Summary
Schindler's List is an award-winning work of historical fiction by Australian author Thomas Keneally. The novel is based on the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist who saved the lives of more than 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust.
The novel takes place in Nazi-occupied Poland in the once vibrant city of Kraków, where Schindler is given control of a prosperous enamelware factory formerly owned and fully staffed by Jews. Initially motivated by greed and self-interest, he gradually develops compassion for his employees and transforms the factory into a safe haven for not only his original staff but also numerous “skilled workers,” which include rabbis, women, children, and the ill. Through his audacity, cunning, wealth, and connections, Schindler keeps them all fed, healthy, and safe from SS guards. Set against the shadow of the Kraków Ghetto and the notorious Płaszów forced labor camp, run by the brutal commandant Amon Göth, Schindler’s List offers a stark contrast between the best and worst of humanity.
Schindler's List draws on the testimonies of the very people Schindler saved to create an intimate exploration of the human spirit's capacity for good amid the darkest of evils. Keneally's work is celebrated not only for its historical accuracy but also for its emotional depth, portraying Schindler as a complex figure—a womanizer, heavy drinker, and opportunist who becomes an unlikely savior. The novel won the Booker Prize in 1982 and in 1993 was adapted into a critically acclaimed film by Steven Spielberg. A milestone of Holocaust literature, Schindler's List is an enduring testament to the power of individual compassion and courage against the forces of systemic oppression, tyranny, and genocide.
Themes
Good versus evil
The value of individual actions in the face of mass injustice
Personal transformation
Humanity and compassion amidst the horrors of genocide
The potential for redemption and moral awakening
The impact of war on personal identity and ethics
Resilience and courage in the face of persecution
The complexities of heroism and motivations behind altruistic acts
Setting
Schindler's List, a work of historical fiction by Thomas Keneally, transports readers to Nazi-occupied Poland during World War II, between 1939 and 1945, and the horrors of the Holocaust. At the story’s heart is Kraków, a once vibrant city that became home to a notorious forced labor camp. The stark contrasts between the lively streets of pre-war Kraków and the dehumanizing confines of the Kraków Ghetto and the Płaszów camp reflect the devastation and despair experienced by the city’s inhabitants. Within this setting, the novel’s protagonist, Oskar Schindler, emerges as an unlikely savior, leveraging his influence and resources as a German industrialist to protect and save more than a thousand Jews from deportation and extermination.
Characters
Oskar Schindler: The German industrialist, factory director, and member of the Nazi Party who becomes a savior to many Polish Jews during the Holocaust.
Amon Göth: The cruel and sadistic commandant of the Płaszów forced labor camp.
Emilie Schindler: Oskar's wife, who supports his efforts to save the Jews.
Itzhak Stern: A Jewish accountant who helps Schindler run his factory and compile the famous "Schindler's List."
Poldek Pfefferberg: A Holocaust survivor who inspired Keneally to write the book and provided him with information about Schindler.
Helen Hirsch: A Jewish woman who works in Schindler's factory and becomes his mistress.
Zyklon B Engineer: A Nazi engineer who assists Schindler in acquiring factory workers from the Płaszów concentration camp.
Mila Pfefferberg: Poldek Pfefferberg's wife, who also assists Keneally in his research.
Critical reception
Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally has been widely praised by reviewers. The New York Review of Books describes it as “extraordinary.” Newsweek calls it “astounding … in this case the truth is far more powerful than anything the imagination could invent.” Los Angeles Times Book Review hails it as a “masterful account of the growth of the human soul.”
FAQs
What is the true story behind Schindler's List?
Schindler's List is based on the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist and member of the Nazi Party, who saved the lives of more than 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories.
How does the book depict Oskar Schindler's character?
Oskar Schindler is portrayed as a complex figure: a flamboyant industrialist known for his womanizing and heavy drinking but who evolves into a compassionate savior for the Jews of Kraków during World War II. Despite Schindler’s imperfect character, his actions during the war reveal a capable and cunning individual who displays extraordinary courage in the face of unspeakable evil.
Why did Thomas Keneally decide to write Schindler's List?
Thomas Keneally was inspired to write Schindler's List after meeting Poldek Pfefferberg, a Holocaust survivor and one of the Schindlerjuden (Schindler’s Jews). Pfefferberg showed Keneally his extensive files on Schindler and convinced the author to tell Schindler's story. Pfefferberg's persistence and dedication to sharing Schindler's actions during the Holocaust were instrumental in the creation of the book.
