“Everyone affected by war, captivity or oppression reacted differently - and away from it, people might try to guess how they would act, or react, in the circumstances. But they do not really know.”
Cilka’s Journey by Heather Morris is a follow-up to The Tattooist of Auschwitz following one of the secondary characters from that true story. After the war and surviving the camp, Cilka is found guilty of collaborating with the Germans and is sent to a Soviet work camp in Siberia.
This was one I really wanted to love more than I did. Like Tattooist, it’s a remarkable story (largely factual), and I enjoyed that there was a focus on life immediately after the war for survivors as that is a time I haven’t read as much set in. However, I really struggled with the writing. I had similar feelings about Tattooist but unfortunately it detracted from my overall reading experience more this time around. I found the writing to be very terse and plain, and lacking the emotional depth that a story like this deserved. That said I know lots of people whole absolutely loved this one so if you enjoyed The Tattooist or you’re a big historical fiction fan this could be one to pick up!
Cilka’s Journey by Heather Morris is a follow-up to The Tattooist of Auschwitz following one of the secondary characters from that true story. After the war and surviving the camp, Cilka is found guilty of collaborating with the Germans and is sent to a Soviet work camp in Siberia.
This was one I really wanted to love more than I did. Like Tattooist, it’s a remarkable story (largely factual), and I enjoyed that there was a focus on life immediately after the war for survivors as that is a time I haven’t read as much set in. However, I really struggled with the writing. I had similar feelings about Tattooist but unfortunately it detracted from my overall reading experience more this time around. I found the writing to be very terse and plain, and lacking the emotional depth that a story like this deserved. That said I know lots of people whole absolutely loved this one so if you enjoyed The Tattooist or you’re a big historical fiction fan this could be one to pick up!