Mala's Cat

A Memoir of Survival in World War II

By: Mala Kacenberg

Narrated by: Kristin Atherton

Growing up in the Polish village of Tarnogrod on the fringes of a deep pine forest, Mala Szorer had the happiest childhood she could have hoped for. But at the age of 12, as the German invasion begins, her beloved village becomes a ghetto, and her family and friends are reduced to starvation.

So she takes matters into her own hands and bravely removes her yellow star so she can sneak out to the surrounding villages to barter for food. It is on her way back that she sees her loved ones rounded up for deportation and receives a smuggled letter from her sister warning her to stay away. In order to survive, she walks away from everything she holds dear to live by herself in the forest, hiding not just from the Nazis but from hostile villagers as well.

She is followed by a stray cat who stays with her - and seems to come to her rescue time and time again. Malach the cat becomes her family, her only respite from painful loneliness, her guide, and a reminder to stay hopeful even when faced with unfathomable darkness.

Allowing listeners to see the war through the innocence of a child's eyes, Mala's Cat is a powerful and unique addition to the Holocaust canon.

©2022 Mala Kacenberg (P)2022 Dreamscape Media, LLC

An Amazing recollection of strength

If you didn't know this is a memoir, you might think it's too amazing to be true. But it is. The author's telling of what she experienced makes it hard to believe she didn't have spiritual help. Her cat's part in her survival so touched my heart. The author makes it clear we should never forget the Nazi atrocities.

Memoir of Hope, Faith and Will to Survive

A unique true account of a Jewish survivor of Nazi Germany before, during and after WW2. Mala was a humble, faithful, observant young woman who survived by the grace of God with her cat Malach. A true testimony which speaks to all of us today - learn from Mala. Read or listen to her Autobiography.

Just incredible

I have read and listened to over 200 books on the Holocaust and this would be in my top five. A story of relentless courage, faith and hope. I am not the same after reading it. Thank you for sharing your unbelievable story. We will not forget.💪🏻

The cat Mala

I did not understand what happened to the cat when her mistress went to England. Was she left behind?

Could Not Stop Listening

The narration and suspense compels you to keep listening in order to keep her alive. Profoundly beautiful, gut-wrenching, but life-affirming. Mala's account is a poignant story of hope, drive, laser-focused wit, animal-like alertness, and unconditional love amidst unspeakable cruelty and unimaginably poor odds of survival. I wish every young American would read it.

amazing

I found this memoir to be amazing. It gave me hope and understanding. I am amazed at the strength and endurance that she found in her faith to carry on. Her story needs ro be made a motion picture. I really believe that she was blessed with an Angel to guide and protect her. I am thankful she was able to write her story.

Painful and Hopefull at the Same Time

It's an incredible story that puts anyone's life's problems in perspective. A tribute to the human spirit.

Compelling!

One of the best Holocaust survivor autobiographies I’ve listened to! God truly protected Mala. And yes, I agree! I believe Malach was her guardian Angel!!

Awesome

Mala Kacenberg was 14 years old in 1939, and would soon become the only Jewish survivor of a Polish village exterminated by the infamous Reserve Police Battalion 101. It reads like a taught 'man on the run' novel. Mala is the master of deception, helped by blonde hair, she fools nearly everyone she is a Christian; yet there is always someone around who suspects otherwise. Intelligent, clever and brave she is on the edge of death many times, a cat with nine lives. The story has a literal cat that follows her throughout - unclear if true or an analogy for a guardian angel. There are no camps or scenes of massacres. This story has stuck with me for weeks after finishing, not because it's shocking, rather intriguing. The intrigue of hiding in plain sight for years, the close-call cat and mouse games, and Mala herself who is an intriguing character. Note: originally published in 1995 as 'Alone in the Forest'.

Remarkable story

An interesting Holocaust survivor’s story. Good narration. Appropriate for a younger audience. That is all.