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The
Girl in the Red Coat
Whenever
I have watched the black and white film 'Schindler's List' I
have been intrigued by the appearance of a little girl wearing a
red coat. My intrigue however, cannot be compared to the shock
that Roma Ligocka must have felt when she saw the film. Along
with other holocaust survivors, Roma went along to the premiere
and recognised herself - the girl in the
red coat.
To
be confronted by a past that held many horrific memories, Roma
realised the extent of her failure to come to terms with the
anguish of it. As a Polish Jew who grew up in the Kraków ghetto
during World War II, Roma and her family suffered appallingly in
the harrowing conditions. Yet, as one of few 'hidden children'
to survive the Holocaust, Roma is now leading a successful life.
'The
Girl in the Red Coat' is
an autobiographical novel, well written and most compelling. As
events of those cruel years are revisited, I found myself being
taken back in time and sympathising with Roma. However, she has
risen above the sorrow, acknowledged the past and possibly laid
to rest much of the trauma. The book has an impact that is
powerful and most thought provoking.
Highly
recommended - I could not put this book down.
The
Girl in the Red Coat
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