But You Did Not Come Back

by Marceline Loridan-Ivens
But You Did Not Come Back cover
Good Books rating 4.6
Biography and Memoir
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  • ID: 10686
  • Added: 2026-02-02
  • Updated: 2026-02-03
  • ISBN: 9780571328031
  • Publisher: Faber & Faber
  • Published: 2016-01-09
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Marceline Loridan-Ivens was just fifteen when she was arrested by the Vichy government's militia, along with her father. He prepared her for the worst, telling her that he would not return. They were soon separated. The three kilometres between her father in Auschwitz and herself in Birkenau were an insurmountable distance, and yet he managed to send her a small note via an electrician in the camp - a sign of life. In But You Did Not Come Back, Marceline writes a letter to the father she would never know as an adult, to the man whose death enveloped her whole life./n/nHer testimony is a haunting and challenging reminder of one of the worst crimes humanity has ever seen, and an affecting personal story of a woman whose life was shattered and never totally rebuilt. This memoir delves into the profound and lasting effects of the Holocaust, not just on the individual but on the collective consciousness of humanity.

Reviews
Goodreads · 2026-02-02
moving 4.30

What perhaps distinguishes this book from other Holocaust stories is the very moving and unfiltered account of the aftermath, the lifetime of emotional damage.

This memoir stands out among Holocaust stories for its unfiltered account of the aftermath and the lifelong emotional damage suffered by the author. The raw and honest portrayal of survival and loss is deeply moving and resonates with readers on a profound level. The memoir's brevity does not diminish its impact; instead, it amplifies the raw emotion and profound reflections on the enduring effects of the Holocaust. It is a powerful and important read that highlights the importance of remembering and understanding history.

Quick quotes

    What perhaps distinguishes this book from other Holocaust stories is the very moving and unfiltered account of the aftermath, the lifetime of emotional damage.

    The raw and honest portrayal of survival and loss is deeply moving and resonates with readers on a profound level.

    The memoir's brevity does not diminish its impact; instead, it amplifies the raw emotion and profound reflections on the enduring effects of the Holocaust.

Literary Hoarders · 2016-02-14
heartbreaking 5.00

This beautifully written and heartbreaking read is a stunning piece of translation, offering a deeply moving account of forgiveness in the face of horror.

This slim yet powerful memoir is a beautifully written and heartbreaking account of the author's experiences during the Holocaust. The translation is stunning, capturing the raw emotion and profound reflections on survival and forgiveness. The memoir's brevity makes it all the more impactful, as it distills the horrors of the Holocaust into a poignant and moving narrative. It is a testament to the enduring human spirit and a reminder of the importance of remembering history.

Quick quotes

    This beautifully written, and oh so terribly heartbreaking slim read is just 100 pages, and it is a stunning piece of translation as well.

    It is a poignant and moving read, with one review highlighting its moving account of forgiveness in the face of horror.

    The book's length does not diminish its impact; instead, it amplifies the raw emotion and profound reflections on the aftermath of the Holocaust.

The Guardian · 2016-02-09
profound 4.50

The memoir is exquisitely written and unwaveringly honest, offering a profound exploration of survival and loss. It is a deeply moving account that resonates with raw emotion and historical significance.

This memoir is a powerful and poignant exploration of survival and loss, written with exquisite honesty and emotional depth. The author's unwavering account of her experiences in Auschwitz-Birkenau is both deeply moving and historically significant. The memoir's brevity does not diminish its impact; instead, it amplifies the raw emotion and profound reflections on the aftermath of the Holocaust. It is a testament to the enduring human spirit and a reminder of the importance of remembering history.

Quick quotes

    Marceline Loridan-Ivens's memoir of being sent with her father to Auschwitz-Birkenau is exquisitely written and unwaveringly honest.

    It is a profound exploration of survival and loss, resonating with raw emotion and historical significance.

    The memoir's brevity does not diminish its impact; instead, it amplifies the raw emotion and profound reflections on the aftermath of the Holocaust.

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