A Mother's Promise

A deeply moving, visceral narration * Daily Mail *
A powerful testament to a mother’s love during unbelievable hardship … Renee’s story of resilience and survival is powerful, poignant, and deeply important. A must-read – Elizabeth Bellak, author of Renia’s Diary
This is a book that will stay with me for a long time … A beautiful account, so movingly told – Anna Stuart, author of The Midwife of Auschwitz
Renee Salt and Kate Thompson come together in powerful unity in a way that is both deeply moving and unforgettable. This is a story the world needs to know – Madeline Martin, author of The Booklover’s Library
An unforgettable story about the power of love, a story that reminds us how important hope is, a story that proves to us that human beings are remarkable and endlessly inspiring – Natasha Lester, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Orphan
A tender, moving account that shakes you to the core and yet stirs you to believe in hope and survival despite the worst depravity imaginable – Sonia Purnell, author of A Woman of No Importance
A searing, fearless, important book, where love, faith and tenderness shine through indescribable horror. Everyone should read it – Louisa Tregar, author of The Paris Muse
A valu­able con­tri­bu­tion to the genre of Holo­caust mem­oirs … sheds light on the for­got­ten strug­gles that con­tin­ued afterwards * Jewish Book Council *
Deeply moving and essential reading… The trust and affection between the two women gives every page extraordinary emotional depth * Daily Mail *
Balanced and accessible … The manner in which Kate Thompson chooses to intervene does not alter the testimony; rather, it gives the reader the opportunity to recognise that the fate of Renee Salt is the archetype of those who survive the Holocaust and attempt to reclaim their status as human beings – Marius Cazan, Elie Wiesel National Institute for Studying the Holocaust
Renee Salt and Kate Thompson come together in powerful unity in a way that is both deeply moving and unforgettable. This is a story the world needs to know. * Madeline Martin, author of The Booklover’s Library *
Extraordinary and deeply impressive. Books are often described as ‘important’. Others so-described should step aside. This book travels to the very heart of existence. * Joshua Levine, bestselling author *
A powerful testament to a mother’s love during unbelievable hardship… Renee’s story of resilience and survival is powerful, poignant, and deeply important. A must-read. * Elizabeth Bellak, author of Renia’s Diary *
Part of a legacy graciously left for the next generation to come * Dr. Teresa Wontor-Cichy, historian at Auschwitz–Birkenau State Museum *
An unforgettable story about the power of love, a story that reminds us how important hope is, a story that proves to us that human beings are remarkable and endlessly inspiring. * Natasha Lester, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Orphan *
This is a most extraordinary memoir, distinctive for its detailed recollection and its fearlessness in recording the truth of what happened. * Rachel Hore, bestselling author of The Love Child *
A privilege to read… a deeply moving memoir, beautifully written and researched. A fascinating, heart-breaking story. * Lucy Adlington, bestselling author of The Dressmakers of Auschwitz *
Quite simply the most important book you will read this year. It will stay with me for a very long time. * Hazel Gaynor, bestselling author of The Last Lifeboat *
A valu­able con­tri­bu­tion to the genre of Holo­caust mem­oirs * Jewish Book Council *

Renee Salt is a 94-year-old Holocaust survivor. Born Rywka Ruchla Berkowicz in Poland in 1929, she was just 10 years old when World War II brought horror to her doorstep. After surviving Auschwitz-Birkenau, Renee was liberated from Bergen-Belsen in 1945. After moving to Paris, Renee met her husband Charles, a member of the British Army, and part of the liberating forces at Bergen-Belsen. They married in 1949 and lived in North London, having two children and five grandchildren.

Kate Thompson is a journalist and bestselling writer. As well as being passionate about capturing lost voices and untold social histories, Kate’s also a library campaigner. Her 100 libraries project celebrates the richness and complexity of librarians work and the vital role of libraries in our communities. Alongside her journalism and writing, Kate is also a podcaster and recently launched her own podcast, From the Library With Love.

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