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Etty Hillesum: A Life Transformed Paperback – May 28, 2019

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 328 ratings

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On 8 March 1941, a 27-year-old Jewish Dutch student living in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam made the first entry in a diary that was to become one of the most remarkable documents to emerge from the Nazi Holocaust. Over the course of the next two and a half years, an insecure, chaotic and troubled young woman was transformed into someone who inspired those with whom she shared the suffering of the transit camp at Westerbork and with whom she eventually perished at Auschwitz. Through her diary and letters, she continues to inspire those whose lives she has touched since. She was an extraordinarily alive and vivid young woman who shaped and lived a spirituality of hope in the darkest period of the twentieth century. This book explores Etty Hillesum's life and writings, seeking to understand what it was about her that was so remarkable, how her journey developed, how her spirituality was shaped, and what her profound reflections on the roots of violence and the nature of evil can teach us today.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“[Hillesum's] inspirational reflections on the roots of violence and the nature of evil have as much relevance now as they did in the 1940s.” ―The Bookseller, February 2009

“[A] superb and moving account of her life and writings, touching on Hillesum's profound reflections on violence and the nature of evil.” ―
Catholic Herald, April 2009

“Complicated, intelligent, passionate and disarming by turns, Etty Hillesum is interpreted here as a woman for our time. The forward to the book, written by the Archbishop of Canterbury, argues that by examining the life of Etty Hillesum, the reader is able to understand how a theology of hope and of the redemptive meaning of suffering can emerge, even from the darkest of contexts.” ―
Lavinia Byrne, Cheddar Valley Gazette, March 2009

“This is a very precious book that left me feeling very grateful for the life of Etty Hillesum. Patrick Woodhouse has written about her with a clarity and unobtrusive simplicity that is wholly appropriate.” ―
One in Christ, Jonathan Gorsky

“Etty was pyschologically complex to say the least, and her story presents us with a disturbing and challenging spirituality for a world wracked with hatred.” ―
The Tablet

“A touching and wonderful book.” ―
The Good Book Stall

“For anyone involved in pastoral care, there are rich and thought-provoking resources here and Woodhouse is an excellent guide. ... Inspiring and deceptively simple book.” ―
The Pastoral Review

“This book is at home in a silent sanctuary and in a noisy prison – in any place, at any time. Read it. Let it do what it will ... In this memoir of Etty, Patrick Woodhouse has done far more than condense her story into 153 pages. He has immersed himself in her life so deeply and so passionately that Etty seems to be speaking through him” ―
Church Times

About the Author

Patrick Woodhouse is a writer and Anglican priest. He was for thirteen years a Canon of Wells Cathedral. He has also been a parish priest, and a social responsibility adviser in two Anglican dioceses. He is the author of Etty Hillesum, a Life Transformed (Bloomsbury Continuum 2009). He lives in Somerset.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bloomsbury Continuum (May 28, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1472972139
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1472972132
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.65 x 8.45 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 328 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
328 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book moving and inspiring. They describe the character as remarkable and amazing. The book explores love, compassion, and empathy through the life of a beautiful soul. Readers praise the writing style as powerful, concise, and beautifully described. Overall, they find the story profound and enlightening.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

25 customers mention "Inspirational story"25 positive0 negative

Customers find the book inspiring and profound. They appreciate the author's attention to her experiences and honesty. Readers describe the story as a fascinating journey of faith and spiritual transformation.

"Very moving, inspirational book. It focuses more on the state of mind of the Etty Hillesum, and how she transcended the atrocities of the Holocaust...." Read more

"...Her life was an amazing journey because of her total attention to where her experiences led and her commitment to honesty and integrity...." Read more

"...reader to move on from Etty's early chaotic life to her profoundly moving transformation...." Read more

"...I’m really grateful to have the opportunity to read an AMAZING true story of a hero...." Read more

12 customers mention "Character development"12 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the character development in the book. They find the woman remarkable and able to express her spirit. The book is described as an outstanding treatise on her life, with the author's analysis of her life and spirit as fascinating. Readers appreciate the bravery and determination of the young Jewish woman. The story reveals how the best aspects of being human can shine through the ugliest moments.

