A tragic story of the careless and ruthless judgement of Cilka, a woman who had no choice!
Cilka’s Journey moved me more than any other book I’ve read recently. It’s difficult to describe a story that breaks your heart but at the same time shows you what true courage, strength of character and endurance really are. My attention was immediately held captive as I was taken on a journey of torture, starvation, death and heartbreak. However, this was also a story about endurance, survival, love and the resilience of the human spirit. Cilka’s Journey, is brilliantly written and simply outstanding!
Cilka’s Journey is a historical fiction novel and is based on the true story of Cecilia “Cilka” Klein who was first introduced to readers in Heather Morris’ book, The Tattooist of Auschwitz. Although this a sequel to that book it can easily be read as a standalone story. Cilka’s Journey is based on interviews with Lale Sokolov (The Tattooist of Auschwitz) as well as interviews with Cilka’s neighbors and testimony from other survivors. It is written in the first person point of view and begins in January of 1945. The story moves between Cilka’s present time, mostly in Vorkuta Gulag, Siberia and her past experiences. These flashbacks are in italics and give brief glimpses into Cilka’s life before being sent to a concentration camp and her inconceivable experiences at Auschwitz-Birkenau.
This story begins with the Russian’s arrival at the Nazi concentration camp in Auschwitz-Birkenau where Cilka has been held for almost three years. Rather than being set free, eighteen year old Cilka is detained for questioning. The Russians believe she is a spy because Cilka has adapted to her environment by learning different languages and has survived by doing what she was told by those who imprisoned her. Despite being raped by the Nazis, she is being accused of prostituting herself for the enemy. There is no understanding of the circumstances that Cilka has had to endure nor any empathy for what was done to her since her arrival at the camp at the young age of sixteen. After months of being held prisoner Cilka is convicted of working with the enemy as a prostitute and spy and sentenced to fifteen years of hard labor in Siberia.
Cilka is loaded onto a train car filled with other women who are also being unjustly accused. Their crimes range from marrying a foreigner, sewing for a Nazi General’s wife and allowing a Nazi to buy bread from a bakery. Cilka is surrounded by women, children and infants who are sick, starving and dying. As the train continues on the journey to Siberia, Cilka reflects on when she first arrived at Auschwitz with her sister Magda and the events that began three years ago. While on the train, she meets Josie a young sixteen year old girl who is unaware and unprepared for what is to come. Cilka befriends Josie and is determined to look out for her.
When Cilka arrives in Vorkuta Gulag, Siberia she soon realizes that she has gone from one inhumane place to another as she faces new and horribly familiar challenges. The prisoners lack food and adequate clothing against the cold. The women are degraded, routinely raped and forced to do hard labor. Despite everything, Cilka is determined to survive. When she meets Dr. Yelena Georgiyevna Cilka is asked to work at the hospital. As she is training to be a nurse, Cilka finds her purpose in helping others. She becomes a voice for the sick and innocent.
Cilka becomes close to Dr. Yelena and the people she works with. Over time the women of Hut 29 become her family as they come together to offer support and comfort. Her relationship with Josie continues to grows and Cilka is willing to sacrifice everything, even her freedom to protect her. Despite suffering through so many atrocities, Cilka even finds comfort and love.
Cilka’s Journey was an amazing story of courage and hope. Cilka is a strong, determined woman who fearlessly walks into coal mines, is determined to help others and continually chooses to live. She quickly becomes someone you admire and care about. This story is richly detailed and beautifully written. It is an emotional read that deals with mature themes and dark, graphic content. The details can be hard to read but they are essential to understanding the events of this story. This story is also encouraging and inspirational as it highlights the spirit to survive. It is a fast paced book that captures your attention and makes it impossible to put down. I highly recommend this historical fiction book. It’s an unforgettable story that crawls into your heart and soul. I know this book and this story will stay with me for a long time! I highly recommend that you read and experience Cilka’s Journey for yourself!
Note-At the end of this book the author, Heather Morris provides a lot of detailed information about how she started writing about Cilka and the research involved in writing this book. She gives additional information about Cilka and her life. There’s also a section about the realities of Stalin’s Gulags.
