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A review by sarahs_bookish_life
The Children's Block: Based on a True Story by an Auschwitz Survivor by Otto B. Kraus
4.0
The Children’s Block is a novel that came together from a survivor's diary entries, although the author has incorporated his own experiences of his time in the camps, as well as used research and interviews so that he keeps it as true to what happened in them, as well as included some real life people, one in particular being the notorious Dr Mengele.
With books like this one, I always devour any introduction or afterword as I find these every bit as informative as the stories themselves. As well as there being an author’s note, there is also an introduction from Otto’s wife. I could feel the emotions stir inside me even before beginning the actual story.
The story focuses on the block where the children were kept within the camp. What the adults had to endure is something that no adult should have to endure but to read of the children being treat in the same manner, was heart breaking. I liked how the author incorporated some real life figures in the story as well as telling us about the dwarf’s that were also captured and held there. Dwarf’s are not mentioned in many non fiction books that I have read, although I have read one that was solely dedicated to the subject and it was a real eye opener.
The Children’s Block is both an informative and compelling read. It will certainly make you go through an array of emotions. The authors own experiences really brings the horrors of time in the camps to life. I have to admit I’m not a lover of how it ends as it’s rather abrupt but even so, it’s still a story I would urge everyone to read.
My thanks to Penguin Random House UK and Tracy Fenton (The Book Club) for my advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
With books like this one, I always devour any introduction or afterword as I find these every bit as informative as the stories themselves. As well as there being an author’s note, there is also an introduction from Otto’s wife. I could feel the emotions stir inside me even before beginning the actual story.
The story focuses on the block where the children were kept within the camp. What the adults had to endure is something that no adult should have to endure but to read of the children being treat in the same manner, was heart breaking. I liked how the author incorporated some real life figures in the story as well as telling us about the dwarf’s that were also captured and held there. Dwarf’s are not mentioned in many non fiction books that I have read, although I have read one that was solely dedicated to the subject and it was a real eye opener.
The Children’s Block is both an informative and compelling read. It will certainly make you go through an array of emotions. The authors own experiences really brings the horrors of time in the camps to life. I have to admit I’m not a lover of how it ends as it’s rather abrupt but even so, it’s still a story I would urge everyone to read.
My thanks to Penguin Random House UK and Tracy Fenton (The Book Club) for my advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.