Michelle P reviews Dutch Girl: Audrey Hepburn and World War II, delving into the tragic and triumphant past of the much-loved actress.

In our latest Stamp of Approval, Michelle P reviews Dutch Girl: Audrey Hepburn and World War II, written by Robert Matzen and published by GoodKnight Books.

Michelle says:

I discovered this book amongst the collection on the Floor One New Books stand recently. If you’re like me and enjoy reading about people, places, and history, this could be your next read.

I had always heard of the actress and fashion icon, Audrey Hepburn – Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Roman Holiday, and My Fair Lady were some of her classic movies. But there was a lot more to this woman than I realised. She was also a humanitarian, devoting much of her time to UNICEF and travelling all over the world.

Hepburn never really talked about her childhood life under the German occupation, but Dutch Girl tells an extraordinary story of hope, courage, tragedy, perseverance, and triumph. I didn’t really realize how much of the Netherlands and its people suffered throughout the Second World War, but being on the border of Germany, there were no choices. Fascinating history but awful times.

5 facts about Audrey Hepburn:

1. She was born in Belgium, spent some of her childhood in England and moved to Holland around 1940.
2. She was the same age as Anne Frank, born about a month apart. They also lived in the same country – Anne lived in Amsterdam and Audrey near Arnhem, around 97 km apart.
3. She studied ballet as a child, and during WWII she would dance for groups of people so they could collect money for the Dutch Resistance.
   
4. Her parents were Nazi sympathisers.
   
5. She died of cancer, aged only 63, and was buried in Switzerland.
   

Dunedin Public Library has quite a few items on Audrey Hepburn, including an eBook, DVDs, and the written word. When you’ve read this book, you may be tempted…

You can also check out Dutch Girl in our catalogue.  

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