What do you think?
Rate this book
Anca's Story
Dare you read Anca's Story?
Three young children smuggle themselves into Auschwitz in search for their parents.
If you're looking for werewolves, vampires and faeries and paranormal fantasy, try somewhere else. The only wolf in this story is very real, and the only connection with vampires is the distant Transylvanian mountains in Romania, where this story begins.
If you're looking for light-reading where they all live happily ever after then again, try somewhere else.
If you want serious, no-holds-barred literary fiction set against the background of real historic events then this is for you.
Saffina Desforges made her name writing hard-hitting crime fiction.
This book is about that most horrific crime of all: genocide.
Three young children smuggle themselves into Auschwitz in search for their parents.
If you're looking for werewolves, vampires and faeries and paranormal fantasy, try somewhere else. The only wolf in this story is very real, and the only connection with vampires is the distant Transylvanian mountains in Romania, where this story begins.
If you're looking for light-reading where they all live happily ever after then again, try somewhere else.
If you want serious, no-holds-barred literary fiction set against the background of real historic events then this is for you.
Saffina Desforges made her name writing hard-hitting crime fiction.
This book is about that most horrific crime of all: genocide.
241 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 10, 2012
42 people are currently reading
222 people want to read
About the author
Saffina Desforges
29 books122 followersHi, I am Saffi - the loud half of the Saffina Desforges writing partnership!
Since first publishing our debut novel in January 2010, we have gone on to sell over 125,000 ebooks in just over a year!
We now also run digital publishing company MWiDP (Mark Williams international Digtial Publishing) and have over 80 titles live.
2012 will see our new online bookstore: IndiEbook.com go live, as well as several other book related domains.
Why not join us? For more details, drop a line to markwilliamsauthor@gmail.com
Saffi
Since first publishing our debut novel in January 2010, we have gone on to sell over 125,000 ebooks in just over a year!
We now also run digital publishing company MWiDP (Mark Williams international Digtial Publishing) and have over 80 titles live.
2012 will see our new online bookstore: IndiEbook.com go live, as well as several other book related domains.
Why not join us? For more details, drop a line to markwilliamsauthor@gmail.com
Saffi
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 9, 2020
Excellent
This book was a work of fiction but could have easily been a true story for so many people. It was very well written
This book was a work of fiction but could have easily been a true story for so many people. It was very well written
June 10, 2013
A fictional story about a real and terrible event - an event that seems too awful to be true and yet it is.
Anca is 12, her brother, Nicholae, is 6. Elone is 9. The children were separated from their parents on the way to a labour camp (actually Auschwitz, a death camp) and were left to cope alone. Elone and her family were Jews, though Anca's family was not. It was not only Jews that wound up in the Nazi death camps.
I do have criticisms of this story - that the language was often unnatural, and the author has a liking for obscure words - words that are not even in a normal size dictionary. For instance: a ‘bicephalous moon’ and 'I crawled reptant.’ Unnatural language: For instance: 'as they partook their evening repast’ instead of ‘as they ate dinner.' I wonder if English is a second language for the author, as the English is totally accurate, but in a way that a native to the language is unlikely to use.
My other criticism was that it was farfetched, the events unlikely in the extreme. But that part can be explained - there were so few who survived the Holocaust, and each survivor's story is probably just as unlikely.
But still - 5 stars. This was an incredible story that kept my interest from start to finish. It brought history to life. This is a very good book. I recommend it.
Anca is 12, her brother, Nicholae, is 6. Elone is 9. The children were separated from their parents on the way to a labour camp (actually Auschwitz, a death camp) and were left to cope alone. Elone and her family were Jews, though Anca's family was not. It was not only Jews that wound up in the Nazi death camps.
I do have criticisms of this story - that the language was often unnatural, and the author has a liking for obscure words - words that are not even in a normal size dictionary. For instance: a ‘bicephalous moon’ and 'I crawled reptant.’ Unnatural language: For instance: 'as they partook their evening repast’ instead of ‘as they ate dinner.' I wonder if English is a second language for the author, as the English is totally accurate, but in a way that a native to the language is unlikely to use.
