Dr. Edith Eva Eger
This book was a gift from Eszter, a lady I
regularly go to for a back and shoulder massage. She is very good at her
job, and a wonderful person with a big heart, great sense of humour and a
bright mind. We often talk about all sorts of things, and some time in
autumn she told me of a book she was reading. I expressed my interest
but because she mostly reads Hungarian, lending me her book didn’t make
sense – instead, she surprised me with the German edition on my last
appointment before Christmas, along with a bag of her home-made
Christmas cookies.
The author combines her autobiography with her psychological expertise and uses her own story to show how people can find happiness and peace of mind even under the most averse circumstances, and even after the most traumatic experiences.
Nobody will doubt that being imprisoned in Auschwitz ranks highly among the most traumatic things ever. Add the fact that the author was only 16 when she was sent there with her family, with only herself and her sister surviving – it would be perfectly understandable if someone who has had to suffer through all that would turn bitter and spend the rest of their days unable to feel true happiness ever again.
Not so Edith.
She struggles to find her place in life after the war, eventually emigrating to the US. Things are not easy there, either; her marriage, her relationships within the family and with others are all affected by her refusal to face her past and deal with its impact.
But several crucial moments allow her to change her life completely, and much for the better. She studies psychology and soon is a much sought after specialist. While healing others, she also heals herself, and the stories of some of her patients are interwoven with her own.
If you ever feel sorry for yourself and think you can never be happy again (for whatever reason), I recommend you read this.
Much of it makes hard reading, and no doubt some unbidden mental images will stay with you for a while – but they are nothing compared to what it must have been like in real life, and they are balanced by the optimism and kindness the author shows towards her patients, her readers and herself.
Dr. Edith Eva Eger is now in her 90s. Her wikipedia entry is here, and her own website is here.
I consider this an important book on more than one level and only wish I could have read it in English (the language it was written in), as I prefer the original language of a book (provided I am able to understand it, of course) to any translation, no matter how well done. Take the title, for instance: The original title of the book is "The Choice: Embrace the Possible", whereas the literal translation of the German title is "I am here, and all is now". Why the difference? I don't know who comes up with such ideas; why not simply translate the title? I know you can not always create a 1:1 translation that makes sense in the other language, but in this case, it would have worked well enough.
Again, it is an important book, well written, and can be helpful to anyone who chooses to read it.
Too sorrowful to read.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely is sorrowful in parts, but the focus of the book is on hope and positiveness.
DeleteThanks. Sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is, Anonymous.
DeleteI have found it at my library and placed a hold on it so I can read it when it is returned. Thanks for the recommendation, Meike.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Ellen. It will be interesting to compare notes when you've read it.
DeleteWe have a Holocaust survivors group in my own town and many of them have lived to their 90s. Many of my family were also wiped out (see BBC A very Jewish history) and, although it may be hard to read about, it is important that people don't forget.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree, L, that's why I said it is an important book.
DeleteAre you familiar with Dr. Eger and her work? Among many other TV appearances, she has been interviewed on BBC Breakfast a few years ago.