Only Hope

A Survivor's Stories of the Holocaust

De: Felicia Bornstein Lubliner

Narrado por: Christine Williams

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

Amazing MUST READ Book...So Much Emotion

Felicia Lubliner's memoir is a deeply moving and emotionally resonant account of the Holocaust.

We learn about the Holocaust in school, but often in a way that reduces it to dates and historical events. This memoir is so much richer, conveying the profound emotional depth—the personal pain, fear, and resilience of those who lived through it. It brings readers (or listeners, for those who experience it through the audiobook) into the raw reality of the tragedy, helping us understand the physical, psychological, and emotional horrors that survivors endured - and continue to carry with them today.

Lubliner's vivid storytelling draws you completely into her experiences, often leaving you in awe of her resilience and wondering how she found the strength to survive such unimaginable circumstances. Her ability to not only endure these horrors but to later recount them with such profound emotional depth is remarkable.

As a Black man, this book touched me deeply. When we can truly understand the trauma of others, it opens the door for them to understand the pain we carry as well. Empathy—genuine, deep empathy—allows us to recognize what shapes us, what drives us, and ultimately reveals that we are more alike than different.

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.

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.

Poignant and poetic

Listening to this incredibly poignant and poetic firsthand account of Felcia Lubliner's holocaust experience, I am reminded of both the courageous survivors and the murdered victims who have a voice again because of Felicia. The "package of hope" that Felicia talks about in her writings is unwrapped for humanity to see and learn from. Hearing Felicia recount her life as a holocaust survivor truly made me feel the urgency of her message to never forget the horrors that took place just a century ago. In addition, the narrator, Christine Williams so eloquently speaks Felicia's words with a voice of compassion that touches one's soul.

A Powerful Retelling

Only Hope is a tribute to all the Jews that perished and to all who survived and managed to resume a life. Irv's bringing this beautiful and heart-rending story to fruition honors not only his mother, but so many's relatives and loved ones. in these times especially, it's important to remember. Bravo, Irv!