The Seamstress

By: Sara Tuvel Bernstein, Louise Loots Thornton, Marlene Bernstein Samuels

Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon

Length: 12 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Winner, Biography and Memoir, 2013

Told with the same old-fashioned narrative power as the novels of Herman Wouk, The Seamstress is the true story of Seren (Sara) Tuvel Bernstein and her survival during wartime. This powerful eyewitness account of survival, told with power and grace, will stay with listeners for years to come.

©1999 Sara Tuvel Bernstein (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"There are many recent accounts of Holocaust victims, but this work stands alone as a testimony to personal strength and an independent spirit." ( Library Journal)

we should never forget.

I miss the characters now I have finished the book. I will recommend this book to all esp. the young.

Consuming

If you could sum up The Seamstress in three words, what would they be?

Captivating, educational, emotional

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Seamstress?

Warm family scenesBrutality of her guardsDefying all odds to survive

What about Wanda McCaddon’s performance did you like?

One of the best I've heardAccent was engaging, endearing and believable Strength in her performance perfectly portrayed her character

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Risking her life in the Raven-brook kitchen, at the spur of the moment, stealing potatoes for others

Any additional comments?

No other audible book has so moved and impacted me personally. Painful to listen to at times but gave me a new awareness of the barbaric conditions innocents endured at the hands of the Nazis.

Moving recount of history

I can't imagine why there were difficulties getting this published. What a great story of courage, determination,sisterhood, in a time of unspeakable inhumanity, read beautifully.

Moving survivor tale.

Where does The Seamstress rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 10%: moving true story, well written and narrated beautifully.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sara, the main character. What a brave and loving soul she had, so full of humor, confidence and spirit.

Which character – as performed by Wanda McCaddon – was your favorite?

Doesn't apply.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, except that I was sorry when it ended. It was hard to leave the world of such a special person.

Any additional comments?

I can't count how many Holocaust survivor stories I have read or heard. All are significant and moving. This story rests near the top, among the best. Everyone should live through Sara's story. It is less a tale of loss and horrors than it is one of love and hope. We all need more examples of both in our lives.

Inspirational! True story of a survivor.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Seamstress to be better than the print version?

I think both would be great. The story is wonderful because it explains this women's life being a Jew in Romania during WWII. This should be a required book in schools. Very matter of fact. No drama just her life and the unfair hardships she faced that ultimately lead to concentration camps.

What other book might you compare The Seamstress to and why?

This reminded me of the TV mini-series "The Holocaust" and reawakened my respect for the survivors and the heros in everyday life.

What does Wanda McCaddon bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her character voices and the accents.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not a particular moment but Sarah's steadfastness to protect her sister and 2 other companions and her understanding of how to stay alive amid all the hardships.

Any additional comments?

I would recommend this book to anyone. The fake drama seen in our society today is disgusting when you think of WWII and the concentration camps.

Wonderful, Very Painful Story

What made the experience of listening to The Seamstress the most enjoyable?

Sara Tuvel Bernstein is an exceptional example of the kind of skills needed for survival of unimaginable horror. This was an uplifting story for me, despite the topic and has given me much to think about in terms of the kind of emotional and mental skills needed to endure life's suffering. Beautiful performance by Wanda McCaddon - you won't be able to put it down.

Really great story!

This was a really great book. I enjoyed the entire story from beginning to end. The narrator was very good. and I greatly appreciated the struggles that she shared in her book.

I felt like i was there the whole time

A Great job was done by all three people involved. Firstly for the courage of Sara Bernstein to share her story of such a tragic and terrible experience. Without People of her ilk we would not have as good understanding of what really went on at a deaper level. Also this book doesnt just succeed because of the story but also because it has been very written by the author and a great performance by the narrator. A very good book all round.

Fantastic!

Well told story of what it was like for Sara Tuvel and so many others during WWII. Sheds light on life and the horrific atrocities that were committed during that time.
The narration was wonderful and easy to listen to.

Moving

This taught me things about the Holocaust that I didn't know. Sara's steadfast determination is moving.