During his visit to Auschwitz, Paul Glaser discovers a suitcase from the Netherlands with his name on it among the exhibited exhibits. He decides to start researching his family's war past.

He gradually uncovers the incredible story of his father's sister, Aunt Roosje. He finds her diary, many photographs, films, letters and songs.

Roosje was a successful dance teacher. When war broke out, her husband sympathized with the Nazis and betrayed his Jewish wife. Roosje was arrested and then imprisoned in several concentration camps.

Little by little we are putting together Roosja's secret life like a building block. It is the story of a strong, sensitive and fearless woman who, despite all the adversities, maintained her optimism in life. Not even the terrifying experiences of the concentration camps broke her. In her diary, from which this book is based, Roosje wrote:

"To preserve the memories of the lost past, I am writing a book about my life. I need the past to live the future.”