Inspiring

The Swimmer Of Auschwitz by Renaud Leblond is the true story of Olympic swimmer Alfred Nakache who survived Auschwitz.

Alfred Nakache was born in Constantine. It was a cosmopolitan city. “Muslims, Jews, Catholics, all are first and foremost citizens of Constantine.”

As a child he was afraid of water. He overcame this fear and was in the Berlin Olympics in 1936.

The book alternates the time before Auschwitz and while he was in Auschwitz. He was a brave man who inspired others. “Yes to life… Yes to continue believing in it, despite everything.” He always shared what little he had with others. He helped to keep men going. They, in turn, copied him by sharing. “One of us needed to stay alive to one day report what goes on here.” [In Auschwitz].

Cruelty beyond belief couldn’t break Alfred Nakache spirit. He held on to hope. He did wonder: “He can’t imagine why, if God was up there watching over us, why He wouldn’t prevent all these awful things from happening.”

This is a powerful and heartbreaking book. There are some very difficult to read scenes – but this book, in all its’ horror, must be read in memory of the six million who died, and of those who survived.

JULIA WILSON