The Hiding Place

Our book club at church decided to read this book, and wow...it was an amazing story of courage and faith!! Our discussion ended up being almost 3 hours because there is SO much to talk about with this book in terms of faith. Even though there are some very disturbing parts, as there are with all books about the Holocaust, the book overcomes such darkness with Corrie's unbelievable courage and her sister's unbelievable faith. It's a story of hope, love, and faith...truly inspiring!!

Fabulous book. A story of hope, goodness and forgiveness in the midst of a world war.

I’ve grown up hearing the name Corrie ten Boom—like a distant family member whose story was always part of the background of my faith. I remember watching the movie as a child, though I didn’t fully understand the depth of what it meant at the time. Now, having read The Hiding Place three times—once in high school, again a few years ago, and now the 35th anniversary edition—I see just how profound and powerful her testimony truly is. As a Christian, this story resonates deeply with me. Corrie’s unwavering reverence for Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, is something I’ve often found myself falling short of. And yet, through her, I see what it looks like to love sacrificially, to obey God above man, and to choose compassion in the face of unspeakable evil. She risked everything to protect people who were not like her, and that choice still challenges me today. One of the most striking parts of Corrie’s story is how she finds a way to give thanks for things as small and seemingly unbearable as fleas. She learns to say, “Thank you,” even for those who hate her—because it’s shaping her into someone who refuses to become hateful in return. That kind of gratitude and resilience is so rare, and it reminds me how we are called to a higher way of living, one rooted in grace. Her honesty also moved me. Corrie never claimed to be perfect, and that’s part of what makes her so relatable. It was her sister Betsie’s deep, unwavering faith, and her father’s gentle wisdom, that helped shape her. They were all ordinary people who chose to trust God in extraordinary circumstances—and through them, God did incredible things. This memoir isn’t just a historical account—it’s a testimony of transformation, forgiveness, and faith. It’s a reminder not to look at the wounds people inflict, but to look at Jesus. When I’m hurt or told I’m not worthy, I’ve learned—through Corrie’s words—not to focus on the sting, but to turn to Him, and somehow, He takes the pain away. The Hiding Place has taught me that healing can happen in quiet, humble ways—like through growing a garden, or choosing to forgive. It’s also reminded me that there is no safer place to be than in the center of God’s will, even if that place looks dangerous from the outside. This is one of the best memoirs I’ve ever read. It’s on my permanent bookshelf, and I know I’ll return to it again and again, especially when I need to be reminded of God’s goodness and mercy in dark times. I believe that anyone who approaches this book with an open heart—whether they share Corrie’s faith or not—will find something of value in her story. Her life is a living picture of what it means to love in a world that tries to tear love apart. And for that, I’m forever grateful.

I would recommend this book to everyone. I think it should be on the reading list in high school. Ms TenBoom and her family are model citizens who literally put their lives on the line for the safety and dignity of others.

This was such an encouraging story! If you know only the barest details of Corrie ten Boom's life story you might mistake her for a superwoman. After all, this is a lady who lost her father and sister to the Nazis, and who had to endure depravation and cruelty of a German concentration camp and yet she still managed to forgive the very people who did her so much harm. That certainly doesn't sound like any ordinary person! However, while Corrie was most certainly a special woman, her biography is all about God's greatness and not her own. In the first third of the book she sets the scene, telling of her early life, and sharing the sage wisdom of her father. Once, when she was a little girl she overheard someone talk of "sex sin" so she went to her father and asked him, "Father what is sexsin?" "He turned to look at me, as he always did when answering a question, but to my surprise he said nothing. At least he stood up, lifted his traveling case from the rack over our heads, and set it up on the floor. 'Will you carry it off the train, Corrie?' he said. I stood up and tugged at it. It was crammed with the watches and spare parts he had purchased that morning. 'It's too heavy,' I said. 'Yes,' he said. 'And it would be a pretty poor father who would ask his little girl to carry such a heavy load. It's the same way, Corrie, with knowledge. Some knowledge is too heavy for children. When you are older and stronger you can bear it. For now you must trust me to carry it for you.' And I was satisfied. More than satisfied– wonderfully at peace. There were answers to this and all my hard questions – for now I was content to lave them in my father's keeping." Later she, still as a child, she has her first encounter with death – a small baby in an apartment on her same block has passed away - and she can't stop worrying about what she would do if her father and mother died. She can't eat, and can't stop crying. In response her father points his little girl to her Heavenly Father. "Father sat down on the edge of the narrow bed. 'Corrie,' he began gently, 'when you and I go to Amsterdam – when do I give you your ticket?' I sniffed a few times, considering this. 'Why, just before we get on the train.' 'Exactly. And our wise Father in heaven knows when we're going to need things, too. Don't run out ahead of Him, Corrie. When the time comes that some of us will have to die, you will looking into your heart and find the strength you need – just in time.'" And that is just what Corrie finds, when years later this ordinary woman, who led such a quiet life for her first 48 years, finds herself as the leader of a Resistance cell, hiding Jews and members of the underground, stealing ration cards from the Nazis, and providing whatever help she could to whoever came asking. And that is what she found still in the midst of the Nazi concentration camp, surrounded by cruel guards and biting fleas. God gave her just what she needed, just when she needed it. This is a wonderful story that will be encouraging to anyone contending with discouragement, sickness, death. Miss ten Boom wants us to know that God never stops being good, even when we ourselves are wavering as things around us go so very badly. We can trust Him. We can count on Him. He loves his children! I'd recommend it to anyone 16 and up and suggest it as a very good offering for any reading group - it would foster some wonderful discussions. There is also a "young reader's edition" which has been abridged to about half the length. But they accomplished this feat by taking out all the charm. The original reads just as you might expect an older Dutch lady to talk, but the abridged version has only a flat, generic narration to it - Corrie's unique voice is gone. So give it a skip, and go with the original, even for "young readers."