"I was amazed at this story and spirit of this young woman mystic, who had to draw upon her inner resources during the Holocaust...." Read more

"...The essence of empathy and God's love in this brave, determined young Jewish woman standing up to the sunami and hate of Hitlerism." Read more

"The writing of this young woman reveals how the best attributes of being human can shine through the ugliest of times. It is a beautiful book." Read more

"This is an incredible story of a young woman in a deep search for the truth...." Read more

8 customers mention "Love"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the author's love for God and people. They find the book helpful for deepening their understanding of love, compassion, and kindness. The author responds to hatred with love and a strong unwillingness to hate.

"...She maintained focus on love, on God, and on giving in service to the people around her. She never gave in to hatred...." Read more

"...The essence of empathy and God's love in this brave, determined young Jewish woman standing up to the sunami and hate of Hitlerism." Read more

"...Etty Hillesum is an incredible woman, who walks with her people with compassion and a very strong unwillingness to hate, when all around her..." Read more

"The power of transcending a life not chosen. Love, compassion, and always going to the light found deep within is what carries us to a level beyond..." Read more

4 customers mention "Beauty"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the beautiful soul and figure in the book.

"...It is a beautiful book." Read more

"Hillesum is an amazing figure. She deserves better than Fr. Woodhouse's clunky prose and specious psychologism...." Read more

"Profound and beautiful book..." Read more

"Powerfully written about a beautiful soul who lives on forever in our hearts!..." Read more

4 customers mention "Writing style"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing style powerful and concise. They say it's a good, simple read that inspires them to write a poem. The book offers excellent examples of the author's best writing and takes readers step-by-step through Etty's spiritual journey.

"...He offers excellent examples of her best writing and takes us step-by-step through her spiritual transformation in a respectful and lovely way...." Read more

"...I wrote this simplistic poem that was inspired by this book! A Poem for Etty I didn’t know you,..." Read more

"...Beautifully described life of Etty is presented." Read more

"Good, concise read. True, the author has a habit of telling you again what Etty just said, but that's probably good...." Read more

3 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the story moving and inspirational.

"Very moving, inspirational book. It focuses more on the state of mind of the Etty Hillesum, and how she transcended the atrocities of the Holocaust...." Read more

"I found this story incredibly moving and inspirational. Etty deserves sainthood for her ability to support others in the midst of such evil." Read more

