This is an epic read and one that is well worth it. It is impossible to comprehend the atrocities that were perpetrated during the Second World War on Jews. I have read several other accounts of life in the concentration camps, but this one has one difference and that is the resolute connection between father and son. An amazing account of their life and struggle in various camps over the years. This ought to be a set book in Secondary schools to educate teenagers to the horrors of war. Anyone who thinks that Anti-Semitism does not actually exist, should read this and learn.

Fascinating and very humbling tale that had me absorbed from beginning to the end. Definitely recommended to those who are interested in this aspect of WWII.

Quite an interesting book to read and I like the fact that it didn't just concentrate on the father/son but on the whole family too and their suffering during Nazi occupation of Austria.

This was a very sad, but excellent book. I have read a lot of books on this topic recently but this one was very good. I really would recommend this to anyone interested in history or especially to do with the topic of Auschwitz as it really does enlighten you on a lot of what happened and the characters were really well written.

A heartbreaking book full of emotion.

I have recently read The Tattooist of Auschwitz which I felt was better however this book did not disappoint.

4 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was different to anything i have ever read.

It follows the lives of the Kleinmann family through what is one of the worst times in our history. I was particularly drawn to the book because i have some Jewish family background and i wanted to try to understand more about this time period. The book explores so many different emotions; it's a story of struggle, determination and a family's bond, but it is also one of pain, trauma and devastation.
I love how the writer seamlessly inserts quotations into the body of the story, it is so well done that you forget that he is writing someone else's life and not his own. The amount of work, time and research that must have gone into this book is awe inspiring, and i'm grateful to the author for creating this book.

I think this is a really important read for everyone.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin UK for an ARC of this book.

I read this book in just a day and it was absolutely magnificent! I’ve always been interested in reading about the Holocaust and it matters that what happened is not forgotten. Such a wonderful true story of love, suffering, resilience and strength that shows that light can be found even in the darkest moments.

A truly heartbreaking story about one of the most tragic events in our time. The book was beautifully written and was just so full of heart wrenching writing.

An emotional and harrowing read about a time in history that should never be forgotten or repeated. The sheer determination of them wanting to survive is really unbelievable and heartwarming also. This book is not an easy read because of the content however should be read by everyone.

This book left me with mixed emotions, at times it's horrifying, at other times it's uplifting, but it's definitely a story that needed to be told. We should never forget the crimes against humanity perpetuated during WW2 by the Nazis and this book brings those crimes to life. Yet there is so much more to this book - it describes the love of a son for his father (and vice versa) and how they supported each other through the most difficult of times to both survive the concentration camps. It also tells the story of the family. The daughter who managed to get herself to safety in England, and the mother who never gave up and managed to get one child out of Austria to safety in the USA, but who lost her own life in the concentration camps, together with the daughter she couldn't save. The reader will go through a roller coaster of emotions whilst they're reading this - I can't recommend it highly enough.

Thank you for the arc copy of this book. A harrowing account of a time in history that saddens and shames us all. My mother in law was in Auschwitz but fortunately, like the people in this book she was spared. A must read, grab the tissues and pray to whoever God you wish that such evil is never ever repeated.

As someone who has a great love of history and learning about the world I can truly say that this book really is outstanding. It was difficult to read at times and made me feel ashamed of our countries reactions to these atrocities during the war but oh my word what a read!

Based on the diaries of Gustav Kleinmann we learn the truly heartbreaking story of how Gustav and his son Fritz endure the atrocities of living in concentration camps during WW2. Not only does it use Gustav's diary but a lot of research has gone into the writing of this book using historical documents, family memoirs, family interviews and recounts of other survivors.

As I mentioned, at times this book is extremely difficult to read because it is very graphic in its descriptions but that is something that we need in this day and age. In particular, the description of Tini and Herta Kleinmann's journey during Nazi rule really disturbed me. It was heartbreaking to read what these poor people went through and for that Jeremy Dronfield must be commended because he truly did relay just how horrendous this time was for Jews during Hitler's rule.

Gustav and Fritz's relationship throughout really touched my heart and their determination to beat this evil was amazing. I'm so glad that their story has been told in such a beautiful and powerful way. I would 100% recommend this book.

An uncomfortable and distressing read. Had we not already known what went on in the concentration camps during WW11 it would be almost impossible to believe. As it is I think everyone should read this book because these atrocities should never be forgotten.

In this day and age, we all know what happened in the Holocaust and the horrors that took place, but it doesn't hit you as hard as when you know their names and their personal stories. This was one of those books that really got me because pretty soon into the story I felt a deep connection with Gustav, and pretty soon after that Fritz got to me too. I studied Nazi Germany at school and I learnt so much more from this book than the two years of studying I did. The political side never really stuck with me before or anything that wasn't related to the horrors in the camp, but I understood so much more when I was looking at it from the point of view of Gustav and Fritz because although this book does mainly focus on the horrors at the camps, it really shows you so much more than that.

A heartbreaking, inspiring book. I read this in tears at the treatment of these men, women and children at the hands of these revolting people and was so inspired by there bravery and courage in the face of what must have been a living hell. A must read as this must never happen again and people should know what they went through and how they survived. #NetGalley#TheBoyWhoFollowedHisFatherIntoAuschwitz

I thought this book was fabulous. The fact that this man and his son managed to stay together throughout their years spent in the war camps of Nazi Germany, is in itself totally mind boggling. The ordeals they endured are even more so. How human beings could have treated other human beings in the ways the Nazi's treated the Jews is just beyond me. Yes, this book is hard hitting, but as with all books about Auschwitz and all the other death camps, it is a must read.

Harrowing, sad, thoroughly researched account of hell on earth. To say I 'enjoyed' this book would be the wrong description but it is definitely one to read

Mixing historical facts with a style of storytelling, The Boy Who Followed his Father into Auschwitz is an emotional and harrowing tale of life inside hell on earth.   Meticulously researched with no stone left unturned, Jeremy Dronfield brings the stories of Gustav and Fritz to life in a vivid and compelling manner.   Against all odds, Gustav managed to keep a written diary of his time in the camps, which was used in conjunction with other survivor testimonials and written records to make The Boy who Followed his Father into Auschwitz into a substantial account of survival and hope.   I can't even begin to imagine the amount of time and research that was put into this book, and I applaud Jeremy Dronfield for his dedication in ensuring Gustav and Fritz's stories were treated with the respect and sensitivity they deserve.

This is a very powerful and sad true story. The events described are so horrific to even think about. I hope as many people, especially younger people, can read this so that such atrocities can never be allowed to happen again. I will never forget this book.

I have ready many many accounts of the horrors of WWII, both fictional and non. The boy who followed his Father into Auschwitz is up there with the best.

Gustav and Fritz Kleinmann are Father and Son living in Vienna prior to WWII with their other family members, Gustav's wife and Fritz's Mother; Tini and Gustav's other children and Fritz's siblings; Edith, Herta and Kurt.

The book opens with the Anschuluss; the annexation of Austria in to Nazi Germany on 12 March 1938 and the horrors that followed for so many.

The Kleinmann family are torn apart as a result, and Gustav and Fritz find themselves mercifully together in Buchenwald as the rest of the family struggle on under Nazi occupation.

Much has been written of those who have survived the Buchenwald, Mauthasen and Auschwitz concentration camps, but I believe this is the only account that I have read to date which covers two remarkable survival stories of the whole period of WWII.

The courage and determination that both Gustav and Fritz show is nothing short of amazing. I believe that this book should be on every school's reading list, to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again.

This book as an account of that horrific period in history is really powerful, and will stay with me for a long time.