About the book
A lost classic of Holocaust literature translated for the first time - from journalist, poet and survivor József Debreczeni
'A literary diamond... A holocaust memoir worthy of Primo Levi' THE TIMES
'A masterpiece' NEW STATESMAN
When József Debreczeni arrived in Auschwitz in 1944, had he been selected to go 'left', his life expectancy would have been approximately forty-five minutes. One of the 'lucky' ones, he was sent to the 'right', which led to twelve horrifying months of incarceration and slave labour in a series of camps, ending in the 'Cold Crematorium' - the so-called hospital of the forced labour camp Dörnhau, where prisoners too weak to work were left to die.
Debreczeni beat the odds and survived. Very soon he committed his experiences to paper in Cold Crematorium, one of the harshest and powerful indictments of Nazism ever written. This haunting memoir, rendered in the precise and unsentimental prose of an accomplished journalist, compels the reader to imagine human beings in circumstances impossible to comprehend intellectually.
First published in Hungarian in 1950, it was never translated due to the rise of McCarthyism, Cold War hostilities and antisemitism. This important eyewitness account that was nearly lost to time will be available in fifteen languages, finally taking its rightful place among the great works of Holocaust literature more than seventy years after it was first published.
Editions of Cold Crematorium
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781787334649
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781784878887
- EBook
- ISBN 9781529918328
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9781529932218
Read an Excerpt
A lost classic of Holocaust literature translated for the first time - from journalist, poet and survivor József Debreczeni
'A literary diamond... A holocaust memoir worthy of Primo Levi' THE TIMES
'A masterpiece' NEW STATESMAN
When József Debreczeni arrived in Auschwitz in 1944, had he been selected to go 'left', his life expectancy would have been approximately forty-five minutes. One of the 'lucky' ones, he was sent to the 'right', which led to twelve horrifying months of incarceration and slave labour in a series of camps, ending in the 'Cold Crematorium' - the so-called hospital of the forced labour camp Dörnhau, where prisoners too weak to work were left to die.
Debreczeni beat the odds and survived. Very soon he committed his experiences to paper in Cold Crematorium, one of the harshest and powerful indictments of Nazism ever written. This haunting memoir, rendered in the precise and unsentimental prose of an accomplished journalist, compels the reader to imagine human beings in circumstances impossible to comprehend intellectually.
First published in Hungarian in 1950, it was never translated due to the rise of McCarthyism, Cold War hostilities and antisemitism. This important eyewitness account that was nearly lost to time will be available in fifteen languages, finally taking its rightful place among the great works of Holocaust literature more than seventy years after it was first published.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cold Crematorium about?
A lost classic of Holocaust literature translated for the first time - from journalist, poet and survivor József Debreczeni
'A literary diamond... A holocaust memoir worthy of Primo Levi' THE TIMES
'A masterpiece' NEW STATESMAN
When József Debreczeni arrived in Auschwitz in 1944, had he been selected to go 'left', his life expectancy would have been approximately forty-five minutes. One of the 'lucky' ones, he was sent to the 'right', which led to twelve horrifying months of incarceration and slave labour in a series of camps, ending in the 'Cold Crematorium' - the so-called hospital of the forced labour camp Dörnhau, where prisoners too weak to work were left to die.
Debreczeni beat the odds and survived. Very soon he committed his experiences to paper in Cold Crematorium, one of the harshest and powerful indictments of Nazism ever written. This haunting memoir, rendered in the precise and unsentimental prose of an accomplished journalist, compels the reader to imagine human beings in circumstances impossible to comprehend intellectually.
First published in Hungarian in 1950, it was never translated due to the rise of McCarthyism, Cold War hostilities and antisemitism. This important eyewitness account that was nearly lost to time will be available in fifteen languages, finally taking its rightful place among the great works of Holocaust literature more than seventy years after it was first published.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Cold Crematorium?
Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Biography and non-fiction prose > Memoirs
Where can I read a sample of Cold Crematorium?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781787334649
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Cold Crematorium?
József Debreczeni
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Cold Crematorium is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781787334649) and paperback(ISBN 9781784878887) and ebook(ISBN 9781529918328) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9781529932218)
Where can I buy Cold Crematorium online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Cold Crematorium from below
Where can I buy Cold Crematorium?