Flory

A Miraculous Story of Survival

By: Flory A. Van Beek

Narrated by: Kirsten Potter

Length: 7 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

Like Anne Frank, Flory Van Beek was a young girl caught in the ruthless Nazi occupation of Holland. But Flory survived to recount her extraordinary story of persecution and survival.

Flory and her husband, Felix, endured the sinking of a ship bound for safety in the New World, the increasing danger of the occupation, and finally a life in hiding. There, cut off from the outside world and their families, they faced the hunger and stress of daily life in confined quarters along with the ever-present threat of discovery and certain death.

This inspiring account vividly captures the terror of the Holocaust while telling a poignant story of love and courage.

©1998 Flory Van Beek (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"I have always believed in survivor's testimonies: they are unique. It is impossible to understand the Holocaust and its meaning without becoming acquainted with their experiences, which they alone can tell with true authority." (Elie Wiesel)

Reader sounds like Jane From nda

It really took away from the story and was so disconcerting to me, to bad real because it was amazing how Flory survived.

Beyond Grateful and Blessed to Hear This Story

My grandparents are Bert and Gerda Hornsveld. So grateful to hear a first hand account of our families history. Amazing story. Loved it. :)

Wonderful

Very cativating and inspiring story. I have new respect for the Dutch patriots durring WWII as well as the resourcefulness that the Jewish people used to survive.

Another view of a tragic time

Would you listen to Flory again? Why?

I enjoyed listening to this book. Another review stated that her writing was not polished. I agree, but that took nothing away from the story which is the recounting of her own life. I don't feel like I got the full sense of the terror they experienced, but unlike another reviewer, I don't think the story of the families who hid them would make any better story - just as good yes, but not necessarily better. I do think the narrator reading it with a bit more gritty feel might have enhanced the memorial as she was just a bit too calm a reader for the content, especially knowing it was an old woman telling a story from her youth. But please, enjoy the read for what it is - a first-hand account of what it was to hide in fear from the Nazi regime in Holland, but this time to have the good outcome of survival - when fewer than 4% of the Dutch Jewish population made it through the war. Amazing.

An Amazing Story, Adequately Told

The writing in this book is not polished, but the story is so amazing that I wish everyone could hear it. Flory and her family suffered and survived horrifying Nazi cruelty during WW2. Even at the worst of times, however, there were kind, decent, courageous people willing to help save the Nazis' prey. Many times in the book, members of the Dutch underground describe themselves and others simply as "good citizens". Unexpectedly, this story of cruelty and evil was also a story of strength, kindness and good.

A Miraculous Story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. The accounts of the Jews who survived the most horrific time of the 20th century must be told and never forgotten. These people along with many others who survived and many who did not survive were the greatest generation and they are HEROES!

What other book might you compare Flory to and why?

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom,

Which scene was your favorite?

The liberation of the Dutch people.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Just as the title says: Flory: A Miraculous Story of Survival.

Any additional comments?

One of the best books I have listened to from Audible. If I could give it 10 stars I would.

Nothing like a true story to edify.

Memorable. Heart-breaking. Triumphant. That captures the essence of this book. The humanity and courage of those persevering through wretched difficulties is chronicled here. I can easily recommend this book.

Hidden Gem

An important piece of history that needs to be read and remembered. Well written. I enjoyed the emotion the narrator brought to the story.

geared toward young adult

Would you recommend Flory to your friends? Why or why not?

no see more comments

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

performance was choppy and no inflection in voice; in defense of reader however the story itself was written like an essay in high school what I did last summer. this was more like someone reading from trite entries in a diary.

Was Flory worth the listening time?

could not wait for it to end. I went on internet to see her story because this book was so dull and lifeless that I was not sure I would read the whole thing

Any additional comments?

more for a young adult audience, definitely hard to listen to and

Cautionary Tale

I wish more people would read these stories and see them as potential cautionary tales. Flory kept thinking “it won’t happen to us” but in no time her world was upside down.

It CAN happen to us… to me… to you. Institutionalized racism is insidious. What starts off as a guideline for the benefit of the community can quickly devolve into the worse case scenario (Charter of Values in Quebec anyone?)

Don’t think A won’t lead to B - it can. Craziness starts somewhere. Stories like Flory’s are proof.