Cirrus@Austlit

'The author calls Bergen-Belsen her kindergarten, since when she was only three, she and her mother were transported to that infamous death camp. They were released after a number of months as a result of a deal with the Germans. The Romanian Jewish leader, Renö Kastner, traded "blood for goods" – the rightness of which action is still hotly debated today – but which saved thousands of lives. Vera has lived in Paris, London, Sao Paulo and Melbourne. She has a family and a full life, but will always carry a deep sadness for the little girl she was.' (Lamm Jewish Library of Australia)