Françoise Frenkel
Françoise Frenkel was a Jewish woman born in Poland in 1889. She pursued her passion for literature and culture in Paris, France, where she studied at the Sorbonne. Françoise was deeply influenced by French culture and literature, which led her to open a French bookshop in Berlin, Germany, in 1921, called 'La Maison du Livre.' This bookshop was unique as it was the first of its kind in Berlin, dedicated exclusively to French books.
Her life took a dramatic turn with the rise of the Nazi regime. Due to her Jewish heritage and the increasing persecution of Jews in Nazi Germany, Françoise was forced to flee Berlin. Her escape from the Nazis was fraught with danger and difficulty, leading her through France and Switzerland. During her perilous journey, she faced numerous challenges, including detainment and the constant threat of being captured by the Nazis.
After the war, Françoise Frenkel wrote a memoir titled 'Rien où poser sa tête' (No Place to Lay One's Head), which was rediscovered and republished decades later as 'A Bookshop in Berlin.' This memoir provides a poignant and detailed account of her experiences during the war, her love for books, and her unyielding courage in the face of adversity. The book serves as a significant historical document, shedding light on the personal impacts of World War II and the Holocaust on individuals in the book trade.