Based on this 'first look', Heather Morris writes Cilka's Journey with even greater purpose and direction than historical fiction based on true events generally holds.
The author's note reinforces this idea. I love that Morris first encountered Cilka's story in the process of telling the story of Lale Sokolov, the tattooist of Auschwitz. My perception is that Cilka - and girls and women like Cilka, lost to history - took hold of Morris, in some ways, and compelled her to compose a new book. In the author's note, Morris not only references the research that informs her fictional account of Cilka's life - but also shares her hope that more information will come to light, following the novel's publication.
A few other notes before I conclude...
- Morris' choice to open Cilka' s Journey with the liberation of Auschwitz is both brilliant and heartbreaking. Readers know Cilka will have a much longer road to walk.
- This novel is a reminder that the stories we tell and watch and read and hear are influenced not just by the historical moment of the story, but by the present moment we're living in. In other words, I believe this story to be an especially vital one in light of 'Me Too'.
- I love the book's cover. It emphasizes that a woman's story will be told, and that readers can expect a journey.
The author's note reinforces this idea. I love that Morris first encountered Cilka's story in the process of telling the story of Lale Sokolov, the tattooist of Auschwitz. My perception is that Cilka - and girls and women like Cilka, lost to history - took hold of Morris, in some ways, and compelled her to compose a new book. In the author's note, Morris not only references the research that informs her fictional account of Cilka's life - but also shares her hope that more information will come to light, following the novel's publication.
A few other notes before I conclude...
- Morris' choice to open Cilka' s Journey with the liberation of Auschwitz is both brilliant and heartbreaking. Readers know Cilka will have a much longer road to walk.
- This novel is a reminder that the stories we tell and watch and read and hear are influenced not just by the historical moment of the story, but by the present moment we're living in. In other words, I believe this story to be an especially vital one in light of 'Me Too'.
- I love the book's cover. It emphasizes that a woman's story will be told, and that readers can expect a journey.