Description
Book Synopsis: An extraordinary Holocaust survival story about an Orthodox Jewish woman who managed to survive in wartime Poland by pretending to be a Catholic. Polish Catholics believed she was one of them. A devoted Nazi family took her in as if she was their own daughter. She fell in love with a German engineer who built aeroplanes for the Luftwaffe. What none of these people knew was that Mala Rivka Kizel had been born into a large Orthodox Jewish family in Warsaw, Poland, in 1926. By using her charm, intelligence, blonde hair, and blue eyes to assume different identities, she was the only member of her family to survive World War II.
When Dutch journalist Pieter van Os stumbled upon Mala’s story, he set out to revive the world through which she had made her way from war-ravaged middle Europe to the nascent state of Israel before finally settling in the Netherlands. With her memoir and their interviews as guide, van Os physically retraced Mala’s steps, stopping in at local archives and remote villages, searching for anyone who might have known or helped her seventy-five years before.
At times reading like an erudite detective story, this poignant, rich book is an engrossing meditation on what drives us to fear the “other”, and what in turn might allow us to feel compassion for them.
Details
Discover the incredible journey of Mala Rivka Kizel, a Jewish girl who survived Europe's darkest period in "Hiding in Plain Sight: How a Jewish Girl Survived Europe’s Heart of Darkness." This extraordinary Holocaust survival story will grip you from the first page to the last, as it unravels the harrowing tale of a young woman who managed to evade capture by pretending to be a Catholic in wartime Poland. Polish Catholics believed she was one of them, and even a devoted Nazi family took her in as their own daughter. With her charm, intelligence, and ability to assume different identities, Mala was the only member of her family to survive World War II.
A compelling blend of history, memoir, and investigative journalism, author Pieter van Os takes readers on a captivating journey as he retraces Mala's steps from war-ravaged middle Europe to the nascent state of Israel and eventually the Netherlands. Van Os's meticulous research and interviews provide deep insights into Mala's resilience and the strength of the human spirit during the darkest times. With each turn of the page, you'll find yourself transported into a world filled with danger, suspense, and ultimately, triumph over adversity.
As you delve into "Hiding in Plain Sight," you'll be captivated by the remarkable courage of Mala Rivka Kizel and her unwavering determination to survive against all odds. This poignant and rich account offers not only a firsthand perspective on the Holocaust but also provokes thought on the roots of fear, compassion, and empathy towards the "other". Experience the power of this extraordinary story and gain a deeper understanding of history's darkest period.
Start reading "Hiding in Plain Sight: How a Jewish Girl Survived Europe’s Heart of Darkness" today, and embark on an unforgettable journey of courage, resilience, and the triumph of the human spirit. Order Now
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