Becoming Alice: A Memoir

by Alice Rene

Book Overview

"Strongly recommended a deftly written memoir that will hold the reader's rapt attention from beginning to end." - Midwest Book Review "Her ability to authentically capture the bewilderment and pain... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1605280216
• ISBN13: 9781605280219
• Release Date: September 2008
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 284 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Escaping the Nazis

"Becoming Alice: A Memoir" is a first-person account by Alice Rene of her family's escape from the Nazis to America. The family lived in Vienna, Austria, where her father was a doctor. Alice was known as Ilse and her older brother was named Fredi. When the Nazis began to take over Vienna, the family was forced to stay out of sight. Alice's father couldn't work because he was Jewish. The family's bank account was frozen, as were all Jewish bank accounts. Because circumstances became too dangerous in Vienna, the family fled to Memel, Germany, then to Riga, Latvia. Visas were hard to come by, so when one was finally available to the family, Fredi was sent to New York. The rest of the family remained in Riga until they received visas for travel on the Trans Siberian Railway, ending in Kobe, Japan. Then they endured a typhoon on their boat ride to Seattle, Washington. Upon arriving in America and reuniting with Fredi, the family faced more challenges. Alice's parents had difficulty finding suitable employment. Her mother kept the family afloat with her sewing until her parents were offered a job running a neighborhood grocery store. Meanwhile, Alice enrolled in school and struggled to fit in. She went from "Ilse" on formal documents to "Elsie" at school, "Illy" at home, "Suzinka" by her parents, to "Sally" by local firemen. When she became a U.S. citizen, she chose "Alice" as her new name. I was enthralled by Alice's story. In Vienna, the family lived a comfortable life; her father was well-respected as a doctor. They had to give it all up to start over in America, but they were among the lucky ones who lived. I had heard about many Jews who came to New York, but didn't realize they also came across Siberia to Japan and then to Seattle. Alice's poignant, well-written memoir will draw readers in to discover the fate of Jewish immigrants fleeing Nazi persecution. The book has won several awards in the young adult and memoir/autobiography categories. I highly recommend reading this one!

An Absorbing & Remarkable Tale of Survival

Alice Rene's poignant memoir begins during a devastating chapter of history; the Holocaust. Ilise is a six-year-old girl living in Vienna, Austria when the Nazi soldiers enter her life. What follows is a suspenseful, harrowing and highly worrisome journey as Ilise and her family flees their homeland. The year is 1940 when family eventually arrives at the safety of America. Ilise faces challenges and (like all adolescents) desperately wants to fit in and be accepted in her new country. She changes her name to Rene and learns English in her quest to live life as an American. Rene does an exceptional job of taking the (reader) on a journey of life when faced with multiple adversities to overcome. To sum it up, I am very glad to have read, Becoming Alice. Highly recommended reading for all.

A touching story of of survival and adaptaion

In "Becoming Alice, A Memoir", we are introduced to the Fell family through the eyes of their daughter Ilse, who was only six years old when the Nazi soldier's changed her life forever. As she watched them marching down the street she could never have imagined the destruction and devastation that they would leave in their path. Barely able to stay ahead of the invading army the Fell family flees from their home in Vienna, Austria. First they go to Riga, then to Latvia and finally to the safety of America. Arriving in Portland, Oregon they were unaware of the hardships they were about to face living in a world they were not acquainted with. Each and everyday became a struggle for this once prominent family, no longer could they live the life that accustomed to. Soon Ilse childhood became marred by the events that fell upon her family, never knowing where she fit in and trying to adjust to this strange land. Trying to make the best of every situation became hard as she went from Ilse to Illy to Elsie and even Sally before she finally became Alice. When she became Alice she finally began to become comfortable in her own skin. "Becoming Alice, a Memoir", is a moving narrative that will touch your heart and stir your soul. Wrote as though she is telling you personally the story of her life, Alice Rene, moves you to tears and then cheers you up as she brings you the highs and the lows of her life. Alice Rene has no only written her memoirs she has written a book that will inspire all of us rise above what is holding you down. Truly a book that all should read. I considered it an honor to review her wonderful book.

An engaging story of the impact of global events on one very human family

After I read this book - in one sitting because I just couldn't put it down until I was sure Alice turned out OK - it struck me how we don't fully understand history until we understand how individuals are impacted by historical events. The frightening specter of World War II hovers over every page of this memoir. It impacts this family's actions and reactions long after history books declare it ended. And long after Alice's father has turned off the radio - Hitler marches into _________! - in the family's tiny living room. Alice is caught up in a global event that is very personal to her and her family. How each of the family members deals with their fears, their view of themselves, the sacrifices required when their sense of community is shattered, and their ability to integrate in their new surroundings is what makes this book so compelling. Sometimes we learn more about an historical event that affects millions by how it affects one small family. Read this book to get a glimpse into what it was like for Jewish refugees to escape to America to face ostracism and shame. For a proud father who is forced to abandon his profession and cope with the loss of an essential part of himself, the respect and status he enjoyed as a successful doctor. For a mother who might have gone her entire life not knowing she had the mental toughness to run a successful business. For a son to drift in and out of relationships, unable to find his bearings. And Alice, a young child, naive and understanding only how the day's events impact her, who blossoms into a woman who creates a space for herself in the world where she can feel safe. In today's world where everything is so technological, so system-driven and hard-wired, it's a relief to realize that humanity, both fragile and flawed, is still the driving force in how our lives unfold.

a very solid reading experience

This book is a reminder of what the world was for this family...tough..changing ones life style at any age..either as a child or an adult..well written but not wordy..I liked it and will be passing it on to family and friends...