What do you think?
Rate this book
The Tin Ring: How I Cheated Death
A moving tale of courage, love, tenacity, and hope, this remarkable memoir documents one woman’s experience during the Holocaust. Enamored with a man named Arno, Zdenka Fantlová, a young Czech-Jewish woman, is separated from her soul-mate due to the German invasion. During a brief reunion, Arno proposes to 19-year-old Zdenka with a ring made from tin. Following Zdenka from Terezin through Auschwitz and Kurzbach to Bergen–Belsen, this heartbreaking account dwells less on the horrors of extermination camps and more on the compassion of the friends and family who shared in her ordeal.
228 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1996
17 people are currently reading
483 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
July 27, 2022
I must say this book I’m reading is short, incredible and captivating which I have enjoyed the story and is one of the best books I have ever read. It gives you all the chills. It is called “The Tin Ring” is written by a Holocaust survivor named Zdenka Fantlova. She is 98 years old. She tells her story about the unique the version of a 17 years old girl was falling in love with a boy, and how she has survived 6 different concentration camps relate to the tin ring? After the war, she went to Sweden to recover her health, and then move to Australia to become famous actress and she decides to leave Australia and stay in London all her lives. Did her family survive the Holocaust? You can decide.
October 24, 2023
Wow what an amazing book. What an amazing woman zdenka was. Truly touched me in every way
December 13, 2013
I had seen Zdenka Fantlova on DVDs and on U-Tube, several in connection with her friend, Alice Herz-Sommer, and several about her experiences as a concentration camp survivor and also this book, which was subsequently made into a one-woman play. Zdenka is still alive aged 91, an attractive, vibrant personality.
I thought she did a terrific job describing life as it was before the war in a town in Czechoslovakia, and her experiences in Terezin, and later the subsequent three other concentration camps which she amazingly survived, none of her family or friends did. She credits a young British officer with saving her life in Bergen Belsen, where all were dying of starvation and typhoid.
It was in Terezin she started her acting career in very funny circumstances, part of a cabaret performance with clowns. When she emigrated to Australia in 1949 she pursued her acting career and late in life emigrated to England with her husband, where she met up with Alice and thus began a friendship - Alice calls her her Sunday visitor!
As much as I've read about Terezin, etc. Zdenka added so much to my knowledge. She describes all with both objectivity and passion, and I thought it a memorable book and she certainly is a memorable person.
I thought she did a terrific job describing life as it was before the war in a town in Czechoslovakia, and her experiences in Terezin, and later the subsequent three other concentration camps which she amazingly survived, none of her family or friends did. She credits a young British officer with saving her life in Bergen Belsen, where all were dying of starvation and typhoid.
It was in Terezin she started her acting career in very funny circumstances, part of a cabaret performance with clowns. When she emigrated to Australia in 1949 she pursued her acting career and late in life emigrated to England with her husband, where she met up with Alice and thus began a friendship - Alice calls her her Sunday visitor!
As much as I've read about Terezin, etc. Zdenka added so much to my knowledge. She describes all with both objectivity and passion, and I thought it a memorable book and she certainly is a memorable person.
May 30, 2014
A story unlike no other survival story from the inconceivable horrors of life in Nazi concentration camps. A story which needs to be heard and shared. Utterly incredible, utterly inspiring, completely life-changing.
January 12, 2015
What a moving story of this woman's survival and the strength she drew from this tin ring and the hope it represented. I just watched a YouTube video of Zdenka Fantlova speaking which was very touching too.
April 20, 2015
Only through the testimony of a Holocaust survivor can you truly begin to understand the sheer horror involved. I am grateful to have met Zdenka Fantlova in real life. This is undoubtedly the most important book I own.
March 29, 2013
how Zdenka survived the concenrtation camps of Germany during WWII. Excellent
April 3, 2014
The Tin Ring is a book of courage, inner strength and the will to survive.
July 29, 2016
A really good insight into life in some of the other camps during the holocaust leading up to the horrors of auschwitz. One woman's survival story without any tales of heroism or escape.
September 13, 2025
The most brutal and often deeply shocking read - but astonishing in its descriptions of the human will to survive.
