Only Hope

A Survivor's Stories of the Holocaust

By: Felicia Bornstein Lubliner

Narrated by: Christine Williams

Length: 2 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

From the book's introduction:

"The world was not prepared for Auschwitz. It was, in fact, a place unbelievable even for its inmates. No words can adequately describe this weird world -- unlike anything the world had ever known. In order to understand its implication, you actually had to be part of it.

I'll have to be autobiographical, but follow me if you will into Auschwitz and spend a day there, and meet some of the people in the nameless mass of bodies. Try, if you will, to feel, even for a moment, that you could have been one of them, that in fact you were one of them."

©2019 Irving Lubliner (P)2023 Irving Lubliner

Hearing her voice was so impactful

I’ve never been this moved by a holocaust experience. I understand more now than I did before. 

Truth

With Only Hope we are privileged to hear Truth with a Capital T. Unfortunately real Truth is often a rarity today. I have the privilege of knowing Irv. I went to one of his first presentations after publishing Only Hope. I was fascinated to learn this aspect of his life, having only met him a few years previously. I bought and read the book mainly as an act of friendship. So I was familiar with Only Hope when I listened to it. The experience was totally different and the harsh realities of the camps became so vivid and real! I guess my eyes can glance over maybe uncomfortable passages, but my ears could not unheard the words and the pictures of reality seemed so much more devastating and subhuman especially when hearing his mother’s own voice. I highly recommend the audio version and then purchasing the hard copy so you can always have access to the Truth of a horrible chapter in the history of mankind.

The human spirit is unconquerable

This is such a beautiful book to listen to. Christine Williams managed to make the stories come alive (as if I was watching them happen or even present during the scenes.) I was moved by hearing Felicia’s own voice, recorded over 50 years ago. I believe she came to this country in 1949 and didn't know the English language, but she wrote her stories in English, and I noticed her mastery of both the language and the craft of writing a short story. Her son’s voice in the afterword is so heartwarming. All three voices (Christine's, Felicia’s and her son’s) combine to make this a unique audiobook.

Only Hope Review

I wasn't prepared for this. The difference between reading "Only Hope" and listening to the audio version is like comparing a map to the actual experience of travel. In reality, though, both are necessary to produce an unforgettable experience. While the book brings the reader to many uncomfortable places, the combined voices of Christine Williams (superbly narrating the gut-wrenching words of Felicia), Irving Lubliner (sharing candid childhood memories of his parents), and Felicia herself (lecturing at a local college) bring the listener into the ghoulish world of hatred, abject evil, and the residual effects of trauma in a searing and unforgettable true-life story. As I read the book, I was forced to stop and reflect on humanity's penchant for inhumanity, but as I listened to the audio version I was transported to Auschwitz to witness firsthand the cruelty that Felicia and others endured. Frankly, listening to this and imagining the horror took my breath away. I frankly believe you should own the book as well as the audio version of these memoirs, if for no other reason than to draw inspiration from Felicia Lubliner's indomitable spirit when challenges beset you. Aside from this, these serve as reminders that evil does exist and we must vigorously fight against it, particularly when a growing number of people doubt the Holocaust ever happened. Read, listen, and weep. Go to Auschwitz with Felicia. Let these written and spoken words seep into your spirit. You will not be disappointed and you will most certainly be changed for the better. Highly recommended.

First hand experience of being at Auschwitz

Excellent narrator. The stories are compelling, especially the one about Matilda. Highly recommended to get the audio version.

Definitely listen, even if you’ve already read the book

After having read Only Hope, I assumed that listening to the audiobook version would be a nice way to revisit Felicia’s stories, but that I wouldn’t necessarily learn anything new. Boy was I wrong. When a story is read by the narrator, with the proper pauses and inflections, the stories come to life. And then to actually be able to listen to a recording of Felicia personally recount her journey to Auschwitz… that was so impactful. I came away with a renewed awe of her ability to recall everything in such detail and her mastery of English, which was not her first language. She helps us see, hear and smell everything that she saw, heard and smelled, so that we can imagine being there with her. Please, if you’ve read the book, listen to this audio version, and if you’ve never read it, then may this audiobook give you a glimpse into the experiences and strength of character of an Auschwitz survivor.