"A truly remarkable and deeply moving. Many lessons for today." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2023
    This book wants to be read in a silent corner, just you and no one else around. But it must be read aloud in a community of seekers, friends, adversaries as well. Hillesum's words are enough; Woodhouse masterfully amplifies them and only rarely gets in their way.
    I am humbled, saddened, deeply troubled, inspired, profoundly challenged. Would that everyone read this book! We would work harder, complain less, and love each other better. Please read it - and share it with others.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2019
    Very moving, inspirational book. It focuses more on the state of mind of the Etty Hillesum, and how she transcended the atrocities of the Holocaust. She maintained focus on love, on God, and on giving in service to the people around her. She never gave in to hatred. Even though she was Jewish and going through the same horrors that all of her people were, she was a comfort to them and never got lost in feeling like a victim, or in demonizing the enemy. I don't know how that was possible, but she shows us that it was. The writer does a very good job of analyzing her diaries and letter writing, and painting a picture of her material and spiritual reality of her short life. Highly recommend this wonderful book.
    9 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2018
    To think I had never heard of this woman before my friend and pastor casually wrote her name in the board while leading a learning session regarding the Biblical Book of Daniel.
    I ordered the book the next morning and then learned that my city library also had a copy, which I checked out and had almost completed before received my own.
    Her life was an amazing journey because of her total attention to where her experiences led and her commitment to honesty and integrity.
    I can only imagine a world in which everyone was so willing to maintain such openness and willingness to resist the hardening of heart.
    She died at 43 years of life in a Nazi concentration camp because she would not leave her people even though she was offered a chance of escape.
    6 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2020
    I was amazed at this story and spirit of this young woman mystic, who had to draw upon her inner resources during the Holocaust. I cannot say more, as it is too personal. It reveals the possibilities that lie dormant in all of us.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2009
    The selection of Etty Hillesum's journal, "Interrupted Life," is an adopted text for many undergraduate literature and religion courses. Those new to Hillesum have difficulty getting past her sexual proclivities and her somewhat bizarre behavior in regard to her mentor, Spier. Unfortunately, this prevents many from really finding the beauty and brilliance of this remarkable woman and her transformation from a confused girl to a deeply spiritual, compassionate woman. This book is an excellent bridge that allows the new reader to move on from Etty's early chaotic life to her profoundly moving transformation. Written in clear easy-to-follow prose, Woodhouse's book gives us the background to her life and the conditions in which she lived. He offers excellent examples of her best writing and takes us step-by-step through her spiritual transformation in a respectful and lovely way. Even though I have studied Etty Hillesum's work extensively and have read other academic books and articles about her work, I really enjoyed the way Woodhouse enhanced her experience and our experience with Etty with such careful detail. For those who teach Etty's work, I would suggest Woodhouse's book as good background to what life was like in pre-Nazi Amsterdam where this remarkable woman wrote one of the best journals of spiritual transformation ever.
    41 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2022
    I probably wouldn’t have picked this book to read had it not been for my course ONLY because I had never heard of Etty Hillesum before. I’m really grateful to have the opportunity to read an AMAZING true story of a hero. I highly recommend it if mystics, saints, the holocaust interest you.
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2015
    What a journey! Etty's story is so inspiring. I read this book on accident and there are no accidents. I wrote this simplistic poem that was inspired by this book!

    A Poem for Etty

    I didn’t know you,
    Still, you have become my friend

    I didn’t see you,
    And you have found me anyway

    I didn’t hear you,
    Until I discovered your voice

    I didn’t seek you,
    But grace has delivered you

    I didn’t know about your wisdom,
    So now your story absorbs me

    I didn’t know about your suffering,
    And yet your experience has saved me

    I didn’t know about your short journey,
    But a saint you have become.

    I didn’t know you,
    But now I do-thank you
    -rc
    25 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2022
    To find out about a Jewish female mystic who surrendered her heart to God and face the Nazi horror without hatred, and to choose to put herself into such danger because she wanted to care for her people..... well, I'm deeply touched and Inspired to live a more caring life towards others.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Brian McKee
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing girl
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 6, 2024
    Unbelievable courage.
    Unbelievable, indestructible belief in this glorious thing called life.
    An incredible inspiration.
    Now I have some idea why the Jewish people are the chosen race. How she grew and transformed in those two short years leaves me gasping in amazement.
  • Jack
    5.0 out of 5 stars HIghly recommended
    Reviewed in Canada on May 21, 2020
    This book provides useful context on Etty HIllesum's life and makes it easier to navigate her letters.
  • Suzanne BRUYELLES
    5.0 out of 5 stars une belle oeuvre
    Reviewed in France on August 25, 2015
    ce livre est haut et fort en couleurs pour ceux qui sont en cheminement spirituel... magnifique. Les choix que fait Etty dans la situation qui est la sienne nous donnent vraiment à réfléchir ...
  • Catherine Bookworm
    5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational
    Reviewed in Canada on January 27, 2017
    The story of Etty is a story of courage, love, spirit, faith, and intelligence. Written during a period of disgraceful hatred and cruelty, Etty shows us how we must rise above it all.
  • Prince of Darkeness
    4.0 out of 5 stars un journal indispensable
    Reviewed in France on July 11, 2014
    Belle introduction à la lecture du journal de Etty Hillesum. Sa lecture ainsi que celle du journal est indispensable en ces temps où seule la mémoire, peut-être, peut éviter le retour de la barbarie.