My other criticism was that it was farfetched, the events unlikely in the extreme. But that part can be explained - there were so few who survived the Holocaust, and each survivor's story is probably just as unlikely.
But still - 5 stars. This was an incredible story that kept my interest from start to finish. It brought history to life. This is a very good book. I recommend it.
October 30, 2021
Just in the foreword, the Author makes this statement: "The characters in this story are fictional. The events we call the Holocaust were very, very real."
This is a novel of the holocaust, about three children that looking for their parents traveled in cattle train wagons from Romania to Poland to finally sneaking into Auschwitz where concealing lived there undetected for four months until the camp inmates were liberated by the Russians, when the three children found that their parents have died in that camp.
The novel makes a vivid description of what the children view along their trip and into the camp, but it also has extensive chapters of heavy detailed and doubtful narrative, sometimes incoherent with the timing and spirit of the novel.
I found the author's elaborated lexicon impressive, which sometimes makes it difficult to correctly interpret the meaning of the respective phrase.
Regardless of the fact that in the 1940s the events narrated in this book shocked the world; terrorism, genocide and ethnic cleansing continue to occur, showing that people of low moral and intellectual qualifications can still control a country.
This is a novel of the holocaust, about three children that looking for their parents traveled in cattle train wagons from Romania to Poland to finally sneaking into Auschwitz where concealing lived there undetected for four months until the camp inmates were liberated by the Russians, when the three children found that their parents have died in that camp.
The novel makes a vivid description of what the children view along their trip and into the camp, but it also has extensive chapters of heavy detailed and doubtful narrative, sometimes incoherent with the timing and spirit of the novel.
I found the author's elaborated lexicon impressive, which sometimes makes it difficult to correctly interpret the meaning of the respective phrase.
Regardless of the fact that in the 1940s the events narrated in this book shocked the world; terrorism, genocide and ethnic cleansing continue to occur, showing that people of low moral and intellectual qualifications can still control a country.
June 18, 2015
Incredible and riveting true story!
If you purchase this book you will not be sorry. I was thoroughly and instantly captivated by Anca's true telling of what she and two other children endured during the Holocaust. She was only twelve years old and her little brother was six, and they along with a nine year old girl they happened to meet on their journey with their Mother to be put in a resettlement camp in Krakow Poland. The horrors they went through are hard to believe. The strength and resolve of these young children in the midst of so much cruelty and uncertainty is heart wrenching. Anna had an excellent memory obviously seen through all the many details of her story. Thank you Anca for sharing what happened to you dear, I know it must have been so hard! I know these stories need to be told and never forgotten. This book should be a prerequisite for all middle age schools.
If you purchase this book you will not be sorry. I was thoroughly and instantly captivated by Anca's true telling of what she and two other children endured during the Holocaust. She was only twelve years old and her little brother was six, and they along with a nine year old girl they happened to meet on their journey with their Mother to be put in a resettlement camp in Krakow Poland. The horrors they went through are hard to believe. The strength and resolve of these young children in the midst of so much cruelty and uncertainty is heart wrenching. Anna had an excellent memory obviously seen through all the many details of her story. Thank you Anca for sharing what happened to you dear, I know it must have been so hard! I know these stories need to be told and never forgotten. This book should be a prerequisite for all middle age schools.
October 15, 2015
This book paints a vivid, and at times, a gruesome picture. The setting was unique to me. I think this is the first WWII book I've read that's set mostly in Poland. However, the setting doesn't play a large role in the overall story. You will see a first hand account of the persecution of the Jews during the Holocaust. There's not much on the war as a whole.
It's a sad story, but I didn't find myself emotionally involved.
This is a clean read as far as language and sexual content are concerned, but you should be prepared for extreme violence.
It's a sad story, but I didn't find myself emotionally involved.
This is a clean read as far as language and sexual content are concerned, but you should be prepared for extreme violence.
July 3, 2015
What does it mean to see the Holocaust?
Wow!! Though I was never there, thank the Lord, the depiction of how things were was very accurate to some of the things I 've read. My heart goes out to the survivors of that fateful time. May God Bless those who have seen and have come under inhumane treatment. Very well written, and very attention getting.
