The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson is an incredibly moving and powerful memoir. Leon was one of the youngest children to survive the Holocaust on Oskar Schindler’s list and I found the audiobook brought the realities of this time to life in a way a book may not have. The audio version is narrated by Danny Burstein who has the perfect voice for this story with a combination of humility and gentleness that lends well to the telling of such a horrific time. This memoir sent shivers up my spine and more than a few tears in my eyes.
Leon had what could only be described as a happy childhood until the Nazis invaded Poland when he was just ten years old. He and his family were forced from their home to live in a Krakow ghetto and from there to a concentration camp. At thirteen years old and not being a big boy the concentration camp was hard for Leon and having extremely cruel guards who didn’t think twice about inflicting pain on even a young boy it was all the more horrifying. When Leon’s father begged Oskar Schindler to bring Leon to work for him Leon knew he had been saved. While the horrors of being held were still there and starvation was rampant at least the workers were treated with respect by Schindler and quite often he gave extra scraps to Leon when he could. For Leon he feels that Oskar Schindler saved his life … as he did many others.
I have watched the movie version of Schindler’s List more often than I can count and it is no less powerful each time I view it. I feel the same about this book. The audiobook is short at 4 hours and 17 minutes but I was glued to it for each and every second. I can’t imagine being thrown into a concentration camp at such a young age let alone survive it so I have the utmost respect and admiration for Leon and those that did. It takes a special person to be able to survive such horrors – to not give up – to always have hope that there will be a better tomorrow. While Leon lost many loved ones to the war including his brother he survived and he places the reason for his survival on Oskar Schindler. Oskar Schindler is said to be a man who defines heroism which I wholeheartedly agree with but so are those who survived the Holocaust.
Leon said he started his life at nineteen years old when he arrived in America. He went on to have a career, marry, and have children. Sadly he passed in January of 2013 at the age of 83. I’m glad that after all he suffered he had a good life afterwards. If you have a chance to listen to this amazing audiobook and are interested in novels about the Holocaust please pick up The Boy on the Wooden Box. It is truly amazing.
Buy at: Simon & Schuster, Audible, and iTunes
Source: Review copy provided by the publisher. No compensation was received for this review and all opinions are my own.
Goodness, I feel emotional just reading your review. This has to be such a powerful story, because it is true. I have seen Schindler’s List so many times and each time it turns me into a big mushy puddle.
Sandy, the movie does the same to me as did this book. It’s hard to read what these people went through and how they were treated. I come away each time wondering how humans can be so cruel.
I’ve never watched Schindler’s List because I didn’t think I could handle it. This sounds gut wrenching but in a good way.
Kathy, Schindler’s List is a difficult movie to watch but inspiring at the same time that this one man cared and helped as many as he could.
I so rarely read memoirs, but I have to say that your review really hooked me. This book is going on my list. Thanks, Dar!
Beth, I sent you off an email.
This sounds like a difficult read, but worth it. I’ll add it to my list!
Kim, these books are always difficult to read but like you say, well worth it. It’s important we never forget this time in our history.
I do like audio these days
Me too Linda!
Darlene, Leon’s memoir sounds very touching. Books (and movies) about the holocaust always affect me greatly. I will keep this audio book in mind.
Susan, it was a very emotional read. These books always have a huge affect on me too. I hope you read this one someday.
Sounds heartbreaking and inspiring. I hold off reading this genre but when I finally end up reading it, even if my heart breaks, I get so much out of the book.
Laura I agree that it’s hard to read books like this but I’m drawn to them. I think because I find it inspiring to read about people who were able to survive times like that and also because it’s important to keep history alive.
My heart hurts just reading your review. I think these survivor stories are so important. I’ll have to look for this one.
Anna, I think this is a book you’d be interested in. I actually thought of you and Serena when I was listening to it. It’s heartbreaking but well worth reading.
I survivor stories, it gives hope and amazes me what what people can endure as well as horrifies me at what peopole can do to others.
Nise, that’s exactly how I feel about stories like this as well.
What themes do you think are portrayed in this memoir?
What would be the topic?