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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
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.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Don't really have any desire to read it. Tattooist didn't blow me away, and this one is much thicker.
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Following the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp many were freed only to be sentenced to hard labor or even worse for allegedly collaborating for the enemy. Cilka’s story is one full with sadness and hardship. She was the bravest woman Lale Sokolov ever knew and we come to understand why. She was sent to the gulag in Siberia where she learns quickly that this new place is not so different from the previous one. She’s given once again a position of power that leaves her with a long list of jealous people behind. She made it her job to help those she could and at least try to do some good while she was there. This Historical Fiction book was made to move your heartstrings and break your emotion into a million pieces.
I am conflicted, my friends. From the fiction point of view I could truly enjoy this book from the beginning to the end with nothing bad to say about it. It’s beautifully written and just moves the stone heart that 2020 gave you. It is so sad to think the outrageous reasons people were incarcerated in the past. No one would listen to reason. They couldn’t understand that she didn’t have another choice. It was either that or death. She was only 16 years old when she went into Auschwitz. What else could she do if she didn’t want to die? What would you do in her shoes? No one can predict that.
Now, when you look at the reality of her story... I do not appreciate the liberties Morris took while writing this story to make it more appealing for the public. This book has hurt her remaining family in multiple ways and has tarnished the memory of Cilka. Telling her real story is the right thing to do but it is not okay to make things up just for sales. If you’re making up a story from beginning to end with made up characters inspired by real people, it’s okay but when you decide to retell someone’s story and half of it’s a lie... it’s just not okay. To me it doesn’t matter if on the author’s note said.
I am conflicted, my friends. From the fiction point of view I could truly enjoy this book from the beginning to the end with nothing bad to say about it. It’s beautifully written and just moves the stone heart that 2020 gave you. It is so sad to think the outrageous reasons people were incarcerated in the past. No one would listen to reason. They couldn’t understand that she didn’t have another choice. It was either that or death. She was only 16 years old when she went into Auschwitz. What else could she do if she didn’t want to die? What would you do in her shoes? No one can predict that.
Now, when you look at the reality of her story... I do not appreciate the liberties Morris took while writing this story to make it more appealing for the public. This book has hurt her remaining family in multiple ways and has tarnished the memory of Cilka. Telling her real story is the right thing to do but it is not okay to make things up just for sales. If you’re making up a story from beginning to end with made up characters inspired by real people, it’s okay but when you decide to retell someone’s story and half of it’s a lie... it’s just not okay. To me it doesn’t matter if on the author’s note said.