And the strength of love.
How ordinary people went through the unspeakable.
How ordinary people could turn into sadistic monsters overnight.
These are the books our children globally should be reading as part of the history curriculum.
They are far more resonant and memorable than dates of battles.
History informs the present and the future.
Yet neo-nazism & the number of holocaust deniers is growing.
Soon there will be no voices left who walked this evil time.
And that is terrifying.
Because human beings don’t ultimately change.
History is nothing if not psychology but with human stories and colour.
We are all supposed to be human.
We all bleed red.
Skeletons hold no religion, race or colour.
We have much to learn from such an unspeakable and horrifying part of our human history.
And the strength of love.
How ordinary people went through the unspeakable.
How ordinary people could turn into sadistic monsters overnight.
These are the books our children globally should be reading as part of the history curriculum.
They are far more resonant and memorable than dates of battles.
History informs the present and the future.
Yet neo-nazism & the number of holocaust deniers is growing.
Soon there will be no voices left who walked this evil time.
And that is terrifying.
Because human beings don’t ultimately change.
History is nothing if not psychology but with human stories and colour.
We are all supposed to be human.
We all bleed red.
Skeletons hold no religion, race or colour.
We have much to learn from such an unspeakable and horrifying part of our human history.
November 11, 2023
The Tin Ring by Zdenka Fantlova is very good. She tells a great deal about her parents and grandparents and her own early years. Her memories and adventures begin when she is three when she snuck out of her house while her Grandfather was asleep and, on her own, walked down to the town center where she located her parents in the crowd and proceeded to watch the bells being put back into the tower after a long absence. Her happy life was broken when the Germans took over their town in September, 1939.
Early on, her father was taken by the Nazis for listening to the news from the BBC. Eventually the transports began and her brother was taken first with the one. Then it was her turn to go alongside with her Grandmother, her stepmother and her half-sister. Of them all, only Zdenka was to survive.
Early on, her father was taken by the Nazis for listening to the news from the BBC. Eventually the transports began and her brother was taken first with the one. Then it was her turn to go alongside with her Grandmother, her stepmother and her half-sister. Of them all, only Zdenka was to survive.
September 19, 2017
Wow!
I've always been interested in the history of WWII but I have never read anything so personal and brutally honest. Whilst reading you could be forgiven to believe this is a piece of fiction, as the trials and horrors Zdenka survived through really are unbelievable. We all hear of the horrors that happened at Concentration camps across, Germany and Poland, and even having visited some of these as I have grown up, couldn't truly understand the conditions the prisoners had to survive in. I thoroughly enjoyed this if that is the right word to use. I couldn't put the book down.
I've always been interested in the history of WWII but I have never read anything so personal and brutally honest. Whilst reading you could be forgiven to believe this is a piece of fiction, as the trials and horrors Zdenka survived through really are unbelievable. We all hear of the horrors that happened at Concentration camps across, Germany and Poland, and even having visited some of these as I have grown up, couldn't truly understand the conditions the prisoners had to survive in. I thoroughly enjoyed this if that is the right word to use. I couldn't put the book down.
January 2, 2022
I found this book inside the Manchester war museum and I’m glad I did, it’s a truthfully heartbreaking story that I’d not come across before. This book opened my interest to others in this genre.
I encourage anyone/everyone to read this, in fact - I’ve lent this book out so many times I’ve now lost my copy!
I encourage anyone/everyone to read this, in fact - I’ve lent this book out so many times I’ve now lost my copy!
September 3, 2023
Although I have read a lot about the Holocaust, this is one which really touched me ..Zdenka's bravery and sheer resilience against the horrors of the concentration camps and the sheer brutality is astounding.
Even today nearly 80 years since liberation it's difficult to comprehend such cruelty towards other humans.
May all who perished Rest in Peace.❤️❤️
Even today nearly 80 years since liberation it's difficult to comprehend such cruelty towards other humans.
