Not Without My Sister by Marion Kummerow

I’m so pleased to tell you about this heart-rending book today. Thanks so much to Bookouture for the copy of the book and invitation to be part of the tour.

Book Description:
1944, Germany. Two sisters seek to overcome impossible odds to be reunited, in this utterly devastating and unforgettable novel about sisterhood, courage and survival.

All they had left was each other. Until the Nazis tore them apart.

After years of hiding from the Nazis, Rachel Epstein and her little sister Mindel are captured by the Gestapo and sent to the concentration camp at Bergen-Belsen. The only ray of light for either girl is that they are together.

But on arrival they are separated. As she’s seventeen and deemed an adult, Rachel is sent to work in a brutal factory whilst four-year-old Mindel is sent into the so-called “star” camp for Jewish prisoners. All on her own, Rachel knows her sister will have no chance of survival—unless she can find someone to take care of her.

Working in the windowless, airless factory—filling munitions casings with chemicals that burn her fingers and make her eyes sting—the only thing that keeps Rachel going is the thought of her little sister. Because if there’s even a chance Mindel is alive, Rachel knows she must try to save her.

But, separated by barbed wire, and treated brutally by SS guards who do not even see them as human beings, can either of the orphaned sisters ever dare to hope that they’ll find their way back to each other? And to freedom?

A completely heartbreaking, utterly gripping tale of courage, loss and overcoming impossible odds, perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Ragged Edge of Night and The Orphan’s Tale.

My Review:

I’ve read a lot of books of this genre, all of them really excellent reads, but this one is one of my favourites.

Right from the start this book captured my attention, and I found myself totally captivated by it. It’s a story we’ve heard about so many times, families separated and taken to these horrendous camps, but each story is so personal, and this one feel so real and authentic.

Mindel is so young, and to see them camp through her innocent eyes is really heartbreaking. To hear how such young children get through the horrors, and even manage to form friendships with other children and play a little, is just so poignant. Rachel feels responsible for her little sister, but because she is older, she has to work, and is separated from Mindel. Rachel never gives up hope of being reunited with her sister, and her strength is a remarkable testament to the human spirit.

This book is so many things, it’s an important reminder of the evils of the past, it’s a story of friendship, family and the bond between sisters. It’s horrendous and it’s heart-rending, but it’s also a story of hope and of courage.

I was totally engrossed in this book, it’s a really hard book to put down. It’s definitely a book that will stay with me for a long time.

My Rating:

Author Bio:

Marion Kummerow was born and raised in Germany, before she set out to “discover the world” and lived in various countries. In 1999 she returned to Germany and settled down in Munich where she’s now living with her family.

Inspired by the true story about her grandparents, who belonged to the German resistance and fought against the Nazi regime, she started writing historical fiction, set during World War II. Her books are filled with raw emotions, fierce loyalty and resilience. She loves to put her characters through the mangle, making them reach deep within to find the strength to face moral dilemma, take difficult decisions or fight for what is right. And she never forgets to include humor and undying love in her books, because ultimately love is what makes the world go round.