What is the significance of the book’s title?
The title Schindler's List refers to the actual list of Jewish workers that Schindler compiled and used to protect them from being sent to Nazi concentration camps. The book's original title was Schindler's Ark when it was first published in Australia in 1982. It was later republished in the US and other countries as Schindler's List.
What sources did the author use to write Schindler’s List?
Keneally conducted extensive research and interviews with Schindler's acquaintances and the "Schindlerjuden" (Schindler's Jews) whose lives he saved, as well as using Pfefferberg's files.
How historically accurate is Schindler's List?
While Schindler's List is a novel, it sticks closely to the true story of Oskar Schindler and his efforts to save Jews during the Holocaust. It is based on numerous eyewitness accounts and actual events. The author added fictional dialogue and scenarios where exact details were unknown, but the core story of Schindler’s heroics and the broader historical context is accurately represented.
What accolades has Schindler's List received?
Schindler's List won the Booker Prize in 1982, making it one of the most celebrated works of fiction related to the Holocaust. Additionally, the book received the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Fiction in 1983. Its adaptation into a film directed by Steven Spielberg further cemented its place as a poignant and impactful work of Holocaust literature.
What happened to Oskar Schindler after the war?
After World War II, Oskar Schindler's life was marked by financial struggles and business failures. He separated from his wife and lived a modest life in Frankfurt, Germany, often facing ostracization for his actions during the war. Despite these challenges, he was supported by the Jewish community, splitting his time between Israel, where he was embraced as a hero, and Frankfurt. Schindler passed away in 1974 and was buried in Jerusalem, fulfilling his wish to be laid to rest in the city.
Quotes
“The principle was, death should not be entered like some snug harbor. It should be an unambiguous refusal to surrender.”
“It is a sweet thing to outstrip a father whom you haven’t forgiven.”
“He was one of those men who, even in the years of peace, would have advised his congregation that while God may well be honored by the inflexibility of the pious, he might also be honored by the flexibility of the sensible.”
“Years later, one woman from those lines, remembering the morning, would face a German television crew and attempt to explain it. He was our father, he was our mother, he was our only faith. He never let us down.”
“Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire.”
Quick facts
Thomas Keneally was inspired to write Schindler's List after meeting Poldek Pfefferberg, a Holocaust survivor and one of Schindlerjuden (Schindler’s Jews), who showed Keneally his extensive files on Oskar Schindler.
A carbon copy of the original 13-page list made by Oskar Schindler, which was thought to have been lost, was discovered in 2009 in a library in Sydney, Australia.
Schindler's List won the Booker Prize in 1982, recognizing it as a remarkable work of fiction based on true events during the Holocaust.
In 2022, to mark the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II, Schindler's List was included in the Big Jubilee Read list of 70 books by Commonwealth authors.
After the book’s publication, Poldek Pfefferberg played a crucial role in persuading Steven Spielberg to adapt the book into a film, using his acquaintance with Spielberg's mother to gain access.
The movie Schindler’s List won the 1994 Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Oskar Schindler, despite his flaws and a life marked by financial failure after the war, is commemorated as Righteous Among the Nations by the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem.
Schindler passed away in 1974 and, in accordance with his wishes, was buried in Jerusalem, a testament to the deep appreciation his actions during the war earned from those he saved.
About the author
Thomas Michael Keneally is an Australian author and playwright. He gained international acclaim for his novel Schindler's List (originally titled Schindler's Ark), which won the Booker Prize in 1982 and served as the basis for Steven Spielberg's Academy Award-winning film, Schindler's List. Keneally's work often explores themes of history and morality. Over his prolific career, he has traversed various genres, including memoirs, screenplays, and works on politics and history.
Born in Sydney, 1935, into a family of Irish descent, Keneally devoted his youth to studying for the priesthood. After years of seminary training, he shifted his focus to education and literature. Beginning in 1964, his writing career spanned five decades and more than 30 novels, notable among them The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith, Confederates, and Gossip from the Forest—each earning Booker Prize nominations—and more recently, The Daughters of Mars and Napoleon's Last Island. Beyond fiction, Keneally’s works of nonfiction and memoirs offer insightful reflections on historical events and social issues.
Keneally served on the Literature Board of the Australia Council and as president of the National Book Council. Recognized for his services to literature and the community, he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1983 and is celebrated as an Australian Living Treasure.
