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Dutch Girl
Dutch Girl: Audrey Hepburn and World War II | Robert Matzen
28 posts | 23 read | 40 to read
Twenty-five years after her passing, Audrey Hepburn remains the most beloved of all Hollywood stars, known as much for her role as UNICEF ambassador as for films like Roman Holiday and Breakfast at Tiffany's. Several biographies have chronicled her stardom, but none has covered her intense experiences through five years of Nazi occupation in the Netherlands. According to her son, Luca Dotti, "The war made my mother who she was." Audrey Hepburn's war included participation in the Dutch Resistance, working as a doctor's assistant during the "Bridge Too Far" battle of Arnhem, the brutal execution of her uncle, and the ordeal of the Hunger Winter of 1944. She also had to contend with the fact that her father was a Nazi agent and her mother was pro-Nazi for the first two years of the occupation. But the war years also brought triumphs as Audrey became Arnhem's most famous young ballerina. Audrey's own reminiscences, new interviews with people who knew her in the war, wartime diaries, and research in classified Dutch archives shed light on the riveting, untold story of Audrey Hepburn under fire in World War II. Also included is a section of color and black-and-white photos. Many of these images are from Audrey's personal collection and are published here for the first time.
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starlight97
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Pickpick

Very well researched book about a really interesting person.
“I‘ve always been self-conscious about interviews, about my thinness, my tallness, my unattractiveness. My success — it still bewilders me.“
#nonfiction #wwii #biography
#litsylovereads

KCofKaysville @starlight97 I know she almost starved during the War. Had to eat tulip bulbs. 5mo
starlight97 @KCofKaysville yeah they really did starve during the last winter of the war. 5mo
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booklover3258
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Pickpick

My review of this book can be found on my YouTube Vlog at:

https://youtu.be/detpf-KHo8A

Enjoy!

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KathyWheeler
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Pickpick

Ultimately this was worth reading, but it‘s not as much about Audrey Hepburn‘s life during WWII as you might think. There is a lot of detail about her family and about the war in Holland. I know all that contributed to who she became, but I didn‘t expect quite so much of it. #audiowalk

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KathyWheeler
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A little over two hours left in this book. So far, Audrey Hepburn‘s participation in the resistance has been minimal — there are a couple of stories that took maybe 10 minutes each to tell — and the war is almost over. I suspect this story wouldn‘t even be told if this were an average person and not Audrey Hepburn. #audiowalk

megnews Very interesting! 3y
KathyWheeler @megnews 👍🏼I do think there‘s value in these types of stories — everyday people just trying to survive a brutal occupation. So it‘s still an interesting book. The focus isn‘t really on the resistance, though. 3y
28 likes2 comments
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KathyWheeler
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Now I‘m concerned about the historical accuracy of this book. There‘s discussion of Anne Frank that, while it doesn‘t outright say that, implies that she died at Auschwitz. She was sent there, but my memory was that she and her sister, Margot, were transferred to Bergen-Belsen and died there. Everything I can find, including the Anne Frank House website indicates that‘s the case. If the author didn‘t catch this, an editor should have. #audiowalk

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KathyWheeler
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Dutch Girl is my new walking book. It‘s interesting, but I‘m having a little trouble with the organization. One minute Audrey Hepburn is 11 and living in Holland; the next she‘s 21 and living in London; then the next chapter, she‘s back in Holland and is 12. #audiowalk

Reggie I read somewhere that during War World 2 she almost died of starvation? 3y
KathyWheeler @Reggie I haven‘t gotten to that part yet, but according to this book, she did almost die as a baby. 3y
27 likes2 comments
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a.bookish.byrd
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Pickpick

❤️

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squirrelbrain
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Pickpick

This was a really interesting read and I certainly learnt a lot about The Netherlands during WWII.