I would like to thank the author, St. Martin’s Press and Goodreads for providing me with this free advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest, unbiased review! I truly appreciate the opportunity to read and experience this amazing book!
Cilka’s Journey is a historical fiction novel and is based on the true story of Cecilia “Cilka” Klein who was first introduced to readers in Heather Morris’ book, The Tattooist of Auschwitz. Although this a sequel to that book it can easily be read as a standalone story. Cilka’s Journey is based on interviews with Lale Sokolov (The Tattooist of Auschwitz) as well as interviews with Cilka’s neighbors and testimony from other survivors. It is written in the first person point of view and begins in January of 1945. The story moves between Cilka’s present time, mostly in Vorkuta Gulag, Siberia and her past experiences. These flashbacks are in italics and give brief glimpses into Cilka’s life before being sent to a concentration camp and her inconceivable experiences at Auschwitz-Birkenau.
This story begins with the Russian’s arrival at the Nazi concentration camp in Auschwitz-Birkenau where Cilka has been held for almost three years. Rather than being set free, eighteen year old Cilka is detained for questioning. The Russians believe she is a spy because Cilka has adapted to her environment by learning different languages and has survived by doing what she was told by those who imprisoned her. Despite being raped by the Nazis, she is being accused of prostituting herself for the enemy. There is no understanding of the circumstances that Cilka has had to endure nor any empathy for what was done to her since her arrival at the camp at the young age of sixteen. After months of being held prisoner Cilka is convicted of working with the enemy as a prostitute and spy and sentenced to fifteen years of hard labor in Siberia.
Cilka is loaded onto a train car filled with other women who are also being unjustly accused. Their crimes range from marrying a foreigner, sewing for a Nazi General’s wife and allowing a Nazi to buy bread from a bakery. Cilka is surrounded by women, children and infants who are sick, starving and dying. As the train continues on the journey to Siberia, Cilka reflects on when she first arrived at Auschwitz with her sister Magda and the events that began three years ago. While on the train, she meets Josie a young sixteen year old girl who is unaware and unprepared for what is to come. Cilka befriends Josie and is determined to look out for her.
When Cilka arrives in Vorkuta Gulag, Siberia she soon realizes that she has gone from one inhumane place to another as she faces new and horribly familiar challenges. The prisoners lack food and adequate clothing against the cold. The women are degraded, routinely raped and forced to do hard labor. Despite everything, Cilka is determined to survive. When she meets Dr. Yelena Georgiyevna Cilka is asked to work at the hospital. As she is training to be a nurse, Cilka finds her purpose in helping others. She becomes a voice for the sick and innocent.
Cilka becomes close to Dr. Yelena and the people she works with. Over time the women of Hut 29 become her family as they come together to offer support and comfort. Her relationship with Josie continues to grows and Cilka is willing to sacrifice everything, even her freedom to protect her. Despite suffering through so many atrocities, Cilka even finds comfort and love.
Cilka’s Journey was an amazing story of courage and hope. Cilka is a strong, determined woman who fearlessly walks into coal mines, is determined to help others and continually chooses to live. She quickly becomes someone you admire and care about. This story is richly detailed and beautifully written. It is an emotional read that deals with mature themes and dark, graphic content. The details can be hard to read but they are essential to understanding the events of this story. This story is also encouraging and inspirational as it highlights the spirit to survive. It is a fast paced book that captures your attention and makes it impossible to put down. I highly recommend this historical fiction book. It’s an unforgettable story that crawls into your heart and soul. I know this book and this story will stay with me for a long time! I highly recommend that you read and experience Cilka’s Journey for yourself!
Note-At the end of this book the author, Heather Morris provides a lot of detailed information about how she started writing about Cilka and the research involved in writing this book. She gives additional information about Cilka and her life. There’s also a section about the realities of Stalin’s Gulags.
I would like to thank the author, St. Martin’s Press and Goodreads for providing me with this free advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest, unbiased review! I truly appreciate the opportunity to read and experience this amazing book!