Review Zdenka Fantlová and her story made a lasting impression. She survived six concentration camps, endured horrors the like of which most of us can't begin to comprehend, yet never lost the will to live or her optimism for a better future. During her time in the camps she kept a little tin ring, made for her by her boyfriend. She risked her life to keep this humble object that meant so much to her. --Fiona Bruce, BBC's Antiques Roadshow and BBC News This book is unique in many ways. Not only is it an autobiographical narrative of exceptional quality and sensitivity, not only does it relate events and experiences of an extraordinary life full of suffering, passion and resilience, not only does the author emerge as a most remarkable human being brimming with compassion, curiosity and zest for life but, above all, this book, in a most subtle way, is also highly original in its approach and this deserves to be acknowledged, appreciated, welcomed and applauded. Above all, this book is an extremely rare testimony of defiance against brutalisation and humiliation, it is a humble expression of the power of endurance and love, it is written with sincerity and sensitivity and it is a book that makes us think and question life and human relationships in surprisingly refreshing ways. --Renos K. Papadopoulos, Professor and Director of the Centre for Trauma, Asylum and Refugees, University of Essex An Incredible Story. --BBC Television An unforgettable memoir. Deserves to be read for its unique story and for its shared message about the unrelentingly strong human spirit.--Publishers Weekly Product Description Zdenka Fantlová's childhood was one of great happiness and her life was like that of any other teenager. However, everything changed when she was sent to Terezín concentration camp. Here she was given a tin ring by her first love Arno with 'Arno 13.6.1942' engraved on it. When he gave her the ring he said, 'That's for our engagement. And to keep you safe. If we are both alive when the war ends I will find you'. Arno was sent East on a penal transport later that same day; she never saw him again. After surviving six concentration camps Zdenka found herself at the hell that was Bergen Belsen. Of the man who gave her the mental strength to persevere, her Arno, she still keeps his tin ring close by her side. She realizes that her voice is one among many but hopes that the book will bring home to readers the fact that the camp inmates were human beings with families, friends and lovers. About the Author Zdenka Fantlová is one of the few living eye-witnesses to the horror of the Holocaust, to which she lost her entire family. For as long as she lives Zdenka is determined to tell her inspiring story of great love, one as uplifting as it is harrowing, to as many people as possible. Zdenka still keeps the tin ring, the symbol of Arno's
Zdenka Fantlova's childhood in pre-war Czechoslovakia was a peaceful though not an uneventful one that revolved around her family, her friends and of course, boys! Her life seemed mapped out when she met Arno, her soul-mate, but the German invasion of her country intervened and Zdenka's life was forced down an horrific and unexpected path. Sent by the Nazis to the ghetto of Terezin outside Prague, Arno presented his girlfriend with a small token of his love, a ring made from tin. Soon his life journey diverged from hers - a journey from which he was destined not to return. Zdenka was transported from Terezin to the extermination camp at Auschwitz and afterwards to hard labour in Kurzbach. The people she met, the horrors she experienced and fight for survival as a young woman of nineteen are movingly described. Her life still revolved around her family, her friends and her longing to be with Arno, whose ring she risked death to keep with her. In January 1945 she was forced to walk nearly 300 miles on a death march to the Gross Rosen camp and then to the infamous Bergen-Belsen. With the war coming to an end the conditions in the camps became more chaotic and deadly. In the last days before liberation Belsen, with no food or water, became hell on earth and, Zdenka, in one last grasp at survival, forced herself into the hospital wing and begged for help from a British army officer. She has never learned the name of the man who saved her life. "The Tin Ring" is dedicated 'to an unknown member of the British Army, who, through his humanity, saved my life in Bergen-Belsen in April 1945' and it is hoped that the UK publication of the book will help trace the officer or his family so that Zdenka can, at long last, personally express her gratitude. Meanwhile, of the man who gave her the mental strength to persevere, her Arno, she still keeps his now very fragile tin ring made of tin close by her side. She does all that she can to ensure that this dark period in twentieth century history is never forgotten and seizes every opportunity to give talks at schools and conventions. She realizes that her voice is one among many but hopes that the publication of her book will bring home to her readers the fact that the camp inmates were human beings with families, friends and lovers.