Wow!! Though I was never there, thank the Lord, the depiction of how things were was very accurate to some of the things I 've read. My heart goes out to the survivors of that fateful time. May God Bless those who have seen and have come under inhumane treatment. Very well written, and very attention getting.
November 29, 2015
Unique story
This is a story about three children who broke into Auschwitz and lived there undetected for four months. Before breaking in, they traveled from Romania to Poland in cattle cars, lived on leaves in the woods, fought a wolf... true? Interesting, but implausible. However, I was very impressed with the lexicon the author used.
This is a story about three children who broke into Auschwitz and lived there undetected for four months. Before breaking in, they traveled from Romania to Poland in cattle cars, lived on leaves in the woods, fought a wolf... true? Interesting, but implausible. However, I was very impressed with the lexicon the author used.
August 11, 2015
Extraordinary heartfelt story, I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end.
An amazing book that covers yet another horrible act by the cowards from Germany during WWII, fortunately Anca lived to tell her story.
An amazing book that covers yet another horrible act by the cowards from Germany during WWII, fortunately Anca lived to tell her story.
September 25, 2015
No child should
Have to live a story like this. Anca was unusual for her years. Saving herself, a small brother, and a young girl, from death is a story to be read with reverence. Lots of action, emotions, and good writing make this a readable book.
Have to live a story like this. Anca was unusual for her years. Saving herself, a small brother, and a young girl, from death is a story to be read with reverence. Lots of action, emotions, and good writing make this a readable book.
August 11, 2013
Not my usual genre but I loved this book. So scary that people could actually do this to other human beings.
September 1, 2013
I hadn't realised this was a young adult book. I am sure it would have enormous impact on teenagers. A little implausible for an adult.
October 1, 2013
Three children searching for their parents in Auchwitz. Not believable the way the children survived but the description of the holocaust very good. We must not forget.
January 21, 2014
Surprisingly go od
I thought it was going to be a bad book because it's free but it's actually pretty good. must have
I thought it was going to be a bad book because it's free but it's actually pretty good. must have
January 1, 2015
YA. Overuse of the thesaurus until the last few chapters. Other than this distracting style of writing which left me rather cold, a solid book but with a rather unbelievable ending.
April 19, 2015
Will keep you on the edge of your seat
This was by far the most moving book I have ever read don't pass it by how amazing the strength of these children
This was by far the most moving book I have ever read don't pass it by how amazing the strength of these children
July 16, 2015
Spell binding
This was a truly spell binding book about the Holocaust. I didn't want to put it down. I would recommend it highly.
This was a truly spell binding book about the Holocaust. I didn't want to put it down. I would recommend it highly.
October 21, 2015
We must remember!
I have been an avid reader of Holocaust history for a long time. This is an excellent book. Again, we must never forget!
I have been an avid reader of Holocaust history for a long time. This is an excellent book. Again, we must never forget!
December 6, 2015
Tragic but well presented factual story.
I will always remember this story. One of the best I have read. Anca lived through this Hell, and yet survived. Amazing.
I will always remember this story. One of the best I have read. Anca lived through this Hell, and yet survived. Amazing.
September 4, 2012
This was a great memoir of the holocaust and one girl's survival.
January 3, 2024
True stories about the Holocaust tug at my heart, but I love reading personal stories about what the women and children went through during this time. This book made me tear up because it is the perspective of 3 young children trying to save their mothers. We always talk about a mothers love for her children, but this shows how much a child truly loves their mother. What these kids went through is just heartbreaking, but it gives a whole new perspective on life, and how good we truly do have it. We truly are blessed beyond belief.
April 26, 2018
A Must Read! Could not put this book down!
This book sucks you in from the first page. You travel back in time to one of humanities most horrendous eras! The reader is with Anca as she tries to save her little brother and their new Jewish friend Elona. You are right there during their long journey to find their families.
This book sucks you in from the first page. You travel back in time to one of humanities most horrendous eras! The reader is with Anca as she tries to save her little brother and their new Jewish friend Elona. You are right there during their long journey to find their families.
