theorphansofamsterdam
2024 Longlist

The Orphans of Amsterdam

Translated from the original Dutch by Jai van Essen
artwork-image

ABOUT
THE BOOK

Amsterdam, 1941. My hands are so shaky I’m fumbling. Where to hide? I pull open the dresser, throw aside the blankets, put the baby in and push the drawer shut, just as the nursery door swings open. The German officer marches into the room, yelling over the crying downstairs: ‘You! Grab all the children – now!’ Based on the heart-wrenching true story of an ordinary young woman who risked everything to save countless children from the Nazis, this gripping read is perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, We Were the Lucky Ones and The Nightingale.

ABOUT
THE AUTHOR Elle
Van Rijn

Elle van Rijn is a Dutch actress, screenwriter of series and films, and author of columns, although her greatest passion lies with writing novels.

Photo Credit: Yvette Kulkens

Elle van Rijn is a Dutch actress, screenwriter of series and films, and author of columns, although her greatest passion lies with writing novels.

Photo Credit: Yvette Kulkens

ABOUT
THE TRANSLATOR Jai
van Essen

Jai van Essen is a sworn Dutch-English and English-Dutch translator. He studied English Language and Literature at the University of Amsterdam, and in 2015 he completed the Legal Translation in Criminal Cases program at the SIGV Association of Court Interpreters and Translators. This same year, he was sworn in by the Court of Amsterdam and added to the Dutch Register of Sworn Translators, and has been working as a freelance translator ever since.

Jai van Essen is a sworn Dutch-English and English-Dutch translator. He studied English Language and Literature at the University of Amsterdam, and in 2015 he completed the Legal Translation in Criminal Cases program at the SIGV Association of Court Interpreters and Translators. This same year, he was sworn in by the Court of Amsterdam and added to the Dutch Register of Sworn Translators, and has been working as a freelance translator ever since.

NOMINATING LIBRARY COMMENTS

Based on a true story the author tells the story of Betty – a young woman – who rescues 600 orphans from certain deportation in World War II. Characters are lively and well-developed, The story is well-written. What bravery can do….A beautiful historical novel Interesting to read about Jewish life in those troublesome times.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Date published
05/07/2022
Country
Netherlands
Original Language
Dutch
Author
Publisher
Bookouture
Translator
Jai van Essen
Translation
Translated from the original Dutch by Jai van Essen
Borrow this book from Libraries Ireland

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