The Seamstress

By: Sara Tuvel Bernstein, Louise Loots Thornton, Marlene Bernstein Samuels

Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon

Audie Award Winner, Biography and Memoir, 2013

Told with the same old-fashioned narrative power as the novels of Herman Wouk, The Seamstress is the true story of Seren (Sara) Tuvel Bernstein and her survival during wartime. This powerful eyewitness account of survival, told with power and grace, will stay with listeners for years to come.

©1999 Sara Tuvel Bernstein (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"There are many recent accounts of Holocaust victims, but this work stands alone as a testimony to personal strength and an independent spirit." ( Library Journal)

Great book. Hope many more read it!

Obviously, this type of book isn't for everyone, because, even if you're generally interested, it can weigh you down a bit. I devoured it in a short time, but even then, took a few breaks just to lighten my mood. That being said, it isn't horrible in terms of violence or extreme scenes, and overall is uplifting. I really would hope it would get more coverage, because the story and the treatment of it both wonderful. The writer (or writers, more precisely) kept just the right emotional tone, where what has to be dealt with, whatever it is in the story, is being dealt with, just as you would experience it firsthand, if it were you. One forgets that at every stage in the increasing horrors that happened under the Nazis, those experiencing them only dealt with what was in front of their eyes at that moment, with no context that we have now in hindsight. More than most books of this genre, this seems to allow you to feel the moment to moment reality yourself in a way that is very engaging and satisfying. That was part of the message of the book, really, that each relationship we have, each person in themselves, is valuable, which is the essential horror of the holocaust that for that time and for those people, they rejected that concept in such a profound way.

Great book

If you could sum up The Seamstress in three words, what would they be?

I enjoyed this book very much. The story kept you wanting to know more and the characters very interesting. The time in history - I enjoyed. The raw emotions captivating.

This was an amazing story of survival

What did you love best about The Seamstress?

The story was told with all the horror of the situation and at the same time a feeling of hope. I felt like I was listening to the author telling me what happened over a cup of tea.

What about Wanda McCaddon’s performance did you like?

She did a great job with voices, there was never any confusion about who was talking.

Inspirational and very, very moving. From beginning to end. Everyone should read or listen to this story of the ability to defy death of the human soul.

Great moving biography

It is a moving story of a Holocaust survivor. I always wanted to listen to Sarins survival. What an amazing woman.

Great story of optimistic tenacity

I had no expectations for this book. I usually stick to books people have recommended. It was on a list of Buy two get one free. I was not disappointed!

I loved the narration, the author and of course Sara. Life dealt her a pretty tough hand and through it all she cared for and loved others, worked hard no matter what, made the best decisions she could at any given moment, stood up for what she knew was right, found happiness as often as possible and in the end had no regrets. We could all learn a few things from her and her life. Amazing!

Loved the book and narration!

So interesting to hear from a young woman's perspective about the war. The narrator makes you think you're there!

Heartfelt touching story.

I hung on every word as I listened to this story of the life of a great woman that survived unimaginable difficulties during the holocaust

Riveting story

One thing that amazed me is that Sara thought that the Gentile barracks at Ravensbruck concentration camp had a better situation than the Jewish barracks. That may be true, but I know how bad it was for Corrie ten Boom and her sister from reading “The Hiding Place.” Corrie was released just before all the Gentile women her age were shot. It’s interesting how the Jewish people were instead loaded on trains to leave Ravensbruck toward the end of the war. And it explained a lot to me about how people in camps near German residences worked at farms and were fed fairly well, but camps in the middle of nowhere (like Ravensbruck) were much worse. Both women wrote of spending long hours standing in lines to be counted and many other experiences they had in common like the death of so many family members. It’s a riveting story, but I’m sad that Sara didn’t find her Messiah Yeshua.

Heart-wrenching, Moving, and Beautiful

This memoir was simply wonderful! The narration was terrific and the "story" was heart-wrenching, moving, and beautiful.