Book Review: The Boy Who Followed His Father into Auschwitz by Jeremy Dronfield

“It took strength of character to share and love in a world where selfishness and hate were common currency”

Jeremy Dronfield, The Boy Who Followed His Father into Auschwitz

Review:

Initially, I was surprised to see this written in the third person and I wasn’t sure how I was going to take to it as I’m accustomed to Holocaust memoirs where they’re more like a diary of sorts (if not literally a diary). I’m glad I didn’t let my assumption stop me from adjusting as I ended up enjoying the way it was told through the third person narrative. 

Father and son Gustav and Fritz Kleinmann were arrested and sent to the Buchenwald concentration camp. They survive there together for some time before Gustav learns he’s going to be sent to Auschwitz. Refusing to be separated, Fritz insists on being taken as well.

I found Gustav and Fritz’s story touching and inspiring. I also found some of the history to be unique compared to many other books I’ve read from this era. For example, early on in the book it discusses the lead-up to the war and the descriptions of the Nazi’s taunts in such a vivid way that also depicts that their prejudice was not only toward the Jewish people but many others. In many ways, it felt like a novel because it was so atmospheric.

Likes & Dislikes:

What I liked:

• How well it captured the emotion and surroundings.
• Pulled off the non-fiction novel feel well.
• Informative.

What I didn’t like:

• Ran a bit longer than it needed to.
• Not about the content of the book itself but my gosh I hate deckled edges.

Afterthoughts:

Although I can’t say this book has stuck with me as much as some other Holocaust books have, it’s been an excellent addition to my collection.

Where to buy the book: