The Last Daughter

Based on a True Story of One Girl's Courage in the Face of Evil

By: Belle Ami

Narrated by: Heidi Bindhammer

Length: 9 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

A compelling and moving novel based on a remarkable true story in World War II.

In the early dawn hours of September 8, 1939, 10-year-old Dina Frydman sits at her bedroom window, watching storm clouds blacken the horizon. Nightmares have kept her awake all night. She hears a distant rumble as the tanks roll into Radom. The Nazis have conquered Poland and nothing will ever be the same. Dina and her family prepare for the worst. But they could never imagine what the worst would be.

As Dina matures from child to teenager, every day brings a daunting new challenge to survive. When she meets Natek Korman, a young man with sky-blue eyes that crinkle when he smiles, Dina experiences the first blush of love and a longing for a normal life. But what could be normal in a world of endless terror and numbing fear?

From the deprivation of the Glinice and the Walowa ghettos, to the back-breaking slave labor camps, to the menacing smokestacks of Auschwitz, and the wall of death at Bergen-Belsen, Dina’s journey is unforgettable. Her will to survive is remarkable. But most extraordinary is her buoyant spirit that touches the lives of everyone she meets. As Dina travels through the gates of hell, her life becomes a beacon in one of the darkest storms in human history.

Based closely on the remarkable true story of Dina Frydman, one of the youngest survivors of the Holocaust, The Last Daughter will reaffirm your faith in the indomitability of the human spirit.

©2021 Tema N Merback (P)2023 Tema N Merback

Another Sad Retelling

I have deep respect for the author's mother's horrible experiences. I have read many books on this subject. And though I do not dispute the horrors and the realities, this retelling loads the first person narrative with facts that are frequently beyond her purview and uses words and language way too sophisticated for a child. The characters and voices done by the narrator did not help this; she is a very young sounding narrator who does not "age" the character as she grows older. I feel maybe the casting could have been stronger, and the character more approachable as a person to bring her more to life. The narrator pronounces all the foreign words so strongly it sounds odd coming out of her American accent. Nevertheless, it is the story of horror that can never be forgotten.

shockingly beautiful story

gut-wrenching true story told with exquisite detail. i have read a lot of Holocaust stories, but this one hit differently, partially because of the vivid descriptions, but also because of the narration that was so realistic. Bindhammer beautifully enhanced the story with her command of the characters and the languages. I'm not sure how she held her emotions in check while she told this story. The moments when she broke into song were so emotional.

Excellent narration

This narrator reads very nicely and sings beautifully. I loved hearing it all. Well done.

So Powerful. Must not only be read/listened to, but shared as well.

I grew up hearing many stories about the Holocaust and all of them were powerful and sad. The Last Daughter tells another story in the sad tale of the persecution of Jews. I would say it was “better” than other tales of the Holocaust but truth be told no story is more powerful than another. ALL stories must be read and told over and over so we never forget! Belle with her words and Heidi with her voice tell this horrible tale with such grace and meaning that EVERYONE must read, better yet listen to, this story and implore as many others to do so as well.

You will celebrate the small wins and cry over the tragedies of the preteen turned teenager who tells this true story of her survival. Saying it is a must read/listen is doing it an injustice as it so much more than that.

excellent book

The book was a tragic story, but excellently written. Great pace and hard to stop listening to! The book was exceptionally read, as well.

Heart wrenching and uplifting!

Amazing story which never should be forgotten. Read beautifully by Heidi Bindhammer, who gives us all the added treat of her lovely singing voice in several languages.