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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
I am blown away by Cilka's story; blown away and devastated. The repercussions felt by some after the end of WWII was foreign knowledge to me and just brings the atrocities to a new level. The fact that Cilka was sentenced to fifteen years at Vorkuta gulag for her time at Auschwitz-Birkenau baffles me. Her strength, empathy, and compassion for others is truly astounding.
The fact I didn’t even know these Russian camps existed is wild and probably very common as it’s not taught
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
After reading The Tattooist of Auschwitz I was so moved to learn Cilka's story. When I read the introduction and learned it was fiction I was worried it wouldn't be as inspiring but it was. The struggle and perseverance was beautiful. The ending was a little abrupt but it worked in a book about lack of control. I would recommend reading both books together.
This book confused me at first because it did not continue with the story of Lale and Gita but rather focused on Cilka a fellow Auschwitz survivor. There are connections between the characters but this could be read as a stand alone story. I liked this read because it focused on another part of history just as awful as the holocaust, the Russian Gulag system. It is so heartbreaking because just as Cilka is about to be liberated from one hellish existence, she is thrown into another. How could one young person endure so much abuse and still have the capacity to love and care for others? Her story was so engaging that I was hooked right to the end. I especially enjoyed knowing that Cilka was a real historical person who Heather Morris learned about through Lale, which make me even more curious to find out what really happened to her. It is definitely a adult read and there is discussion on her resilience over sexual abuse, so this would be something to consider when putting into the hands of students.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I'm aware that Morris has come under a great deal of scrutiny regarding both this, and her first book: The Tattooist of Auschwitz. Much of this is surrounding the facts of the events that these books are based on. While I can't pretend to have the slightest idea whether they are true, misremembered or embelished, the fact remains that Cilka survived not one, but two horrendous prisons, and to do so, was an act of incredible strength, bravery and dare I say, luck. Unfortunately, no one but those who experienced these awful circumstances will ever know the truth. And they are all no longer with us.
Morris has strung together pieces of information from interviews, research, books and memories and she has done a stellar job at portraying what many survivors went through under both the Nazi and Soviet rule. While it's easy to become exhausted by the sheer volume of stories that continue to emerge from WW2, each new iteration brings us greater understanding and respect for those who lived it.
This is a work of fiction, inspired by true events as they are remembered and documented. I highly recommend that people read the additonal author's notes to get a full understanding of the work that has gone into making this as authentic as possible. But first and foremost, it is a story of incredible inner strength and overcoming of harrowing odds. It is a story of hope.
I thought this second book was better than the first, which may have something to do with the incredible quality of the audio version which I listened to. It's the first audio book I have truly engaged in.
Morris has strung together pieces of information from interviews, research, books and memories and she has done a stellar job at portraying what many survivors went through under both the Nazi and Soviet rule. While it's easy to become exhausted by the sheer volume of stories that continue to emerge from WW2, each new iteration brings us greater understanding and respect for those who lived it.
This is a work of fiction, inspired by true events as they are remembered and documented. I highly recommend that people read the additonal author's notes to get a full understanding of the work that has gone into making this as authentic as possible. But first and foremost, it is a story of incredible inner strength and overcoming of harrowing odds. It is a story of hope.
I thought this second book was better than the first, which may have something to do with the incredible quality of the audio version which I listened to. It's the first audio book I have truly engaged in.
Cilka survives Auschwitz. When she is liberated, the Soviets promptly imprison her for collaborating with the Nazis. She was raped. Off to a Gulag camp. Her instincts for survival persist and a friendly doctor aids her. She becomes a nurse. After Stalin's death restrictions loosen and she is freed. It's a dreadful story, but powerful testimony to the strength of the human soul in the face of adversity and brutality. Cilka survives the Gulag, and finds love. And the amazing thing is that the story her is based on a true story. Powerful read. Morris brings her characters to life.
Between a 3.5 and 4 stars. Impressive story and powerful to listen to. Loved the extra info from the author in an interview at the end
Touching story, with so much bravery and selflessness. Cilka is a wonderful representation of many women who lived through the WWII prisoner camps.