurt us, these individuals still have power over us. They still hold our brain captive. I can’t do this book justice in a few words. It is inspirational and life-changing. Go read this book’.

This is a stunningly beautiful and candid account from a truly inspirational lady. It is moving and emotional, inspiring and hopeful. The Choice by Edith Eger is emotional and powerful.

A special book - heartbreaking yet uplifting. A remarkable book that deals with loss, grief and heartache but is so much more than that. It is a life-affirming and inspirational account of one woman's unimaginable experience and her compassion on the other side.

What a book, I cannot describe the horrors That Edith Eger and her family went through during the Second World War.
Edith lived in Hungary with her family,
Edith was 16 when she was sent to Auschwitz In 1944.
Her parents and grandparents were killed, and Edith and her sister tried to stay alive.
Edith did survive and brought up a family, but she was determined to help other people who have been through terrible traumas and lived to tell the tale.
This book is not easy to read, and can be very upsetting.
Thanks netgalley for letting me read this very well written but disturbing book.

Such a powerful book. The author has a way with words that is truly inspirational. It is not just an account of her time in Auschwitz, although that is hard enough to read even with a tissue at hand, but concentrating on the aftermath as to how she not only survived against all the odds to become a truly remarkable woman. She earned a degree, a Masters, and a PhD to become a brilliant Psychologist, not only helping her patients, giving meaningful talks and ultimately healing herself. It is a many textured book, descriptive, wise, informative and a joy. A book that remains with you long after finishing it. An amazing woman. If you only read one memoir this year, read this one. I cannot recommend it enough.

A truly gripping account of the author's life during in that dreadful dreadful camp, how she survived, her life following it and how she has helped people who have suffered trauma. A must read.

WoW.......Where are my tissues..........I am so glad these memoir books are written and should never been forgotten.

The Choice by Edith Eger is the memoir of Dr. Edith Eger, who is age 90+ now. Edith is an internationally acclaimed psychologist and one of the few remaining Holocaust survivors.
In 1944, at the young age of 16, Edith Eva Eger, who was called Edie to her friends, was living in Kosice, Slovakia with her 2 sisters, her mum and father. One day Edith, one of her sisters her mum and father were forced from their family home and taken to a labor camp, then transferred to Auschwitz concentration camp. On this day, it was the last day she would ever see her mum and dad as they were executed there. Edith was a ballerina and was made to dance for the infamous Josef Mengele and many others. This book also tells of Edith's bravery of living in Auschwitz and how she survived.

You will need tissues reading this book. I am so glad I found it and read it.............and a must read........

This book was beautifully written and I highly recommend this Memoir.

Big Thank you so Netgalley and Penguin Random House UK Ebury Publishing for my Arc. I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange

Read a lot of WWII stories recently and this one didn't disappoint. Wonderful story that's really well written and I thoroughly enjoyed being able to read this. Thank you for the chance and sorry my review is late.

This book is both enjoyable and not. Its well written and compelling, it makes you want to talk about it but it left me feeling a little blue.

The Choice by Edith Eger is not just a memoir of lost childhood, extreme trauma and final epiphany; it is also a beautifully written stream of consciousness that takes the reader on a psychological and emotional roller coaster of the author’s life, displaying her thoughts and the choices that she made that helped formulate her life today

Edith Eger was born in Kassa, Hungary, (now Kosice in Slovakia), and as a young teenager was a talented dancer and gymnast. but because she was Jewish she lost her place on the Olympics training team. At the age of 16, in 1944 when the Nazis invaded, she was sent to Auschwitz along with her parents and her elder sister Magda. She never saw her parents again. She was made to dance for Joseph Mengele whilst he decided the fate of the group of girls she was with.

Despite overwhelming odds, she managed to survive, marry and eventually move to America.

Her journey through her life to the present day, is often heart rending and even shocking to read. Yet her determination and courage shine through. Edith even manages to build up suspense when describing some of her actions and takes the reader with her at every turn of the page. She even reduced me to tears.

Throughout her story there is the underlying feeling of guilt and shame that she had survived. It is therefore amazing that she takes the momentous decision to return to Auschwitz in 1990 and face her demons. For her, going back brought healing.

Edith went on to graduate with a PhD from the University of Texas and become an eminent psychologist. She runs a busy clinical practice and is constantly invited to lecture around the world. The last part of the book describes some of the cases she has dealt with which also makes fascinating reading.

Although a difficult read at times, I found the book uplifting and Edith’s story has stayed with me for a long time after reading it.

