I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed this one even more than the Tattooist of Auschwitz!
This book takes you through Cilka's life prior to being sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau, her time at the concentration camp, and her current imprisonment in Siberia at Vorkuta Gulag. Due to Cilka's involuntary "role" in Auschwitz, she was seen and charged as a collaborator, thus resulting in her imprisonment. All of the books I had ever read during this time period mainly focused on the times in the camps. It was interesting to read about what happened to some prisoners after their release.
The aspect of the book that I really loved reading about was the intense bonds that were formed between the women. Cilka developed many genuine alliances and friendships with influential and non-influential women in the camp. I loved seeing her interaction with the ladies in her section as well as the deep affection and love she had towards Josie, one of the youngest prisoners. I was also very fond of Yelena, one of the doctor's at Vorkuta Gulag, who mentored Cilka throughout her time there. She exhibited no judgment towards Cilka and her past actions, and solely focused on Cilka's ability to assist when needed.
Unlike The Tattooist of Auschwitz, the love story was not at the forefront of this novel. This was truly a story of redemption and finding forgiveness in the most unlikely places. It was also about looking towards the future and all the possibilities that lay ahead of them.
Thank you to NetGalley, Goodreads, and St. Martin's Press for an electronic copy as well as a physical copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book takes you through Cilka's life prior to being sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau, her time at the concentration camp, and her current imprisonment in Siberia at Vorkuta Gulag. Due to Cilka's involuntary "role" in Auschwitz, she was seen and charged as a collaborator, thus resulting in her imprisonment. All of the books I had ever read during this time period mainly focused on the times in the camps. It was interesting to read about what happened to some prisoners after their release.
The aspect of the book that I really loved reading about was the intense bonds that were formed between the women. Cilka developed many genuine alliances and friendships with influential and non-influential women in the camp. I loved seeing her interaction with the ladies in her section as well as the deep affection and love she had towards Josie, one of the youngest prisoners. I was also very fond of Yelena, one of the doctor's at Vorkuta Gulag, who mentored Cilka throughout her time there. She exhibited no judgment towards Cilka and her past actions, and solely focused on Cilka's ability to assist when needed.
Unlike The Tattooist of Auschwitz, the love story was not at the forefront of this novel. This was truly a story of redemption and finding forgiveness in the most unlikely places. It was also about looking towards the future and all the possibilities that lay ahead of them.
Thank you to NetGalley, Goodreads, and St. Martin's Press for an electronic copy as well as a physical copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.