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)

captivating

When someone recounts something so horrific, I often find myself wanting to understand what it felt like to be in a situation I could not possibly comprehend. Even tough this was an emotional topic, this book was not about the author's emotion. It was a narrative that focused on the facts. Rather than taking away from the story, it allowed the facts to stand by themselves. IMO, most readers would be hard-pressed to listen to the matter-of-fact experiences and not feel complete shock. The juxtaposition between the lack of the emotion and extreme circumstances was unbelievably powerful. I have read many books and watched so many movies about Holocaust survivors. They have all been shocking. They have all left me with a feeling of confusion and awe at the depth to which some people will go to attain utter control and domination.

This book stood out- mainly for its lack of emotion. Viktor Frankl's Man's Search For Meaning stood out because it was a portrait of remarkable human resilience in the face of circumstances so horrific, those who have not experienced them can barely imagine being able to remain alive, let alone resilient. Frankl showed his reader a curious phenomenon; trauma can compel a person to actually reach beyond what they would have likely achieved in their lifetime otherwise. Instead of breaking, they not only recovered, but thrived.

In a similar way, this narrative stood out. It made me ask the question, "What does it take to survive something like a Holocaust?" This would be a good time to mention that I had a bit of an issue with the forward. Sara's cowriter said something along the lines of, Sara survived because she was stronger than other women who allowed themselves (in some way) to die. I certainly agree that it is one kind of strength to be able to shut off parts of yourself, feel distance, and endure. There is no question Sara was so very strong. But, I don't think it is weak to be aware of how horrific a situation is and die from a combination of torture and despair. I don't think it is weak to maybe have already been starving prior to capture and then die sooner because your body had less nutrition from the start (recall Sara ate very well right before capture because she was working for a woman who fed her workers well). It is not weak to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and get shot or hit by a bomb. It is not weak to drink the water and get sick from the water. It's not weak to take the bottom bunk because the top was full and get crushed to death at night. So much of it was luck. So, it seems unfair to characterize any woman or man who died in the camps as weak in some way. That said, it is interesting to try to figure out what factors contribute to extremely resilient individuals.

This book takes the reader from Sara's childhood, in which she begins to understand people's view of Jewish persons, through her capture and time in the camps, and beyond. A must read for anyone interested in the Holocaust.

I wish I could have known her.

I cried with sadness as I listened to the expected horrors and unimaginable loses. I cried with pride and relief when Sara thought it might be raining on her but realized it was the tears running down the face of an allied soldier carrying her. The tears running down his face were falling onto hers.

I'm so glad this story made it to light. The narrator was wonderful. I enjoyed her narration so much so that I searched by her name for my next listen rather than by author or genre.

If you pick only one, this is that one

I read a lot of WW2 historical fiction, non fiction, and biographies. This one has a story perfectly matched to a narrator. I could feel everything she described. A great lesson is how those most entitled to claim victimhood often decline it. She chose life, determined to be a survivor, and lived.

Touching Story

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

Family Love Endurance

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

She is so matter a fact about starvation she endured that you almost didn't understand how bad it was. When they weighed her at the hospital at the end I was shocked.

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

Sara

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

When the soldier was crying carrying her at the hospital.

a difficult story beautifully told

Wanda mccaddon beautifully read this story which was an autobiography written by a holocaust Survivor. Wanda's ability to change the voices sufficiently so that we could tell the different characters but also the different flavors that the people were speaking was excellent Of course a sad story, beautifully told about a sad part of world history. A good read. A way to look at the events of the Holocaust without Terror and with hope and understanding.

Wow!

You must read this. It's one of the best books I've ever read.

I'm interested in WWII books with a human interest angle, like The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. While Ms. Hannah's was historical fiction, The Seamstress was non-fiction. Seren (Sarah) Tuvel was taken prisoner by the Germans during the Holocaust. It is a powerful story that everyone should read.

Outstanding

You may think you've heard this story before. You've read so many memoirs on this topic. Read this one too. This is specifically feminine. This is the story of those Eastern European countries so many of our families ran from. This is the story of a woman who grew up there, then was trapped there, then was sent from there, and finally landed in America after so many trials.

Gripping!

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

This is one of the best audio books that I have listened to. The narrator portrays the characters believably.

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

It is a story of the Holocaust, so that being said, many stories have been written about this horrendous time in history. But, it is told in a way so that your very soul is crying out for the injustices that these people had to face.

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

The main character, Sara, was portrayed with authenticity.

A remarkable story

I really enjoyed this book. Sara's journey was quite remarkable. It was a completely different time in history and just so impressive with what she had accomplished prior to and for several years into the war. There are questions I wish I could ask her, but alas, she has passed. I definitely recommend.

A holocaust story with a difference

Her story may have similarities to that of of others, her after story showed that of her strive to move forward. I loved this book! I wish I had children to share it with!