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melissa_bookworm's review against another edition
4.0
This book follows the story of Cilka, a minor character from The Tattooist of Auschwitz, following the closure of the Birkenau concentration camp. It is mentioned in the first book that Cilka is given a privileged position in the camp because of a sexual relationship she has with a commandant (clearly non-consensual though). Looking into this, the Auschwitz Memorial has said that this sort of relationship would not have taken place between an SS officer and a prisoner (https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/feb/01/cilkas-journey-the-tattooist-of-auschwitz-heather-morris) but first person accounts refutes this. Due to this accusation, the Soviet Army charges Cilka with fraternizing with the enemy, which result in a sentence of 15 years hard labour in a Russian Gulag.
It is a devastating narrative, to be granted 'freedom' from the Nazi's only to be thrust into another labour camp. There is lots of sad events that happen in the years that Cilka is in the gulag, but there is also small pockets of hope which keeps the book from being overly depressing.
It is a devastating narrative, to be granted 'freedom' from the Nazi's only to be thrust into another labour camp. There is lots of sad events that happen in the years that Cilka is in the gulag, but there is also small pockets of hope which keeps the book from being overly depressing.
Spoiler
I think it ended a little 'hallmark'-y. Not that I don't like happy endings, it just seemed a little convenient that Cilka and her love interest would find each other so easilylynne_booksquares's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
drubyy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
ebonya's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
beezy_alexander's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
mrbrownsays's review against another edition
5.0
This was a tough lesson. You know the story is harrowing when the gulags are presented as the nicer of two evils.
aswafford17's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely loved this book! I loved the flashbacks of Cilka’s life in Auschwitz. It was so easy to empathize with her. Well done!
dianazheng's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
kelseylitsliftsanddips's review against another edition
4.0
Just like every other WW2 era historical fiction, this one broke my heart. It’s unimaginable, the things that people like Cilka went through. To read the horrible atrocities that were committed against so many, and know that it’s not purely a work of fiction is crushing. My main complaint with this particular story though is that the writing didn’t suck me in like the previous work I read by Morris did. Something just seemed to be missing, though I can’t quite put my finger on it. It wasn’t really until the epilogue and all the info that came after that I felt myself fully immersed. Still, this book really got to me, and had me feeling all the things.
lonnicwp's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0