May all who perished Rest in Peace.❤️❤️
December 25, 2023
Zdenka Fantlova shares a memoir of the horrific ordeal she endured in Nazi concentration camp. She lost all family members, and her survival was truly miraculous. Zdenka celebrated her 100th birthday in March 2022 and passed away in November 2022
June 11, 2024
What a book! What a strong, determined, brave lady. I couldn’t put it down. Her life story during the Holocaust and survival of the atrocities the Nazi’s inflected on the citizens they imprisoned and murdered. A read that should be required by all high school students.
December 3, 2018
Superb survival story
We must never allow this to happen again
We must never allow this to happen again
December 7, 2018
What can you say about such a book other than thank you for writing it as we must not forget what these people endured and those that were lost
October 24, 2019
Mind blowing! Traumatic events seen through the eyes of a holocaust survivor. Should be compulsory reading for high schools and colleges.
January 23, 2023
Read after reading the author’s obituary. As moving as I expected.
January 27, 2025
incredible book
March 12, 2024
mi è piaciuto molto questo libro nonostante la mia difficoltà di approccio con i libri riguardanti alla seconda guerra mondiale.
l’autrice descrive molto dettagliatamente e ma in modo scorrevole, mi ha colpito molto la storia d’amore che allieta le sofferenze di zdenka.
l’autrice descrive molto dettagliatamente e ma in modo scorrevole, mi ha colpito molto la storia d’amore che allieta le sofferenze di zdenka.
May 10, 2015
This book had me gripped from start to finish. The author, Zdenka Fantlova has written this book so that people never forget the atrocities that were inflicted on Jews at the hands of the Germans during World War II.
While many of us have heard about the Nazi concentration camps, to hear first-hand from the words of someone who not only endured those torturous times but survived, brings the horror to life and, as a reader, you find yourself hoping against all the odds for a happy outcome.
The writing style is succinct and easy to read, which is not always the case in this type of book. The author conveys the story simply, yet in enough detail to truly convey her life exactly as she experienced it, detailing the highs and the lows and the many ways in which those around her tried to live as normal an existence as possible.
What struck me most throughout was the incredible toughness of the human body and spirit. It is impossible to believe that anyone would have the inner strength to endure such hardship, never knowing when it would end or where the next food or drink would come from, all the while being forced to carry out hard labour in near unimaginable conditions. Just when you think things couldn't have got any worse, it seemed the ante was always upped a notch and yet Zdenka never faltered. Her father was clearly hugely influential on her positive outlook and despite being separated, their strong bond is evident throughout.
The significance of the title stems from a tin ring which is given to Zdenka by the love of her life Arno, shortly before they are separated and taken to different camps. They vow to wait until the war is over and find each other again to continue their lives together and somehow Zdenka manages to keep the ring hidden, tied on a piece of ribbon underneath what little clothes she has left. She views the ring as her lucky charm as well as a symbol of the love her and Arno share and as the story unfolds, there are several instances whereby through a stroke of luck or fate, she seems to cheat almost certain death.
A truly incredible read.
While many of us have heard about the Nazi concentration camps, to hear first-hand from the words of someone who not only endured those torturous times but survived, brings the horror to life and, as a reader, you find yourself hoping against all the odds for a happy outcome.
The writing style is succinct and easy to read, which is not always the case in this type of book. The author conveys the story simply, yet in enough detail to truly convey her life exactly as she experienced it, detailing the highs and the lows and the many ways in which those around her tried to live as normal an existence as possible.
What struck me most throughout was the incredible toughness of the human body and spirit. It is impossible to believe that anyone would have the inner strength to endure such hardship, never knowing when it would end or where the next food or drink would come from, all the while being forced to carry out hard labour in near unimaginable conditions. Just when you think things couldn't have got any worse, it seemed the ante was always upped a notch and yet Zdenka never faltered. Her father was clearly hugely influential on her positive outlook and despite being separated, their strong bond is evident throughout.
The significance of the title stems from a tin ring which is given to Zdenka by the love of her life Arno, shortly before they are separated and taken to different camps. They vow to wait until the war is over and find each other again to continue their lives together and somehow Zdenka manages to keep the ring hidden, tied on a piece of ribbon underneath what little clothes she has left. She views the ring as her lucky charm as well as a symbol of the love her and Arno share and as the story unfolds, there are several instances whereby through a stroke of luck or fate, she seems to cheat almost certain death.
