During World War II, the extermination of Jews was like nothing much of the world had seen before, a holocaust so awful it became known simply as The Holocaust. The world swore it would never happen again, and maybe for that reason it’s good that it’s also one of the most documented atrocities in human history with survivor stories and holocaust fiction spanning the decades since.
Today we’re featuring ten books that speak from the past with lessons for today, many of them are gruelling reads, and as historical documents they offer fascinating insights. The first five are all memoirs or first hand accounts of the time, the second five, fictionalised stories or novels based on real events of the time.
The Diary of a Young Girl – Anne Frank
Probably the most famous account ever written, this simple diary has become a way of children to learn about the horrors faced by Jews. As there are no diary entries after the family’s capture, it’s also free of the horrific violence of some Holocaust memoirs. After being refused entry to the US as refugees, Anne and her family went into hiding, these are Anne’s diary entries from that time.
Night – Elie Wiesel
Elie Wiesel was a treasured figure for his clarity in recalling the events of the war and extermination camps. Night is no easy read, Elie and his father were imprisoned at the height of the Holocaust towards the end of the war in Auschwitz and Buchenwald.
Survival in Auschwitz – Primo Levi
Levi was deported from Turin, Italy to the concentration camp Auschwitz, Poland in 1943. A 25-year old chemist he spend ten months in the camp. Survival in Auschwitz is a straight forward narrative of his time there, and his experiences.
The Hiding Place – Corrie Ten Boom
Unusually, The Hiding Ten Boom is written by the Christian, Corrie Ten Boom. Although in no danger themselves, the family took in hidden Jews during the war and found themselves captured and sent off to prison camps charged with helping Jews.
Five Chimneys – Olga Lengyel
Olga lost her husband, parents and two young sons to the Nazi exterminators before her seven-month internment in Auschwitz. She became part of the prisoners’ underground resistance and eventually survived to write this harrowing tale. Five Chimneys is a stark reminder that the unspeakable can happen when love gives way to religious bigotries and racial discriminations.
Two Brothers – Ben Elton
Although Two Brothers doesn’t end in extermination camps, I’ve included it because it starts somewhere that is on a parallel to where the world is now. Two brothers, born on the day the Nazi Party comes to power.
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas – John Boyne
Written for children, but suitable for all ages, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is the story of two boys, each on the opposite side of the Auschwitz fence whose friendship transcends the hatred of the war.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas US
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas UK
Number the Stars – Lois Lowry
A work of historical fiction, Number the Stars follows the story of the escape of a Jewish family from Copenhagen in 1943. The story incorporates the real historical event, the rescue of thousands of Danish Jews to neutral ground in Sweden.
Sophie’s Choice – William Styron
Sophie’s Choice is a novel that is told reflectively, from a boarding house in Brooklyn where Holocaust survivor Sophie, a Polish, Catholic survivor relives the tragic choice she was forced to make on entry to Auschwitz.
Schindler’s Ark – Thomas Keneally
Schindler’s Ark is based on real events and the life of Oskar Schindler who lead thousands of Jews to safety during World War II at great risk to his life in a move that would bankrupt him.
It was really hard to choose just ten and we’re sure you also have a ton of suggestions, feel free to add them in the comments.
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This is a great list! The book Man’s Search for Meaning is another terrific Holocaust book that has quiet a few great lessons for today’s societies.
It’s written by Viktor E. Frankly. It is by far my favorite Holocaust book.
Stones from the River. Stones from the River is the 1994 novel by Ursula Hegi was a great book about that time. It opened my eye that people with disabilities also were a target of the Nazi’s
Sim Kessel : “Hanged At Auschwitz”. Unforgettable read.
The Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman. Very informative and detailed. Based on a true story, although the setting and events are quite outlandish! It’s about a Polish family who run a zoo and provide shelter for refugees and Jews in the empty animal cages and their home.
I would like to recommend Ninas journey, a daughter telling her mothers story of a journey from nazi ghetto to Sweden. Also filmen.
http://lenaeinhorn.se/books/ninas-journey-2/
Why missing “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah?
Why “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah is missing?
Agree with “The Nightingale.” An all time favorite book of mine.
“The Sunflower” by Simon Weisenthalshould also be listed. It contains essays as to whether or not a dying Nazi soldier should be granted forgiveness by a Jewish prisoner of the camps. It presents this question to a variety of different people-religious leaders, survivors of various concentration camps, and others. It is captivating, and based on a true story.