The Hiding Place

The Hiding Place


By: Corrie Ten Boom, with John and Elizabeth Sherrill
Reviewed by: Felicity T., 16
Rating: It was amazing!


A Quick Summary:
"The Hiding Place" is essentially the autobiography of a Dutch woman named Corrie ten Boom, and her family, who lived during WWII. (In case you're confused, ten Boom is a Dutch last name.) Masterfully written, this story is an amazing account of the ten Boom family and their incredible Christian faith. Corrie, the author, follows the development of her family, recounting stories from her childhood and years growing up, all the way until her middle-age years, when Nazi Germany invades Holland and imposes its rule over the land. This includes laws about religious practice, and particularly the oppression of Jewish people. In the end, Corrie ten Boom and her family become the centers of a massive underground operation in Holland, housing and helping Jews escape Nazi tyranny. The meaningful bulk of this story takes place after the ten Boom family is caught and imprisoned by German authorities. Told with Corrie's tasteful perspective and hopeful faith, the book recounts agonizing years spent in concentration camps in a way unlike any other. The most inspirational theme behind "The Hiding Place" is the hope carried by the ten Boom family's enormous personal faith and spirituality, even in the middle of sorrowful and humanly impossible circumstances.

My Opinion:
As someone who shares the same faith as the very real characters in "The Hiding Place," I've found this book to be an immense spiritual instrument in growing my own faith. On a broader level, the hope and joy flowing from such a sorrowful story are overwhelming and inspiring and powerful to move us all to live with meaning and selflessness and gratitude, even in the darkest circumstances. Corrie and the rest of the ten Boom family are some of my greatest heroes!
I also think that this book offers some solid historical insight into the German occupation of Holland during WWII, which isn't often looked into.

I would 100% recommend this story to anyone!


Recommended to: Christians, People with WWII interest, People who like tear-jerkers