Based on the true story of a brave German nurse tasked with caring for Auschwitz’s youngest prisoners, Auschwitz Lullaby brings to life the story of Helene Hannemann—a woman who sacrificed everything for family and fought furiously for the children she hoped to save.
On an otherwise ordinary morning in 1943, Helene Hannemann is preparing her five children for the day when the German police … for the day when the German police arrive at her home. Helene’s worst fears come true when the police, under strict orders from the SS, demand that her children and husband, all of Romani heritage, be taken into custody. Though Helene is German and safe from the forces invading her home, she refuses to leave her family—sealing her fate in a way she never could have imagined.
After a terrifying trek across the continent, Helene and her family arrive at Auschwitz and are thrown into the chaos of the camp. Her husband, Johann, is separated from them, but Helene remains fiercely protective of her children and those around her. When the powers-that-be discover that Helene is not only a German but also a trained nurse, she is forced into service at the camp hospital, which is overseen by the notorious Dr. Mengele himself.
Helene is under no illusions in terms of Dr. Mengele’s intentions, but she agrees to cooperate when he asks her to organize a day care and school for the Romani children in the camp. Though physically and emotionally brutalized by the conditions at Auschwitz, Helene musters the strength to protect the children in her care at any cost. Through sheer force of will, Helene provides a haven for the children of Auschwitz—an act of kindness and selflessness so great that it illuminates the darkest night of human history.
Based on a true story, Mario Escobar’s Auschwitz Lullaby demonstrates the power of sacrifice and the strength of human dignity—even when all hope seems lost.
“Auschwitz Lullaby grabbed my heart and drew me in. A great choice for readers of historical fiction.” —Irma Joubert, author of The Girl from the Train
- An international bestseller
- Full-length World War II historical novel
- A finalist for 2019’s Empik Award for Literature
- Includes discussion questions for book clubs, research notes from the author, and a historical timeline
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I have no words, really, to describe this book other than it is heartbreaking. It is difficult to fathom this kind of cruelty, although I know that it happens around the world, even today. It wears different faces and different names but the evil behind it is the same. This is a book people should read, if for no other reason than that it should never be forgotten.
I have read a lot of different stories about Auschwitz and learn new things each time. Auschwitz Lullaby is based on a real life person. Helene is German and married to a Gypsy. When the Nazis take her husband and their children, she is not required to go because she is German. She decides to go with her family. At the camp, Helene is singled out due to her nursing skills and sent to work for Mengele. Auschwitz Lullaby is a story fill with horrific tragedy, hope and the will to survive.
Extremely moving and thought provoking book. One that shows the true depths of a mother’s love. This books gives you a look at a group of people hunted by the Nazi’s that we don’t see mention as often, the Romani. I learned a great deal from this book and highly recommend it for historical fiction fans.
Helene’s husband Johann was a member of the Berlin Philharmonic before the Nazi’s turned the world upside down. Because he is Romaini, or Gypsy he was no longer allowed to work even though he is a violin virtuoso. Helene can still work because she is a purebred German. The family of seven lives in their own apartment. Food is hard to obtain but they have enough to get by.
Their last day of freedom was like any other. Helene readied the older four children for school. Johann and their youngest child slept up until minutes before their world exploded. As Helene and the children left for the day, Nazi soldiers stormed up the stairs. They had finally come for Johann and the children. Helene was free to stay, but she refused to be left behind.
Thus begins the days of physical and mental anguish. The family is taken via cattle car to Auschwitz. They are hungry, thirsty and terrified. Once they arrive at the camp, Johann is separated from the rest of his family. The barracks are cold, dirty and survival is the only thing everyone cares about. Helene’s family loses the precious few pieces of warm clothes they have to thieves before they realize that their world has forever changed.
Because Helene is a nurse, she is immediately of use to her captors. Life becomes incrementally better when she is moved to a different barracks with women she can trust with her children while she works. Her job in the camp brings her in close contact with one of the most horrific men in the Nazi party, Herr Doktor Mengele.
Helene fears for her children, but is strong and stands up for herself. Mengele admires her and puts her in charge of the Zigeunerlager kindergarten in Auschwitz-Birkenau. While it seems wonderful in the beginning, offering more food and things for the children to do, it is probably just a show for the visiting Nazi leaders. And it is the perfect place for Mengele to find twins to try his experiments on. As the war nears the end, what will happen to Helene and her children as well as the rest of the prisoners?
