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jennabeelack 's review for:
The Librarian of Auschwitz
by Antonio Iturbe
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This story was harrowing. It felt weird rating it as a fiction book when so much of it is based on true events. Dita (who is still alive at the time of this review!) is marvellous, and the afterword where the author discusses their time getting to meet Dita in person was so nice. Dita is, and was, truly the epitome of human resilience.
Naturally, reading about the Holocaust is always going to be reading true horror. The descriptions of the conditions of Auschwitz were gruesome and so upsetting. However, I think that books like this should be required reading. I also came away from this book feeling like I need to visit the real Auschwitz.
Naturally, reading about the Holocaust is always going to be reading true horror. The descriptions of the conditions of Auschwitz were gruesome and so upsetting. However, I think that books like this should be required reading. I also came away from this book feeling like I need to visit the real Auschwitz.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gore, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racism, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Excrement, Antisemitism, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, War, Classism, Pandemic/Epidemic