COMP CLOSED | Book Giveaway | The Burned Letter

A New Zealander’s Holocaust Mystery.

“Every day, I am in Auschwitz,” she would say, even though she had never been.

During the Holocaust, Lidi, as a teenager, flees from Hitler and the Nazis. Forced to leave behind everyone whom she loves, she eventually arrives in New Zealand as a Jewish refugee with her mother. Alive in their new country, but labelled again, they immediately are called ‘enemy aliens’, monitored by the police, their letters censored, their lives and movements restricted.

Five years later, in 1945, a few months after the liberation of Auschwitz, Lidi burns the letter written to her that tells her what happened to those she loved most dearly. She hopes that in turning the letter to ashes, her survivor guilt and trauma would disappear too. But her efforts are in vain. “They – all those relations – just perished,” Lidi says over and over again. Nearly 70 years later, just before she dies at the age of 92, Lidi said she regrets burning the letter.
Too late.

“They” remain a mystery to Helene, Lidi’s daughter. As does their fate. For 50 years, she travels the world, searching for her grandparents and her “just perished” family. It was as if “they” all just disappeared in a puff of smoke. But she does find traces in the killing centres, ghettos and death marches across Poland, Czechoslovakia and Germany, discovering murder, suicides, theft, and tragic love affairs.

Unintentionally, she also unearths some hidden parts of her mother and herself.

About the author:

Helene Ritchie, a leading local politician in Te Whanganui- a-Tara/Wellington, was born in Wellington of refugee parents, in the year of the liberation of Auschwitz. In 1977 she is the first Jewish woman elected to Wellington City Council, then later the first female Labour leader there, the first female deputy mayor and the longest-serving city councillor. In the early 1980’s, she creates an anti- Apartheid deputation to the Governor General, leading it with Sir Guy Powles, New Zealand’s first Ombudsman. Then she initiates the controversial Declaration of Wellington as a Nuclear Weapon Free Zone. In the late eighties, she leads the project creating a heart for the Capital – Wellington’s Te Ngakau/civic centre, and fights for decades to protect Wellington’s waterfront as public space for the people. Later she successfully campaigns for a new suburban library; and to rebuild the hospital mental health unit.

In 2010 Helene chairs and co-creates the ‘Wellington Town Belt Act 2016’ which protects, forever, the vast natural and recreation tract of forest clothing the hills of the Capital.
A social justice, environmental and civic activist, her time as a city councillor spans 30 years, concurrent with six as a regional councillor and 15 as a health board member.

Helene gains four degrees and two diplomas from Victoria and Massey Universities, in psychology, conflict resolution and business studies. Qualifying as a registered psychologist and mediator, she practises in public education with disabled children of different abilities and disadvantages and in her private family mediation practice.

Invited to contribute to several books on women’s rights and feminist issues, she goes on to author three books 25 Years of Nuclear Weapon Free Wellington, an updated reprint: 30 years… and the third, a personal story, Peter and me. When a Love story becomes a carer’s anguish’ telling the story of her relationship with Peter, her late husband, their journey with his dementia as a young person, and her role as his carer. Exposing health system gaps, she recommends a Royal Commission enquiry.

A recent member of the New Zealand Holocaust Centre Board, Helene lives in Wellington, has two sons, Timmy and Jonty, and four grandchildren.

Terms and conditions

1. 1. You must be a GrownUps member and receive our newsletter to be eligible to win.
   2. Competition closes on the 13th June 2023, winners will be notified via email by 15th June 2023.
   3. It is your responsibility to ensure you correctly enter a New Zealand postal address where the prize can be couriered. GrownUps will not take responsibility for prizes sent to incorrect addresses.
   4. Winners are drawn at random by the GrownUps administration team.
   5. GrownUps employees and family are not eligible to enter.
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   7. One entry per household.
   8. Prize is non transferrable.
   9. You must reside in New Zealand – the prize will only be posted within New Zealand.
   10. You must be over 50 years of age to enter, check your details are correct in your membership dashboard.