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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a story of tenacity and hope. It’s a story about standing in the abominable depths of hell and choosing kindness and love instead. Based on the true story of Auschwitz prisoners, Mala (inmate #19880) and Edek (inmate #531), Midwood masterfully brings to life their unexpected love story as well as their inspirational resistance to their oppressors.
In a place where death hangs in the air and it’s a crime just to exist, love seems both foreign and unlikely. Yet Alma and Edek find hope, tenderness, and affection in one another. Midwood skillfully draws the reader in to this unique and heartbreaking love story. I became deeply invested in their relationship and its ability to bring them a ray of light in such dark circumstances.
But this isn’t just a love story. It’s also a story about self-sacrifice and inspiration. Hardship can either bring out the best or worst in people. In this case, we see the very best of Mala and Edek, dedicated to helping others survive and bringing fellow inmates a bit of peace to distract from the surrounding horrors. Their willingness to fight against the oppression became an inspiration throughout camp and catapulted the Underground Resistance’s successes. It’s one thing to survive hell. It’s quite another to overcome it.
Having read Midwood’s previous book, The Violinist of Auschwitz, I was thrilled to see Alma and Zippy woven in to the fabric of Mala’s story. While the two stories can absolutely be enjoyed separately, it was very gratifying to see the stories intertwine.
Additionally, I greatly appreciated the Note on History at the end which indicated Midwood’s dedication to maintaining historical accuracy and the depth of research put into this book.
Mala and Edek’s story deserves to be told. They bravely defied fate and inspired others. Midwood has adeptly and beautifully given them voice and honored their lives.
Many thanks to Ellie Midwood, Bookouture, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
In a place where death hangs in the air and it’s a crime just to exist, love seems both foreign and unlikely. Yet Alma and Edek find hope, tenderness, and affection in one another. Midwood skillfully draws the reader in to this unique and heartbreaking love story. I became deeply invested in their relationship and its ability to bring them a ray of light in such dark circumstances.
But this isn’t just a love story. It’s also a story about self-sacrifice and inspiration. Hardship can either bring out the best or worst in people. In this case, we see the very best of Mala and Edek, dedicated to helping others survive and bringing fellow inmates a bit of peace to distract from the surrounding horrors. Their willingness to fight against the oppression became an inspiration throughout camp and catapulted the Underground Resistance’s successes. It’s one thing to survive hell. It’s quite another to overcome it.
Having read Midwood’s previous book, The Violinist of Auschwitz, I was thrilled to see Alma and Zippy woven in to the fabric of Mala’s story. While the two stories can absolutely be enjoyed separately, it was very gratifying to see the stories intertwine.
Additionally, I greatly appreciated the Note on History at the end which indicated Midwood’s dedication to maintaining historical accuracy and the depth of research put into this book.
Mala and Edek’s story deserves to be told. They bravely defied fate and inspired others. Midwood has adeptly and beautifully given them voice and honored their lives.
Many thanks to Ellie Midwood, Bookouture, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is the 2nd of the Auschwitz books that I’ve read by this author.
Based on the true story of Mala Zimetbaum a young Jewish woman who was raised by her father to be an educated independent woman is incarcerated by the Nazis. She is deemed useful as she speaks 6 languages and can translate for them. She holds a position of one of the camp elite.
Mala is doing what she can to help the less fortunate prisoners, and belongs to the underground resistance group.
Her story encompasses harrowing descriptions of what they had to endure, but it shows that compassion, hope and love can endure in an environment where it is primarily each person for themselves.
It is well written and the character development is excellent, I was heavily invested in the outcome of Mala and Edek.
It is slow paced, the tension and atmosphere build well towards the end. Its very emotional and moving and had me in tears.
A memorable quote from the book :-
‘Auschwitz was an animal kingdom with animal laws’
There were references made to other characters who have been written about. I need to see if I can find a book about the polish doctor Stasia.
Over all it didn’t engage me as much as the violinist, but it still left a big impact, and will stay with me.