Escobar’s telling of Helene’s story is heartbreakingly beautiful. The strength of the prisoners, the brutality of the Nazis and the bits of love and happiness that were found in one of the most horrific places on earth all play out in on the pages. This book is based upon the true story of Helene Hannemann and her five children. He visited Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II, Holocaust museums and read scores of documents during his research for this poignant book. The result personalizes the countless atrocities experienced in the camps.
Reading the story of Helene and her family was not always easy. It is evident Escobar put his heart and soul into Auschwitz Lullaby. I would not be surprised to see it becoming as influential as The Diary of A Young Girl (also known as The Diary of Anne Frank) and deservedly so. Escobar’s words will haunt you long after the last page.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Copyright © 2018 Laura Hartman
Told us what Hitler did to Jews, and how people survived. a good history book.
Gives insight into events that happened during the Holocaust, but in a different way than most books I have read about it.
I didn’t realize this was a true story and it has the saddest ending. I am sure most stories has a real ending like this. I was not ready for this ending and am sorry I read this book.
Hard to put down. Excellent story.
It’s a book everyone should read because we can never forget the atrocities committed by the Nazis. We r seeing some of same things happening now. We can never forget true history!
Already wrote one
This was heart breaking as all these stories are, but it’s history that shouldn’t ever be repeated. Such bravery and strength these poor people showed.
Just never got rolling.
It brings to life the horrors of the Holocaust in a way that is very readable. A great reminder of what true racism looks like and what it can lead to.
It was different than others I have read on Auschwitz. Sad but inspiring!
Learned so much how the Gypsy population of Europe suffered during WW II.
I’m always amazed by the evil that transpired in the concentration camps. Yet, I’m always inspired by some of the stories to come from such cruel places. While some say that evil begets evil, I feel that for some, true humanity will spring forth. This story tells of a family who went to their death, but took the high road while doing so. I can’t imagine, nor even comprehend what many hundreds of thousands, millions even, went through. It was conflicting to read about the atrocities in Auschwitz, then also read about some of the sweetest moments. I mourn for those who were killed there. I pray it will never happen again.
Mario Escobar was able to capture these moments and detail the life of one family as they traversed this hell on earth. I felt this was one of the best accounts of the gypsies and what they went through. A Remarkable story.
Follows the Roma population and their time in Auschwitz, something that hasn’t always been focused on. The ending was a bit too sad for my taste but realistic.
True story but written as a journal. The author in prologue explains any deviation from fact. Helene was Aryan. She was a nurse, blonde and blue eyed, who married a Romani. When the police came for them she insisted on going with her family.
In 1943 she arrived in Auschwitz. She was separated from her husband. She was made to establish a nursery under Dr. MEngele. Thinking she could help, she provided protection from the environment and better food. It was actually a holding area for Mengele and his experiments. When liberation was imminent, the Nazis liquidated the gypsy camp. She again was offered her freedom. In 1943 she went to the gas chambers with her children and was said to have calmed the people with the lullaby of her youth. An inspiration, a fabulous translation, and an absolute MUST READ.
Amazing. Tragic. Thought provoking. Haunting. What evil there is in the world. But there are always those who stand up to it and make life better whenever and wherever they can.
What a moving and tragic story. Based on the life of Helene Hannemann, this book explores the plight of the Gypsies who were forced to endure the atrocities of Auschwitz. You are provided a painful view of life for those who were forced to endure life at Auschwitz. The strength of Helene and how she goes from being a nurse to being the director of a nursery school in the Gypsy camp…working directly with Dr. Mengele, will amaze you. She is dedicated to her family and willing to sacrifice everything for her children and fight for the children who are placed in her care.
The author describes the horrors of Auschwitz…overwhelming your senses with the sights and smells that are brutal and honest. The author’s words demonstrate the power of sacrifice and the strength of human dignity even when there is no hope left. The journey you experience throughout the pages is filled with the horrific evil intentions and practices of Dr. Mengele. However, Helene Hannemann allows you to see her remarkable strength and bravery…singing a beautiful lullaby to calm the children…even as she glimpses what the future holds.