What a moving and tragic story. Based on the life of Helene Hannemann, this book explores the plight of the Gypsies who were forced to endure the atrocities of Auschwitz. You are provided a painful view of life for those who were forced to endure life at Auschwitz. The strength of Helene and how she goes from being a nurse to being the director of a nursery school in the Gypsy camp…working directly with Dr. Mengele, will amaze you. She is dedicated to her family and willing to sacrifice everything for her children and fight for the children who are placed in her care.
The author describes the horrors of Auschwitz…overwhelming your senses with the sights and smells that are brutal and honest. The author’s words demonstrate the power of sacrifice and the strength of human dignity even when there is no hope left. The journey you experience throughout the pages is filled with the horrific evil intentions and practices of Dr. Mengele. However, Helene Hannemann allows you to see her remarkable strength and bravery…singing a beautiful lullaby to calm the children…even as she glimpses what the future holds.