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)

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!

Wanted to read this book non-stop

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

I love books that are written in first person. Not long after you start listening you feel one with the author. The simplicity and matter of fact analysis of the author's account seem simple at first, yet are very rich and profound, once you think about them.

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

There was no particular moment I would pick, but the way Sara handled and acted in different situations was remarkable, somewhat unexpected, witty and shaped and saved some of the lives of those that met her.

Which scene was your favorite?

Reunion

Any additional comments?

I got this book on sale, but it's worth a credit. Yes, it is a Holocaust story, but what I liked most about it was that Sara did not seem bitter and hateful. She ended up being the master of her destiny - in a worldly sense.