Saving Elli

Biography, historical | Doug Gold | Allen and Unwin publishers

Saving Elli is a true story that follows the intertwined lives of two families trying to survive the harrowing circumstances of World War II in Amsterdam. It feels like a distant cousin of The Tattooist of Auschwitz and The Nightingale, blending stories of suffering and survival among Dutch Jews, and the brave Dutch citizens who risked everything by harbouring Jews—in this case a Jewish child (Elli). The epilogue offers a glimpse into the future, bringing the characters closer to home—to Paekākāriki, Kāpiti Coast. Gold’s attention to research carries this story that was written in collaboration with descendants of the Frakken family, who harboured baby Elli. Saving Elli serves as a profound reminder of the courage and compassion that exists even in the darkest times. (Reviewed by Jenna Martin)