A truly moving story by a very strong and inspiring woman.
Edith Eger survived the Holocaust and in this book she tells her harrowing story and more.
In her long Life which was full of struggles she has achieved what few Holocaust survivors have achieved. She has actively tried and overcome her trauma. Her positivity and determination throughout her life is admirable and I’m in awe of what she has achieved.
This is a valuable book, not only in terms of learning from history and never ever repeating these atrocities but this book is also a reminder how ones past must not determine ones future.

The style of writing was easy to read and formed a good flow so that I was quick in finishing it.

I definitely recommend this book to everyone.

I wouldn’t say I enjoyed this book as it is not an enjoyable subject but it was well written and compelling to read. Made all the more special as it was based on true facts and experiences. I think this should be made part of the school syllabus so we never forget x

I will be the first to admit that I don't enjoy reading books set during the time of the holocaust. Not only was it an immense tragedy, but it seems recently to have become an event to be capitalised. There have been so many books within the past year or two that have been 'personal accounts' of the holocaust events retold by family members. Yes, I understand the importance of telling these stories and sharing the horrors of what happened in Auschwitz.

However, in a way that means no disrespect to the sufferers and to the survivors, it feels as though every recounting is the same, that every retelling has become a capitalisation of survival. So, I admit that I do not enjoy reading books that are gaining popularity now because they contain similar material to that of past books detailing the events of the holocaust.

Now that's out of the way (and bound to cause someone to lash out at me), I want to clarify that Edith Eger's The Choice isn't specifically a retelling of her life in Auschwitz. Instead, Eger presents a phenomenal examination of her life and her experiences. She tells the story of how she learned to 'deal' with her grief and trauma. The Choice focuses more on her life after imprisonment when she married her husband and moved to America, where she became a psychologist and provided trauma victims with therapy.

I truly appreciated this book. Not only does it give an alternative perspective to the hopeless ones that exist, but it also shines a somewhat positive light on discussions of mental health. I found myself crying towards the end as I read about her returning to Auschwitz, as I read about her helping people overcome their issues, as I read about her feeling like she had to hide her true identity. The Choice was, by all means, a masterpiece.

Eger's writing is so raw and heartfelt. It's a wonder anyone can get through this without crying at some point. To be able to write about these things is difficult for any person. To write about it in a way that not only brings closure to the self but also to sufferers of other forms of trauma is truly spectacular. It highlights a real talent for empathy and expresses the potential beauty that humanity possesses.

I'm so glad I was given the opportunity to read this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Ebury Publishing for sending me a copy of The Choice in exchange for an honest review!

There are few books that stick with you long after you close the last page and this one is definitely one of those few. There have been a few books published recently about this subject but this is the one that has stuck with me the most.


When Edith was 16, she and her family were taken to Auschwitz. Despite only being in the camp for a number of months the horrors that she endured, including being separated from her mother, and being made to dance for Joseph Mengele, stayed with her for the rest of her life. But Edith made a choice not be defined by what she endured. She went on to be a very successful psychiatrist and motivational speaker, as well as being a wife and mother.

What I found particularly interesting about this book is the fact that her experience in Auschwitz is over by the 40% mark. This book mostly details her life afterward. How she managed to create a life in a new country where she didn’t speak the language and there became the woman she is today.

I don’t know what else to say that will give away loads of spoilers, but I loved this book so much that I actually went out and bought physical copies to give to people as gifts and have already recommended it to so many people who are looking for a book to read.

I’d rate this one six out of five. Absolutely amazing.

This was one of those rare books where the horror in parts is difficult to read but the message of hope that the author offers is truly remarkable.

An absorbing, emotional, uplifting and totally thought provoking book. Honest, tender and brutally frank, this is an excellent read and could be a gift to those in need of self-searching help. The truly astonishing life journey of a holocaust survivor brought forth a plethora of emotions. I am humbled and enriched and highly recommend this book to everyone. Thank you Edith Eger, remarkable lady.

The Choice is a memoir about a holocaust survivor. Rich in detail, the author tells the story of her surviving a death camp, losing her parents and the choices she had to make in life. An emotional, compelling read.

I really enjoyed this fascinating story. What Edith went through was simply incomprehensible. It was made even more touching and emotional for me as I read it on a visit to Krakow and a trip to Auschwitz. For me I enjoyed Edith's story more than the stories about her patients. I appreciate they helped her story in some ways but I found they could be distracting and I was not as engrossed in these sections.

Absolutely inspirational! This book has really left its mark on me, I can’t stop thinking about it. I will definitely read it again. Thought provoking and life changing, I haven’t read a book like this in a very long time. I couldn’t find one fault with it, I loved it.
Would highly recommend this to friends, family well everyone. Its got to be on the must read book list.