In “Becoming Alice, A Memoir”, we are introduced to the Fell family through the eyes of their daughter Ilse, who was only six years old when the Nazi soldier’s changed her life forever. As she watched them marching down the street she could never have imagined the destruction and devastation t... more

In “Becoming Alice, A Memoir”, we are introduced to the Fell family through the eyes of their daughter Ilse, who was only six years old when the Nazi soldier’s changed her life forever. As she watched them marching down the street she could never have imagined the destruction and devastation that they would leave in their path. Barely able to stay ahead of the invading army the Fell family flees from their home in Vienna, Austria. First they go to Riga, then to Latvia and finally to the safety of America. Arriving in Portland, Oregon they were unaware of the hardships they were about to face living in a world they were not acquainted with. Each and everyday became a struggle for this once prominent family, no longer could they live the life that accustomed to. Soon Ilse childhood became marred by the events that fell upon her family, never knowing where she fit in and trying to adjust to this strange land. Trying to make the best of every situation became hard as she went from Ilse to Illy to Elsie and even Sally before she finally became Alice. When she became Alice she finally began to become comfortable in her own skin. “Becoming Alice, a Memoir”, is a moving narrative that will touch your heart and stir your soul. Wrote as though she is telling you personally the story of her life, Alice Rene, moves you to tears and then cheers you up as she brings you the highs and the lows of her life. Alice Rene has no only written her memoirs she has written a book that will inspire all of us rise above what is holding you down. Truly a book that all should read. I considered it an honor to review her wonderful book.