I did feel that there was more fact than emotion in the book and that, therefore, I didn‘t learn as much about Audrey, and in particular her relationship with her mother, as I would have liked. (Her mother was a Nazi supporter for quite a while into the war)

#readingeurope2020 #netherlands
#booked2020 #parent&childmemoir

Cinfhen Agreed, this was less memoir more history lesson but it was still fascinating. The beginning was especially interesting/ I used this for #ReadingEurope2020 #Netherlands It was written by her son, right??!!? 5y
squirrelbrain I don‘t think it was written by her son @Cinfhen , but I think he‘s one of the only biographers to have had a lot of access to her son..... I can‘t believe what a nightmare her mother was - it seemed to me that she only changed her views because it directly affected her family (when her son had to go into hiding)... 5y
Cinfhen Oh right, the son Luca writes the forward...Audrey‘s mom was horrid. So selfish and such a schemer 5y
Librarybelle This is on my to read list! 5y
bibliobliss Can't wait to get back into it! I have it on hold with Libby. Glad you liked it ;-) 5y
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PurpleTulipGirl
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Pickpick

I happened to read this while in the midst of reading The Book Thief. They went together well. Both are about young girls living in poverty and making difficult choices during WW2. The strength of spirit and resilience needed to survive awes me.

4.5/5 for being engaging, well-written, and offering a new side of one of my favorite actresses.

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bibliobliss
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bibliobliss
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• OMG A BOOK ABOUT MY FAVORITE PERSON!! I NEED IT YESTERDAY!! •

TheBookStacker Love her! She was so much more than a movie star! 5y
bibliobliss @TheBookStacker She was a stellar lady and I'll always love her ❤️ 5y
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Cinfhen
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Pickpick

I liked this book but it wasn‘t perfect. The content was a little repetitive and parts felt unnecessary but still a very in depth yet personalized view of Dutch life under Nazi Occupation. Often WWII stories focus on the Concentration Camps or the Jewish viewpoint so this was really an interesting perspective from a noble titled Catholic family, who happens to be Audrey Hepburn‘s family. I liked the audio & it included a PDF of wonderful photos 💗

JaclynW I keep seeing #ReadingEurope2020....tell me more! I have a slight obsession with Europe and would love to join. 5y
Cyndij82 My parents are from The Netherlands and lived in Maastricht during WWII as teenagers. Definitely want to read this book. Thanks for sharing. #Netherlands 5y
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Mdargusch I‘m always looking for new perspectives and this sounds like a good one. 5y
Librarybelle I‘ve been wondering about this book. Great review! 5y
Librarybelle @JaclynW @BarbaraBB and I are hosting a year long “journey” through the European countries. Read a book set in an European country or by an author from a country. If you search the hashtag, you‘ll find a post with a link to sign up. It‘s low key - set your own goals. I‘ve loved seeing all of the choices made so far! And, be prepared for your tbr list to explode with new titles! 5y
BarbaraBB I hope you‘ll join @JaclynW 💕 5y
BarbaraBB @Cyndij82 That is such a coincidence, I am in Maastricht at the moment! 5y
Cyndij82 @BarbaraBB I hope you are enjoying Maastricht. It is such a beautiful city. We were there in November. If you get a chance go to the Dominicane bookstore. It used to be an old church. It is beautiful!! Have fun!! 5y
BarbaraBB @Cyndij82 I know that bookstore, it is incredible indeed! 😍 5y
JaclynW @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB Cool! I will try and search for the sign ups. Do you recall a date it was posted? That may help me in my search. 😊 5y
Cinfhen Glad @BarbaraBB and @Librarybelle got back to you about #ReadingEurope2020 @JaclynW it‘s a fun challenge and one I think you‘ll enjoy 🤓 5y
Cinfhen How crazy @BarbaraBB @Cyndij82 over your shared connection 😊I think you would both enjoy Dutch Girl. So much history before, during and after WWII that I found really interesting @Mdargusch 5y
BarbaraBB @JaclynW I‘ll tag you in our first post! 😘 5y
Crazeedi I've been looking at this one. I'm definitely going to read it now. Great review! 5y
Cinfhen It was also an interesting glimpse into the early life of Audrey Hepburn @Crazeedi what an extraordinary woman/ young girl~ definitely recommend this book 5y
Crazeedi @Cinfhen 👍😍 5y
JaclynW @Cinfhen I'm signed up and good to go! Now on to brainstorming...🤔🤓 5y
Cinfhen Yay @JaclynW there are a BUNCH of countries that are going to stump me🤦🏼‍♀️so I‘ll be checking to see what you and others read 😛 5y
JaclynW @Cinfhen Ditto! 5y
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Cinfhen
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Less than 30 minutes to go on my audiobook 🎧It‘s been very interesting but much more of a history of occupied Holland (the Netherlands ) during WWII then a biography of Audrey Hepburn. @Butterfinger yesterday it was bright & sunny & I took a walk by the beach today it‘s dreary and cold(ish) around 55 degrees. Weather in Israel is pretty unpredictable from January-March 🤷🏼‍♀️#TammysGiveaway

