To read a survivors story is a difficult thing. To learn of the pain and loss Edith went through at the age of 16. Her bravery and determination helped her fight to live. Hope is truly something that we all need to hope on to. Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this powerful book

An important read that teaches more lessons than one.
The way Edith describes her life journey submerged you into the trauma and harrowing times she lived through . However, there still manages to be positivity throughout without giving up.
I highly recommend this to all

“If I survive today, tomorrow I’ll be free.”

I finished reading this book a few days before Edie celebrated her 97th birthday. Revisiting her story at this time, it struck me again how close she came to not surviving to adulthood. If not for a loaf of bread…

After everything she experienced at Auschwitz, Edie could have chosen to retreat from the world, consumed by bitterness and resentment. Instead, she has used her pain to create a life where she offers hope, wisdom and a heart that clearly still dances to others. Her family. Her clients. Her students. A lifetime of connections across the world.

I was first introduced to Edie’s story in 2020. I’ve read The Choice and The Gift, and participated the first time her masterclass, Unlocking Your Potential, was offered. I feel like I know Edie’s story quite well at this point.

This book, adapted from The Choice but with about 30 percent new content, tells Edie’s story without interruption. It explores her life before, during and a short time after Auschwitz from the perspective of the teenager she was at the time.

You’ll be introduced to her first love, witness some of the horrors beyond the gate that bears the words Arbeit macht frei and learn how Edie began to pick up the pieces of her life after she survived against all odds.

“I was longing to share with you the tools that helped me survive the unthinkable, longing for you to know that a story of humans' capacity for evil is also a story of our inexorable capacity for hope.”

Edie’s story is one I will never forget. No matter how many times I read or hear it, it never loses the impact of the first telling. Her courage, time and time again, when one wrong decision would have resulted in her death, baffles me.

“Just remember, no one can take away from you what you've put in your mind."

Her resilience in the aftermath of experiences that render trauma too small a word inspires me. The choices she has made to turn unimaginable evil into a life that is a beacon of light gives me hope. If Edie can do it, we can too.

“We can't ever change what's happened to us. We can't alter the past or control what's coming around the next corner. But we can choose how we live now. We can choose whom and how to love.”

Content warnings include death by suicide, domestic violence, grief, mental health, murder, racism, sexual assault, suicidal ideation and torture.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Rider, an imprint of Ebury Press, Penguin Random House UK, for the opportunity to read this book.

An amazingly powerful read which will affect every reader differently and really no words can do it justice but will stay with the reader for a long time. I had read Edith's previous book about her time in Auschwitz 'The Choice' but this actually discloses more atrocities Edith endured and witnessed. A very deeply intense book about Edith's teenage years in the camp and also just after her release and recovery when she still came across discrimination. Although the book covers the same time as 'The Choice', it is somehow more personal and there is certainly new material of unimaginable terrors and cruelty.

Read it and be inspired at what the human spirit can endure to survive and subsequently flourish.

"I am dancing in hell."

I was at first slightly put off by the sheer number of books that are called "The x of insert concentration camp name", especially because so many of them are works of fiction which I'm just not interested in. But, when I discovered this was a true story from a survivor, my interest quickly grew.

Aimed at the YA audience, this is a slightly simpler, shorter version of Edith's 'The Choice' published in 2017. However, as I had not read The Choice this was my first hearing of Edith's phenomenal story of survival.

As expected the story is heavy with loss and trauma but also with hope and bravery. Edith's writing is so vivid and she is so truthful in her thoughts and feelings that you cannot help but be totally absorbed by her story. I think it is so important for stories like this to be told and I highly recommend this book.

A big thankyou to @netgalley, Ebury Publishing, Penguin Random House and @dr.editheger for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.

Unfortunately found it quite difficult to read and therefore did not finish. Whilst I had high hopes for the historic story, it didn't deliver.

Edith Eger tells her incredible story of surviving as a teenager in Auschwitz. She was torn from her life as a ballerina at the age of sixteen and subjected to unimaginable horrors during the Holocaust. This book retells her journey from her younger years, demonstrating the strength and hope that got her through.

Eger's writing is clear and heartfelt, transporting readers to her experiences in vivid detail. Despite the harsh realities she faced, her resilience is evident.

