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Lily's Promise
- How I Survived Auschwitz and Found the Strength to Live
- Narrated by: Anna Cordell, Dov Forman
- Length: 8 hrs and 59 mins
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Lily's Promise
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Summary
With a foreword written and read by HRH the Prince of Wales, patron of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.
When Holocaust survivor Lily Ebert was liberated in 1945, a Jewish American soldier gave her a banknote on which he’d written ‘Good luck and happiness’. And when her great-grandson Dov decided to use social media to track down the family of the GI, 96-year-old Lily found herself making headlines round the world. Lily had promised herself that if she survived Auschwitz, she would tell everyone the truth about the camp. Now was her chance.
In Lily’s Promise, she writes movingly about her happy childhood in Hungary, the death of her mother and two youngest siblings on their arrival at Auschwitz in 1944 and her determination to keep her two other sisters safe. She describes the inhumanity of the camp and the small acts of defiance that gave her strength. From there, she and her sisters became slave labour in a munitions factory and then faced a death march that they barely survived.
Lily lost so much, but she built a new life for herself and her family, first in Israel and then in London. It wasn’t easy; the pain of her past was always with her, but this extraordinary woman found the strength to speak out in the hope that such evil would never happen again.
Lily's story is brought to life by actress Anna Cordell in this audiobook, alongside Dov Forman, with Lily reading her dedication.
Critic reviews
"A stunningly moving book about the power of hope and love to overcome the very worst of mankind." (Piers Morgan)
"Utterly compelling, heartbreaking, truthful and yet redemptive, a memoir of the Holocaust, a testimony of irrepressible spirit and an unforgettable family chronicle, written in lucid prose by a truly remarkable woman about her life from Hungary to Auschwitz, Israel to London. I couldn't stop reading it." (Simon Sebag Montefiore)
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What listeners say about Lily's Promise
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- claire bear
- 13-02-23
strong
absolutely amazing lady with a heart breaking eye opening story it's a must listen
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 09-10-21
An amazing story, beautifully read
This is the audio equivalent of the book you just cannot put down. I listened to it almost non-stop. Yes, some of it is tough-going but Lily’s account of her experience of the holocaust whilst vivid, is unsentimental and never graphic. Some of this, as Lily says, may be because there are things that she cannot remember or that her mind will not allow her to remember.
It is an epic journey, from an almost idyllic childhood in pre-war Hungary to the horrors of loss and separation and incarceration in the camps. Every bit as fascinating are Lily’s post war experiences in Israel and then in London and her efforts, largely successful to build a wonderful life for herself and her growing family. However, Lily is clear that her traumas have had an impact, not only on herself but the younger generations and she is insightful when she talks about this.
The reading by Anna Cordell strikes just the right note. She has a beautiful voice which is quietly expressive, matching the spare, unsentimental material. You feel that she is never intruding on the story by over-dramatising Lily’s words. Rather, she lets this amazing tale speak for itself.
I am very grateful to Lily, Dov and Anna for this experience.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Noo
- 02-10-21
Amazing story.
Amazing to hear her story. Cannot imagine how hard it has been for her. Her strength is quite amazing and I'm glad she has shared her history with the world.
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- Gg
- 22-12-22
Just wonderful
A very important story of a precious life, narrated beautifully. May it be heard by many so that we’re reminded of what matters in life, and how to spot the seeds of evil being sown.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 08-09-21
Amazing
Amazing book highly recommend it heart breaking but shows how strong she was or is
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- Sandra Goss
- 22-06-23
Absolutely inspiring and touching
This was exceptionally insightful into this extraordinary tragic lady’s experience and what followed after leaving the concentration camp.
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- Kindle Customer
- 17-04-22
Inspirational
Was watching GMB the other day and the amazing Lily Evert and her Great Grandson Dov were on talking about their book Lily's Promise. I was so taken with her spark and determination that I immediately bought her book in Audio form. I listened to this wonderful book going to and from Helensburgh and the last few chapters had me in tears.
This book is one woman's memories of her time growing up in Hungary, to the Nazy occupation and being taken on the trains to Auschwitz. Once freed by the Russians she tells her story from then on till now.
An amazing woman and a true inspiration
As you can tell I was greatly moved by this book and would highly recommend.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Ed
- 01-02-23
Brilliant
Horrific that we could do these things to ourselves. Hopefully lessons learned never to repeat.
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- Triona
- 02-11-22
Amazing account of something utterly atrocious
What an amazing book. Something every single person should read. Truly heartbreaking and unimaginable loss.
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- Jane G Inglis
- 23-12-22
Heartbreaking
I had this for a while before I felt able to listen. When I did it broke my heart, the cruelty is unbearable, but the human spirit and character shines through. Thank you for writing this book.
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1 person found this helpful