Cilka's Journey takes off from the ending of The Tattooist of Auschwitz with one of the characters from the earlier book. Both of these books by Heather Morris are based on real people and their experiences. Both are considered historical fiction which I think enhances historical events and makes them come alive for the reader.
Cilka learns of her release from Auschwitz only to realize she is being charged with consorting with the enemy since she had special privileges while there. She is subsequently transported to a Siberian gulag with a term of 15 years. The extreme conditions make this especially horrible. At first she learns she will be working in the coal mines along with the men. Due to an accident she goes to the hospital and eventually is allowed to work there. In doing so she is able to provide her fellow prisoners with additional food that is served to the patients and they don't eat. It is difficult to imagine the conditions of serving time in a place as barren and cold as Siberia where winter is 10 months of the year. The author has written a graphic book of hardship but also of hope and endurance. I highly recommend this for anyone who reads historical fiction.
Cilka learns of her release from Auschwitz only to realize she is being charged with consorting with the enemy since she had special privileges while there. She is subsequently transported to a Siberian gulag with a term of 15 years. The extreme conditions make this especially horrible. At first she learns she will be working in the coal mines along with the men. Due to an accident she goes to the hospital and eventually is allowed to work there. In doing so she is able to provide her fellow prisoners with additional food that is served to the patients and they don't eat. It is difficult to imagine the conditions of serving time in a place as barren and cold as Siberia where winter is 10 months of the year. The author has written a graphic book of hardship but also of hope and endurance. I highly recommend this for anyone who reads historical fiction.