A truly incredible read.
December 20, 2015
I couldn't put the book down! I read the entire thing in three hours and it was amazing!
It is a captivating read that keeps you interested throughout, every chapter was relevant and you truly connected to Zdenka.
I first became aware of the book when my school organised the one woman play of it to visit and peform for my English literature class, ever since I saw the play I desperately wanted the book and I'm glad I read it, it's so much better than seeing the play and it's far more detailed.
It is a captivating read that keeps you interested throughout, every chapter was relevant and you truly connected to Zdenka.
I first became aware of the book when my school organised the one woman play of it to visit and peform for my English literature class, ever since I saw the play I desperately wanted the book and I'm glad I read it, it's so much better than seeing the play and it's far more detailed.
April 16, 2016
A very interesting memoir, contrasted the before, during and even after. I wasn't aware that ghetto live could be "stable" despite the privations, and really a surreal period and place in the story. At one point I was mildly irritated by what appeared to be name dropping however the "penny dropped" that this was Zdenka's way of memorialising the many people she lived with who didn't survive. In some parts the story felt it skimmed through the horror but then how do you describe the experience of evil?
January 25, 2017
Ani si nevzpomínám, že bych měl při čtení nějaké jiné knihy slzy v očích. Tohle je opravdu silný příběh sdílený mnoha podobně "potrestanými" židy. Ačkoli kniha popisuje mnoho bezpráví, autorka této autobiografie si nikdy neztěžuje, nepláče a snaží se žít dál i za daných okolností. Neuvěřitelné. Při ztrátě celé rodiny a milého Arna mi to přijde až nadlidské. Terezín se pak ve víru příchozích událostí už nezdá tak hrozný... Vyhlazovací tábory a pochody smrti - zvěrstva, která by se neměla opakovat. Snad k tomu přispěje i tato kniha. Za mě: v prostých slovech a větách neobvykle silné sdělení.
May 5, 2023
One of the best Holocaust memoirs I have read. Zdanka's voice is so clear and her remembrance of details is simply amazing. And horrifying.
Her early pre-war stories are so funny and enchanting, had there been no war, I would still have enjoyed reading about her life.
If you get a chance, listen to the audio version. The narrator is so expressive it feels like you are just sitting listening to Zdenka herself. (Also, she can pronounce the Czech!) And we get a treat of an actual message from Zdenka!
Highly recommended.
Her early pre-war stories are so funny and enchanting, had there been no war, I would still have enjoyed reading about her life.
If you get a chance, listen to the audio version. The narrator is so expressive it feels like you are just sitting listening to Zdenka herself. (Also, she can pronounce the Czech!) And we get a treat of an actual message from Zdenka!
Highly recommended.
October 29, 2015
3.75 stars
I enjoyed this book a lot as I've never read anything about what happened to Czech Jews during the war and the fact this was based on real events made it even more poignant. However, I felt that this book lacked detail and skimmed over a lot of things. I wanted to know more about everything as the author wrote it so well so it's a shame she didn't as I felt there was more to tell, hence why it didn't quite get 4 stars in my eyes.
I enjoyed this book a lot as I've never read anything about what happened to Czech Jews during the war and the fact this was based on real events made it even more poignant. However, I felt that this book lacked detail and skimmed over a lot of things. I wanted to know more about everything as the author wrote it so well so it's a shame she didn't as I felt there was more to tell, hence why it didn't quite get 4 stars in my eyes.
Read
February 6, 2016A moving book which personalises the holocaust - it's too easy to reduce the holocaust to an impersonal event affecting nameless victims. This book emphasises the vitality of one young woman, in no way deserving or asking to be made a victim, and is quite shocking in reminding you that not only were the Jews and others actual individual people but that the horrors were perpetrated by actual individuals as well.
June 21, 2022
I read this upon returning from a trip to Krakow, Poland with a tour of Auschwitz and Auschwitz Birkenau. It is hardly imaginable that the harrowing events within this book represent a true life story and not a work of fiction. This is a humbling and well written account of a Zdenka Fantlova's life; a brave young woman and survivor of the holocaust.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews