Book Review: "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

I recently read “The Hiding Place” again and enjoyed it even more than the first time. This is an incredible book that recounts one Christian family’s faith that stands as an inspiration to all who take the time to observe.

Corrie ten Boom begins the book by familiarizing the reader with what life was like at their home in Holland. The reader quickly realizes that life at the Beje (their home) was simple and eventless, at least when compared with 21^st century American life. And yet, in their quiet way, they lived out their faith. Then, one day, they were confronted with an opportunity to secretly protect a Jew during the rise of the Third Reich. Soon, the Beje would be a haven for many Jews in hiding. The home was eventually raided by German soldiers and the ten Booms were taken away.

The second half of the book recounts Corrie’s (and her sister, Betsie’s) experience in Nazi concentration camps. With great detail and pathos, she describes their unimaginably horrific treatment, the comfort she found from her sister Betsie, Betsie’s death and Corrie’s final release from the Ravensbruck concentration camp.

Throughout the book, the reader gets to observe and learn from Corrie’s graplings with many issues that contemporary Christians question: 1) why bad things happen to “good” people, 2) how to survive and grow in times of trial, 3) how to overcome evil with good, 4) how to love the unlovable, 5) the thoughtfulness required to determine how to think/behave in times of decision, 6) the relevancy of fellowship with Jesus in the tough times, etc.

Anyone who reads this book will not come to the final chapter without some change taking place in their minds and heart. Corrie’s story will no doubt impact readers for many generations to come.