Exquisite detail, and a breathtaking story
The world at large is still learning about the atrocities that occurred under the Nazi regime in the mid-20th century. The events occurred decades ago, but healing is always necessary before facing the memories of some injuries and injustices can be faced. How many survivors passed away without ever fully describing what they went through? We will likely never know the full depth and breadth of what happened.
As Morris expresses at the end of Cilka's Journey, one facet that is so often shied away from is the weapon of rape under the Nazi regime - and many others. Though perhaps not "officially" sanctioned, abusive people in positions of power quite frequently employ sexual abuse as a means to exert power and control. For Cilka, her beauty and her youth - that special vibrancy we have when we are young and begin to realize our whole lives are before us - caught the attention of Nazi officers. Those officers used their power of position to trap Cilka in impossible situations.
She was forced repeatedly to endure unspeakable things. She must watch countless people be abused, be taken to their deaths. Members of her own family are ripped away from her. She is put in positions of authority over her own people - only as a means of isolating her so that she is more "available" for those who would use her body for their own pleasure. She is ostracized as a "co-conspirator," and ultimately sentenced to 15 years in a Siberian gulag for her "crimes." At 19 years old, Cilka has been deemed a criminal and sentenced to nearly double her life in a prison work camp at the end of the world.
In Siberia, her beauty once again catches the attention of those in charge. By this point, she has learned to use what she has as a way to maintain some control in her life. She acknowledges her choice to either fight and be forcibly raped and beaten, or not fight, and allow her abusers to foster a delusion of caring between them and her. Cilka chooses to stay in control of herself, to gather resources as she is able, and to use those resources to better the lives of those around her. Even those who continue to condemn her for making impossible choices.
I am astounded by Cilka's bravery. I whole-heartedly agree with Lale's assessment that she is the bravest person I've ever known. I wish I could have met her in person. Spent time in her presence.
The amount of strength contained in this woman is breathtaking. She survived so much, endured so much, and she kept her humanity. I am so inspired by her, even as my heart sobs over what she experienced throughout her life.
Thank you so very, very much to Heather Morris for thoroughly researching and expertly preserving Cilka's story as she has. This is a book I will treasure forever and will encourage my children to read as they get older.
As Morris expresses at the end of Cilka's Journey, one facet that is so often shied away from is the weapon of rape under the Nazi regime - and many others. Though perhaps not "officially" sanctioned, abusive people in positions of power quite frequently employ sexual abuse as a means to exert power and control. For Cilka, her beauty and her youth - that special vibrancy we have when we are young and begin to realize our whole lives are before us - caught the attention of Nazi officers. Those officers used their power of position to trap Cilka in impossible situations.
She was forced repeatedly to endure unspeakable things. She must watch countless people be abused, be taken to their deaths. Members of her own family are ripped away from her. She is put in positions of authority over her own people - only as a means of isolating her so that she is more "available" for those who would use her body for their own pleasure. She is ostracized as a "co-conspirator," and ultimately sentenced to 15 years in a Siberian gulag for her "crimes." At 19 years old, Cilka has been deemed a criminal and sentenced to nearly double her life in a prison work camp at the end of the world.
In Siberia, her beauty once again catches the attention of those in charge. By this point, she has learned to use what she has as a way to maintain some control in her life. She acknowledges her choice to either fight and be forcibly raped and beaten, or not fight, and allow her abusers to foster a delusion of caring between them and her. Cilka chooses to stay in control of herself, to gather resources as she is able, and to use those resources to better the lives of those around her. Even those who continue to condemn her for making impossible choices.
I am astounded by Cilka's bravery. I whole-heartedly agree with Lale's assessment that she is the bravest person I've ever known. I wish I could have met her in person. Spent time in her presence.
The amount of strength contained in this woman is breathtaking. She survived so much, endured so much, and she kept her humanity. I am so inspired by her, even as my heart sobs over what she experienced throughout her life.
Thank you so very, very much to Heather Morris for thoroughly researching and expertly preserving Cilka's story as she has. This is a book I will treasure forever and will encourage my children to read as they get older.