There’s no better way to tell the true story of a comic book artist than through a graphic non-fiction book. Written by Trina Robbins and illustrated by Anne Timmons and Mo Oh, Lily Renée, Escape Artist: From Holocaust Survivor to Comic Book Pioneer uses a few words and a whole bunch of drawings to tell the story of Lily Renée Wilheim, who was just 14 when the Nazis invaded Austria. Lily’s father managed a steamship company, and her family lived a life of luxury in Vienna that enabled her to go to the ballet and opera and attend art school and dance class. But Lily’s family was Jewish, and their happy life together came to an end when Austria was annexed into Germany in 1938.
They soon saw their freedoms taken away, and when all of Austria’s Jews were forced into Vienna, the Nazis insisted the Wilheims had plenty of room to house other Jewish families in their apartment. Life for the Austrian Jews quickly disintegrated, and Lily’s family arranged for her to relocate to England as part of a Kindertransport in 1939.
Although Lily escaped the Nazis, life with the family of her British pen pal wasn’t a bed of roses. She didn’t know how to speak English, didn’t know the English customs (especially the difference between dinner and high tea), and she was expected to clean house — something she never had to do back in Vienna. When war was declared between England and Germany, she had no idea whether her parents were still alive.
Lily Renée, Escape Artist isn’t just about Lily’s escape from the Nazis; she also endured the Blitz and was categorized as an “enemy alien” by the British. The book follows Lily as she embarks on a new life with her parents in the United States and how she went from illustrating catalogs for 50 cents an hour to becoming a comic book pioneer known for her work on the comics Jane Martin, The Werewolf Hunter, and Señorita Rio. The book includes photos of Lily in the past and present and a little more information about her after she left the comic book world.
Lily Renée, Escape Artist is a story about a young girl who survived the Nazi oppression and violence, who endured frightening experiences while separated from her parents, and who overcame these hardships to enjoy a successful career as an artist, designer, and writer. Though it is not a very detailed biography, it is an informative book and a fascinating true story. Most of all, it is a fitting tribute to an inspirational woman.
Disclosure: I borrowed Lily Renée, Escape Artist from my local library. I am an IndieBound affiliate and an Amazon associate.
© 2012 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
Sounds like a fun book with the illustrations. I had no idea you’d gotten this one, but I can see why.
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I just found it while perusing the library shelves and knew it had to come home with me!
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I haven’t heard of this one, but it sounds fantastic. This one will be going on my wish list. Great review!
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Thanks! Hope you get a chance to read it.
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I have never heard of her or the comics she has written. But then I do not know much about comics in the end
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I hadn’t heard of her either, so I’m glad they included some of her comic book work at the end. I’m not a big comic fan, but I was curious about her Holocaust story and had never read graphic non-fiction.
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What a unique way to write a biography and how fitting for the author. Sounds like a great way to get kids interested in the Holocaust.
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I think this is a perfect book for young readers. The blend of comics and history was done well.
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I love that they’re making graphic novels out of true stories – what a great introduction to history.
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I just wonder why it took me so long to get into graphic novels, or graphic non-fiction in this case.
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I love these types of stories told through a graphic novel!! I’m going to have to read it now!
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I think it’s one your kids would like, too!
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This does sound like an interesting true story told in graphic novel form. I had never heard of Lily Renée, the book sounds great.
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I hadn’t heard of her either, so I’m so glad to have stumbled upon it.
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This looks wonderful! I’ve just requested that we purchase some copies for my library. Let’s hope the budget will permit!
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I hope so! Keeping my fingers crossed for you.
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What a life she led! Presenting her story in graphic format is so fitting, yet original. I will be looking out for this one.
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I can’t believe how much she endured at such a young age. It’s a very inspirational story.
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