The Stable Boy of Auschwitz

Such a gripping, well written, gut wrenching, powerful and moving memoir.

The Stable Boy of Auschwitz is the true story of Henry Oster’s young life. He was five years old in 1933 when Adolf Hitler took power. In Auschwitz he worked in the horse breeding stables. He believed if he worked hard and made himself hard to replace, he may stay alive. Stay alive he did, in 1945 while imprisoned at Buchenwald camp he was liberated.

This book begins by telling the history of events leading up to the Holocaust. Readers may learn more about Hitler’s rise to power and why some chose to stay.

So much hate, so much brutality, so much heartache, so much killing, but there was also hope, courage, and strength beyond comprehension.

One can’t help but feel many emotions while reading this book. I am in complete awe of those who survived and have been able to tell their stories. They are important and should never be forgotten. There are not many survivors left in the world. I went with Ma (grandmother) to the German Consulate in Los Angeles once a year and then every few months at the end of her life, so she could continue receiving her reparations checks. The last time we went, we were the only ones there.

Remembering is what we must do. Henry Oster was young when he and his family were transported to the Łódź Ghetto in Poland. Imagine having a happy life and having someone take it from you. Take your belongings, take the lives of your loved ones, and take away your freedom. Henry’s story is both a heart wrenching story of loss and devastation and a story of courage and hope.

I appreciated how the book showed his life before the Holocaust, during, and after. So many people have heard stories about happened during the Holocaust, but not about what happened to survivors after they were liberated. How they were helped and eventually made their ways into the world. I am so happy that this part of the book was also detailed.

While reading books such as this and thinking about my own family member who was in Auschwitz, I can’t help but wonder if I would have had the strength. How do those who have lost all that there is to lose, have everything taken from them that can ever be taken, keep moving forward. Hope, will, strength and courage.

Again, this was a well written, gripping, educational, moving memoir that is a testament to the inner strength and resiliency that we as humans possess.

This is not a BIG book in terms of length, but it is big on feeling and history.

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Thank you to Thread Books, Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.