February 9, 2018
Five stars us just not high enough of a rating. Brilliantly written!
August 18, 2020
A very emotional read but well worth it
February 24, 2021
Really Heartbreaking Story BUT
Unfortunately the use of obscure words spoilt it for me . It took me twice as lo g to read.
Unfortunately the use of obscure words spoilt it for me . It took me twice as lo g to read.
March 20, 2017
Amazing
So sad but amazing book so vivid and life-like I couldn't put it down how any1 can deny the Holocaust happened I don't know
So sad but amazing book so vivid and life-like I couldn't put it down how any1 can deny the Holocaust happened I don't know
January 12, 2016
Anca’s Story is a Holocaust survivor tale aimed at the YA - Young Adult market. It is a book of historical fiction set at the end of World War II. Anca Pasculata is a frail old woman who comes to a British school to address teenagers about her experience as a 12 year old Holocaust survivor.
I found this a very powerful book and because Anca related her tale from the standpoint of an elderly woman looking back on her childhood, it was told from the voice of experience. The language used was not that of a 12 year old girl but of a very articulate and educated adult. Her extensive vocabulary added such depth to the story seen through the eyes of a child yet spoken with words of a university professor. Anca was born and raised in Romania yet her English vocabulary was outstanding. I am 57 years old and my only language is English but I had to look up quite a lot of words to be sure. In our depot we have a driver from Romania working with us and we would never hear him use words like these for example…
...Obdurate to my lachrymose appeal, my friend’s father responded with a silent shake of his head and began to step back inside, his hand on the door to close it. “Go, Anca. You are no longer welcome here.” …
...Obdurate and lachrymose! These are not common English words but highlight the quality of the writing within this book. Very vivid pictures are painted with these words, scenes that remain with you after you have finished reading this book. In particular steam train journeys, wandering through an unknown forest and men, women and children standing naked in a field.
Being historical fiction, the people Anca bumps into are convenient to the plot and you end up mumbling to yourself “as if?”. A lot of this novel is just Anca stumbling along but clearly Saffina has done her research very well and the true horrors of the time are skillfully woven into Anca’s tale.
Because the Holocaust was 70 years ago, it is very hard to imagine today just what things were like in 1944. However this book brings to you how awful things were through the eyes of a child growing up in ignorance of the grand scheme of things within Europe from 1939 to 1945.
I finished this book and found my whole reading experience quite haunting. I think that Anca’s Story is a GOOD read and I will vote it 4 stars. I do feel it is an illustration of a historical period told in the style of a first person narrative. Therefore all the groundwork is already in the history books and Saffina was able to form her story from the records. I do not think Anca’s Story is as good as Saffina’s first novel Sugar & Spice, which I voted the top score of 5 stars. Anca’s Story did have a big effect on me though and as I look at the queue of passengers waiting to board my coach, I wonder how people could choose which people in an anonymous crowd to accept or reject.
I found this a very powerful book and because Anca related her tale from the standpoint of an elderly woman looking back on her childhood, it was told from the voice of experience. The language used was not that of a 12 year old girl but of a very articulate and educated adult. Her extensive vocabulary added such depth to the story seen through the eyes of a child yet spoken with words of a university professor. Anca was born and raised in Romania yet her English vocabulary was outstanding. I am 57 years old and my only language is English but I had to look up quite a lot of words to be sure. In our depot we have a driver from Romania working with us and we would never hear him use words like these for example…
...Obdurate to my lachrymose appeal, my friend’s father responded with a silent shake of his head and began to step back inside, his hand on the door to close it. “Go, Anca. You are no longer welcome here.” …
...Obdurate and lachrymose! These are not common English words but highlight the quality of the writing within this book. Very vivid pictures are painted with these words, scenes that remain with you after you have finished reading this book. In particular steam train journeys, wandering through an unknown forest and men, women and children standing naked in a field.
Being historical fiction, the people Anca bumps into are convenient to the plot and you end up mumbling to yourself “as if?”. A lot of this novel is just Anca stumbling along but clearly Saffina has done her research very well and the true horrors of the time are skillfully woven into Anca’s tale.