The Ballerina of Auschwitz is a moving, inspiring memoir that inspires empathy and hope while ensuring that the Holocaust's lessons are never forgotten.

Edith Eger's The Ballerina of Auschwitz is a harrowing and unforgettable account of her experiences as a Holocaust survivor. Eger's raw honesty and vivid descriptions paint a picture of unimaginable suffering and resilience. Her story is a stark reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust and the enduring power of the human spirit.

The book delves into Eger's life before, during, and after her time in Auschwitz. Her perspective as a young ballerina is particularly poignant, offering a unique lens through which to view the atrocities she endured. Eger's ability to find solace and strength in her love of dance is a testament to the power of the human spirit to persevere even in the darkest of times.

The Ballerina of Auschwitz is a timely reminder of the importance of remembering the Holocaust and the ongoing need to combat antisemitism. Eger's story is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of never forgetting the past.

It’s a long time since I’ve cried over a book, the emotional roller coaster of this story was hard. This story is based on true life events during the holocaust and is a must read for everyone. We must never forget the horrific experiences suffered by so many people.

The Ballerina of Auschwitz is a harrowing but incredibly well written account of life as a Jewish girl in Nazi occupied Hungary/Czechoslovakia and later Auschwitz, and then "home" as a survivor. Thais Eger’s retelling of The Choice.
Obviously this is a novel full of descriptive and haunting heartache and appalling situations.
A novel worth reading, not necessarily enjoyed.

Feeling incredibly grateful for having received an early copy via NetGalley. After reading ‘The Choice’, this book was definitely a well written and nice addition to the original book. The writing style and topic was so well developed, and I keep thinking about how her story has shaped not only her own life, but also other peoples life. Especially during a time where extremism is on the rise again, Edith Egers story is so insightful and important!!!

Many thanks to Net Galley, Ebury Publishing, Penguin Random House and Edith Eder for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
This is a very powerful book, it’s traumatic and very sad in places and reminds us of the horrors people endured at Auschwitzc during WW2 to an extent we feel Edith’s pain as we read, but it’s difficult to comprehend the true reality
In a beautiful style Edith tells us of her life before, during and after the WW2, her strength, resilience and determination come through in the story. To be able to find hope amongst horror and pain is truly remarkable. This story reminds us all that there is always a choice.
This book is aimed at YA, I hadn’t read Edith’s adult memoir The Choice but will definitely be adding it to my reading list.

3.5 *

Earlier this year I read 'The Choice' by Edith Eger and I was moved in so many ways. It was my first five star of the year. Eger's writing and her perspectives have the power to change mindsets - she really is an inspirational lady. So when I saw this on NetGalley I knew I had to read it. I was really looking forward to reading more about Edith's experiences, the lessons she had learned from them and her amazing insight into life. Unfortunately I was a little disappointed to find out this book is the same as 'The Choice' but with a new 30% worth of material.

This book was also a lot shorter and it did not contain as much of the inspirational insight as the first book I read. It was focused primarily on her experience in Auschwitz and afterwards. With 'The Choice' still fresh in my mind, there were only a few new stories I do not remember from last time.

It was still an incredible read and I am still in awe of this lady and everything she has had to overcome. I was just disappointed it was very similar to the book I had just read from her.

Definitely worth it to those who read 'The Choice' a while ago or for those who have never read it. Thanks to NetGalley for my review copy.

To preface my review I want to say I never read “The Choice” but I do love WW2 memoirs and stories.

This book took me a minute to get into as the sentences are a little choppy and can jump around a little BUT the story is beautiful. It’s such a heart wrenching story with so many varied characters seen through one set of eyes. Trying to put myself into this story was off course impossible but I felt dark and deep emotions reading this book.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for allowing me to read this book.

Edith was only 16 when she was sent to Auschwitz and almost dead when liberated. This is her retelling of her life before, during and after her time there. A moving narrative that ensures she and her story are not forgotten.

Well written and engaging book. Gives an insight to the horrors seen and experienced by this young lady that would influence her life forever. Well worth reading.

It's been a while since I read an actual Holocaust survivor story, rather than fiction/based on a true story. And wow. What an account. The Ballerina of Auschwitz is listed as being "a dramatic retelling of The Choice" which I haven't read.