Butterfinger Absolutely gorgeous! Thank you times 10. 😁 5y
Cinfhen You‘re welcome 😊 I gave you a view from my front balcony and side balcony @Butterfinger and guess what, the sun is starting to peek out now ☀️ 5y
BarbaraBB That sea. So jealous you can walk over to the beach anytime 😍😍 5y
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Mdargusch Nice place for a walk though. Anytime the sun shines in Ohio between January and March - it‘s time for a celebration! 🌞 5y
AmyG Gorgeous! 5y
Cinfhen I had to drive 20 minutes to the sea @BarbaraBB and then I walked ☺️but still close enough to breathe in that fresh sea air @Mdargusch it never gets old @AmyG 🌊💙🏝 5y
BarbaraBB Still close indeed. Must be lovely! Have a good weekend ❤️ 5y
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Cinfhen
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#AudioWalk Enjoying the beautiful sunshine ☀️ listening to this wonderful biography 🎧Many Mitfords,lots of titles, little funds and fantastic pronunciation of German & Dutch. Today there is a World Holocaust Forum taking place in Jerusalem, so I thought it would be appropriate to listen to another WWII experience. Spotted a 🤎 on the beach #LoveFromAbove #NeverAgain #WeRemember

CoffeeAndABook A walk on the beach in warm sunshine... ☺️ sounds heavenly ☀️💫 5y
Cinfhen It really was good for the soul @CoffeeAndABook How are you???? 5y
CoffeeAndABook Could do with a sunny beach walk right around now 😅 I‘m fine really, went on a short whirlwind trip to London which was so great 🏰 and have been playing catch-up with life ever since. But it was so worth it! How about you Cindy?? 5y
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Cinfhen How nice for a whirlwind trip 💟I‘m heading to London in a few weeks to meet my daughter for a girls weekend and then we are going to Poland on a Jewish Heritage trip. I‘m mentally preparing for the cold weather @CoffeeAndABook 🥶🥶🥶 5y
alisiakae Looks like a beautiful spot for an #audiowalk. 💖 5y
TrishB I‘m sure it will be 10 degrees in London 😁 but likely very cold in Poland! 5y
CoffeeAndABook Oh wow, the trip to London with your daughter sounds lovely 💓 wish I could give an insider‘s recommendation but it was my first time there and I merely covered the basics. The heritage trip will be intense and so interesting I‘m sure. Spontaneously a book comes to mind, have you read it? It‘s hard to read but fascinating. It‘s years ago I read it and it‘s all still fresh in my memory. 5y
Cinfhen Thanks for the book recommendation @CoffeeAndABook sounds great but I saw from someone‘s post that it‘s a #chunkster 😱 5y
CoffeeAndABook I remember it flying by! And I‘m pretty chunkster-wary myself 😅 you might try an ebook reading sample to see if you want to get into it. Lily Brett is a such a great author, authentic and very humorous. I heard her read the tagged book at a literary event a few years ago and adored her 5y
Cinfhen That one sounds great too!! I will check them both out xx thanks @CoffeeAndABook 5y
CoffeeAndABook 😘😘😘 5y
Suet624 Thank you for sharing your photos. 5y
89 likes1 stack add12 comments
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tdrosebud
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Merry Christmas Eve! It's #jolabokaflodswap time. Thank you so much @sblbooks ! I'm really looking forward to this book and the chocolates smell delicious. And a huge thank you to @MaleficentBookDragon for hosting!

