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    No Place to Lay One's Head
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    No Place to Lay One's Head
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    No Place to Lay One's Head
    Ebook282 pages3 hours

    No Place to Lay One's Head

    By Françoise Frenkel and Patrick Modiano

    3.5/5

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    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    The unforgettable story of one woman's struggle to survive persecution in wartime France

    ‘I loved my bookstore the way a woman loves, that is to say, truly’

    In 1921, Françoise Frenkel – a Jewish woman from Poland – opens Berlin’s very first French bookshop. It is a dream come true. The bookshop attracts artists and diplomats, celebrities and poets – even the French ambassador himself. It brings Françoise peace, friendship and prosperity. Then one summer’s day in 1939, the dream ends.

    It ends after Kristallnacht, when Jewish shops and businesses are smashed to pieces. It ends when no one protests. So, just weeks before the war breaks out, Françoise flees to France.

    In Paris, on the wireless and in the newspapers, horror has made itself at home. When the city is bombed, Françoise seeks refuge in Nice, which is awash with refugees and terrible suffering. Children are torn from their parents; mothers throw themselves under buses. Horrified by what she sees, Françoise goes into hiding. She survives only because strangers risk their lives to protect her.

    Unfolding in Berlin, Paris and against the romantic landscapes of southern France, No Place to Lay One’s Head is a heartbreaking tale of human cruelty and unending kindness; of a woman whose lust for life refuses to leave her, even in her darkest hours.

    Very little is known about the life of Françoise Frenkel. She was born in Poland in 1889 and later studied and lived in Paris; in 1921 she set up the first French-language bookshop in Berlin with her husband. In 1939, she returned to Paris, and after the German invasion the following year fled south to Nice. After several years in hiding, she made a desperate attempt to cross the border to Switzerland. Frenkel died in Nice in 1975. Her memoir, originally published in Geneva in 1945, was rediscovered in a flea market in 2010, republished in the original French and is now being translated and published in numerous languages for the first time.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPushkin Press
    Release dateJan 25, 2018
    ISBN9781782274124
    Unavailable
    No Place to Lay One's Head
    Author

    Françoise Frenkel

    Françoise Frenkel was born in Poland in 1889. Fulfilling a lifelong dream, she opened the first French-language bookshop in Berlin with her husband. In the summer of 1939, with war looming, Frenkel fled to Paris. She sought refuge across occupied France for the next several years until finally escaping across the border to Switzerland, where she wrote a memoir documenting her refugee experience. Her memoir, originally published in 1945 as Rien où poser sa tête (No Place to Lay One’s Head), was rediscovered in an attic in southern France in 2010 and republished in the original French as well as in a dozen other languages. This is its first publication in the United States. Frenkel died in Nice in 1975.

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    Reviews for No Place to Lay One's Head