I do have a slight issue with the sheer number of books that are called "The x of insert concentration camp name", but at least it makes it clear what it's about. However, I really loved the simplicity of the cover art, and really appreciate it not having the stripes of the uniforms as a background.

The Ballerina of Auschwitz is a beautifully written account of life as a Jewish girl in Nazi occupied Hungary/Czechoslovakia (her town was part of both countries at different times) and later Auschwitz, and then "home" as a survivor.

As you'd expect it was a story with a lot of loss and heartache. The chapters about Ediths time in Auschwitz are not as brutally descriptive as some I've read, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Edith has written as much as she could bear to reccount.

It is also a story of hope. The hope that "I just have to survive today and I'll be free tomorrow" is something I've read in other survivor accounts as well. The hope that she would see Eric and Klara again. The hope that one day everything would be right again.

There are two quotes that I love.
The first is something she realised after being shaved at Auschwitz, and sums up her strength of character. "We have a choice: to pay attention to what we've lost or to pay attention to what we still have." It's something I try and remind myself of too.

The second is when Edith was on a death march, during which 1900 women died. It's a wonderful example of Edith's beautiful writing style.
"We are like the head of a dandelion gone to seed and blown by the wind"

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author of this book.

I could not put this book down. Harrowing and enlightening in equal measure. I felt at times I was there with the author witnessing what she was. There were a few instances I had to stop and take a moment to reflect and absorb what I had read. I still can’t believe that humans did this to other humans. That this is still happening to others is what made it very hard to read.

I feel this is an important work that everyone should read. We should not try and forget these atrocities, we should try to be better humans to each other. We all feel the same pain, worries, love, laugh and feel the same emotions. Why we can’t see past appearance or religion even to this day is a stark reminder that I took from this beautiful book. It deserves to be read. We need to learn from it.

This is the moving and harrowing account of the war years from a Holocaust survivor. An amazing story of a remarkably strong Jewish woman and her sister Magda. Her resilience & determination kept her going in the darkest of days. Life as it was, is graphically described. It’s a raw read of awful suffering in desperate circumstances. The years afterwards, healing and moving on are also told.
Edith said “We can’t ever change what’s happened to us. We can’t alter the past or control what’s coming around the next corner. But we can choose how we live now”.
Along with her sister Magda, she clung to hope and fought for a future.

The original novel written by the holocaust survivor “ The Choice embrace the possible “by Edith Eger is now on my to be read list it was published in 2017 by Scribner
This novel is a retelling of the story aimed at younger people and focusing priority on the authors younger life in concentration camps
The author has a very clear easily read writing style although the book has potentially triggering a traumatic topics it is dealt with it’s with subtlety and poise. If this is a retelling for younger people there is very little detail that is spared and I therefore think it would be more suitable for older teenagers.
I loved the sentence (I want to give you something written, especially for you at this stage of your becoming. ). I may have to read the original of the choice, but somehow I’ve missed.
I’ve read quite a few holocaust novels a few written at the time such as the diaries of Anne Frank and others written as they authors want to tell their stories in older age
As a story of the Holocaust in World War II as well known you know exactly what’s going to happen to the family right from the start this makes it even more horrifying you watch as from behind the sofa as the inevitable happens .
I didn’t realise that this was a Young adult novel when I saw it on NetGalley UK and don’t usually read, I don’t novel but I thought I’d read this one anyway I was glad that I did
Hi Read, copy of the book on NetGalley UK book published on the 3rd of October 2024 Edbury publishing Penguin Random House
Review will appear on Goodreads, NetGalley UK and my book blog bionicSarahSbooks.wordpress.com. It will also appear on Amazon UK.

The Ballerina of Auschwitz is a retelling of Eger's earlier book, The Choice (which I read and loved). Where the former focusses primarily on Edith's life after the war, this book goes into much more detail about her personal experiences during World War 2.

Edith talks about her first love, her family's journey to Auschwitz and the harrowing time they spent there. It is a fascinating and heartbreaking read which offers a real insight into such a tragic time.

Edith's writing is beautiful and I was totally transfixed by her story, she is an incredibly strong and brave woman. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a really personal insight into the history of World War 2.

My thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for sending me this ARC in return for an honest review.