I really love history in general and often find myself drawn to documentaries and biographies. Especially regarding WWI and WWII. I honestly feel this book has changed my life. I would like to add I had read Anne Frank's diary, which leaves you sad. I also didn't feel comfortable reading her diary when it came to her teenage romance. It was uncomfortable for me and made me wonder if she would have been okay with such personal information shared with millions of strangers. On a personal note, I have many journals and when I reread them sometimes I am happy and other times I rip pages out because it is so far removed from who I am today that I wouldn't want anyone reading them, including myself. I have also been listening to The Watchmaker's Daughter on Audible, which gives historical context this book does not as well as shares other people's diaries, including Anne Frank. The Hiding Place is not like that at all. This book is written from Corrie's point of view and is remarkable. Will leave you feeling encouraged and changed for the better. Like, no matter what circumstance you find yourself in, no matter how dark, how impossible, how complex or evil God is always with you. It shows how we can find things to be grateful for even when on the surface they are not good. It really shares in great depth the dynamics in her family. Her father, her mother, and her sisters, even in taking care of their aunts as they aged. This information is not found in The Watchmaker's Daughter. The foundational beliefs formed within her home are clearly described in this book. I listened to The Hiding Place on Audible first and had to have the book. There are many pages I want to highlight and return to. While it is a scary topic and should include a mature adult to explain, I truly think children even as young as 8 yrs old, could benefit. Anytime I start to feel down, I will remember Betsey and Corrie's father. Unbelievable faith and resilience. If only everyone was raised with parents with such unwavering faith. Corrie does well describing her areas of faults and growth. She shares moments of fear, moments of being conflicted between what is right and wrong (such, as lying to Nazis or Gestapo), and moments where she reflects on her sister Betsey's great faith and allowing it to change and grow her. I have read Corrie's book Tramp for Lord is the next book to read after The Hiding Place. I can't recommend this book enough.

Wonderful story recommend everyone read only disappointment is how it has been evangelized for lack of a better word

I've read this book several times over the years and it gives me great comfort to see how Corrie Ten Boom's faith has sustained her. I personally don't know if I could ever be as strong as she was. What a true model of faith she and her family were during WWII.

Great book

Li este livro quando andava no liceu, e nunca mais me esqueci dele! A historia das irmãs, num campo de concentração Nazi, e tudo que passaram - e a fé que as manteve vivas - é um testemunho inesquecível. A frase que nunca mais esqueci - embora já me tinha esquecido do titulo do livro - e que me ajudou a encontrar o livro foi "Graças a Deus pelas pulgas". Parece improvável, mas no meio de tanto mal, tanto sofrimento, tão pouca esperança - A Corrie ainda agradeceu Deus pelas pulgas. Só lendo...a acreditem, vale mesmo a pena ler. Quando pensamos que não há esperança, há sempre algo pelo qual temos que agradecer. Sempre.

One of the best books I have ever read

Not read it yet but it looks like a good read.

A very touching testimony of living out one's faith