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 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.
You won’t be able to read this story and not absolutely love Helene. Her bravery, the will to put her kids before anyone, and her unconditional love for humanity will take hold of your heart and soul. Fair warning… this is the true story of a woman…a german woman…a german woman during the early 1940’s…a german woman during the 1940’s who married a “gypsie” man and had two kids…
This woman was given a choice. Stay home or travel to Auschwitz with your family. Helene wouldn’t hear of not staying with her children. It wasn’t even a thought. Her kids are an extension of her soul. But what she experienced in Auschwitz? There are no number of books, stories, memoirs, or historical fiction accounts of what happened in Auschwitz that you can read that would tire you. Every story and account of what happened is like reading it for the first time. Helene is the woman you would want to fight for your child if you weren’t there to do so.
Mario Escobar has recreated Helene’s story with such huge respect. He has given Helene’s story a voice and her experience a purpose. This was a beautiful but heartbreakingly important story! 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mario Escobar Golderos (Madrid, Spain) has a degree in History, with an advanced studies diploma in Modern History. He has written numerous books and articles about the Inquisition, the Protestant Reformation, and religious sects. He is the directs the magazine Nueva historia para el debate, in addition to being a contributing columnist in various publications. Passionate about history and its mysteries, Escobar has delved into the depths of church history, the different sectarian groups that have struggled therein, and the discovery and colonization of the Americas. He specializes in the lives of unorthodox Spaniards and Americans.
AMAZON | THRIFTBOOKS |KOBO
Two Girls and a Book Obsession 