An important reminder that for some the horror didnt end
I didn’t read The Tattooist of Auschwitz, so I was not familiar with this author but I must say I am impressed. The hours of research and details she put into her work are very evident and makes the story come alive. Cilka’s Journey was a riveting glimpse into the further horrors that many survivors of the concentrations camps had to endure, which I didn’t know about. I can only imagine if Mrs. Morris interviewed the real Cilka what a further journey could have told. I think anything dealing with this subject matter tends to either hook people with fascination or turn them off, I would say to anyone not wanting to read this book because of the subject, to read it. It is so much more than talking about the atrocities of the Nazi’s and the Russian’s, it is about hope, friendships, and one girl’s strength of mind and character.
For me, while I liked reading the story and thought it really well done, I did not care for the authors writing style. The flashbacks while necessary seemed disjointed and needed a bit more. But then, the author is trying to place you in Cilka’s mind and into her disjointed and scattered thoughts. Spoiler- After reading the authors notes at the end, I was actually a little let down that this was a fictional story interwoven with real facts. Yes, the author went so far as to visit the real Cilka’s hometown, interviewed those who knew her, and found as much as she possibly could about her. But then it left me wondering if the real Cilka could have gotten away with training up as a nurse and being allowed such freedoms as was written when no one (other prisoners) else did.
Overall however, I really enjoyed the book and the glimpse into history and I applaud the author for all her research and for writing about such a tough subject and not letting it be forgotten. Highly recommend.
For me, while I liked reading the story and thought it really well done, I did not care for the authors writing style. The flashbacks while necessary seemed disjointed and needed a bit more. But then, the author is trying to place you in Cilka’s mind and into her disjointed and scattered thoughts. Spoiler- After reading the authors notes at the end, I was actually a little let down that this was a fictional story interwoven with real facts. Yes, the author went so far as to visit the real Cilka’s hometown, interviewed those who knew her, and found as much as she possibly could about her. But then it left me wondering if the real Cilka could have gotten away with training up as a nurse and being allowed such freedoms as was written when no one (other prisoners) else did.
Overall however, I really enjoyed the book and the glimpse into history and I applaud the author for all her research and for writing about such a tough subject and not letting it be forgotten. Highly recommend.