Book Review: Being Krystyna by Carol Browne…

When Carol Browne volunteered to write the life story of local woman, Krystyna Porsz, she was a very reluctant biographer. Ms. Browne did it because no-one else could be found to do it, so she thought, “If I don’t do it, no-one will.” And I for one, am glad she did manage to put pen to paper and write Krystyna’s story!
There are many books out there that share the horrific tales of Holocaust survivors and the aftermath of what these courageous human beings had to go through during World War Two. Being Krystyna is one of those books. Carol Browne only met Krystyna once but made a point of shaking her hand before she left. Carol states openly, “I needed to physically touch someone who had survived the Holocaust, who had lived a history I had only read about or seen on black and white newsreels.”
So what’s my take on this true story of a strong woman whose voice needed to be heard despite being seriously hampered by dementia? This is what I posted on Amazon and Goodreads…
A 4 Star Tribute to a True Survivor…
Bravo to Carol Browne for writing a poignant, well-told story of a survivor of the Holocaust during World War Two. Browne captures the voice and tone of the aging Krystyna, and brings her story to life. A well-done tribute to a woman who went through hell to ensure her survival and live a long, productive life.
Being Krystyna would do well on the laptops of today’s students to allow them a peek into Krystyna’s world, and what it was like to walk in her shoes. This biography is a true triumph of the human spirit, and I was humbled to read Krystyna’s courageous story.
About the Book:
In 2012 when young Polish immigrant Agnieszka visits fellow countrywoman Krystyna in a Peterborough care home for the first time, she thinks it a simple act of kindness. However, the meeting proves to be the beginning of a life-changing experience.
Krystyna’s stories about the past are not memories of the good old days but recollections of war-ravaged Europe: The Warsaw Ghetto, Pawiak Prison, Ravensbrück Concentration Camp, and a death march to freedom.
The losses and ordeals Krystyna suffered and what she had to do to survive are horrors Agnieszka must confront when she volunteers to be Krystyna’s biographer.
Will Agnieszka be able to keep her promise to tell the story, and, in this harrowing memoir of survival, what is the message for us today?
Purchase Links:
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01MQDOP1C/Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/s?rh=n%3A133140011%2Ck%3ABeing+Krystyna%3A+A+story+of+survival+in+WW2&keywords=Being+Krystyna%3A+A+story+of+survival+in+WW2&ie=UTF8 [image error]  Carol Browne regards Crewe, Cheshire, as her home town and graduated from Nottingham University in 1976 with an honors degree in English Language and Literature. Carol writes speculative fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. She is also a ghost blog writer, proofreader, copy editor, and copywriter. 
Along with a passion for gardening, Carol is an avid animal lover. Carol lives in the Cambridgeshire countryside with her dog, Harry, and cockatiel, Sparky. Pagan and vegan, Carol believes it is time for a paradigm shift in our attitude to Mother Nature and hopes the days of speciesism are numbered.
Connect with Carol on her  website and blog ,  Facebook , and  Twitter .