    3.5/5

    81 ratings14 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Writing: 4.0; Theme: 5.0; Content: 5.0; Language: 5.0; Overall: 4.0This an amazing story of a Jewish woman- Francoise Frenkel- who fulfills her dream of opening up a book store in France. As Nazi ideology passes through Europe, police visits and confiscations begin to increase at Frenkel's place of business. Her book store is soon destroyed, as well as many other Jewish-owned businesses experienced the destruction of the evil of German tyranny. This book was actually published in 1945 and left in an attic until somewhat recently. Recommend.***March 10, 2023***
    • 3/5
      Good true story of escape from German Nazis.
    • 4/5
      Bookshop in Berlin: The Rediscovered Memoir of One Woman's Harrowing Escape from the Nazis, Francois Frenkel, author; Patrick Moidano, preface; Jilly Bond, narratorThis book is a rediscovered memoir of Francoise Frenkel. It is written in a beautiful, lyrical, and expressive prose with a vocabulary that is free from the crudeness existing in many books today. It is read by a wonderful narrator who used tone and emphasis at just the right time. In Frenkel’s voice, the reader is taken through a detailed description of the decline of life in Europe as it falls under Hitler’s control. Alternating between moments that seem idyllic and peaceful, as she, a lover of books, operates her French book shop in Berlin and interacts with her favorite customers, there are moments of terror and danger, violence and brutality. She is a foreigner, of Polish heritage, and a Jew, in a country that reveres Aryans and finds Jews reprehensible. The book cracks a window on how her life changed under the Nazis influence, how people reacted to her, and how the draconian rules altered the worldview of those in her immediate environment. Frenkel was lucky to have good friends, influential friends, the funds to help herself, and the personal courage to face the perils that awaited her on her journey to her ultimate freedom. Not everyone in her situation would be as fortunate. No one could have imagined the horrors that Hitler planned. In some ways the memoir oversimplified the most tragic event of the 20th century. The population simply seemed largely naïve and incredulous as race laws were drafted and implemented and Jews and others were arrested with abandon and unnecessary violence. There seemed to be very little active resistance to Hitler in Germany. Rather he had full and loyal support.I found the absence of some kind of deep emotional response and/or anger, overall, by most of the people with whom she interacted, to be completely disheartening. Since I know that there was an underground and there were many unsung heroes that gave their lives to stand in Hitler’s way, my own knowledge somewhat mitigated my disappointment. The idea that the need to “simply do their job” was the overriding principle coupled with a general feeling of disbelief by the citizenry about what was happening was disturbing. France had fallen, other countries were falling. What were those who acquiesced to Hitler thinking? As a foreigner in Germany, as the new laws were written, Francoise couldn’t obtain work or travel papers. She was also Jewish. The description of the history of events, her own personal effort to flee, her eventual capture and imprisonment, coupled with the stories of the abuse and the cruelty the prisoners faced, was informative, but no new light was shed on the reasons the Holocaust even came to pass or on how to prevent another. Just because of a series of lucky coincidences and lucky encounters, Francoise was able to survive and eventually travel to America. Others were not so lucky. Although she thought she lived through the worst moments anyone could, and they were traumatic for her, no doubt about it, far worse was yet to come for others who were captured, sent to prison and than herded off to Concentration Camps. She was lucky to have the wherewithal to support and defend herself financially, the relatives and influential friends who could help her, and the strength to face whatever came before her.
    • 4/5
      This memoir, written by a virtually unknown woman, was first published in 1945 under a different title and with little acclaim. Rediscovered in 2010, it has resonated with readers today. Because divisive politics, fear of minorities, and hateful rhetoric have reemerged, Frenkel’s recollections serve as stark reminders that the consequences of such circumstances can be quite devastating.Frenkel’s aim was to show what it was like for those trapped in France during the brutal Nazi occupation. Her story demonstrates not only what is best in the human spirit— courage, empathy, and determination—but also the evils of indifference and outright cruelty. Shortages were prevalent; draconian regulations were enforced by unkind bureaucrats and soldiers; Jews and other minorities were harassed, arrested, and deported to death camps.Frenkel relates her story linearly in the first person. She was born to Jewish parents in Poland in the late 19th century. She grew up in Paris where she studied literature at the Sorbonne. Her love of books led her to open a successful Berlin bookstore, La Maison du Livre, in 1921. She closed it 18 years later when the Nazi’s rose to power in Germany. Frenkel fled to Paris but left for Avignon when the Nazis arrived. Later she moved further south to Nice where she constantly feared arrest by the Nazis. A French couple (the Marius) provided her with safety and assistance. Narrow escapes, false papers, some luck and multiple examples of good faith by the locals characterized this time. Arrests and detention followed two failed attempts to enter Switzerland illegally. Frenkel finally succeeded in 1943. She returned to Nice following the war, where she resided until her death in the 1970s.The memoir is filled with anecdotes that graphically capture the times. Children were separated from their parents often with dire consequences. Some locals hid her for money and rare supplies, only to betray her when word spread of her presence in their homes. She witnessed a trial wherein a man murdered his wife at her request following their arrest. Although most of the memoir is quite dark, there were some lighter moments. Of particular note was the story of a French octogenarian who agreed to provide Frenkel with a marriage of convenience only to backed out when he mistakenly thought that she was old and deformed. He was outlandishly undeterred when reminded that this was a marriage in name only.Frenkel writes in a simple journalistic style devoid of value judgements yet conveying insight and sympathy. Regrettably, her voice often seems too distant and measured to convey the sense of suspense and urgency the events truly deserve.
    • 4/5