Because the Holocaust was 70 years ago, it is very hard to imagine today just what things were like in 1944. However this book brings to you how awful things were through the eyes of a child growing up in ignorance of the grand scheme of things within Europe from 1939 to 1945.
I finished this book and found my whole reading experience quite haunting. I think that Anca’s Story is a GOOD read and I will vote it 4 stars. I do feel it is an illustration of a historical period told in the style of a first person narrative. Therefore all the groundwork is already in the history books and Saffina was able to form her story from the records. I do not think Anca’s Story is as good as Saffina’s first novel Sugar & Spice, which I voted the top score of 5 stars. Anca’s Story did have a big effect on me though and as I look at the queue of passengers waiting to board my coach, I wonder how people could choose which people in an anonymous crowd to accept or reject.
November 27, 2019
Book: Anca's Story
Writer: Saffina Desforges
P: 244
Characters: Anca, Nicholae and Elone
__________
Quote
Anca, why do people hate us so? why is it so wrong to be a Jew? P162
__________
Synopsis
Anca's Story is a historical fiction about a girl named Anca. In the story, Anca retold what happened to her whole family during the holocaust and how she remained the only survivor.
The journey started when Jews were forcely taken to Auswitchz or as it is known 'The labour camp' under pretext of having a better life. Anca and her brother were forced to be separated from their parents and here they all had their last glance
__________
Point of view
I've already read about the holocaust but a work like this? NEVER! The work sheds the light on the Jews at Austwichz inside the camp in details not like The Boy in the stripped pyjamas.
Saffina succeeded to put the readers in the events.
There were some questions crossing my mind during my reading" where were the so named Human Rights? How could people be heartless? How could a human burn an innocent alive easily?..."
I highly recommend this book for you.
BTW the language is not that much difficult though the writer used some uncommon words.
__________
Rate : 5/5
Writer: Saffina Desforges
P: 244
Characters: Anca, Nicholae and Elone
__________
Quote
Anca, why do people hate us so? why is it so wrong to be a Jew? P162
__________
Synopsis
Anca's Story is a historical fiction about a girl named Anca. In the story, Anca retold what happened to her whole family during the holocaust and how she remained the only survivor.
The journey started when Jews were forcely taken to Auswitchz or as it is known 'The labour camp' under pretext of having a better life. Anca and her brother were forced to be separated from their parents and here they all had their last glance
__________
Point of view
I've already read about the holocaust but a work like this? NEVER! The work sheds the light on the Jews at Austwichz inside the camp in details not like The Boy in the stripped pyjamas.
Saffina succeeded to put the readers in the events.
There were some questions crossing my mind during my reading" where were the so named Human Rights? How could people be heartless? How could a human burn an innocent alive easily?..."
I highly recommend this book for you.
BTW the language is not that much difficult though the writer used some uncommon words.
__________
Rate : 5/5
March 12, 2016
Heartbreaking but a necessary evil
I don't ever want to live in a world where we repeat the holocaust...This book certainly makes one think twice and imagine from a new perspective the horror of history. I repeatedly couldn't believe the actions of children and their naivete in a world where they had experienced so much horror. This book may have changed me forever.
I don't ever want to live in a world where we repeat the holocaust...This book certainly makes one think twice and imagine from a new perspective the horror of history. I repeatedly couldn't believe the actions of children and their naivete in a world where they had experienced so much horror. This book may have changed me forever.
July 28, 2016
A story that needed told
What courage this then young child showed. We should all never forget this accounting of the journey she endured. Would we have been that strong? Bless her for sharing this unfortunate story with us. We have to speak up when we see any kind of injustice, it is our duty.
What courage this then young child showed. We should all never forget this accounting of the journey she endured. Would we have been that strong? Bless her for sharing this unfortunate story with us. We have to speak up when we see any kind of injustice, it is our duty.
August 15, 2015
Nice book
Good book and nice reading though quite long. Would have preferred a true story. It is a really long read.
Good book and nice reading though quite long. Would have preferred a true story. It is a really long read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews