Dutch Girl

Audrey Hepburn and World War II

By: Robert Matzen, Luca Dotti - foreword

Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert

Twenty-five years after her passing, Audrey Hepburn remains the most beloved of all Hollywood stars, known as much for her role as UNICEF ambassador as for films like Roman Holiday and Breakfast at Tiffany's. Several biographies have chronicled her stardom, but none has covered her intense experiences through five years of Nazi occupation in the Netherlands. According to her son, Luca Dotti, "The war made my mother who she was."

Audrey Hepburn's war included participation in the Dutch Resistance, working as a doctor's assistant during the "Bridge Too Far" battle of Arnhem, the brutal execution of her uncle, and the ordeal of the Hunger Winter of 1944. She also had to contend with the fact that her father was a Nazi agent and her mother was pro-Nazi for the first two years of the occupation. But the war years also brought triumphs as Audrey became Arnhem's most famous young ballerina.

Audrey's own reminiscences, new interviews with people who knew her in the war, wartime diaries, and research in classified Dutch archives shed light on the riveting, untold story of Audrey Hepburn under fire in World War II.

Also included is a section of color and black-and-white photos. Many of these images are from Audrey's personal collection and are published here for the first time.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019 Robert Matzen (P)2019 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

I thought I knew her

There was so much here about Audrey Hepburn that I had never before learned. I knew she was a dancer but not that she was so passionate about dance. That she was born the same year and close to Anne Frank was also a surprise. The war years were terrible to her an yet she survived. What an elegant lady she turned out to be.

everything you never knew about Audrey Hepburn

compelling story of Audrey Hepburn's war years in Holland. Everything you never knew about her.

Could have (should have) had more concise writing

...but the content was interesting. Most of the flash forwards were disruptive. A straight forward timeline would have been more appropriate. Also, too often the material was repetitive...maybe needed better editing. The narrator must have thought that she was doing a dramatic performance; less is FREQUENTLY more.

People have so many layers

I remember watching Audrey, entranced, in Sabrina, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Roman Holiday, etc. Her story adds so much depth and humanity to her story. People are not just what we can see.

The real history for all generations

The incredible Audrey Hepburn’s history ! So actually and important for young people think about the future inspired in a Legend of elegance, talent, beauty and kindness!

Fascinating!

I was fascinated with this story of Audrey Hepburn. I had absolutely no idea of her background and that she came from Holland. I have listened to some other WWII books recently and also just watched "A Bridge to Far". I wished I would have listened to this book beforehand as I kept saying to myself "She was there!"

My daughters have been also listening to books on Audible and this is definitely one that I will be recommending to them.

Excellent use of multiple languages

Such a pleasure to hear a narrator properly pronounce various foreign place names and titles- her German was excellent, and the Dutch sounded correct based on my (admittedly small) experience of it. In a story where the places play such a large part, it’s wonderful to have them correctly spoken!

Wonderful Story

Loved the story, but hated the narrator. she pronounced the Dutch words as if reading in German

An Audrey Hepburn we never knew

This is the story of Hepburn early years, middle years and death. Mainly goes into how Hepburn first starved herself to try to become a dance. TI’m hen how terrible the Nazis were in the Netherlands, The Nazis starved all of the Netherlands the war went on for 6 hard years. They were all starving. How the Nazis slaughtered her favorite uncle. How her parents had a deep relationship with the Nazis in the late 1930’z. Audret could never get the WWII years out of her Ming. This book mentions the movies but does not really go into them. Talks about her life as a human and all the UNCEIF work she did to stop children from sraeving. Somalia her last trip broke her down. SHe died shortly after that trip of all things abdominal cancer. She never could each much after the war. SHe was 5’7 and never over 100 lbs. what a wonderful strong wife, mother and volunteer she was. She was much more than just an actress

Fantastic

An in depth look at WW2 through the eyes of a Dutch civilian girl & her family. While famous for her acting career, Audrey Hepburn’s intense gaze and haunted eyes were not a show.

This book is long, but extremely well read by Tavia Gilbert.

Highly recommend!