      Elegant and harrowing. Such tenacious bravery. The simple prose created an astonishing account of escape from occupied France with the unwavering help of the most dedicated and selfless friends. A pleasure to read and one of the best memoirs I have read.This is book 5 of the new year and 3 of them have been nonfiction!
    • 3/5
      I enjoy reading stories on this topic. It is important to remember history so that we don't make the same mistakes. Sadly; I feel like we have taken a few steps backwards in today's world. Every day you read headlines about racism. It is people like Françoise, who we have to thank for sharing their stories. While, I can't imagine enduring everything that Françoise did. In a way, I kind of could reading this book. I don't want to take anything away from Françoise but I was only semi engaged with this book. It was not like The Diary of Anne Frank or The Hiding Place. However, I still found myself interested in what I was reading and at times could not stop reading. Again, I applaud Françoise for sharing her story.
    • 5/5
      Françoise Frenkel always loved books, libraries, and especially bookstores.Her dream was to open a bookstore, but would her dream about opening a French bookstore in Berlin in 1920 be a good idea?She was successful until 1935 when the police started showing up and confiscating books from her shelves and newspapers because they had been blacklisted.Besides scrutinizing her books, they questioned her travels. This was just the beginning of her hardships and ordeals.A BOOKSHOP IN BERLIN tells the story of Francoise Frenkel's life and her love of books, her bookshop, and France. We follow her as she lives through occupied France and endures what the European people had to deal with. Unthinkable, unpleasant misery and situations plagued her and all people during this time. A BOOKSHOP IN BERLIN is a treasure for historical fiction fans as well as book lovers.I normally do not read memoirs, but A BOOKSHOP IN BERLIN is very well done and educational.You were easily put into Francoise’s situations and her emotions were yours. 5/5This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
    • 4/5
      I am a big fan of just about any book about books. And the title led me to believe this was about a bookstore in Berlin, Germany. And it was. Sort of. It begins with the author’s adventure opening her own bookstore of French offerings in Berlin right before WWII started. Since she is Jewish, it didn’t take long for her to realize she needed to be on the run from the Nazis. And that is what the bulk of the book is about—her fleeing the Germans, managing to stay one step ahead of them until she wasn’t. The books recounts Frenkel’s incredible resourcefulness and bravery. If there weren’t a flood of similar books out now, this would probably be more notable. As it is, Frenkel’s book is well worth the time to read it, and I’m glad I did.
    • 4/5
      I am a big fan of just about any book about books. And the title led me to believe this was about a bookstore in Berlin, Germany. And it was. Sort of. It begins with the author’s adventure opening her own bookstore of French offerings in Berlin right before WWII started. Since she is Jewish, it didn’t take long for her to realize she needed to be on the run from the Nazis. And that is what the bulk of the book is about—her fleeing the Germans, managing to stay one step ahead of them until she wasn’t. The books recounts Frenkel’s incredible resourcefulness and bravery. If there weren’t a flood of similar books out now, this would probably be more notable. As it is, Frenkel’s book is well worth the time to read it, and I’m glad I did.
    • 3/5
      A rediscovered memoir by a Berlin bookseller who was trapped in France after the Nazi invasion, and her struggles to remain hidden and escape into Switzerland.The book angle plays a relatively small role after the author relocates to Paris. The major puzzle about the account is that, as is noted in the preface, she completely omits her husband from the story. Such a significant omission cannot help but have the reader wonder what other, if any, license has been taken.For a more thorough description of the Nazi occupation of Paris, and its impact upon libraries, one should read The Paris Library. Although fictionalized, it is based on real people surviving in a real situation.
    • 4/5
      Digital audiobook narrated by Jilly Bond4**** Subtitle: The Rediscovered Memoir of One Woman’s Harrowing Escape From the NazisIn 1921 Frankel – a Jewish woman from Poland – opened La Maison du Livre, Berlin’s first French bookshop. It was popular with artists and diplomats, celebrities and poets. But by 1935 the city was in the grip of the Nazis – first came bureaucratic hurdles, then police inspections and book confiscations. In November 1938 came Kristallnacht, when hundreds of Jewish shops and businesses were destroyed. Frankel fled to Paris. But she was hardly safe for long. Originally titled No Place To Lay One’s Head this has been re-issued with the popular “bookshop” title – certainly a marketing strategy. There’s virtually nothing in the memoir about the bookshop, and little about Berlin. This is not to say that Frankel’s memoir isn’t worth reading. I was engaged, interested and riveted by her tale. The many near misses and constant uncertainty would break many. I marveled at her tenacity, determination and sheer will to survive. Jilly Bond does an excellent job of narrating the audiobook. She sets a good pace and has very clear diction. I don’t speak French, so am not certain, but her French pronunciation sounds authentic to me. The text version includes numerous notes at the end, including copies of correspondence and a review of Frankel’s original memoir. I was surprised to learn from these appendices that she was married; her husband is never mentioned in the book.
    • 4/5
      A Bookshop in Berlin is a rediscovered book--it was originally published in 1945. It tells of a Jewish woman's movements in France during World War II. It gives a good depiction of what life must have been like. There were so many ordinary French citizens helping the Jews and refugees. It's a nice simple read, sad because of the subject matter but very interesting.
    • 4/5
      This memoir of a Polish Jewish woman who escaped Germany and spent much of the war in exile in Vichy France and Nice, finally escaping to Switzerland. Really showed a better side of the French than in many of the works out there. I recommend this book.
    • 4/5
      An account of great determination, the author setting up against the odds a French bookshop in Berlin. Then follow the horrors of national socialism, expulsion of the Jews and the bravery of those who resisted and protected individuals without fear of losing their own lives. Eventually Frenkel escapes to freedom in Switzerland. The risk of asking Noble Prize winner Patrick Modiano to write the preface is to diminish in the reader's mind the quality of writing of the book that follows. Modiano's magical prose, pages 7-13, is not matched by Frenkel's.