sblbooks You're welcome! Merry Christmas and Happy Jolabokafold! Enjoy your reading time. 5y
tdrosebud @sblbooks Unfortunately my plans changed and I'm at work, but hopefully I'll have time tomorrow. Thanks again and Merry Christmas! 5y
sblbooks @tdrosebud I'm sorry you had to go to work at the last-minute, hopefully tomorrow. 5y
MaleficentBookDragon Lovely. 🍫 📖 Happy #Jolakabodflod! 5y
25 likes4 comments
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Nitpickyabouttrains
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Pickpick

The story of Audrey Hepburn and her family in World War Two. There were some #Mitford sightings in the first bit, which talked about her mother in the 30s.

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DebinHawaii
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I lost my library e-book on this one without finishing it so I had to wait for my hold to come back in. I got a couple of chapters in over a late lunch of Ottolenghi‘s Tomato & Sourdough Soup with Whipped Feta & Sumac Dip. Both recipes are very easy & delicious & on the blog for #soupersundays. Link to recipes👇🏻
📚🍅🍲🧀🍞🤣

ferskner Oooooo Ottolenghi.... 5y
heidisreads FYI if you turn your WiFi off of your kindle, your library book won‘t automatically return 🤫 5y
Lindy That looks very tasty. Love Ottolenghi‘s cookbooks. 5y
86 likes3 comments
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BekaReid
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My heart clenches reading these words.

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BekaReid
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Next up. Looking forward to diving into this biography of Audrey Hepburn!

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DebinHawaii
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#HumpDayPost
1. I actually prefer it in the winter when it isn‘t so hot & humid but I guess I 💛 that locally-grown mangoes, lychee & melons are in season🥭🍉
2. See above—wear sweats & socks 🧦 & be cozy comfortably
3. I prefer mostly shade in the summer with some sun breaks ⛅️
4. My view is my. desk breakfast of fried rice with over-easy egg 🍳 on top & ☕️ & new-in library e-book about Audrey Hepburn that I have been looking forward to 🤗

Crazeedi That book looks good!! 5y
59 likes1 comment
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DreesReads
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Pickpick

This thoroughly researched #biography looks at Audrey Hepburn‘s teenage years in the German-occupied Netherlands. From the beginnings of her career in dance and wartime performances through the hunger winter and 9 months of shelling, he examines how her experiences influenced her career and UNICEF work. A must-read for those interested in Hepburn and how the occupation was for residents. #netgalley #nonfiction #worldwar2 #history #audreyhepburn

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GypsyKat
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Pickpick

Wow. I always find stories of survival (especially during times of war) humbling, but with all the personal accounts this was even more so. It‘s truly amazing that one of the most beloved actresses of all time blossomed out of such a horrific war zone. She was a lovely, incredible human being. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Crazeedi Audrey was pure class❤ 6y
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GypsyKat
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I‘m starting this one. Really looking forward to learning more about her life during the war.

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OutsmartYourShelf
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Pickpick

An intriguing biography of Hepburn‘s formative years during WWII. The amount of research is phenomenal, yet the author writes in an accessible manner. 4🌟

Thanks to NetGalley & publishers, GoodKnight Books, for the opportunity to review an ARC. #NetGalley #DutchGirl

Stephaniereads1 I love Audrey Hepburn! I need to read this. 6y
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GypsyKat
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Michellesibs
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Pickpick

Wow, I really didnt realise how interesting the WW2 / Audrey Hepburn combo would be when I first picked up this book. I'm pretty shocked at some of the things I have read.
My full review can be found here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2740178817?book_show_action=false&from_rev...

Birdsong28 Did you get this from #Netgalley ? I have 📚📖 6y
Michellesibs I did indeed @Birdsong28 😀 6y
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overtheedge
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Pickpick

Taken from Audreyś wartime diaries, interviews with her sons and people she knew, and from research done at the Dutch archives, this is a compelling telling of a little-known part of the life of one of our most beloved actresses and personalities ever. Fascinating, intriguing and heart breaking at times
Highly recommended
Due 4-15-2019

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