The Hiding Place

A book report I did last semester on the book The Hiding Place. Not one of my best works, but oh well. Really good book. I highly suggest you read it.

The Hiding Place follows the story of Corrie Ten Boom and her family in Holland during World War II. Besides running their watch shop, the Ten Booms’ open up their home as an underground hiding place for Jews fleeing from the Nazis. Relying on nothing but her faith in God, Corrie manages to keep their secret hidden, when Nazis raid the house arresting Corrie, her father, and her sister, Betsie. Corrie’s elderly father, Casper Ten Boom, dies in prison, but Corrie and Betsie survive and the Nazis send them to a horrible German concentration camp. Corrie finds the work onerous, the treatment inhumane, and she constantly worries about Betsie’s failing health. However, Corrie and Betsie soon find respite in sharing the word of God with their fellow prisoners. They also find ways to thank God for everything in their situation, even the fleas.

After several months in the camp, Betsie passes away, leaving Corrie heartbroken. Only her faith in God keeps her going. A few weeks later, the Nazis release Corrie, and she goes back to Holland to start a rehabilitation center for war victims. While there she finds her brother, Wilhem, and sister, Nollie, once again. Many years later, Corrie discovers that the Nazis had released her by accident, and that a week after her release, Nazis had killed all women her age in the gas chambers. Corrie continues her work for many years, and realizes that God’s love and hope sustained her through all her time in the concentration camp. This statement captures the theme of this book. Even if things do not go our way in life, we know that God has a plan and that we can trust in His guidance.

Unlike some books I have read, this book drew me close to the characters and challenged me to be more like the main character (Corrie) faith wise. The author did not "sugar coat" the rough spots of the story, and depicted the times well. Though this book might depress many readers with all the character deaths and the horrible ordeals Corrie went through, the theme of faith triumphing over evil transcends all of Corrie’s trials. I found Corrie’s faith and her later found optimism infectious, and the story makes you feel as if its going on "right now" and makes you imagine it happening to you.

This book did get a little confusing at times, however. I could hardly keep up with all the characters, and I almost wished they could have been reintroduced when they appeared for a second or third time. Also, I wish the book had gone into more detail about Corrie’s life after the concentration camp. The book had good material on this subject, but I wanted to see more of it.
This book would probably appeal most to those interested in the historical events of World War II and to Christians going through hard times in their lives. This book would also appeal to any Christian interested in Corrie’s story. It wouldn’t be wise for the weak at heart or younger children to read this, but mainly The Hiding Place could be enjoyed by a vast audience of young and old alike.