Cilka's Journey asks the question, "what would you do to stay alive." Honestly, I am not sure that I can answer this questions since it requires my mind to go to some place so dark that I hope it is never a reality for me. Obviously, Cilka's beauty captures the interest of the Nazi Guards and she is given preferential treatment. I can understand that many would resent her "opportunities" but I believe those opportunities cost Cilka a great deal. In the end, she is condemned for wanting to stay alive and making a choice that I think many might have chosen if given the option. As the daughter of an American POW who flew B-17's over Germany, I know the hardship that he suffered at the hands of the Nazi's and he was treated better than most because of his rank. This book sounds like a triumph of the spirit and the will of a person determined to survive. Bravo.